Prime Minister Hinds outlines women’s advancement
Women’s activism in the world has led to the enactment of legislations and the reduction in the traditional differentiation and discrimination between men and women, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds asserted while speaking at a conference Tuesday at Regency Suites in observance of International Women’s Day. The event was a collaborative effort between the Women and Gender Equality Commission and the United States Agency for International Development/Governance Enhancement Project (USAID/GEP), observed under the theme, “Equal access to education, science and technology; pathway to decent work for women.”
Prime Minister Hinds emphasised that these achievements should be celebrated, and commended women from around the world for their hard work and struggle to keep the human race equal and to bring gender justice to the world.

He noted that in Guyana, the struggle for women’s rights does not resonate in a similar manner and pace compared to developed countries because of its colonialism and industrialization.
The prime minister highlighted that over the last 100 years, there have been changes in the attitudes of society in relation to women, as they have become emancipated and possess equality in the workplace, outside of house-keeping.
He added that all over the world, including Guyana, women are drawing abreast of men in the highest political offices, as they are becoming presidents and prime ministers, and assuming the highest positions in companies.
Women are also doing better than men in education from primary to tertiary levels, as well as in health services.

Prime Minister Hinds noted that in a number of armies in developed countries, women have been commissioned for active battle alongside men, becoming soldiers and pilots.
He pointed out that in the small and medium-scale mining industry, there has also been the need to train as many women as men to become operators of bulldozers and excavators.
The prime minister, however, is disheartened over the daily beating and brutalising of women by men, as reported in the media.
He pointed out that in light of this issue, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has the support of President Bharrat Jagdeo and members of Cabinet to put in place a number of laws, institutions and agencies for the ending of violence against women and for their protection and reduction of abuse.
In addition, the recent launching of the Men’s Affairs Bureau by President Jagdeo will serve to re-define males in society, with the aim of reducing the violence men perpetrate on women.
He said that there is need for men and women to build partnerships to further enhance the country and the world at large.
At the conference, Hinds presented an award to Magda Pollard for her outstanding contribution to the Women and Gender Equality Commission.
Chairperson of the commission, Indra Chandarpal, enumerated the actions by the PPP/C Government for women’s rights and development, including the passing of the Domestic Violence legislation; the support towards the establishment of Help and Shelter and Legal Aid; the passing of the Termination of Pregnancy Bill; the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Institute, National Commission on Women; and the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997, among others.
These actions were followed by the expansion of Legal Aid in the various regions, hosting of campaigns to ‘Stamp Out’ violence, the Sexual Offences legislation, and the Single Parent Assistance programme.
Chandarpal pointed out that of the 186 countries surveyed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union of Women in relation to national parliaments, Guyana was rated 25 in the world.(GINA)