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Today I take time out from my usual writings about the state of affairs in Guyana to pay special attention to the state of being a mother in Guyana. But first, I must say a special thank you to all mothers. Whereas one day in the national calendar has been identified to honour you, know you are worthy to be honoured and valued every day.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we continue to recognise not only women who have birthed children but individuals of all genders who are engaged in the role of mothering – a role synonymous with nurturing. To be a ‘mother figure’ is to care, nurture and protect our human offspring, to raise and care for them through the phases of their growth and development.
More particularly, there is greater focus on childhood and adulthood, during times of sickness and need when that caring and nurturing role is most visible, though in truth the role of a mother is a lifetime one.
Mothers are special human beings and mothering is the gold standard of love and compassion which they share with their family and the world. Mothers respond instinctively to the needs of every child, whether they birthed them or not. It is that motherly instinct that keeps the family grounded and helps develop the sense of compassion for each other. A mother is a glue that keeps the family together and by extension society.
As mothers mould the child, they are undoubtedly playing a major role in moulding the nation as they prepare that child to function in society. Mothers typically want the best for their children and will generally sacrifice themselves to provide for them. If and when they are able to do this in an environment that allows for nurturing of positive values and family provision then society benefits as they will train the child up so when that child grows old he/she will not depart from what they have been taught.
The job of a mother is never over. Even after her children have grown and left the home, she remains emotionally, and sometimes financially, invested in her adult child’s well-being and would later take on a similar role, if allowed, in her grandchildren’s life.
A reminder of the saying, ‘The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” could not be better said of those who nurture the inhabitants of the world.
However, evidence continues to point to a state of despair in the family environment which will adversely impact women. Where half the society lives on less than GY$1200 a day this has an adverse impact on women, and even worse in single parent female-headed households. This also means many of our children are going to school hungry, placing additional burden on women.
The role and struggles of our women have become more and society must therefore look at ways and means not just to alleviate the pressures they feel but to help them meet the demands of parenting in a society where the struggle for handouts is replacing the struggle for a living wage, because the powers that be know too well that to break women is to break families and their communities.
We must do better for our women. We must not only honour them on this day but commit to put in place mechanisms to empower them every day.
