Equality commission says gathering info on gender-based discrimination

The Women & Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) says it is on a campaign to gather information from persons who have been subjected to gender-based discrimination. 

A release yesterday from the WGEC said that this campaign has been prompted by recent reports from members of the public and personnel of the disciplinary forces who have suffered under policies that contravene both Article 9 of the Constitution of Guyana and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which Guyana ratified since July 17 1980.

The WGEC noted that “Article 11 of CEDAW states that State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in employment and shall ensure, on the basis of equality of men and women, the same rights to work, the same employment opportunities, free choice of employment, promotion, benefits, vocational training, equal remuneration, equal treatment in respect of work of equal value, the right to social security, unemployment benefits, protection of health. State Parties shall prohibit dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or marital status. State Parties shall take measures to introduce maternity leave with pay or social benefits.”