Dear Editor,
In Iana Seales’ article, ‘Women still pressing for recognition of unwaged work’ (SN, 8.3.08), it was stated “… after more than a decade since the fourth world conference for women in Beijing in 1995, when a platform for action was set up, issues of inequality remain current. Unpaid work however is not seen as much of an issue in Guyana today.”
The above, Sir, is a situation that appears fixed. I am also in agreement with homemaker Valencia Badder who believes that “if women who do certain unpaid work pull their services, the economy would be in serious trouble.” It is easy to imagine its effect if this happens, but to be practical it’s hard to fathom how it can be achieved. Times have changed and so have we. No more in our society is the term ‘housewife’ accepted as an honourable description; some women themselves see it as demeaning. “She lazy; she deh home s’down, instead she guh and look lil work,” are comments often spoken in utter disgust – mind you I’m not suggesting that a woman’s place is in the home, but the pride and respect for a housewife does seem to be diminishing. As the world turns, many are forced to go out ‘hunting’ for survival because they have little or no income, children to take care of and exorbitant, unending monthly bills. What is there to remain at home and manage, except restricting children to do’s and don’ts, which soon becomes ineffective if they cannot be properly taken care of – one of the factors why so many of them become delinquent. The question of homemakers/housewives and value of their work being addressed is a tough one. A woman out working, no doubt, has it doubly tough when she has to return home to take charge of things. But society and government are the biggest crooks and hypocrites on this issue. An ordinary unqualified housewife is never recognized with much value.
