SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran yesterday announced that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will observe  Commonwealth Day 2011 under the theme ‘Women as Agents of Change’. He told a press conference, in the Committee Room of Parliament Chamber in Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown, that the planned activities will be over three days, from March 14 to 16.
Ramkarran said:“Over the years, Guyana has benefited, significantly, from its close relationship with the Commonwealth and, as such, we will proudly observe Commonwealth Day.”
He pointed out that the Commonwealth is not a political union but an inter-governmental organization, through which countries with diverse social, political, and economical backgrounds are regarded as equal in status.
Remarking on the significance of the chosen theme, Ramkarran explained that is a very important one, selected in a process of consultation by the Commonwealth Secretariat, to emphasise women issues at this time.
“This is in regard to the role that women have been playing in the world as change agents and the continuing efforts of people all over the world to enhance the status of women, to bring equality, to fight domestic violence, to create equal pay for equal work, to end trafficking and other oppressive conduct that relate to women,” he elaborated.
Ramkarran said, even though there have been significant strides in addressing and highlighting women’s issues in Guyana, much more work is still to be done, especially as it relates to domestic violence, which is seriously affecting all Guyanese.
He said the observance will begin with a tour of the Public Buildings, by second and third form students, between 10:00h and 10:45h on March 14, after which there will be a participative discussion on the importance of Parliament and the Commonwealth and the day’s programme will culminate with a reception and exhibition at the Umana Yana, Kingston, also in the city.

Debating competition
On Tuesday, March 15, there will be a debating competition, involving University of Guyana (UG) students in the Parliament Chamber, on the topic ‘The implementation of electoral quotas for women in Guyana and other Commonwealth countries has significantly improved the conditions of women.’
In addition, there will be a roundtable discussion on ‘Women as Agents of Change’ in the Education Lecture Theatre on the UG Turkeyen Campus, on Wednesday, March 16.
The speakers at that forum will include Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand; Members of Parliament (MPs) Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, Ms. Volda Lawrence, Ms. Cheryl Sampson, a representative of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Ms. Yvonne Pearson, Chair of the National Toshaos Council.
Ramkarran also said Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be tabling a motion in the National Assembly, the same day, on the observance of Commonwealth Day.
“Essentially, the motion resolves that the National Assembly reiterates its recognition and support of the efforts of the Commonwealth to address emerging and old challenges and it endeavours to promote a world of freedom, equality, development and prosperity for all peoples, especially the young and women,” the Speaker said.
Commonwealth Day is usually celebrated on the first Monday in March, every year, with the CPA joining the rest of the Commonwealth family in observing the anniversary, this year being on Monday, March 14.
The Commonwealth of Nations, usually referred to as The Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an inter-governmental organisation of 54 independent member states that cooperate within a framework of common values and goals, including the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism and world peace.