The Commonwealth Parlia-mentary Association – Guyana branch will be joining the rest of the Commonwealth to observe the 62nd anniversary of the Commonwealth on March 14 under the theme “Women as Agents of Change”.
Several activities spanning a three-day period have been planned commencing with a tour for second and third form students and a participative discussion on the importance of Parliament and the Commonwealth, the Government Information Agency reported.
In addition there will be a reception and exhibition at the Umana Yana, where Deputy Speaker of the House, Clarissa Riehl will read a message from Her Majesty the Queen.
Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran made these disclosures on Friday during a press briefing at Parliament Building, Brickdam.
He said further that on March 15 there will be a debating competition among University of Guyana students with the moot, “That the implementation of electoral quotas for women in Guyana and other Common-wealth countries has significantly improved the conditions of women”. This event will be held in the Parliament Chambers.
GINA said also that a round table discussion will be held at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre on March 16, where discussions will focus on women as agents of change.
The speakers at this discussion include Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, Members of Parliament Indranie Chandarpal, Volda Lawrence and Cheryl Sampson, representatives from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the Guyana Trades Union Congress and Head of the Toshao Council, Yvonne Pearson.
And on March 10, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds is expected to table a motion in the National Assembly based on the observance of Commonwealth Day.
Ramkarran noted that when the motion is resolved the House will reiterate its recognition and support of the efforts of the Commonwealth to address emerging and old challenges, its endeavours to promote a world of freedom and equality and development and prosperity of all people, especially the young and women.
He said that the Canadian High Commission and its Commissioner have been instrumental in supporting the planned Commonwealth programme.
Ramkarran observed that the theme, which was selected following consultation, addresses the increasing roles women are playing in the world as change agents and continued efforts of women or people around the world to enhance the status of women, to bring equality, fight domestic violence, create equal pay for equal work and end trafficking in persons, particularly women; among others.
He said that in Guyana strides have been made but parliamentarians here must recognise that there is much more to be done, particularly as it relates to domestic violence.
