As Guyana joins the global celebration of International Women’s Day, Simona Broomes, Leader of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) movement, has issued a powerful call to action against the deeply ingrained cultural norms that enable and justify the abuse of women in the country. In her statement, Broomes challenged the status quo and urged Guyanese society to unite in accelerating meaningful change toward gender equality and justice.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action”, focuses on advancing gender equality. However, Broomes argues that in Guyana, women continue to be trapped in a culture that normalizes harassment, violence, and discrimination. She lamented that for too long, women have been told to endure suffering, remain silent, and conform to harmful societal expectations rather than seeking justice and empowerment.
“Your silence and endurance will not bring you justice,” Broomes declared. “The time has come for us to join together to accelerate the action required to dismantle the culture and wicked legacy of abuse against our women.”
As the leader of the ALP movement, Broomes affirmed her commitment to advocating for the rights, protection, and empowerment of women and girls. She emphasized that gender equality is a cornerstone of the ALP’s vision for a fair, inclusive, and prosperous Guyana.
To ensure meaningful change, the ALP movement has pledged to implement five key initiatives:
- Zero tolerance for abuse – The movement will push for robust laws and policies that not only protect women from abuse but also hold perpetrators accountable. “Abuse will no longer be a private matter swept under the rug,” Broomes asserted.
- Increasing women’s representation in leadership – ALP aims to ensure that women not only hold leadership positions but are given the opportunity to act and make decisions in meaningful capacities.
- Breaking harmful stereotypes – A nationwide education and awareness campaign will be launched to challenge traditional gender roles, promote respect, and foster gender equality from an early age.
- Financial empowerment for women – Economic dependence often keeps women trapped in cycles of abuse. The ALP movement will implement programs that support women’s financial independence, ensuring they have the resources to break free from abusive situations.
- Creating safe spaces for women – Recognizing that changing cultural norms takes time, ALP pledges to invest in support services to help women escape violence and access necessary protection.
Broomes acknowledged and celebrated the resilience of Guyanese women, but she stressed that advancing gender equality is not just a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that demands national participation. She called on all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation or gender, to join in dismantling the toxic culture that normalizes abuse and discrimination against women.
“When our women rise, we all rise,” she said. “The time for change is now.”
Broomes closed her message with a bold personal commitment to lead the fight for women’s rights and equality in Guyana. She vowed to ensure that women are not only represented in name but are empowered in law, policy, and leadership.
As Guyana reflects on this year’s International Women’s Day, Broomes’ call to accelerate action serves as a cogent reminder that true progress can only be achieved when all members of society commit to challenging injustice and creating a nation where every woman can thrive.
