Women’s political participation is key to building democracy

Feb 16, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Women are agents of change: We must advance the role of women in the area of politics in Guyana.
I chose to discuss the challenges lying ahead for women in the upcoming presidential elections in Guyana. I am sure some may agree that fair and successful elections may be impossible to reach without the active participation of women.
Women are, however, oftentimes encouraged to stay at home while their spouses, brothers and sons become actively involved in the political process leading up to elections and post elections.
In Guyana women are often used in a more non-decision making areas during the campaign season.
In this article I will share my concerns with you about the upcoming elections and the role of the women of Guyana. Women are approximately half or more of the population yet they hold less position than the males in our national government. They are still significantly outnumbered in the chambers of parliament, and they are often missing from negotiating tables where issues are to be resolved. All too often, important decisions that affect women, their families, and their societies are made without women having a voice.
As we enter the season of campaigning, women must play a role in addressing the issues that affect them. While transparent elections are an opportunity for new leadership to fight corruption, improve security and human rights, reduce poverty, and to address social injustice, the women of Guyana must get involved.
Women’s political participation, role in civil society, and government decision-making are key ingredients to building democracy.
Democracy without the full participation of women is a contradiction in terms. It is a simple fact that no country can progress or prosper if half of its citizens are left behind. Involvement and progress of women and progress for democracy go hand in hand.
It is therefore imperative that we, through “Concerned women of Guyana”, empower and educate women to advocate and make our elected officials accountable to us.
We know that women’s participation is essential to addressing virtually every challenge we face as nations. Due to prescribed female roles, social barriers and few communication strategies, women have less access to information.
This affects women’s consciousness about their electoral role and judgment of presidential candidates and their obligations to us, who elect them.
Women must not only be more engaged in governance, they must also be at the table in peacemaking, peace negotiations, and pre and post-election work. We know that without the voices of women contributing to the delicate process of building our country, best practice is less likely to take root.
We should force our candidates to have a clear agenda on how they will reach every woman through addressing their needs and issues ranging from women’s health, women’s pay rate, domestic abuse, safety & security and mental health, all of which must be at the center of this campaign.
Having said this, I would like us to take notice that women organizations are able to effectively mobilize their substantial constituencies. Women’s organizations have traditionally conducted service provision and awareness-raising activities. In recent years, the capacity of women’s organizations to conduct advocacy campaigns has improved, but remains nascent. I urge the women of Guyana to advocate, meet with their candidates, addressing their long tern needs and making commitments to the improvement of their lives and the lives of their families.
Dr. Dawn Stewart

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