– under theme “Women as Agents of Change”
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps, various religious organisations and students yesterday congregated at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston for an interfaith service to commemorate Commonwealth Day 2011. The event sought to provide persons the occasion to pray for peace, remember loved ones, reflect upon the interconnectedness of all beings, and to uplift hearts and minds, at the same time seeking to reinforce the purpose of the Commonwealth that works as a force for peace, democracy, equality and good governance, uniting all in the spirit of harmony and respect for diversity.                                                                             
At the commencement of the service, prayers and readings from the Holy Books were delivered by representatives of various religious groups, including, Muslims, Christians, Baha’is, Rastafarians and Hindus. They all echoed the call for peace and harmony.
Speaking on the importance of women, Prime Minister Hinds posited that they have been influential and that they have played significant roles in society.            
“The importance of women must not be underestimated nor over-estimated, neither should it seek to put all the requirements of a country, the world, nor family on women; men have a role to play also,” Prime Minister Hinds stressed.        
Acting Regional Director Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, Gem Eytle, focused on the significance of the theme, “Women as Agents of Change”, noting that though half of the  population may be made up of women, they and girls carry two-thirds of the world’s challenges on their shoulders.                                                                              
“Issues of health care, access to education, equality and access to job and pay, access to political office, issues of protection, societal and other gender stereo types, that is a list that reads innocuously enough, but which means essentially that many girls and women cannot and do not access the same developmental opportunities as men and boys and have little or no access to human rights.” Eytle said.                                               
She added that the Commonwealth has been trying to address some of these inequities through the Commonwealth gender plan of action, its plan of action for youths, and the works of the human rights division.

Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth’s organisations, which aim to improve the lives of its citizens.                                                                                  
Other activities set out to observe the 62nd anniversary of the Commonwealth in Guyana include a participative discussion on the importance of Parliament and the Commonwealth, a reception and an exhibition at the Umana Yana tomorrow.
Meanwhile, at the conclusion of the interfaith service, a forum focused on Women Networking for Change was held.(GINA)