MEMBERS of the National Congress of Women (NCW) have joined in extending warm wishes to Guyanese women, our Caribbean sisters, and women worldwide on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), which is being celebrated the world over today.

The theme for IWD 2022, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, focuses on “sustainability”, and highlights the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are actively involved in programmes relating to climate change adaptation, mitigation and response to build a more sustainable future for all.

Quoting a United Nations (UN) report as saying that, “the latest data emphasises the link between gender, social equity and climate change, and recognise that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future and remains out of reach,” the organisation said, “The NCW is appreciative of the sterling work of Guyanese women (frontline workers), who have worked tirelessly during 2020, 2021, and 2022 to maintain basic services to Guyanese, particularly in the health, education, and public sectors.

“Our organisation also congratulates our sisters who are contributing to the development of our country in different spheres: Politics and public life, legal, education, health, science and technology, environment field, security, trade unions, religious, social and community organisations, and in the field, office and factory.

“The NCW also recognises the contribution of iconic women of our Movement. The late Jane Phillips-Gay and Winifred Gaskin were trailblazers who founded the Peoples National Congress Women’s Auxiliary (PNCWA) in 1957, and were pioneers in the struggle for equality, and the emancipation of Guyanese women. Two outstanding leaders, the late Viola Burnham and Shirley Field-Ridley, worked untiringly in Guyana and overseas, during the 1970s and 1980s, to secure the equal participation of women in all sectors of national development.

“On the occasion of IWD, 2022, the National Congress of Women urges all Guyanese to celebrate International Women’s Day in recognition of the achievements of women in different sectors of national life.”