THE People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), since taking office in 1992, has developed a comprehensive constitutional and legislative framework aimed at empowering Guyanese women generally and protecting and promoting their rights specifically. This reflects a praiseworthy effort on the part of the PPP/C to alter the historic disregard for women in national affairs existing prior to 1992.

Pursuant to Article 29 of the Guyanese Constitution, “women’s participation in the various management and decision-making processes, whether private, public or state, shall be encouraged and facilitated by laws enacted for that purpose or otherwise.”

To this end, women comprised 22 of the 65 Members of Parliament in the 9th Parliament and as of May, 2010, accounted for 8 of the 18 Cabinet Members. In fact, both the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Whip were female during this time. Especially noteworthy is that 5 of our Government’s Ministers are women.

And of course, the illustrious Mrs. Janet Jagan served as the President of our nation from 1997 to 1999 and as Prime Minister in 1997.

QUOTE: A meticulous examination of this article is unnecessary, for any casual inspection reveals glaringly that, since taking office in 1992, the PPP/C, in its administration of the Government of Guyana has made a sincere, good-faith effort to eliminate the past and historic vestiges of discrimination and disadvantages faced by Guyanese women existing prior to 1992, by developing a comprehensive constitutional and legislative framework aimed at empowering Guyanese women as well as protecting and promoting their rights.

Similarly, women have served in high-ranking judicial positions including as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the Supreme Court, Registrar of the Land Registry, Registrar of the Deeds Registry, Chief Magistrate and Principal Magistrate. As of May, 2010, 9 of 16 magistrates and 5 of 17 Judges in the High Court were female.

Article 149 provides for quality by guaranteeing, among other things, protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender. Article 149 boldly declares that “no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect” and that “no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner.”

Article 149F makes clear that “every woman is entitled to equal rights and status with men in all spheres of political, economic and social life [and that] all forms of discrimination against women on the basis of gender or sex are illegal,” and that “every woman is entitled to equal access with men to academic, vocational and professional training, equal opportunities in employment, remuneration and promotion and in social, political and cultural activity.”
By means of the PPP/C prompted Constitutional reform process beginning in 1999, among the five human rights commissions established was the Women and Gender Equality Commission, which replaced the National Commission on Women. The Women and Gender Equality Commission generally aims to protect and promote women’s rights and addressing discrimination against women by providing a complaint mechanism for redress.
Article 212Q governs the Women and Gender Equality Commission and makes clear that its purpose is to “promote national recognition and acceptance that women’s rights are human rights, respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.”
Among its various and numerous functions, are: (1) to promote the enhancement of women’s status; (2) to integrate women’s needs and interests; (3) to empower women; (4) to raise awareness of the contribution of women; (5) to educate employers on employment practices in relation to women; (6) to make recommendations to the National Assembly on any law likely to affect gender equality; (7) to recommend training and technical assistance to women; and (8) to promote the participation of women in national decision-making.
The PPP/C, in its administration of the Government of Guyana has also enacted laws and implemented policies that aim at remedying past discrimination against women and girls. For instance, the Equal Rights Act No. 19 provides that no person shall, on the ground only of sex, be denied access to academic, vocational and professional training, or equal opportunities in social, vocational and professional activity. The Prevention of Discrimination Act No. 26 of 1997 states that it is unlawful for any person or educational authority recognized as providing facilities for training for employment to discriminate against any person, particularly women, in affording their equal enjoyment and opportunity to attend any training courses offered by such person or institution.
With regards to sexual violence, which the PPP/C recognizes as a historic societal problem, the Sexual Offences Bill of 2010 implemented desirable measures to reduce violence against women by broadening the definition of rape and criminalizing marital rape.
Under the Domestic Violence Act of 1996 and the Criminal Offences Act, offences such as murder, rape and assault can be vehemently prosecuted. The Prevention of Crimes Act No. 11 of 2008 allows for the mandatory supervision of persons convicted of scheduled sexual crimes.
In 2007, the PPP/C introduced a policy paper entitled “Stamp it Out” which sought to prevent the incidence of domestic and sexual violence and affirmed the PPP/C’s commitment to fostering equality and equal access for women.
Similarly, in 2007 under the supervision of the PPP/C, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) released its third Report ‘Getting Serious: Detecting & Protecting Against Crimes of Sexual Violence in Guyana’, to develop characteristics of potential victims and likely predators in sexual violence crimes.
In fact, an International Day for Violence Against Women was observed in 2008 at the National Stakeholders Forum, convened by President Jagdeo. Moreover, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security offers support programmes which encourage women to take action and report every incident of domestic abuse.
Awareness programmes implemented by the PPP/C have advocated and managed issues of benefit to women, children and family life, working with NGOs such as Help and Shelter to assist victims of abuse. Women’s organizations and faith-based groups have organized skills training programmes to adapt women to the new demands of a changing economy through sustainable livelihood opportunities and income generation. The Single Parent Assistance Programme offers assistance with day-care costs and project funds to start micro-economic activity. Additionally, the PPP/C initiated a Faith-Based Organizations Partnership to end violence against women by training over 600 religious leaders and workers in October 2010.
Under the PPP/C, Guyana has acceded to the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which has also helped to shape Guyana’s pro-poor policies and measures cutting across race, ethnicity, culture and gender and has had a meaningful and positive impact on equality between men and women. CARICOM’s Charter of Civil Society for the Caribbean Community has also been acceded to by Guyana under the PPP/C, and allows women legal protection including just and effective remedies against domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
The newly instituted Family Law Courthouse, constructed under the PPP/C will provide women with a specific judicial avenue upon which to seek legal redress for transgressions against their human rights. Moreover, newly renovated police stations have been established which include separate women friendly facilitie
s for reporting crimes of
domestic and sexual violence.
A meticulous examination of this article is unnecessary, for any casual inspection reveals glaringly that, since taking office in 1992, the PPP/C, in its administration of the Government of Guyana has made a sincere, good-faith effort to eliminate the past and historic vestiges of discrimination and disadvantages faced by Guyanese women existing prior to 1992, by developing a comprehensive constitutional and legislative framework aimed at empowering Guyanese women as well as protecting and promoting their rights.
This is yet another, of, countless reasons why on November 28, 2011, the PPP/C should be chosen by you to continue advancing our great nation. Please come out on November 28 and support the PPP/C’s continued effort to empower our Guyanese sisters. Vote PPP/C!!!