The Women & Gender Equality Commission is on a campaign to gather information from persons who have been subjected to gender-based discrimination.
In a statement the commission said the campaign has been prompted by recent reports from members of the public and personnel of the disciplinary forces who have suffered under policies that contravene both Article 9 of the Constitution of Guyana and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to which Guyana is a ratified signatory since 17th July 1980.
“Article 11 of CEDAW states that State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in employment and shall ensure, on the basis of equality of men and women, the same rights to work, the same employment opportunities, free choice of employment, promotion, benefits, vocational training, equal remuneration, equal treatment in respect of work of equal value, the right to social security, unemployment benefits, protection of health. State Parties shall prohibit dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or marital status. States Parties shall take measures to introduce maternity leave with pay or social benefits.”
According to the commission women in Guyana have been subjected to delayed promotion and even termination due to pregnancy. “They have also suffered other forms of discrimination by employers including and in particular the disciplined forces. This lack of adherence to the law is unlawful. These discriminatory practices are unlawful and could be subjected to criminal proceedings.”
The commission is therefore inviting all persons who have been adversely affected by such policies and practices which discriminate unevenly against women or who have experienced sexual harassment at their place of work to contact the Commission on 231 5276 or send an email to ceo@wgec.gov.gy
According to a 2019 United Nations report “1 in every 2 women in Guyana has or will experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetime. “
In what was the first comprehensive national survey on gender-based violence in Guyana, it was revealed that more than half (55%) of all women experienced at least one form of violence. More than one in ten have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a male partner in the past 12 months.
