The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) has lamented the lack of female representation on boards of management of leading private sector entities and has pointed to the need for those entities to focus on gender-based violence (GBV).
In its message to mark International Women’s Day today, the GAWL called attention to the fact that there are only 13 women on the boards of a number leading private sector entities. It did not provide details.
The association said that the equality provisions of the Constitution, in particular Articles 29 and 149D, address the inclusion and promotion of women in the decision making processes in the private sector. They acknowledged that State boards of management have a fair representation of women and there is a provision for one-third of the lists of candidates contesting national elections to be female. However many private sector boards have no female representation.
The GAWL pointed out that while these businesses depend on the patronage of women for their profitability, there is a lack of gender sensitivity and awareness on the part of these businesses. They reject the contention that there are only a few competent women who can ably serve on such boards. The association contended that women bring a different perspective to business and the workplace environment and expressed the hope that they would also bring a more gender sensitive perspective.
The association said that in keeping with this call for gender to be on the agendas of private sector entities, it also calls for these entities to visibly address the scourge of gender-based violence. The GAWL noted with appreciation the work of the Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with Help and Shelter and urged the former to take on board and address GBV more frontally.
GBV has an economic cost and can affect the profitability of businesses. It is a major public health and social issue that impacts negatively on the foundation of the society – the family. The GAWL pointed out that it is an occupational safety and health issue since stable families produce an enabling environment for healthy and committed employees who are necessary for businesses to thrive.
The correlation between HIV/AIDS and GBV is well documented. The GAWL strongly urges the private sector to provide leadership on the issue of gender based violence just like the Business Coalition is providing leadership by its response to HIV/AIDS.
The GAWL looks forward to the increased recognition of women by the private sector entities and a more wide-ranging a positive response to addressing gender-based violence, the statement said.
