THE appointment of two women judges to the two highest positions in the judiciary–Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire as Chief Justice (ag) – has been hailed by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and several women in the legal profession.

Delivering the feature address at a workshop on Sustainable Land Management and Development Project Concept on Thursday, Prime Minister Nagamootoo, paused to acknowledge the historic move by Guyana’s President, David Granger, after consultations with Opposition Leader, Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to appoint the two Judges to the lead positions in the judiciary.

Nagamootoo said when he saw the headline on the cover page of the Guyana Chronicle newspapers which read: ‘Women Power’ when he awoke Thursday morning, he immediately felt a rejoicing in his spirit. Those who attended the workshop also applauded the extraordinary and timely appointments which come on the heels of the United Nations (UN) dedicated International Women’s Day 2017 which will be commemorated next Wednesday, March 8, under the theme, “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.”

“This morning I woke up feeling like singing ‘O happy Day’… when I saw the headline in the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper. ‘Women Power’ was the headline and that was the way it greeted the appointment of Madam Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Madam Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, as Chancellor and Chief Justice acting of the Judiciary.”

An applause of appreciation confirmed that the audience too was pleased with the decision, even as the Prime Minister stated that he believes Guyana is among the first of countries in the world to have appointed at the same time women to both positions.

“And I’m sure Guyana must be among the first countries in the world where you have a Chancellor and a Chief Justice who are both women.”

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) Sadie Amin told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment that the members of the GAWL are “elated” at the two appointments and are particularly proud that Justice George-Wiltshire, a past President of the organisation, has advanced to such height.

She pointed out that this is the second such historic accomplishments for women in the legal profession with Justice Desiree Bernard being the only woman to have served in both the positions and the first (female) to be appointed Chancellor of the Judiciary in the Caribbean. The appointments came also as Justice Bernard celebrated her 80th birthday Thursday, Amin highlighted.

“We are elated…this is the highest position in the judiciary and to know that two women are now appointed it shows that we have cracked the glass ceiling,” she pointed out.

She pointed out that with more women becoming interested in the legal profession it is indeed a moment of hope for all. Government had on December 30, created history in appointing three women justices: including George-Wiltshire and Cummings-Edwards among nine new Senior Counsel. Women had never before been appointed to such positions and the appointments of Senior Counsel had not happened in 20 years.

The newly appointed Senior Counsels are: Neil Boston, Charles Fung-A-Fat, Justice Alison Roxane McLean George-Wiltshire, Clifton Mortimer Llewelyn John, Rafiq Turhan Khan, Vidyanand Persaud, Rosalie Althea Robertson, Justice Claudette Margot Cecile Singh; and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, are the new batch of Senior Counsel.

The GAWL President said, “We haven’t had a senior counsel for any female in Guyana and now to know that two women (have been appointed to the highest positions in the judiciary). Justice George-Wiltshire has an excellent legal career, her father being former Chancellor. We’re very happy that she is one of our members. She was (appointed) DPP then Judge. We are very proud of her profession.”

The appointments have also give Guyana a ‘progressive’ status and confirms that the country is firm in upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The perception is (that) men make better lawyers but its women who put their shoulders to the wheel,” Amin told the Guyana Chronicle.

A young attorney, Thandi McAllister, also hailed the appointments as “a victory” for all women even as the appointments are “well deserved,” with both women having always displayed a high degree of professional discipline upholding the ‘moral fabric’ of the legal profession.

“This is a victory, not only for women lawyers, but for all women. And we should celebrate! I’m elated that women have ascended to the highest offices in the judiciary. These appointments are well deserved. I am particularly honoured to be a member of this noble practice at a time when women, who have been exceptional practitioners and are possessed of sharp legal minds, have ascended in the judiciary,” McAllister told the Guyana Chronicle.

She said however that it would be speculative to suggest that the ascension of women to the highest judicial offices creates a professional balance.

“I believe that women have been equally impacting; and sometimes even more than their male colleagues, in their contributions to both our National and Caribbean Jurisprudence. I think these appointments are an acknowledgement of that.”

The young lawyer also pointed out that to witness the successful climb of the women up the career ladder, along with the appointments of three women as Senior Counsel for the first time in Guyana’s history, are motivational factors for her and other young women in the legal profession.

“All of these appointments will serve as strong motivating factors for women lawyers to take up the torch so elegantly set by their seniors; and to carry themselves with integrity in and out of the courtroom,” McAllister told this publication.