Dear Editor,
This month is Women’s History Month in the United States and the theme is “Moving Forward Together”. It is also International Women’s Day on March 8th this year with the theme “Accelerate Action”. Given the recent negative events in the political class, it is very appropriate to have a deeper discussion on the importance of the role of women in our society, especially as it pertains to politics/leadership.
As a country we have seen serious allegations arise of sexual abuse that have reached the central committee of the PPP, and we have also recently seen allegations of sexual and sexist misconduct that have reached the central committee of the PNCR. The two major political parties of our country help set the tone and culture in the country. When the opportunity arises to uphold and strengthen our Guyanese daughters these parties have succumbed to political convenience and the old ways of maintaining support for the popular instead of ensuring that respect for our Guyanese daughters is maintained. Doing the correct thing is always a test of courage and a test of will to hold fast to what is better for everyone over the long term.
As Guyanese, we must demand better from those who wish to be in leadership, and we must continue to support the strengthening of our female population. A weak woman can easily result in a weak family and household. Leading to both weak sons and daughters. Our future generations need our political leaders to set an example that strengthens the entire Guyanese Family. A family where both the father & mother and the son & daughter can be the best they can be. Where each individual independent of gender will have the opportunity to excel in an environment of mutual respect, courtesy and upliftment. When a woman is pulled down, it is the pulling down of those upon whose shoulders she stands. The shoulders of our mothers, our sisters, our daughters and also the shoulders of our fathers, our brothers and our sons. We must demand that all political parties cleanse themselves of those who have no interest in respecting our Guyanese daughters. We must demand that any and everyone with a desire to lead embrace the principles of mutual respect and fairness. Our beautiful Nation will not be its best with our women being absent from the process of leadership, whether it be direct or indirect involvement. Their perspective is important and our current leaders cannot afford to ignore them. We must “Move Forward Together” and we must do so with clear actions that embrace the entire Guyanese Family.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Stabroek News
