THE Women and Gender Equality Commission presented their fifth and sixth annual reports with some 22 recommendations to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland on Wednesday.
Chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indra Chanderpaul noted, “We have made 22 recommendations for the National Assembly to consider.”
She explained that while there were some difficulties and challenges encountered by the Commission, the reports were ably compiled and reflect the interests of many Guyanese. Some recommendations made in the report include: the enactment of legislation and policy on sexual harassment in the workplace, the establishment of the national gender advisory committee, full enactment of the Domestic Violence Act, enforcement of breach of protection order, provisions for paternity leave by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and a ‘speedy’ enactment of the Juvenile Justice Bill.
Of the recommendations, the Guyana Chronicle understands from previous reports that a number of them were made hitherto but have not been enacted and thus have recurred. One such recurring recommendation is the review of the building code to include provision for access to persons with disabilities.

According to the Speaker, the function of this Commission is imperative given that it is one of the four commissions responsible for the welfare and the well-being of the people.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of the reports when they are presented and posited that the National Assembly must be engaged in the recommendations of the report, or at least in discussing it.
Domestic violence and the objectification of women in music are critical areas identified by both Dr. Scotland and Chanderpaul. The chairperson however noted that there were recommendations in the reports to alleviate both of these.
Another point of interest was the elimination of gender parity in government and local government bodies. It was reported that the government was fully committed to the fifth Sustainable Developmental Goal (SDG), which is, to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
While speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, the chairperson explained, “There are 22 recommendations that we’re making to the National Assembly…and it means that government and agencies are encouraged to take up these recommendations and act on them.”
Now that the Speaker has been given the report, it is expected that the report will be tabled in the National Assembly at the next sitting on July 7.