Dear Editor,
The role of women and the empowering of women within the Guyana labour force has been a matter of controversy for decades. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has a vibrant Women’s Committee, and has been on the front burner of advocating for women and their empowerment, not just to fulfil the goal of gender equality. They have also done so to promote leadership amongst women within the working class.
Due to my perseverance and enthusiasm as a public service employee and a young woman, I was given the opportunity to represent Guyana and the Caribbean at official meetings and conferences both at regional and international levels. These platforms have afforded me the opportunity of speaking out and making significant contributions, while achieving personal and professional advancement.
It should be noted that women have been and continue to be empowered as their civic, economic, social and political participation at decision-making levels continues to expand within the work force. The role of women in today’s society is threefold, in that we are capable of managing our jobs, homes and childcare.
Thus, we strive to create a family-oriented work environment, while we realize that empowering women has a domino effect, in that it could eventually lead to improved living conditions and childcare investments. With much valued representation by the GPSU, women’s status has moved from discrimination (right to vote denied) to legislation (gender equality policies) to capacity building. As we reflect on the challenges and progress made thus far, in my opinion, greater attention should be placed on doing our part as women by claiming such rights instead of waiting for them to be delivered on a platter.
The fact remains that women are currently serving and have served in the past at varying decision-making and executive levels within the union, to which many can attest. The Guyana Public Service Union is indeed devoted to making substantial contributions towards the empowerment of women and women’s issues. On this note, I urge other organizations which have not yet included the role of women as a pertinent aspect, to review their approach, since it is one of the seventeen Sustainable Developmental Goals that our government signed on to in seeking to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women.
Yours faithfully,
Ronda Floris
