–PPP/C women parliamentarians say; condemn vile actions which include derogatory remarks, attempts to physically harm VP Jagdeo

IN a strongly-worded statement released Wednesday, the women parliamentarians of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government vehemently rejected what they termed as the “hypocrisy” of the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) owing to the Opposition parliamentarians’ actions that appear to be a clear attempt to divert attention from the positive Budget 2024.

The PPP/C women argue that this act was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from significant benefits for the people that are outlined in the national budget currently being debated on in the National Assembly.

According to the PPP/C statement, the APNU/AFC has a history of directing offensive language towards female members of the PPP/C.

Cathy Hughes, a prominent figure within the opposition, was specifically named for allegedly making sexist remarks about Minister Priya Manickchand, referring to her as “sitira gyal” – a derogatory term.

The statement further claimed that the AFC had issued an official statement using the same derogatory language against Minister Manickchand.

The release went on to highlight recent instances of sexist comments made by Coretta Mc Donald, an APNU/AFC member, on her social media page directed towards female PPP/C MPs.

The statement also pointed to an incident on budget day where Dr. Karen Cummings, a female APNU/AFC Parliamentarian, was recorded attempting to harm Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo within the Parliament precincts, with a video attached as evidence.

The PPP/C women parliamentarians condemned what they described as the “vilest, most racist, and sexist comments” coming from the women of the APNU/AFC. Despite these allegations, the PPP/C members expressed their commitment to denouncing all attacks on individuals, regardless of party affiliation or gender, and asserted their determination to support the growth and well-being of all Guyanese citizens.

In response to the recent walkout by the opposition, the PPP/C women asserted that it was a calculated effort to divert attention away from the ongoing national budget debates, which they argue contain significant programme and policies aimed at benefitting women and the Guyanese population at large.

The statement concluded by condemning all personal attacks on any gender within the National Assembly, emphasising the importance of maintaining a respectful and focused environment for constructive parliamentary discussions.