Stronger political will for women’s leadership needed – Dr Persaud urges

– underscores rising harassment, online abuse & robust backing to secure women’s full political participation

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud called for stronger political support for women’s participation and leadership within political parties, while also addressing the rising harassment, social media abuse, and violence faced by women in political life. She made the call during the general discussion at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), saying it is evident that gender parity in Parliament will not occur through natural progression alone.

“International and public pressure to secure equal spaces for women can be an effective means of ensuring they take their seat at every table. We must all develop a consciousness in seeking women’s equal representation at every level and in every forum. We, women and men, must be deliberate and decisive. Quotas have contributed to the modest increases we are seeing; however, they are only part of the solution.” Dr Persaud further emphasised that more important than quotas are the presence of genuine political will within parties and systems that support the political aspirations of women.
She noted that women must be equipped with the necessary education, skills, community support, financial resources and an enabling political environment to fully participate in public and political life. She highlighted Guyana’s progress in women’s political representation, noting that the country’s track record has improved significantly over the years. While the law requires a minimum quota of 30 per cent women on political party candidates’ lists for elections, 39 per cent of current Parliamentarians are women, and 37.5 per cent of ministerial positions across various sectors are held by women. Dr Persaud also observed that more women are increasingly joining political parties, reflecting a growing engagement of women in the country’s political landscape.
“International and public pressure to secure equal spaces for women can be an effective means of ensuring they take their seat at every table. We must all develop a consciousness in seeking women’s equal representation at every level and in every forum. There must also be pushback against harmful cultural and social norms that discriminate against women.” She added that the work is ongoing and the trajectory is positive.
“Chair, the impact of women’s absence from Parliamentary and leadership roles is felt acutely in the conflicts raging across the world today. While political, economic and defence considerations dominate peace negotiations, too often the humanitarian, health, education, and sexual and gender-based violence impacts are minimised in discussions.”
Furthermore, Dr Persaud offered a fresh perspective on what the benchmark should be: ‘Women must move beyond stereotypical, nurturing portfolios and be able to serve equally in any sector. Quotas below 50 per cent should be seen as the floor, not the ceiling. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) must galvanise countries to take this discussion beyond the confines of conference rooms and achieve tangible results.”