On behalf of the membership of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) it is a privilege and honour saluting women on this memorable and significant occasion, “International Women’s Day”. In doing so, I want to express how relevant and appropriate I consider the theme ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.’
From the commencement of this year, internationally, the world has witnessed the achievement of Kamala Harris being elected and sworn in on the 20th January 2021, as the 1st female Vice President in the history of the United States of America. At the other extremity, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, of Myanmar, was elected President by a landslide victory in the November 2020 elections and was overthrown by a military coup d’état on 1st February 2021. In 2011, she was initially recognized as a civilian leader ushering in the hope of democracy, after 41 years of military rule. What is significant for me and deeply admired, is what she has achieved even though she has been incarcerated since February 2021. Much like Guyana, the southeast Asian country of Myanmar consists of many ethnic races, and her removal from political office by the military has galvanized all ethnic groups against what is considered the common enemy, that is the military and the oppressors of the will of the people. This form of unity among the people of Guyana is needed and long overdue and our women folk have the capacity and the competence to be in vanguard of this struggle and its achievements.
However, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the many achievements made by women in Guyana. They have elevated to the highest National offices including: President of Guyana, Prime Minister of Guyana, Ministers of Government, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Chief Justice, Directory of Public Prosecution, Chairperson of the Elections Commission, Heads of Overseas Diplomatic Missions and Permanent Secretaries just to highlight a few. The only major barrier that exists to their wider range of achievement, is the backward and unenlightened political doctrine that gives credence to political preferences.
Here in Guyana and the world over women are the vast majority of frontline workers in our ongoing efforts to restrict the spread of COVID-19 and hopefully, eventually its eradication. They have been very committed and selfless in discharging their duties in providing quality healthcare in an environment with obvious inadequacies. They are continuously exposed to life-threatening risks, doing so without proper recognition, insufficient protection, and inadequate compensation.
The insensitivities that have been shown to these most valuable human resources are appalling and unconscionable and require urgent and broad-based support to have it corrected in the national interest. This ungrateful and disrespectful conduct was exhibited in Linden recently, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital, associated members of this valuable workforce with very disparaging and vulgar comments. As the women took to the streets to protest such defamation, they were threatened with sanctions and unjust disciplinary actions. Even more disappointing, is that he seems to be supported and protected by all his superiors. We must demand that our leaders set a positive example and be held accountable for their actions. This is just one instance of the challenges we face in protecting, respecting, and advancing our women here in Guyana. We should be supporting and uplifting them with pride in this challenging and deadly environment, to give of their best with confidence and the knowledge that their hard work is appreciated.
The GPSU has always strived for the upliftment of women and for them to be regarded as equals and we will continue to do so. This policy and practice is evident in the composition of our Executive Council, our full-time staff, and our pursuit of human resources development, at all levels. We will always stand up in defense of our women folk and their entitlement to be treated with respect, equality, and to be afforded every opportunity to develop themselves. Nonetheless, as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating economic impacts, we must ensure that women are not disproportionately targeted for unemployment, reduction in salaries and wages and deferred education. We will vigorously challenge any maneuvers to use the prevailing COVID-19 environment to discriminate against women within and outside of the union’s membership.
The GPSU will continue to strive to ensure that there are adequate and quality facilities that are available to women to provide much needed dependent care, other resources and considerations, while they pursue upward mobility and assume a stronger presence of leadership throughout Guyana. Once again, Happy International Women’s Day! We are indeed proud of you.
