SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, hosted a ceremony on Thursday at the Public Buildings to celebrate “Women in Parliament”, which coincides with the observance of International Women’s Month. The event saw a number of women Parliamentarians and other women’s group members converging in one place to observe the occasion.
Chief Whip on the Government side of the House, Gail Teixeira, reflected on Guyanese women who have struggled and fought for betterment — from slavery to indentureship to independence to free and fair elections, which all formed part of the history of the women of Guyana.
“Women in our country have been a critical part of the victory we have been able to achieve, and they are still part of the challenges that we face,” Ms. Teixeira added.
Women first entered Parliament in Guyana in 1953. The first woman in the world to be made Deputy Speaker of any National Assembly was Former President Janet Jagan. According to Miss Teixeira, this has gone unrecognized over the years.
Teixeira is of the view that women carry tremendous burdens and that every time a woman becomes a Member of Parliament or party member, her responsibilities increase.
“Guyana has a rich history of women entering the doors of Parliament, and they have shown the ability, over the years, to find consensus on a number of issues.”
She made reference to the period 1994-1997, when the ruling Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), The Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) worked together as a group to bring the issue of domestic violence to the House, and described that event as an unwritten story of the women in Parliament, opining that it should be given credence.
She also spoke of an attempt made by Former President Mrs. Janet Jagan to create a group called the Guyana Parliament Women’s Association, in which a book was compiled by Mrs. Indranie Chanderpal detailing events from the 1950s. This, she said, was the only existing written annal about women in Parliament.
Additionally, Miss Teixeira spoke of the need for women to keep building on their successes, and emphasised that, as women in Parliament, they are different in that their struggles have been long, individually and collectively, to be recognised and acknowledged in the Parliament.
With the new dimensions and situations on Parliament, Teixeira is hopeful that women would be able to come together on issues that are important, not only for women but for all Guyanese, and the nation by extension.
Chairperson of the Commission on Women and Gender Equality, Indranie Chanderpal, in her address, spoke of the significant contributions that the women in Parliament have made. This, she said, has gone unrecognized over the years.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Deborah Backer, who also addressed the gathering, spoke on the theme “Dare to be different”.
The Deputy Speaker said she believed that if the world were to progress, women have to dare to be different. She therefore called on the female Members of Parliament to support a women’s caucus that cuts across party lines.
Meanwhile, another female Member of Parliament, Ms. Catherine Hughes, who also addressed the gathering, praised the composition of the local Parliament. She referred to it as one of the most gender-conscious parliaments in the world.
In the early 2000s, there were about ten women in Parliament. Today, there is a different configuration, with the National Assembly comprising some twenty women parliamentarians.
She reminded that the 2010 Global Status of Women in Parliament Report ranked Guyana 25th out of 158 countries, with 30% of its members in Parliament being women.
“This is no small achievement for a developing country; and you, the women of previous Parliaments who fought for this, deserve every accolade you get,” she pointed out.
She expressed the view that the Tenth Parliament is still in its infancy; and under the new dispensation it has the potential to become one of the most inclusive parliaments in the history of Guyana.
Mrs. Hughes called on women Parliamentarians to ensure that the dream of inclusiveness is realised and consensus is achieved, and that the expectation of every Guyanese is comfortable in knowing that the Tenth Parliament acts in the interest of all the people.
Chief Whip for the Opposition side of the House, Ms. Amna Ally, was awarded for in excess of 20 years’ service in Parliament. She is the current longest serving female member in Parliament.
House Speaker Raphael Trotman has indicated his intention to make recognizing women in Parliament an annual exercise.