Dear Editor,
In Guyana today the woman’s role in society is becoming increasingly meaningful. She is discovering more of herself, her potentials – the possibilities that are set before her, even though she may yet be a vulnerable creature in so many ways. However, in such an atmosphere of hope that exists in this society today, noticeably more women are exhibiting confidence and trust in the system.

President David Granger has consistently demonstrated his commitment at being a trusted supporter and friend of women. Not just because he is a husband to First Lady Sandra Granger for nearly 50 years so far; not just because, as a father he has publicly shown his love for his daughters and grandchildren; but also because it is not difficult for most women and girls especially, to feel that genuine affection that emanates from him. The fact is that he is a caring president and there is no dispute about it. As president of the APNU+AFC coalition government, he continues to place emphasis on matters that would help women to rise above situations that may be submerging them. He has not been shy to express care for the women of Guyana, especially those who find themselves in most vulnerable circumstances.

STARTING FROM THE TOP
In the Granger-led coalition government, there has obviously been a rise in the women who hold positions of high authority in this country. Other than President Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, there are 24 ministers of government. A breakdown would show that there are 13 male ministers of government, with the President and Prime Minister making it fifteen in total. However, there are currently 10 female ministers of government – three less than their male counterparts.

EMPOWERING WOMEN CRITICAL
In fact, President Granger has actually emphasised the importance of gender parity in relation to women in this society. Therefore, every female minister of government must be seen as a way of empowering the women as a whole in this country. As women, they can be considered as lifted to higher levels. However, they are not there for themselves, but for every citizen who may need their assistance in direct or indirect ways. Hence they are empowered to help their women-folks in every possible manner, but are also obligated to be of service to the men as well.

At the most recently held, Women’s History Month event, the President stated, “It is my belief that if women were economically independent, if they were educated and if they were empowered, we would not have this sort of domination and domestic violence that are taking place in this country.  So, I call upon you my sisters, to move the process along by ensuring that your girl-children particularly, can get to school, that they are protected from abuse, that they are given education and that they can take control of their lives.”
The First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, who was patron of that event added her voice: “Girls and our women have to be educated and independent and to know their power; to know how they are going to spend their money and to know how they are going to make the demands that come with that power and that comes with that sisterhood; then is when we will really start to see women moving forward.

“My husband and I talk often about education, and we also talk about the burdens on women, particularly single women who are parents of children and struggle to get them to school and to put a roof over their heads and feed them…” she posited.
And so, based on such a premise, the coalition government of the APNU+AFC has been putting every possible system in place to provoke women to action all over the country. To find stability in proper and sustainable employment; to avoid abuse of all forms; and to avoid the pitfalls that especially single woman encounter. Education and training is not only being made available, but also encouraged.

Women continue to experience tremendous improvements in every region in Guyana. They are much more involved in agriculture and agro-processing and see better outcomes. They enjoy an elevated level of education and training, gaining skills that are positioning them to be engaged in entrepreneurship or become employable. Then they enjoy better healthcare, with more hospitals and maternity wards; more health centres and health posts. Mothers can now relax and see their children benefit from better education undertakings by the APNU+AFC coalition government. In this case books, meals and even transportation are made available – all free of cost. There has even been a different approach to the school’s curriculum and this is at every level.

President Granger has even paid attention to imprisoned women, having a plan to pardon some of them who were convicted for non-violent crimes. This was done at Christmas time, starting December 2015. He noted that special attention is to be given to mothers, while young men would be pardoned for the Guyana’s Independence, he said. “My emphasis is on women, women who are mothers and also parents of young children. I want them to be home for Christmas.” He however noted that plans are in the making to provide rehabilitative services for pardoned prisoners, which would help them to live a changed life after being pardoned.

Regards,
Margaret Burke