– President Ali, Human Services Minister affirm

COGNISANT of the pervasive challenges of gender inequality, violence and discrimination that women continue to face, President Dr. Irfaan Ali highlighted that a multifaceted approach will be taken to promote women’s advancement and reduce gender inequalities in Guyana.

On Monday, in his message on the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021, the Head-of-State emphasised that this year’s observances highlight the need for us to work more assiduously and purposefully to reduce gender inequalities. This focus, he explained, comes against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which has exposed societal disparities including gender inequalities and has had a disproportionate impact on women worldwide.

“The economic slowdown and job losses due to the pandemic are expected to continue to adversely impact women, especially those employed in the tourism and hospitality sectors,” the President said, adding: “Women have also had to shoulder the burdens associated with the closure of schools and the need to make provisions for the care of their school-aged children. These developments will only exacerbate the disadvantages to which women are subjected.”

Similarly, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted that the pandemic has indeed disproportionately impacted women. According to the IMF, women are more likely to work in industries that require face-to-face interaction, which means that they are either placed at a greater risk or there have been cutbacks on their jobs.

Additionally, the IMF noted that women are more likely to work in the informal sectors of the economy which leaves them with no protection from labour laws and no benefits, and that women engage in a greater amount of unpaid work at home, bearing the brunt of the shutdown caused by COVID-19.

To address these challenges, President Ali posited that steps must be taken to ensure that there are greater social safety nets for women and that gender inequalities can be combated. He contended that the institution of the family has an integral role to play in the empowerment and advancement of women, since stronger families are critical in providing the support women need to thrive. And, according to him, addressing the family unit will be part of his ‘One Guyana’ initiative, which aims to advance the quality of life of all Guyanese.

“Women play an integral role in the family and are essential in the transformation of Guyana. Changing the country starts with changing communities, changing homes, and in every facet of that change, women will be involved,” President Ali posited.

But strengthening the family unit is only but one aspect of the government’s plan to facilitate women’s advancement, according to the President. He highlighted that there are six underlying themes, in total, that will be part of the Government’s efforts to facilitate women’s advancement and reduce gender inequalities. These include: greater participation of women, their empowerment, enhance their livelihood options, creating a more secure environment in which women can live, building stronger families and, ensuring that our national institutions address, in a holistic manner, the challenges of women.

“As we celebrate the tremendous strides made by our women, let us, with immediacy and urgency, work towards reducing the inequalities which disadvantage our women and deny them the dignity to which they are entitled. Let us continue to work for greater equality for women everywhere,” President Ali emphasised.

Adding to the sentiments expressed by President Ali was Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud who highlighted that the ministry is committed to working with all partners to support women and girls.

“A 914 emergency hotline for domestic violence victims was launched in 2020. The Survivor Advocated Programme provides emotional support, crisis counselling and other support mechanisms to domestic and sexual violence victims,” she highlighted.

Dr. Persaud also added, “There will be a concentrated movement by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to enable women to utilise their skills and talent through the Cottage Industry Initiatives moving them from dependence to independence.”

During her presentation in the recent 2021 National budget debates, Dr. Persaud highlighted that $80 million has been directed towards the training of women, to enable them to create their own jobs and provide for themselves and their families. Moreover, the training will take place at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute, which will receive a ‘facelift’ to the tune of $20 million.

In addition to the training provided, this institute is expected to have the first business incubator that will be providing training in microenterprise development, improving products and skills and linkage to market opportunities, directly to women. Beyond the training which will add to women’s economic empowerment and advancement, during her IWD message, however, Dr. Persaud contended that it was the responsibility of each person to dismantle the stereotypes and prejudice that feed the inequality between women and men.

“Because women’s issues are fundamental issues of human rights, we expect change to happen with the cooperation of men. It is time for them to accept the challenges rather than feel challenged. Women do not become powerful beings by oppressing or disenfranchising men. Women become powerful because they understand it is their right,” she emphasised.

UNCONSCIONABLE VIOLENCE
Additionally, she underscored that it is “unconscionable” that so many women experience sexual and physical violence.

“The recent horrific attacks on our women and children, including elderly women, across our country must be condemned by all, and we must collectively work to challenge the culture and attitudes in relation to violence against women. We must each resolve that violence against women will not go undetected, unreported or unpunished.”

Last November, the minister revealed that over 210,000, or three out of every five women have experienced some form of violence, either sexually or physically. And on the occasion of IWD 2021, she, once again, emphatically called on all citizens to challenge gender-based violence (GBV) and condemn all forms of violence, discrimination and harassments in public and private spheres.