THE Macmillan online dictionary defines Equal Opportunity (EO) as “a situation in which people have the same opportunities in life as other people, without being treated in an unfair way because of their race, sex, sexuality, religion, or age.” Guyanese can add other adjectives to this definition.Yet, in spite of historical experiences — inclusive of racial conflicts, patriarchal tendency, homophobia, religious self-righteousness and political preference — many desire the nation reaching a place where all are treated as equals. This desire is not unique; it is universal. It has been seen in similar diverse societies which have moved to put systems in place to engender a level playing field for all in pursuit of EO. Thus, recent announcement by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, that Government will invoke a law which guarantees 20 percent of Government contracts for small contractors creates the needed space for conversations and further actions on EO.

Affirmative action is defined as “policy or act favouring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education.” It is no secret that small contractors have been unfairly treated.

Ours is a society in which inequality is flaunted and misguidedly worn as a badge of honour. This ill-advised outlook is not only morally bankrupt, but serves to the detriment of a nation’s holistic development, given that the absence of EO creates poverty, ignorance, unkempt surroundings, and breathes crime.

In treating EO as a matter of national relevance, it requires examining and ensuring that systems are put in place for opportunities to flow and citizens to benefit. It requires investigation that will lead to development of programmes to address the plight of all disadvantaged groups, inclusive of putting in place systems that are designed to help those who have been historically disenfranchised.

For instance, though race is of significance in multiracial societies, given its tendency to influence/determine preferential treatment and exclusion, to encourage persons not to think of race will not automatically achieve equality in the society. Where one ignores the obvious, ipso facto, such action leads to failing to put in place systems to correct any anomaly, which would not only see the entrenching of inequality but would also foster disunity among the people.

It will be recalled that the People’s Progressive Party, even when it held office, demanded ethnic/racial balance in the traditional public service, police and army. Unfortunately, this call never saw a structured national programme, inclusive of laws and quota system, to address diversity in a fair and just manner across all sectors and industries. Instead, the impression was had, and with some justification, that such call was a front to mask nepotism, pursue vendetta, and justify discrimination against others.

Ours is a society with a tri-sectoral economy comprising of the state, cooperatives and private enterprise. For EO to be made real, it has to be applied across the board and impact on the nation’s diverse demographics. Affirmative actions will require the nation embarking on detailed and comprehensive data collection across industries, sectors, regions, etc. to capture disparities and measure and evaluate success. In the instance of physical disability, it requires making workplaces friendly.

Employment/economic opportunities will have to factor in universality in approach based on meeting the requirements for the specific job/task, with diversity favourably considered. In accessing finance/loans through the banking institutions, a system will have to be put in place wherein persons outside of the inability to meet the requirements are not denied, and no group should be excluded. In societies where EO is enshrined in laws, such laws not only serve as a deterrence to curbing bigotry, a caution to potential violators, or creator of a legitimate and level playing field; but also allow for complaints to be lodged, investigations conducted, and — where guilt is evident — penalties applied. When people are assured there are laws, national policies, programmes and institutions in place to ensure a level playing field, tension and flight are reduced out of the comfort that if one works hard and plays by the rules, one can achieve anything.

And if it requires Guyana emulating best practices from other societies with similar diverse experiences to ensure EO is entrenched in our national ethos, let us boldly reach out, learn from, and emulate such structures, consistent with our indigenous needs. Ultimately, such progressive action bodes well for our diverse society, since it lends to strengthening our motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.