THE proposal by Junior Minister of Social Protection, Keith Scott, to ban security services from hiring single mothers to do the night shift was met with consternation. On Monday, Scott who has portfolio responsibility for labour in the Ministry of Social Protection, said the ministry “has no intention of relenting on its agenda to minimise, in the first instance, and eventually eliminate night work for single mothers within the private security industry.” It was further advised that this decision came out of a seminar, involving stakeholders, held by the ministry last month, and the minister had requested of his colleagues and senior Government ministers to give effect to the policy.

On Thursday, Minister of State Joe Harmon issued another position, which states, “As far as the government is concerned, we have had no debate on the matter. The senior Minister of Social Protection in that regard would have to bring a paper to Cabinet and Cabinet will have to debate it. Until such time that occurs, the situation remains as it is and that is to say that women will continue to either [work] day or night and there is no restriction on them.”

Minister Scott may have been taken by surprise that the persons, more notably, Red Thread, which is seen as a vocal voice in women’s affairs, has criticised the policy. In announcing the decision on Monday, the minister said the “feminist organisations would find favour with the elimination of night work by single mothers that would go a far way in repairing the moral fabric of our society, which is seriously negatively affected.”
The feminist movement was initiated and propelled by women’s desire for equality in every sphere of society, including the right to vote, reproductive rights, respect in the workplace and wider society, equal role in issues of national character, including decision-making, which entails having a seat at the table. In short, they wanted equality to be themselves unleashed and realise their potentials and not be discriminated against because of their gender. Equally, feminists will argue that the responsibility of repairing the moral fabric of society is not theirs alone, but equally that of the man.

The issue of women, particularly single mothers, having to be at work at nights as security guards, would likely have some impact on the family no doubt. At the same time, while some single mothers will advise that such is a decision of choice for them, others may say it is because of limited to non-existent choices. In either or both instances, the socio-economic realities cannot be ignored. It is equally the role of the father to parent as it is of the mother and where men are falling short and women feel compelled to enter the security sector and having to work at nights to provide for the family, this deficiency requires holistic, objective analyses in order to inform requisite actions.

Outside of the family unit having a strong, single-parent component, in some instances the father is absent from the home, not necessarily because the relationship soured, but because of economics. Guyana remains a low-wage society, employment and economic opportunities are scarce, oftentimes leaving little or no option but to leave the home and seek opportunities. Even in this situation, single mothers may also feel the need out of economic self-determination, or having to supplement the income of the father who is away in order to provide for self and family.

Whatever choice may inform a woman’s decision to enter the private security sector, it is safe to say, as an adult, she is entitled to such pursuit. What society should recognise is, the importance of ensuring that where a woman is employed, that wages and conditions of work meet at least basic requirements consistent with labour laws and ethical practices. The private security services should not see women as labour of lesser value or to be treated with disregard. Feminists are advocates for equal pay for equal work and equal opportunities to ascend the ladder.

This is the 21st Century and the family structure has evolved, taking on different formats, all of which should be respected. The single family unit is not inferior to the nuclear, extended, same gender or others. And though each has what may be termed advantages, some have also argued that each carries some inherent challenges. Though there is no interest to get into this particular analysis, the socio-economic, cultural and political ramifications that would hinder or retard opportunities for mobility are the factors worthy of attention. Such attention would aim to seek understanding and have such knowledge aid decision-making. Minister Scott, who in August made public his concern about single mothers working as night security guards, even as he expressed his view and said he was open to other opinions, such pursuit should continue. And it may be fair to say that in making such a move,that women are invited to be more involved.