WITH the increasing fight around the world for gender equality and the involvement of women in governance and other key positions in society, Guyanese women have been charged with the idea of “progress for women and progress for democracy goes hand-in-hand.”

Expressing his views, was US Charge d‘affaires Bryan Hunt yesterday during the opening ceremony of the Guyanese Women’s Roundtable (GWR) three-day conference, held under the theme, “Guyanese women’s civic engagement.”
Hunt underscored that more women were getting involved in the public service, given that studies had shown that countries would be better governed by women.
With a non-partisan approach, he made mention of the fact that the US was in support of all Guyanese and not just a particular political party or a section of the country. As such, all women were urged to get involved.

This year the GWR charged women to begin engaging on the topic of cohesion and civic participation, hence the added programming, partnerships and resources unique to any other conference.

According to head of the Caribbean People International Collective Inc. (CPIC) Roslyn Wade, “There is a growing sense of urgency to renew civic engagement across many sectors of society. Business leaders recognise that corporate community investments in human capital are essential to our social as well as economic progress.”

As well as, the fact that post 2015 general and regional elections, there have been many changes in the communities and it was the GWR’s turn to play a role.
The women’s roundtable, feels that this is a propitious moment to capitalise on the resurgence in civic engagement in order to make inroads on critical issues that press upon the communities, regions, and the country in its entirety, said Wade.

During its sessions over the next three days, the forum will seek to encourage equality for peace and democracy’s by increasing the role of Guyanese women in civic participation; teach women about the tools necessary for living together peacefully and with respect for differences; understand the gender perspective on peace building and political decision-making; and explore the role the GWR must play in the process of equality, democracy, civic education and civic participation of women.

“It is incredibly important that we take advantage of the amazing window of opportunity that is open before us now… an opportunity like this- to sustain a longer term growth of our civic engagement- comes along once in afar, thus we need to support and nurture it,” said head of the CPIC.
Hence, in partnering with the office of the prime minister, social protection, United Nations development programme and the US embassy, organisations that aligns with their core beliefs of connecting women and encouraging civic participation and empowerment, they intend to execute a successful programme.