THE Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) salutes all women on International Women’s Day. The association acknowledges the many women who are entrepreneurs in traditional and non-traditional areas and who are contributing to the development of the private sector in Guyana. The GAWL would like to highlight two areas of concern with regard to women and the private sector: the lack of women on boards of management on a number of our leading private sector entities and the necessity for such entities to focus on gender based violence (GBV).

The equality provisions in the Constitution, in particular Articles 29 and 149D, address the inclusion and promotion of women in the decision making processes in the private sector. Even State boards of management have a fair representation of women and there is a provision for a requisite number of women to be on lists of candidates contesting national elections. Yet many private boards of management have no female representation.

It has been ascertained that only 13 women are on the boards of management of some of our leading private sector entities. While these businesses depend on the patronage of women for their profitability, there is clearly a lack of gender sensitivity and awareness on the part of these businesses.

It cannot, with any conviction, be contended that there are only a few competent women who can ably serve on such boards. Women bring a different perspective to businesses and the workplace environment and it is hoped that they would also bring a more gender sensitive perspective.

In keeping with this call for gender to be on the agendas of our private sector entities, is also a call for these entities to visibly address the scourge of gender based violence (GBV). The association notes with appreciation the work of the Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with Help and Shelter and urges the former to take on board and tackle GBV more frontally.

GBV has an economic cost to it that can affect and does affect the bottom line of businesses. It is a major public health and social issue that impacts negatively on the very foundation of our society – the family. Stable families produce an enabling environment for healthy and committed employees who are necessary for businesses to thrive. In short, it is an occupational safety and health issue.

 The correlation between HIV/AIDS and GBV has been recognised and is well documented. The GAWL strongly urges the private sector to step up to the plate and provide leadership on the issue of GBV, just as the Business Coalition is providing leadership by its response to HIV/AIDS. Work on these two pressing issues can be done separately or in tandem. Women of Guyana look forward to the increased recognition of women by our private sector entities and a more wide-ranging and positive response to GBV.

Our international obligations as a country require such a response. Our national laws demand one; and most importantly, the women and people of Guyana deserve the same. By International Women’s Day 2014, there should be tangible movement on these fronts.
Happy International Women’s Day!