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CEO's Message

ACCELERATE ACTION

Beyond Dialogue, Toward Real Change

 
LINKAGE Q1 (2025) - ACCELERATE ACTION

Wow! It may seem that this issue is superfluous now the we have a female President, female Prime Minister and female Leader of the Opposition! But it’s not. This coincidence is awesome. We’ve definitely broken some barriers as a country. What we have to ask ourselves though is whether or not we have fixed the systems that make such an occurrence more likely to be an aberration than the norm.

This year, we marked International Women’s Day with our largest Women’s Leadership Conference to date—welcoming over 650 guests in a powerful celebration of progress and a call to action to dismantle barriers that continue to limit women’s potential.

At AMCHAM T&T, we believe it's time to move beyond conversations. The pursuit of gender equity must become a daily imperative—embedded in the way we lead, the policies we craft, and the cultures we nurture. Equity, safety, and opportunity should be non-negotiable foundations of our workplaces and society.

The underrepresentation of women in leadership has never been a question of talent. It’s a reflection of systems not built for equitable advancement. Real leadership today demands fair access, equal pay, and inclusive career pathways. We need more organisations committed to building environments where women are not only supported but valued and empowered to lead.

Mentorship matters. But sponsorship changes the game. Leaders must go beyond offering guidance—they must actively champion women into decision-making roles. Equally, businesses must renew their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion—you can call it something else if the term makes you uncomfortable. It’s the principles and outcomes that matter, not the labelling. DEI isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about unlocking the full potential of talent, free from bias. In times of pushback, companies must move from performative gestures to tangible accountability for addressing discrimination and inequality.

But we cannot talk about gender equality without addressing gender-based violence. Too many women still face threats to their safety, both in the workplace and beyond. Condemnation is not enough. We must act: zero-tolerance policies for harassment, abuse, and discrimination, clear reporting mechanisms, swift consequences, and building a culture where victims are heard, protected, and empowered to speak out.

The private sector must play a greater role beyond the workplace. From supporting advocacy efforts and funding education campaigns, to engaging men and boys in reshaping narratives around respect and masculinity—every effort counts.

We’re not just showing up once a year. We’re taking action—every single day.

We hope the articles and perspectives in this issue of LINKAGE inspire you to accelerate meaningful action, not just for gender equity, but across every aspect of your workplace and your life.