There is still a glass ceiling holding women back both in life and in the workplace, according to one of Guernsey’s most high-profile female leaders.
Jacki Hughes is Executive Principal of The Guernsey Institute.
She moved to the island five years ago to bring together the College of Further Education, The Institute of Health and Social Care, and the Guernsey Training Agency.
As with other places she has worked, education and childcare settings in Guernsey predominantly employ female staff. Where change has already been experienced though is that some of the most senior leadership roles across those sectors and others are now occupied by women, like Ms Hughes.
Women still face additional challenges to achieve their ambitions though she warned.
“I think Guernsey is a very interesting environment, because it has a lot of women leaders, particularly in education, which is a great testament to Guernsey, quite honestly.
“I think it’s becoming much more the norm, that there isn’t that same gender divide, that there has to be a man in charge. At one time, if you saw a doctor and a nurse, you’d assume the doctor was the male and the nurse was the female. I don’t think people think much like that anymore. I think we’re much more used to people of all genders choosing the career that’s right for them. But it is important to celebrate it.”
Ahead of International Women’s Day, which is marked around the world on 8 March annually, Ms Hughes highlighted how important she believes the occasion still is.
With the glass ceiling still in place for many women, she said they need encouragement to try and break through it, for themselves and future generations.
“International Women’s Day is really interesting because over the years it has been a really important way of saying there are opportunities for women.
“Think about what it is that women can do, and people talk about breaking the glass ceiling and there is still probably a glass ceiling to be broken.
“I’ve been really looking at my career and I’ve probably progressed to the top of my field, which I’m very pleased about and very proud of, but there are a lot of women who aren’t able to do so. But actually, we must also say there was quite a lot of men who don’t get to the to the top of the train for whatever reason.”
With teachers being among the strongest influences on any individual during their formative years, the Principal of Blanchelande College also echoed the view that pupils of all genders need to be encouraged to reach for their ambitions.
But, Alexa Yeoman also said those encouraging messages remain particularly important to girls on International Women’s Day.
“I think with all teachers, they’re all there to nurture students and to shape their minds and to inspire them, and it’s very much about the individual, but at the same time, sometimes there are different strengths that different teachers bring, and I think particularly with female teachers at times I think the fact that they can empower girls to have confidence and to know that gender doesn’t stop you doing anything.
“You can be in a leadership role, you can be intelligent, you can have compassion, you can be out there and have a voice. You’re not bound by gender, and I think that’s a really important message for that empowerment of girls.”
International Women’s Day has been recognised by the United Nations since 1977.
8 March was officially set aside then as an opportunity to recognise women’s social, political, and economic achievements while continuing to advocate for gender equality.
It is a globally recognised date in the annual calendar, with its earliest known roots found in the work of women in the early 20th century.
Events are being staged by various organisations in Guernsey to mark the occasion this year.
