International Women’s Day Messages

Mar 08, 2015 News

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President Donald Ramotar
I am proud to celebrate “International Women’s Day 20153  and the many accomplishments of the women of Guyana. Few countries in the world can boast of a former female President, Vice President, Chief Justice and a Chancellor of the Judiciary, and first female Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice. ( Our nation has a rich history of strong women, who have helped shape Guyana.
These women, who have come from all races, political parties and regions of this country show what we as one nation can accomplish, if we work together.
Today, we remember Kowsilla (Alice), who was killed, while struggling for better wages for women. We remember the struggle for Universal Adult Suffrage, and the women who led the fight. Let us not forget Janet Jagan, who fought for the development of women in our society and their empowerment.( We proudly recognise the contributions of tens of thousands of Guyanese women, who are our caregivers, who make our villages safer and our families stronger.
I am proud of my administration’s efforts and my commitment to ensuring that there be gender equality for all women in Guyana. Asking Ambassador Elisabeth Harper to run with me and serve as Prime Minister is a testament to my continued commitment and the PPP/C’s commitment to further our efforts, at addressing issues impacting Guyana’s women. Our laws, regarding equality for women and protection for women against violence and discrimination have been internationally recognised. We have created an environment, where single parent women can thrive in small businesses, through a micro credit programme called WOW, Women of Worth. We are pleased that we have expanded legal aid services, where now, women in most regions of the country, can have access to justice. Today, Guyana has attained gender parity in education at our schools.
Women have achieved equity in professional life.
I will continue my strong commitment to eradicating domestic violence. Domestic violence and sexual abuse of women and girls in our country are major impediments towards attaining higher development for Guyana. Under the PPP/C government, there are strong domestic and sexual abuse laws to protect women and girls. One of the reasons that I chose Lis Harper to be my Prime Ministerial candidate is that I believe that we need to redouble our efforts in tackling this scourge on our society.  I hoped, by highlighting her own personal story, detailing her own abuse, more women will have the courage to step up and say something.  And by making it a focal point of her campaign and her work over the next five years, we can shine a light and begin to eradicate this scourge from our society.
International Women’s Day is a day for celebration throughout Guyana, and a day to recognise all that women have done, to create a stronger, safer and stable Guyana.  But we also must use this day to remember all that we still must do, to build on the advances Guyana has made for equality for all women. The path to equality for all never ends, and we have travelled far up the path, but I promise, that we as a nation, will never stop moving forward on that path.

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First Lady, Deolatchmee Ramotar
I wish to join with the women all around the world but especially those in Guyana who are today celebrating yet another International Women’s Day.
Over the past century, women have continued to make strides in all facets of human endeavour and in most countries of the world. Guyana is no exception to this trend.
Guyanese women continue to elevate and distinguish themselves in our country’s political, social and economic life. They continue to make an immeasurable and invaluable contribution both in and outside of the home.   I extend best wishes to these heroines and I hope that on this day that due recognition would be given to their efforts.
I am however mindful of the fact that despite the impressive gains made by women internationally and locally there remains many challenges that hinder the potential and full development of women and the safeguarding of their dignity.  It is my hope that on this International Women’s Day there would be a dispassionate examination of these challenges which confront women in their quest for greater equality and respect in society. I believe that such an examination will help to highlight the many hurdles that women face and will allow for  more focused and nuanced strategies to be developed so to help our women overcome the obstacles they face.
As we therefore celebrate the tremendous strides made by our women, as we hail their bravery and courage, as we celebrate their achievements and respect their choices, let us also recognize that there remains much work to be done in the advancement of equal rights and increased dignity for our women.
On this special day dedicated to the women of the world, let us join hands in saluting their achievements. Let us also join hearts in our continued pursuit of their equality and betterment for all women worldwide.
Happy International Women’s Day!

People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes our women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This day is a good time to reflect how far we have advanced as a country in terms of empowering our women to take their rightful place in society.
Today we have women who have attained high levels of recognition in a variety of professions which in the past were dominated by men. These included engineering, medicine, law and the teaching and nursing professions, the latter two now dominated by women.
Females now outnumber men by a significant margin at the University of Guyana and other tertiary institutions, an indication how far we have advanced in terms of gender equality and equality of opportunity for our women.
At the legislative level much progress has been made in terms of addressing the burning issue of domestic abuse and sexual harassment. The establishment of the National Commission of Women has further placed the issue of women on the front burner of our national agenda.
As we observe yet another International Women’s Day, let us pay tribute to all those women who have contributed to the economic, social, political and cultural development of this beautiful country of ours.
Let us spare a thought for our former President Mrs. Janet Jagan who passed away on March 28. Guyana owes her a debt of gratitude for the sterling contribution she has made in raising the political awareness of women in Guyana.
The PPP is proud of our women who continue to be the driving force behind our economic and social progress.
Long live our women!

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APNU+AFC
All around the world, International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the women while calling for greater equality of payment for services and employment, freedom from discrimination, and equal opportunity for educational and social growth.
Women are the bedrock and nurturers of our society. They, more than any other, mould and shape our youth and care for our elderly. Without women society would undoubtedly collapse.
APNU+AFC salutes the valiant women of Guyana who have succeeded in breaking through old barriers in our previously male-dominated society.  APNU+AFC salutes all Guyanese women in all facets of the society for the work they do and the contributions they make in advancing our society.
Guyanese women may not yet be in the position to claim that they have broken through the proverbial ‘glass ceiling’, but APNU+AFC is proud of the immense strides our women have made in the past 40 years and that they continue to scale high hurdles professionally and otherwise while maintaining peaceful, loving homes for our children.
Regrettably however the national structure for women to advance as equal partners in society has not been wholeheartedly embraced by the executive. Too often we see decisions being taken in this regard for mere public relations and gimmickry. Too often as well we see reports of women being brutalized, assaulted, maimed and murdered. This is unacceptable. A society which mistreats women is a broken society crying out for change and in desperate need of fixing.
As a government, APNU+AFC commits to ensuring that women are truly and sincerely protected, respected, included and provided with equal opportunity throughout the social landscape, starting with the manner in which the business of the national affairs are managed.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Make it Happen’ and APNU+AFC is committed that ‘It Is Time’ we ‘Make It Happen’.

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Ministry of Human Services and Social Security –Minister Jennifer Webster

Today March 8th, 2015, International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. Governments and various organizations celebrate this day by highlighting the achievements and challenges in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women at the national and global levels.
On International Women’s Day, women throughout the world and more so here in Guyana are recognized for their achievements, in whatever form or fashion. It is also an opportune time to look back, upon past struggles and accomplishments, but more importantly, to look ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. Global activities to recognize the contributions of women have grown from strength to strength and have become an event which brings women, and all other stakeholders together to promote and advocate for a more cohesive and coordinated intervention towards effectively addressing the strategic and critical needs of women in the social, political and economic spheres.
This year’s theme is:
“Empowering Women- Empowering Humanity, Picture it”!
It envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choice, such as participating in politics,  decision making, expanded social networks, having access to financial and other resources and education, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination. In Guyana, as in all other parts of the world, we cannot over emphasize, the relevance and timeliness, of this year’s theme, on empowering women.
In Guyana, we have a lot to be proud of today as we celebrate International Women’s Day. Whilst we still face many challenges, our Government knows that it has a major responsibility to continue in its efforts to promote the empowerment of women. The empowerment of women can lead to economic growth, poverty reduction and good governance. Effective actions to empower women and girls require a comprehensive national approach, which should include preventative measures, punitive consequences for perpetrators, and the protection of victims, and their families’ human rights.
Our government continues to invest in the development of our women.
A long struggle going back over a century has brought women their rights to property, voting and equality in civil rights, and employment. In the past, women faced tremendous difficulties as they sought opportunities that would set them on an equal balance with men.

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National Congress of Women
The National Congress of Women (NCW), the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform, salutes all women in Guyana and throughout the world as we observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, on Sunday March 8, 2015.
As we think of International Women’s Day 2015, we must remember that this day has been observed since in the early 1900’s when there was great unrest and critical debate occurring amongst women.  Women’s oppression and inequality spurred them to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change.  It was Clara Zetkin and those women in Germany who initiated the observance of this day.
On International Women’s day 2015, we salute all our Guyanese women, among them those stalwarts of the PNC Women’s Auxiliary and the WRSM, the forerunners of our organisation, who worked hard for the advancement of the women of our organisation and Guyana as a whole.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation.  With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.  The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.
As we observe International Women’s day 2015, the National Congress of Women reminds all that we are in an election mode, as May 11 2015 will be the General and Regional Elections in Guyana.  The NCW is promoting “Women for National Unity” and we remind our Guyanese sisters, whether we are coalition partners or well-wishers, that we all have a duty to ensure that we can make the change for a better life, by voting APNU+AFC on Elections Day.

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Guyana Association of Women Lawyer
International Women’s Day is the day that we celebrate the achievements of women in all  spheres of life. The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers joins with women worldwide in celebrating achievements in gender equality, the empowerment of women and their elevation politically, economically, socially, and culturally.  We salute the incredible women standing up and advocating for gender equality and applaud their demand that women be accorded their rights to participate in decision-making, to quality education, the freedom to make their own choices and to live their lives without fear, discrimination or violence.
We must, however, always remember the inequities that still need to be redressed. The struggle for equality continues. Much work still has to be done to eliminate those stereotypes, prejudices and practices which continue to pose a stumbling block to many girls and women who seek to have a voice and control their own lives. We are particularly concerned about the discriminatory and stereotypical advertisements, some by leading companies in Guyana, which not only objectify women but perpetuate sexist gender myths. Continued efforts to eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence, trafficking in women and girls, exploitation in the workplace through sexual harassment, or through being ill-treated by employers (including female ones) and/or being cheated out of rightfully earned wages while providing domestic services must remain on the front-burner.  The issue of lack of sufficient support from the Police when reports of rape and other sexual offences are reported by a woman remains a burning one.
The promotion of the economic empowerment of women is also vital. Many women in Guyana find it difficult to support and sustain themselves and their families. Their economic vulnerability restricts their ability to be independent, to negotiate favourable working conditions, to access justice, proper medical care and education for themselves and children.

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