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Chronicle New York Week-ending Edition week January ending March 9, 2018 GuyanaGuyana Chronicle New York Edition 19, 2018
Min. Norton salutes all women
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The time is now GUYANA today joins the rest of the world in observing the United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day being held under the theme “The Time is Now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives,” is a call for sustained support of those who lead the struggle for women’s full empowerment. Rightfully, some will argue that every day is ‘women’s day’, given the multiple roles women play in the development of family and society. Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, in his message this year observed that we are at a pivotal moment for women’s rights, noting that the historical and structural inequalities that have allowed oppression and discrimination to flourish are being exposed like never before. He said from Latin America to Europe to Asia, on social media, on film sets, on the factory floor and in the streets, women are calling for lasting change and zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination of all kinds. Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world, the UN SG said. He said too that activism and advocacy of generations of women have borne fruit. “There are more girls in school than ever before; more women are doing paid work and in senior roles in the private sector, academia, politics and in international organisations, including the United Nations. Gender equality is enshrined in countless laws, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage have been outlawed in many countries. But serious obstacles remain if we are to address the historic power imbalances that underpin discrimination and exploitation.” Ours has been a history, or ‘her-story’, of gender inequality. This is in large part informed by the unscientific belief of a woman’s capability, or her ‘knowing her place,’ and where remnants of a patriarchal society remain. This is not to say that efforts have not been made, with measurable success over the years, to topple
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton has saluted all women on this International Women’s Day being observed globally.
SEE FULL STATEMENT BELOW : Today, the Ministry of Social Cohesion salutes and celebrates the achievements of Guyanese women, and women all across the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Today, we remember women’s struggles for equality, for the right to education, for the right to vote, for the right to work, for the right to fair remuneration and access to support services. Today, I applaud their perseverance and accomplishments and commit to supporting initiatives that acknowledge their human rights. It has been said that a feminist is anyone who recognises the equality and full humanity of women. I am proud to sit at the helm of a Ministry that promotes and fights for women’s rights, and equality for both men and women. The Ministry of Social Cohesion was birthed by a vision to create a country where all are equal, regardless of race, religion, gender or any other demographic. We also recognise that in order to achieve gender parity the role of both parents is most important. Parents are a child’s first teacher and their influence on their choices, both as children and later, as young adults, and their role in nurturing children, who become productive mem-
bers of society can never be over-emphasised. Proper nurturing of children in the home by parents cultivates positive values and virtues such as love, respect, care, consideration, discipline and respon-
values of perseverance and discipline. It only takes one determined effort to shatter barriers and create a level playing field, whether in the sport arena, in the classroom, in tertiary institutions, in the
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton
sibility. It is important too for fathers to be positive role models for both their sons and daughters. In the absence of a father figure, the burden falls on the mother to ensure that boys and girls grow into young men and women who respect each other. As the Minister charged with the responsibility for Sport, I also want to underscore the importance of equal participation of girls and boys in sports as it teaches the
these beliefs. What this historical fact is saying is that there remains work to be done, not only in toppling more barriers, but in ensuring that those that have been toppled remain toppled. Where laws guaranteeing women’s rights as seen in the Women and Gender Equality Commission and List of Representatives, these are floor standards set, which ought not to be practised in the breach. Equality requires strengthening and deepening of these foundations, the creation and implementation of policies and programmes that will secure women’s rights in every sphere of desired participation. Where sexual harassment and abuse continue to be present in the workplaces, homes, and on the streets, stamping these out must also allow for anonymous reports to be made and investigated, and for perpetrators to be dealt with condignly. No woman must be made to feel that the transgressing of her right to choose her partner/mate is a precondition to securing and maintaining employment or certain positions. This nation faces a critical situation of single-parent, working, female-headed households. It
professional field and in the wider society. As a country, Guyana has made significant strides in in ensuring equality and equity. Women have taken charge of their households, although more often out of necessity rather than by choice; have taken charge of their education and their earning power and have inspired other women to do the same. Today, Guyanese women, and those around the world are not
only excelling in traditional fields of employment, but they are successfully forging their way into careers that were once male-dominated and considered unsuitable for women. Today, Guyanese women are surpassing their male counterparts in education; they are taking the lead in higher paying, once male-dominated occupations, such as in Information Technology, Engineering and Finance and they are pursuing non-traditional careers such as auto electricians, minibus and taxi drivers, carpenters, farmers and so many more. Guyana also has a vibrant complement of female activists, law enforcement officials, social workers, journalists, politicians and other professionals. Importantly too, we have women working tirelessly with and without a second parent in the home to raise their children. Since women account for more than 50 percent of our population, it is clear to see that Guyana has a bright future. The Government recognises that more has to be done to protect our women from gender-based violence and to strengthen the capacity of more women to take on leadership positions and become strong drivers of economic growth and social change. We will continue to work to achieve these goals. Women, today we celebrate and commend you for your contributions towards building our beautiful country. Happy International Women’s Day!
matters not how such circumstances are created, but what can be done at a social level to ensure that the care of unattended children should be pursued. The story of a female security guard returning home to a house destroyed by fire and children lost in the fire is heart-rending. The time has come when childcare (day and night) and child-friendly work environments should become national and corporate priorities. Whereas some societies have legally stipulated ages when children can be left alone or in the care of another, our small, communal society may, in addition to looking at the feasibility of such a law, conduct national conversations on the importance of the extended family structure in addressing childcare and safety issues. Guyana, as a member of the UN, has an obligation to work to ensure that there is sustained support of those who lead the struggle for women’s full empowerment. More importantly, women are encouraged to ensure that this is achieved through their involvement in shaping the nation’s social, economic, political and cultural development.
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