GUYANA must confront and deal with the issues of violence and cultural division as a country, says Head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana, Khadija Musa.
The UNDP official was speaking yesterday at the National Conference on Gender and Development Policy which was organised by the Ministry of Social Protection at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.The theme of the conference is: “Equal rights for all – Be good people.”

The opening session yesterday of the two-day conference was attended by several government ministers, representatives of ministries and the private sector.
Addressing the opening also were President David Granger; Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence; and Country Representative of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Jean Ricot Dormeus.
GUYANESE FIRST
According to the UNDP country representative, the issues of violence and cultural division “must” be addressed by Guyana. She stressed that if Guyana does not unite as a society and persons choose to think of themselves as different to others rather than seeing everyone as Guyanese first, the country would not be able to develop.
She spoke of the need for Guyanese to enjoy the various heritages and cultures of each other, otherwise the nation will be trapped. Musa said that Guyana has the potential to be trapped into the issue of division and electing politicians who do not serve the interest of the people. And should there be no coming together, then as a society this country will not be able in any constructive manner to promote the nation as one people, should the division persist.
She added that to provide opportunities and good policies and a nurturing environment, Guyanese first have to work together and appreciate and enjoy the different cultures which speak to the beauty of the country.
Failure to move in that direction will only see a stalemate in moving forward. In that vein, she commended the conference for being on the right track in addressing the issues that speak to equality and pledged the continued support of the UNDP to the process.
MEN ALSO
Additionally, the UNDP Representative told the gathering that they need to understand that when the issue of equality and gender comes to the fore, it does not only address issues of women but

men also. She spoke of both men and women being the backbone of families and their roles in taking the new generation to the next level. Those things, she noted, can only work once they are complemented by good governance.
The gathering on Thursday was told that the issue of gender is not restricted to Guyana, the Caribbean or the developing countries but is relevant to the well developed countries also.
“All countries do have on their books equal-rights policies, but you find women both in the developed world and developing countries who actually have less chances of making equal pay for equal work,” she said.
In his address, OAS Country Representative,Jean Ricot Dormeus said the conference which will form aspects of strategies speaks volumes of the importance that the Government of Guyana attaches to gender equality and also echoes the principles of the OAS, which speaks to protection and promotion of human rights.
“The OAS has been in the forefront in the equality agenda leading an inspiring progress in the Americas and the rest of the world,” Dormeus stated. He said further that the Region has come a far way in fighting for the civil and political rights of women.

In concluding, Dormeus spoke of his expectations for improvements in the conditions of women in years to come, stressing the need to look at income as well as outcome opportunities.

By Leroy Smith
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