— Canadian high commissioner

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger has highlighted that there should be “no objection” to women’s demand to ‘Balance For Better’, particularly in light of their contributions to society.

The First Lady was at the time speaking at the Canadian High Commission’s annual expo and concert held in observance of International Women’s Day 2019.

This event was held on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Ground.

According to the First Lady, women are key players in development and innovation and must be equipped in this regard.

“We as women have always been more open to innovation, particularly when innovation helped to make our multitasked life easier,” she said.

She added: “Since we are fully into the fourth industrial revolution, we must train and equip our girls for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).”

Through access to technology, via cellphones and the Internet, she stressed that young girls and women can edify themselves and work to empower others.

Mrs. Granger also highlighted the need to protect women’s rights.

“So let us, as we balance for better, ensure that we speak up and speak out against violence of any kind, against the person and not just for one day, but every single day, whenever and wherever it occurs,” she said.

“Let us ensure that our legislation against domestic violence is rigorously enforced so that we can one day boast of zero tolerance for domestic violence.”

She bemoaned that while many avenues for access to healthcare have been opened up, too many women do not access these. The First Lady reminded that in Guyana, there is treatment available for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

“There are still too many persons who do not know their status, or do not want to know their status [and] still too many persons are tested positive for HIV, but do not access antiretroviral treatment because they fear stigma and discrimination and this occurs in a country like Guyana where treatment is free,” she said.

According to her, studies show that young women between the ages 15 to 24 are twice as likely to contract the same diseases as young men in the same age group.

Speaking on employment, she noted that it is recognised that companies and businesses that have women in leadership positions benefit from a more diverse leadership which positively affects the way business is done.

“So indeed, balance is better,” she said but posited: “At the same time we must not forget our sisters who do unwaged work in the home and as caregivers, nor should be leave out the women who work in the informal economy.”

Cognisant of all these factors, she posited: “There should be no objection to our demand to balance for better.”

This year, International Women’s Day was observed under the theme: “Balance For Better” and Canadian High commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee, who also spoke at the event, reminded that celebrating women is not synonymous with degrading men.

“We can do both of these things without maligning anyone, [we are] pointing fingers at structures of discrimination that exist,” she said.

At the event, about three thousand persons benefited from empowerment sessions geared at advancing the cause of women. The night ended with a concert which headlined young Trinidadian female artiste, Nailah Blackman.