Dear Editor,
With Portia Simpson-Miller the elected Prime Minister of Jamaica, Michele Bachman in the race for the chance to be the Republican Presidential Candidate, Kamla Persad-Bissessar the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State for the USA, Tarja Halonen the President of Finland,
Angela Merkel the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the President of Liberia, Cristina E Fernández de Kirchner the President of Argentina, Dame Louise Lake-Tack the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Dilma Vana Linhares Rousseff the President of Brazil and Julia Gillard the Prime Minister of Australia (just to name a few) there’s no denying that the role of women has changed and women are climbing the ladder of political and corporate leadership. The image of the prototypical homemaker at her stove, wearing an apron and tending to her children, has been replaced by the ambitious female executive, in her sleek business suit, working her way up the corporate ladder which I fully support and endorse.
Since nearly half of the workforce is comprised of women, I believe it stands to reason that women should be enjoying the same success as their male counterparts in terms of advancement opportunities and earning capacity. It’s no secret that since 2006, women comprised 46 per cent of the paid workforce. The influx of women has been “one of the most important forces shaping the economy over the past 30 years, influencing economic factors such as average family income, productivity, and consumer behaviour, which I think is very significant and essential.
Women are obtaining more degrees than men at virtually every level of education. In 2005 and 2006, women earned 60 per cent of master’s degrees and approximately 50 per cent of doctoral degrees in the Caribbean; by 2013, it is projected that women will earn 0.8 million more undergraduate and graduate degrees than men. There is no doubt that women’s gains in educational attainment have drawn increased attention to their role in the workforce.
The ball is in the hands of the Guyanese politicians to select the first female Speaker of the National Assembly. The AFC is set on nominating Moses Nagamootoo, the PPPC wants Ralph Ramkarran and APNU is pushing for Debra Backer. I believe that nothing should prevent Madam Backer from being elected the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. She is a woman of high esteem and personality, not forgetting a distinguished lawyer and who is very professional. It is true that she is tolerant of ambiguity and has held steadfast to creating a good life for all Guyanese. Madam Backer is generous (altruistic), fair (just), egalitarian (humble, respectful of others’ dignity), responsible (self-accountable), and honest (truthful). Why shouldn’t Debra Backer be the Guyana Nancy Pelosi?
I therefore call on women‘s rights group in Guyana to endorse Ms Backer as the next Speaker and to make sure that the work and commitment of women to the development of Guyana is complemented with the first woman Speaker.
Yours faithfully,
Adel Lilly
Secretary
University of Guyana
Students’
Society (UGSS)
Chairman
Youths with a Purpose
Network (YWAP)
Finance Officer
Pacesetters Youth
Fellowship
