“THE implementation of gender- specific laws in Guyana, applied on specially adapted election arrangements, have created the framework for women to feature strongly in politics. 

“This unique legislation led to a greater participation of women in the political process, and resulted in a more than 30% representation of women in the 65-member Guyanese parliament.”
This was the conclusion drawn by Ms. Jenny Geerlings-Simons, who, as chairperson of the Suriname Parliament, led a parliamentary visit to neighbouring Guyana.
“In the Surinamese parliament, the ratio is extremely skewed, as women only represent 13% of the members. We looked at that particular legislation to see how this arrangement could be accommodated in the Surinamese system,” she told Dagblad Suriname.
According to Geerlings-Simons, the legislation can’t simply be adapted, because the Suriname political system is fundamentally different from Guyana’s.
The visit of the Suriname parliamentary delegation to Guyana took place from October 24 to 26. The invitation was made ??two years ago by Guyanese Parliament Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman.
Preparations are now being made for a return visit to Suriname early next year by Guyanese parliamentarians. However, the current political situation in the western neighbour will determine whether this visit will still go ahead. Guyana is in a political crisis; the government of Donald Ramotar is governing with minority of seats.
Geerlings-Simons says there are several areas where the two discussed how their respective parliaments could cooperate. The fact that both countries are part of UNASUR and CARICOM can serve as a basis for entering into parliamentary partnerships.
The DNA President also finds the alignment with her fellow Guyanese important because of the intense movement of people between the two states.

(Dagblad Suriname, October 29, 20130)