The Ministry of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing launched a public education campaign on gender equality on International Men’s Day, on Saturday, 19 November 2011.

Visitors to the International Men’s Day Football Tournament and Expo on Saturday were the first to receive brochures and giveaways promoting the Gender Equality Law and the new website, www.genderequality.gov.ky. The Office of the Governor, through an Overseas Territories Programme Fund grant, and the Ministry of Community Affairs provided joint funding for the campaign materials.

The site offers examples of international best practice and interprets in plain language the Gender Equality Law which takes effect on 31 January 2012. It aims to provide a social and historical context for gender equality in the Cayman Islands and highlight a variety of resource links from around the region and the world on the topic of gender equality. In addition, local employers are being encouraged to visit the site and take an online pledge to promote the development of gender equality within their organisation. Employers and the ways in which they are committed to ensuring equal opportunities to their employers will be made public once they take the Gender Equality Pledge that is on the website.

“I would also encourage local employers to take the online pledge and demonstrate to our community and the world at large their commitment to making the Cayman Islands a world-class jurisdiction in which to live and work,” Mr. Adam urges.