TODAY, I wish to extend greetings to all Guyanese women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
As we observe this occasion, it is important to reflect on the advancement women have made worldwide since this day was first celebrated in the early 1900’s. Since then, the struggle undertaken by countless of ordinary women has today allowed us to live in a country and a world with greater gender equality. The sacrifice and efforts of many make it a norm today in many countries, including Guyana, for women to vote, to have access to education, to be leaders of countries and industries, just to name a few pursuits.
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar
While these are achievements which must be celebrated and which should inspire us as we continue to strive to make our world a gender equal place, it is important that we realise that the struggle for gender equality is not yet over. In fact, it is a sad reality that it is not yet a norm for women to get equal pay for equal work, that in some parts of the world it is believed that it is not worthwhile to educate young girls, that female infanticide still continues, and here in Guyana mental and physical abuse of women appear to be a daily occurrence.
The United Nations is observing this year’s International Women’s Day under the theme of ‘Equality for women is progress for all’. This is appropriate, since it has been proven that when women have access to employment, it is indeed progress for all, because the entire family is able to benefit since more of the income in reinvested within the home.
In Guyana, we are quite fortunate that it is a norm for women to be attending schools – in fact a large percentage of women are graduating from the university and in fields of engineering that were once considered male only sectors – it is also a norm for women to be participating in the workforce and to hold high offices both in the private and public sectors.
Sadly, however, notwithstanding these achievements, we find that in their private lives some women are subjected to mental and physical abuse. This is a serious cancer in our society that is a fundamental violation of women’s rights, and shows that despite the advancements, women are still not seen as being equal to men. While I know that the various Ministries and NGOs have programmes that are attempting to combat violence against women, it is important that there be more education and involvement at community level to eradicate this disease.
Once more, my hope for all Guyanese women is that we reflect on our achievements as women in this society and recommit ourselves as we go forward, striving for greater equality. I wish you all the best for International Women’s Day 2014.