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GENDER EQUALITY
When Guyana joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day a few days ago under the theme “Be bold for Change,” the nation was hopefully driven to redouble its efforts to protect and empower women. It is justifiable for women in Guyana to be recognized and praised for their remarkable and impressive contributions they have made to the development of the country at all levels.
Whether they are in the home, in the classroom, the boardroom, in Parliament or in any private or public office, at church, on the bench, in the factory or at the hospital, women continue to make tremendous sacrifices, in some cases, more than men.
They help to maintain a well-functioning society and provide a better life for all. The country can also be comforted by the fact that it has done well to help many women reach their full potential and thus fulfill their dreams. Unlike millions of women elsewhere in the world, Guyanese women have access to equal education, health care and employment, among others.
However, it would be unwise and perhaps silly for anyone to believe that the country has done enough for women. In fact, there is evidence to show that although women are slightly more than 50 percent of the population, only few are in the cabinet, in Parliament or are heads of government departments and state agencies.
In the private sector, only a few women have been appointed chief executive officers of companies. This suggests that the glass ceiling concept has only been cracked, but it is far from being shattered.
It is unbelievable to think that in 2017 women are not being treated equally in Guyana and else-where. The issue of equal pay was highlighted at several forums during the celebrations of International Women’s Day. But to deny women equal pay for equal work done is a combination of arrogance, ignorance and bias. The United Nations Agency for Gender Equality has reported that in the Caribbean, men on average earn 25 percent more than women and the highest earnings gap can be found among low-income workers.
In reviewing gender earning gaps in the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) found that while women had more educational qualifications than males in most Caribbean countries, men have earned more than women. The IDB also found that in Guyana, male earnings have surpassed those of females by 27 percent, which is clearly an injustice to women. The fact is, no woman, whether she is a factory worker, a lawyer or a chief executive should receive less pay or lack of respect because of her gender.
It is the responsibility of the government to make sure that no employer is allowed to discriminate against women in such a manner. The government must enforce the laws of equal pay for women that are already on the books.
A cursory examination of government employment practices have shown that more men than women are in executive positions as the heads of corporations. But the difference is not so great. In most offices women outnumber men and their numbers continue to grow. The local media community features more women than men.
Another troubling and unwanted practice against women is violence, especially domestic violence. Domestic violence and violence in general have destroyed the lives of many women in society, regardless of age, race, class or status. Too many women are being beaten, raped, murdered, or otherwise abused by men.
Although the government has taken some measures to end violence against women, it needs to do more. Law enforcement officers must treat reports of domestic violence seriously and expeditiously.
As a society, we all should be committed to the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day “Be bold for Change” and stamp out violence against women.
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