EU takes stand for women

THE European Union said it is standing by women in Europe and around the globe today, as it did at the time of its foundation.
In a message to mark International Women’s Day, the EU recalled that 60 years ago, equality between women and men was embedded in the Rome Treaty as one of the European Union’s fundamental values. At that time, Europe’s commitment to the principle of equal pay for equal work was unique in the world. Since then, the EU has continued to lead and has made visible progress on all fronts. We work tirelessly to defend women’s rights and empower them in the fight against discrimination and gender-based violence.

In 2017, there are more women in work, more women graduating from universities, and more women active in politics or in top positions than ever before. Within the Commission, women represent 55% of the total workforce. And yet, too many women, especially single mothers, are still struggling to reach economic independence. The rate of women’s employment in the European Union reached an all-time high of 65.5% in 2016 and yet there is still a big difference with the 77% rate of men. Much more must be done both inside and outside of Europe. Women are often among the most vulnerable, in conflicts, in situations of migration and displacement, and where poverty and climate change hit the hardest. In addition, there is an exponential growth in the numbers of female victims of trafficking arriving in the EU in the current migration context.

Intolerance against women and misogyny manifest themselves in the public sphere as well as behind the cowardly anonymity of the Internet. Attacks on women’s rights are on the rise. Too many Europeans still think sexual intercourse without consent can be justifiable. Women are also on the frontline of discrimination and violence, especially in conflict areas around the world. However, women are often also the first ones to seek solutions, to look for resilience in times of challenge and those with a vision for the future of their countries. That is why the EU continues to engage with women’s groups throughout the world, including in the most challenging circumstances.

We will continue to take action both at home and abroad. In particular: through its 2016-2019 Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality, the European Commission tackles inequalities in key areas such as work, pay, decision making and violence. Additionally the European Commission has dedicated 2017 to eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls.

Women have made remarkable progress-TSC chair

Chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission, Leila Ramson has hailed the strides made by women over the years even as she called on them to remain resilient against forces that threaten their lives and progress.

Below is the full text of the message
On this day, International Women’s Day, I pay tribute to all our women, in Guyana and worldwide who make sacrifices and contribute so much to the wellbeing of their families, communities and their nations. I am a mother, full time wife, charity organiser, social activist and chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission, managing national education issues for over eighteen years. Today, on Women’s International Day, I implore on our women to move forward, unite and remain strong in the conviction that women’s rights are human rights. This is endorsed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states,’ ‘All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms.”

These are rights for which you are entitle to live fearlessly and freely–Free of discrimination and gender bias. Women have made remarkable progress and since the last century has seen a great expansion of legal rights and entitlements in the field of education and empowerment. It is important for you to have equal access to education, training, science and technology in order for you to elevate and empower yourselves. This is the pathway to your success. You have the power to achieve greatness and success in your talented field. Never allow poverty or adverse circumstances to shape your destiny. You are in control of that destiny.

Undoubtedly, there have been tremendous strides of progress for women. Today, more women are attending university and attaining the highest pinnacle in the professional world. However, there are forces that threaten to erode those achievements and it is up to us women to stand together in unity and be stronger than ever before for the preservation of those rights for our daughters and granddaughters. Today, on this day, I implore you to continue to educate yourselves spiritually and academically.

Remember that education is the movement from darkness to light. Let us move forward with the vision that progress for women is progress for our nation. A woman is like a tea bag, you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. Her strength lies in her power of endurance and perseverance and the success of our nation lies in your power. May God continue to bless each of you as you recognise your purpose that you have been blessed with. Hats off to all the wonderful women out there. “Happy Women’s Day 2017”

PPP says women made great strides under its rule

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has saluted all the women of Guyana on the occasion of International Women’s Day, saying that women made enormous strides under its rule.
This is a good time to reflect on how far women in Guyana have advanced, thanks to several policy measures taken by the PPP/C administration to empower women during its period in office.

It is no idle boast that under the PPP/C administration women have made enormous strides in every facet of life in particular education and skills training. Women today enjoy equal rights like men and several legislative actions were taken to protect our women against domestic abuse and sexual harassment. Improvements in health care delivery and maternal health have impacted positively on the quality of life for the society as a whole but more particularly for our women.

Regrettably, many of the gains scored by the PPP/C administration are now being eroded by the vindictive and short-sighted policies by this current APNU-AFC administration which is already creating distress and stress among women and families who are now reeling under the burden of increases in the cost of living and high unemployment rates. The closure of the Wales Sugar Estate and the impending closure of several other estates will adversely impact on the quality of life of the entire families of which our women are made to suffer the burden of making ends meet.

Women less than one-fifth of senior management worldwide- ACCA

Women still represent only 22% of corporate leaders globally, and a further 33% of firms worldwide have no women in senior management at all, according to Helen Brand, CEO of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) ACCA. The ACCA, the leading body globally for chartered accountants, uncovered inequality in the working trends of young women in finance careers in an 18,000-strong global survey, ‘Generation Next’.

It found that women are more likely to pursue a long-term career in finance and accounting, with 47% of respondents preferring to stay in the career for more than 5 years compared to 40% of men. In addition, women are more likely than men to stay with their current employers in their next role, 42% compared to 37% for men.
By contrast, the survey found that men were more likely to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions, with 84% signalling a desire to start their own business, either as a next career move or later in their careers.

The figure for women was 74%. “For the inequality these statistics show to become a thing of the past, organisations must build supportive environments and work to eliminate conscious and unconscious bias right across the corporate structure”, Brand said. At present, ACCA has 480,000 students around the world studying hard to become professional accountants. 54% of them are female, a percentage that is growing year-on-year. Almost a quarter of a million women are working towards a professional qualification.