Whichever of the two major political groups wins the general elections come May 11th, women and children are expected to be in a much better place during the next term provided the manifesto promises are kept.
While five of the first six points listed under ‘Women’ in the PPP/C’s manifesto begin with the word `Encourage’, APNU+AFC promises that should it be elected during the its first 100 days in office a national conference of women will be held and a bi-partisan Women’s Working Group would be established as part of the healing the nation and national unity thrust. It said that the gender policy will be collectively drafted by women from across Guyana as an output from the conference.
To this end the coalition said it would develop a gender policy and gender budgeting system to be implemented through a participatory process as key transformative measures for guaranteeing and resourcing greater equality and gender justice in society.
The PPP/C promises to focus on the economic empowerment of women in all regions through incentives and programmes to access microfinance programmes in the commercial banking system.
The party would then encourage women to establish micro and small businesses; encourage and assist the establishment of day care centres for working women; encourage women and educate female students on new careers and self-employment opportunities; and encourage the establishment of more safe homes for abused women and children in unserved regions which will provide accommodation, health and counselling, skills and facilities.
But while the PPP/C would encourage the establishment of such facilities the coalition promises that more assistance for victims of domestic violence, including all forms of abuse, rape and incest, would be had through the immediate establishment of transition houses in each region which are expected to provide long-term accommodation for women and their children, financial support, on-location trauma counselling, job search assistance and skills training.
The PPP/C, which has been criticised for not doing more for women and children during its 22+ years in office said that it would strengthen the capacity of the relevant agencies to implement the modern and relatively new legislation in place regarding women and children in a timely and efficient way.
The party also promises access to legal aid services across Guyana and to strengthen the prosecutorial and judicial capacities so they could act in a timely manner and attain higher conviction rates for sexual offices. The review of laws that relate to women and strengthening of legislation and policies where necessary in other to further promote women’s rights and gender equality is also on the table for the PPP/C.
The PPP/C also promises to provide more skilled human and technical resources to address the implementation of the national plan of action on sexual and domestic violence. It would also develop effective complaints mechanisms in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, and the private sector to prevent and address allegations of discrimination against women. Also on the cards is the implementation of more effective programmes and interventions for the prevention of gender-based violence and increasing the presence of women in leadership and governance in public institutions and encourage their elevation to leadership positions in the business community and the labour movement.
Entrepreneurial activities
Meantime, the coalition has plans to increase women’s entrepreneurial activities and to increase microcredit programmes and access to small business loans/grants. Job centres are also expected to be established in each administrative region to facilitate job search and employment matching. And if an advocacy campagin is successful under the coalition there would be an introduction of lower interest rates at financial institutions for female-headed households and first-time home owners.
Gender-friendly banking services especially in area of loans to women would be promoted coupled with the implementation of a child tax credit programme for employers.
Under the heading ‘The Law and Women’, the coalition promises to immediately make the Family Court operational to address specific needs of women and that the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Act would be enforced without compromise or exception.
The long-awaited move of having a Special Victims Unit at every police station equipped with qualified social workers to handle crimes against women would become a reality, according to the manifesto. The Guyana Police Force would also be mandated to institute charges against a perpetrator without the victim’s consent. And the judiciary and magistracy will receive special training on the detection and consequences of domestic violence on the family and the society at large, and the necessity for expedited determination of such access.
Female police officers would also be empowered and identified at each station to provide one-on-one support for victims of violence.
Women would also be encouraged to enter non-traditional areas of employment including information technology, auto mechanic, electrical repairs, carpentry and to enter technical training institutes. Scholarships for disadvantaged women to pursue tertiary education would also be established with assistance from national and international agencies. Still on education the coalition said that it would strengthen the school curriculum to include increasing awareness of women’s rights and promote respect for women and positive coverage of women in the media.
Workshops would be conducted on stress management, conflict resolution and communication techniques at clinics and health centres while at each hospital it is expected that a confidential priority ward would be established to ensure victims of abuse receive immediate medical attention. These will be staffed with professionals, confidential support services and security personnel, where necessary.
If they win the election, the coalition said they would also implement a social assistance programme that supports unemployed single mothers, abandoned women, victims of abuse, and other economically disadvantaged women, and build self-esteem.
The coalition said that it recognizes that gender equality is a basic human right and as such intends to introduce policies to promote healthy and respectful gender relations, the equitable advancement of women, leadership opportunities for young women and gender justice.
Further, the group said it would encourage the rebuilding of Guyana’s family structure, the sharing of caring tasks between mothers and fathers, as well as mentoring and financially supporting Guyana’s children.
“Further, gender equality will enhance democracy and assist in developing peaceful communities, and eradicating poverty and violence against women. In advancing this objective, APNU+AFC will work towards ensuring quality education for all, improving maternal health and reducing child mortality. We will also strive to reduce the incidence of male delinquency and under performance,” the coalition said.
