Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694831542526.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL POLICY PAPER ON WOMEN WOMEN'S AFFAIRS BUREAU GEORGETOWN, GUYANA 9th Draft November, 1995 NATI:ODI, POLI;CX PAPER ON WQMJIP!

.1 .

INTRODUCTION Woman in Guyana represent 50.8% or the population (Table 1) and approximately 24.4% (UNDP Human Development Report, 1995: p.64).

of household heads Table 1 Population of Guyana 1980 -1992 Male Female Total Female as Ifs or Mal• 1980 375,841 382,778 758,619 60.45 .
1987 372,317 383,755 756,072 50.75 1992 352,966 364,492 717,458 source•: i,op11lation cena�• .. 1980 Cl'llyzedat.

aeport - 1987; 50.80 BISS 1992 They make up 58.8% or the public service (Table 2), a majority in the inrormal economy and are major of food.

Like woman in producers and distributors other parts of the world, they manage multiple employees, parents, etc.

community organisers, roles: Within th• laat two deo•de• g� progreaa haa been mact.

�owarda establishing., gender equity in awana.


The at.pa taken include: the legal framework o� . '

- the 1976 State Paper on Equality for Woman; of Guyana which the 1980 Constitution the principal enahrined the ae�s under Art�cle 29(1) the 1980 signing and 1,981 ratification on all Forms of'; the Convention against Woman.

(CEDAW); Discrimination ·,� .. of equality between of : ?

.

.
the 1985 adoption Looking Strategies Woman to the Year 2000 (FLS); of the Nairobi Forward­ for the Advancement of - the 1990 aigning of the Convention on the Right• o� the Child, with 11;.• eq,haaia on the atatua of the girlchildand on tl'le need to promote a favourable interaction the welfare and the rights of woman and children; between the 1990 enactment of the Equal Rights Act, Aot and Provision the Family and Dependants the Married Persona Property (Amendment) Aot; the 1995 signing of the Inter-American on the Prevention, Convention against Women; Eradication of Violence Punishment and • - the 1995 enactment of the Medical of Pregnancy Act; and Termination 3. the 1995 adaption or the Beijing Platrorm ror Action ror the Advancement or Women to the Year 2000.
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1"' n 1 ., 'I I1 ') r: Income Distribution the Public Service by Sex SALARY' SCALE MALE Table .4 within 1993 FEMALE -_______ N �- TOTAL N % _ 161 4.3 48 1.2 74 1.5 19 0.4 47 1.2 9 0.2 56 1.5 48 1.0 235 6!, 56 104 109 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 .9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 TOTAL 66 1.8 93 2.5 56 1.5 43 0.9 82 1.7 18 0.4 r ,I ,: 175 74 ii 133 3.5 152 4.3 229 6.1 111 2.9 319 8.4 95 2.5 159 4.0 243 6.4 521 13.8 137 2.8 270 154 3.1 350 7.1 I 306 S79 138 2.8 249 540 10.9 95 1.9 174 3.5 !
859 190 33:.l 1 '!

568 11.4 811 940 18.8 1461 1289 34.1 1576 31.6 3776 4965 II Ii :, ,I ,.

2865 lj II 87,11 -· .... .. !

Not Aacertalned 75 ·-- Source: Compiled from records al Public Service Management The economic crisis which began in the mid- 1970s led to an enormous growth in the number of women working outside the confidence and creativity of women.

At the same time, the decline, dramatic deterioration infrastructure the burden on women.
and large scale migration, which was accompanied the home and to a flowering of of the social and physical by a increased Also, notwithstanding Guyana's progress towards the near equality of women and men in law, the daily lives of women are shaped by the continued stereo�ing of gender roles in the home, (where women are expected to carry most of the responsibility places of education, to cluster into traditional and 3.2); and in workplaces, girls and women are still found in areas and at (Table 4)).
levels of work which are lower-paid areas of study (Table 3.1 in schools and other for housework) (where girls and women continue (where the majority of Furthermore, women have inadequate access to credit (Table 5.1 and 5.2), land ownership and thus business ownership remain a small minority in decision-making institutions (Table 8).

(Table 6) (Table 7).

Women also in both the public and private sectors .s.

Table .s.1 Lonn Applications Received and Approved by Type .

:ind Sex 1985,1986 IMS � .


;:.,c:..=..:..;...�=- 1986 tiwl i.aticm i«l!iftd \ I !wl ialicm ' I lale f's.le lale Paa.le Joiat foW 61.1 u., 19.9 100.0 69.I ll .J 11S4 290 508 lSS2 ms 21& ,u u 2U 100.0 n., 6.2 197 m mo 1281 103 1446 Joilll Toul 18,j !OH l13 I li� IU iOO.i m 1�5� --- ource: Ca.rlcOI 1988:52·53 .. Table 5.2 .

·· Loans Approved by IPED 1990 1989 1988 q•• 458 303 16S 10: .

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., 0 :i � Loans Approved Total Loans for Agro-industry 34 26 4 C!ass1f1cat1on •Olen nf Recipients: Ken "l. •\oo.

... JU 199 87 28 zo 9 87 84 69 12 , '.

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fo Tille.Gf Table� 6 Property by Type of Ownership and Location of Property 1986,1992,1993 uu 1916 1992 lnnl (khan row l·(ll·-· ' ' (I) T (1=100\l I (\I '(II T (1=100\l 1.
(\I ,u JU 1046 66,2 33.1 6l2 16.3 sa.o u.ow 59.3 to.l 339 62.S 31.S 1419 63.l 36.3 9Sl 11.6 U.6 23.

J 996 36.4 \8,; 26.4 IS3t I 1993 , 1\1 -- t 11=100\!

source: Coapiled frOI records at the Deeds Registry ll 7 Table-· Industrial Grouping of Self-employed Population By Sex r--- ! '

Industry All soc1o·Econom1c Group I 1992 - ···---··--·-------·- Male --- --- F emille .. .

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I fuming & Forestry 24861 39 3 9!,23 28 1 .-1.111.1 & Ourirrying I I' ,stiin!J I Mi11i11g I Manul;icturing I Eleclncify .. ·-....

I Construct11m G.is & Water Supply Wholes.11e & nell\il Trade 3274 5 :.I ,;oo I G hi :.1 2288 3.6 253 0 7 5004 7 !I 3:1,11 99 ,'!,,\1 ·---· ti:l•h 94 0.1 11,\ 2600 4 1 13H 0.4 ,1/:ld --···- 15615 24 7 1�13 lfi 4!d .11111.11 l Hotels & Reslaurnnts '.172 0.6 !,27 1 (j tt'l1• T rilr1\;j10r1.
Slor.ige & Communication 35G7 5.5 20 �· (J (i I I F1nanc,a11n1enne1J1alion 31 0 1 22 (11 I ' ' 'd --- I Hual Est;ite.

Hont & Business Activities i Puhl•c.

: Awnir11�·.1ra11on & Delence.

elc I l:dUCilllOII 738 I;> 218 0.6 'l' ,I J 11 0 !, 1:17 O.J I'll< 75 0.1 1:.1!1 0.4 .

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S0c1.1I & Perso11,1I Households will1 Employed I E xlr.1 T orritori,11 Organisations & Social Won< I He;inh & i OIiier i Sorv,cp I P11va1e Persons i llod1cs I No Industry I I l 01;11 (N-1!
){!%) Suur,;1: HIES HJ\J2 - -----· 14 I 0 ;> HO (J ;> .. ' 1690 ;u ll\J I 2.1.i · ,:•. '

174 0.3 4 30 1.3 ,,11.1 241G 3G 20G4 G.1 ,1,1111, 63251 33834 IJ /11!\', �--·):���· Tl, �=cJS!ON-t-'l-·.:�:rJ.!

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:cmE'', !\�in��-te�i31 Levt:l at (%) 1990-94 22 1990-9� (%) (as of 30/6/94) (as of 30/6/94) (as of 31/5/94) 17 13 20 11 Fe:nale Pennenent �cretaries Female Judges Female �{lgistrates (%) 1993 33.3 (%) 199 3 ?O (%) � 1993 21· Ambassadors/Head of Mission .. -�.
Females Ot) �oards of Financia, Instituti$ns Female in Private Sector Executive Management (%) 1993 0 (%) 1993 10 (%) 1993 12.4 Source:-UNDP, HUMAN DEVELOPMEMT REPORT 1995: P• 61: Chan�s i� the Situ::.ti.on of �-:omen in Guyana 1ge0-1993, HomP.n1s Affa1 rs Bu�au pp 12; 14; 15; 17; 36 Therefore, while Guyan••• woman are active in most sectors of the nation's economic, political, social and cultural life, gender stereotyping remains a barrier to the expression of their full potential as agents and beneficiaries of development.
At the root of this is the society's failure to social and childrearing as in which men, women, and their accept childbearing responsibilities communities play a part.

It is no accident that many of the weaknesses that persist in the legal framework of gender equity Guyanese society, like many others, have not yet recognised wage, is basic to development.

the work women do in the home, without a relate to maternity laws.
The growing sexual violence against girls and women both inside and outside the home is another telling indicator power between male and female of the continuing imbalance of citizens (Table 9).

li.
li.

OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN - 19921 19931 1994 Ufft:NCES REPORTS CHARG£5 aJNVlCHONS 1992 1993 1994 1992 1993 19':;14 1992 1993 1994 RAPE lll 174 123 79 83 40 6 2 l INCE.ST 3 13 2 2 7 - l .. - 1NI£CENT ASSAULT 19 78 31 16 a 13 3 5 l Source: Guyana Police Force For decades, woman have attempted to organise divisiveness to change their conditions, themselves racial/political to unity.

Yet as shown above, the objective for unity are clear.
Guyana's struggle for suatainable'development among is baaed on certain fundamental principles, which is gender equity.
if it can only be successful bases but has proved an obstacle Thia National Policy Paper on Women reflects Government's commitment to: improving its institutional capacity and evaluate to programmes and develop, implement projects on women; from the vantage point of their impact to network with non-governmental which focus on women's issues; organisations foster the inclusion decision-making levels, including at both the national the communities; of women in all areas of and local educate and inform the public and all its institutions taking gender issues into account in all areas of national about the central importance of life.
The national Affairs Bureau.

implementing mechanism is the Women's 2.PRINCIPLES All policies upon the following broad principles: of the Goverrunant will be:based (1)That women'• rights are human rights and they include equitable access in the economic, social, cultural and political spheres; (2)That women need to be able to live and grow as full and equal human beings who have value both as parsons in themselves workers, organisers and community managers.
and as mothers·, (3)That equality between woman and man must begin -in the home, and that household ··the sharing and domestic must therefore responsibilities of parenting democracy and be promoted.

(4)That children are not solely a family but also a social and community responsibility.

(5)That all forms of violence against women are unacceptable.
to and (6)That women's capacity to fully contribute benefit from economic, cultural development complementary partnership all areas of personal and national requires the equal and of woman·and men in social, political life.

and (7)That there is urgent and continuing need ,to erpdicate women from the society .

all forms of discrimination against 1.1.

3.


GOAI,S Through its Ministries and agencies, and programmes to promote the Government will develop policies following goals: (1)Equality of women in law, in keeping with Government's undertakings United Nations Convention all Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) and other relevant against Women instruments.

as a signatory to the of on the Elimination (2)The transformation customs and practices women.
of cultural attitudes, that discriminate against (3)Broad societal acceptance of child rearing and the other unwaged care of family and dependants as responsibilities men and women, with the active support of the State.

to be equitably shared by (4)The availability throughout Guyana of water, sanitation, transportatio�_and support women in their other basic services to multiple health, public safety, roles.
(5)Equitable access by women to productive and equal opportunity; resources and economic pay for work of equal value.

(6)T}le recognition and valuing of women's unwaged work in the household '' subsistence and in preserving the environment.

agriculture and conmunity, in and family businesses, l.B.

(7)Woman' a aooeaa to reproductive health, which requires not simply the provision of facilities but the building relations.
of healthy male/female (8)Equality of educational opportunity across attention region, class, race, culture, abilities/disabilities particular education other reason.

Attention will boys having equal ional areas of study.

non-tradit is interrupted and gender, with to.


the needs of girls whose ·by· .pregnancy or for any also be given to both girls and for training in opportunity (9)The elimination of all forms of violenc� against women, ·in' keeping with Government'• obligations as a •ignatory to the Inter-American on the Prevention, Violence against Woman.

Punishment and Eradication Convention of (10)Equitable participation by woman in the structures both the local and national levels.
of decision-making .in all spheres at (11)Women's realisation of self-worth.

( 1) WOMEN ' S AFFAIRS BUREAU The Women'• Affairs Bureau will have specific . '

.

respohsibility actic!1n, baaed upon .this,.National attention for the formulation of 5 year plan of Policy but with due development priorities, to national li regional for Action.

initiative and the United Nations Platform Th• plans of action will reflect adherence to the strategy of mainstreaming as meaningful networking women's organisations.
women's issues, as well with non-governmental Government will take immediate steps to the institutional capability of the Bureau strengthen to deal effectively responsibilities and efficiently with its which include the following: (i) the formulation, of policies, to improve the programmes and plans of action status of women in Guyana; preparation and up-dating (ii) the monitoring and evaluation of all official to promoting in development; policies and programmes with a view women's equitable participation (iii) the establishment and maintenance effective links with organisations programme activities women; to enhance all aspects of relating non-governmental to of (iv) tb• p:romot·ipn and support of· measures to strengthen women's organisations; the capacity of non-governmental (v) the promotion sensitivity to gender issues; of and of public awareness (vi)·, tha obtaining assistance of technical for governmental and non- and funding gover,....ntal· programmes which impact positively upon woman; ·" (vii).
the coordination of the and facilitation worl cit the Inter-Ministry ·4.2); and Comm!

ttee (sea (ix) The provision of technical National Commission support .. to the on Women (see 4.3).

(2)IHTIB-HINISffiY CQt+SITTIE Permanent Secretaries in all Ministries will be responsible Ministers programmes as they relate to their own Ministries.
to Cabinet through their respective for the implementation and of policies In addition, Govermnent will establish an Inter­ technical a high-level Ministry Coffllnittee,comprising officer from each Ministry and the head of the Women's Affairs Bureau, who shall be the chairperson.
Commtttee members will be responsible implementation for: of the goals and in particular for the (i) giving teqhnioal Af'fairs Bureau in the formulation policies advice to the Women' s and.programmes; and of (ii) the submission of half-yearly reports and recommendations to Cabinet.

2.1.

(3) NATIONAL COMMISSION ON WOMEN Government will establish a National persons and of women organisations.
on Women composed of experienced representatives Commission of not more than ten (10) persons which will be broad based and national will have the task of promoting gender issues and shall be adviser to the govrnment on women issues.
in character The Commission The Commission will: (1) keep all relevant review and submit proposals for amendment to the Minister; legislation under (ii) make recommendations the Women's Affairs Bureau and the istry Conmittea regarding Inter-Min policy and programme directions; to the Minister, (iii) for any conduct formal investigations purpose connected of its functions initiative or at the request of the Minister, the Inter-Ministry the Women's Affairs Bureau or with the carrying out either on its own Committee; !iv) (V) or assist the undertaking undertake others of any appropriate educational activities; by and research lobby in support of national related to the advancement through formal and informal means; and of women issues 2.2.
(vi) stimulate broad national debate and action on the issues of gander equity.

5 .

CONCLUSION Goverrunent recognises the cultural of diverse society and the influences an ethnic and religiously partiaular circumstances, of the hinterland.
situation of woman in especially difficult e.g women with disabilities and women Government also recognises that an ongoing system will be required and evaluation monitortng ensure that this policy is effectively such, Goverpment undertakes reviews of this policy with the aim of introducing appropriat• to persued.

As to conduct periodic and timely amendments.

Thia policy is aimed at achieving an improved stat�s tor �omen which will result in an improved quality of iife for the entire society.