Culture and religion forms barriers to achieving gender equality - Report

Culture and religion forms barriers to achieving gender equality – Report

May 13, 2019 News

Tradition, culture and religious norms have created barriers to achieving gender equality. According to the Women and Gender Equality Commission,( WGEC) the role of women in society is invariably influenced by a nation’s social, religious economic and political history.
In a report presented in Parliament recently, the Commission noted that European and colonial ideas dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries about women’s roles in a male dominance society, are still prevalent in Guyana today.
The document noted that patriarchal attitudes stem from religious concepts adapted in the Pre -Vatican Catholicism era.
The concepts, according to the commission have been passed down for generations through religious norms and customs and still exert a significant influence on law, politics and the daily life experiences of women in Guyana.
The ideals are often shaped by teaching from religious groups in Guyana; Christianity and Islam, both have patriarchal origin.
Efforts, therefore, of individuals and organizations which champion the cause for achieving gender equality, are being hindered by the deep religious and cultural structures, which remains intact.
This is despite the fact that women have made resolutely and impressive progress towards equality in Guyana.
“Guyana’s society remains patriarchal—the Government of Guyana has admitted there is still a predominance of behaviours and attitudes at all level of society to support beliefs of male superiority over the female.”
Additionally, the Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, (CEDAW Committee) also stated that attitudes in Guyana are set by patriarchal norms and stereotypical and discriminatory cultural practices towards women.
“So much, that for 2015 UNDP Human Development Report for 2015 ranked Guyana as 117 out of 118 countries for gender equality…”
The dismal country report is as a result of a system which at least, in formal terms, has a progressive legal framework but a society which embraces cultural norms in divergence of that structure.
In fact, Guyana has admitted that while constitutional provision and statutes provide for equality at all levels … “there is a cultural lag in terms of attitudes and prejudices, cultural and religious traditions and ignorance. Outdated views about a women’s place in society contribute to gender- based violence and sexual harassment, as well as discrimination against women in the home in education and in employment.”
The report highlighted further a 2015 Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women which stated that despite unimaginable strides at the international, regional and local levels, women are still vulnerable to experiencing violence.
This is visibly the case in Guyana where the gravity of the situation has led citizens to protest at the violence against women. Within the religious sector some churches are taking steps to reduce violence against women.
Bishop Alleyne, a Roman catholic Bishop in Guyana, has emphasized that domestic violence is at no time acceptable or justified. ‘It is an ill, an evil that must be addressed and dispelled.’
In addition, Amnesty International had expressed concerns at high levels of physical and sexual violence against women and girls in Guyana.
Nevertheless, violence against women remains perhaps the most visible and at times fatal indication of discrimination against and disrespect towards women in Guyana.” the report added.
The Women and Gender Equality Commission is one of the five constitutional rights commissions provided for under the revised 2003 constitution to address gender issues, promotes the advancement of women in society and investigates and makes recommendations to the Parliament.
The Commission receives complaints, reports on issues affecting both women and men in regards to gender issues and examines policies and programmes which affect the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
The Commission aims to promote national recognition and acceptance that women’s rights are human rights, respect for gender equality and protection, development and attainment of equality.
In keeping with its constitutional mandate, the Commission has submitted their first annual report to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

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