International Women’s Day greetings

As Guyana joins the world in observing International Women’s Day today, greetings have poured in reflecting on, recognising and celebrating women.
This year’s theme is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change” – is a focus on innovative ways of advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Design (STEM).

More can be done to involve women in various areas – PPP
Against this backdrop, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) acknowledged the invaluable contributions of women in the country’s development, noting that more can be done despite Guyanese women already having been integral, in every field, in the forward movement.
“The Party stands proud of its record which saw the implementation of policies and programmes that made a positive impact on the advancement of women and gender equality during its tenure in Government,” the Party said.
It went on to express dismay at the reversal of many of these policies and programmes by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government, which has been compounded with the imposition of 200 new taxes, the loss of 30,000 jobs, and the placement of VAT on health services, electricity and water rates, among others.
“We believe that more can be done so that our nation can benefit from the involvement of our women and the employment of their skills and talents in various areas. In this regard, we commit to leading with the specific aim of putting in place policies that will enable the upliftment of Guyana’s women. We know a brighter day is on the horizon. Let us commit to working towards that. Happy International Women’s day!” the PPP stated.

GAWU commits to the fight for better, equal work environment
Meanwhile, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has applaud the political, social and economic achievements of the women in Guyana and around the World.
“We thank our womenfolk for their contribution towards the strides made in our nation’s development… On this International Women’s Day, let us all promise to work towards building a better country and work for the realisation of equal opportunities of our womenfolk  for fair and respectful treatment of women at the workplace and throughout society, and encourage their all-round development as, together, we strive to build a prosperous country,” GAWU said.
The Union further committed to continue fighting for a better working environment in Guyana, where men and women can work harmoniously; a society free of violence and discrimination, and where equal opportunities are available for all workers and where together everyone can “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”.

GPSU calls on men to support women’s development
On the other hand, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) calls for urgent action to be taken to eradicate all manmade and unwarranted obstacles that often obstruct the progress, enlightenment, development, happiness and fulfilment of the dreams of women.
“Striving towards these achievements must attract and have the fullest support of the men folk which should be done most willingly with much zest, zeal and pride. It is therefore necessary to call on the males again to treat their colleagues who are women with respect and assist them in their personal development and aspirations,” the Union implores.
To this end, the GPSU committed itself to taking the necessary steps to continue contributing to the achievement of the desired and noble goals of women.

UN
Furthermore, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, in his message this year’s theme calls for the reimagining and rebuilding of the world so it works for everyone.
This means addressing the “underrepresentation and lack of retention of women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics And Design,” by challenging stereotypes that limit girls’ ambitions and dreams to pursue these disciplines, ensuring equality of opportunity, and increasing the number of women decision-makers in these fields.
According to the Executive Director of UN Women, Chilean President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, this also means ensuring women are “not only consumers of innovation,” but that they are engaged in “both design and execution of solutions” that can then address the “unique needs of women and girls, from the creation of decent work to delivery of products, services and infrastructure for women in all walks of life.”