Women say no to violence, call for a peaceful election

Women's-eye View By Vanda Radzik
Stabroek News
March 18, 2001

Consensus-building and peace-keeping
The process of consensus-building and peace-building needs to go hand in hand in Guyana if we are to move forward. Women are, for the first time in Guyana, represented in increased numbers on the lists, and they have come together under the banner of the Women's Political Forum to build a shared vision for the country that mandates that women should work together across the divides in a collective effort at nation-building.

It is very heartening that women from across the different political parties and from different social organisations have joined their voices to make appeals and statements that the Election 2001 and its aftermath be violence free. The overarching context is the sad but true fact that it is women who end up bearing the brunt of brutality and are the victims of violence in this and other countries that are divided ethnically.

Things are tense as they usually are when political competition is down to the wire, and as in our case, this is aggravated by a general lack of security about the voters list, and the alternative means of voter identification in the event that the ID cards are not all distributed in time. It is therefore a positive sign that the women have stepped up to speak out on the issue of preventing acts of violence connected to the elections.

This network is in its early stages - building the first blocks and taking the all important first steps in crafting a sense of purpose and mechanisms for agreed upon action. The formation of a women's political caucus after the elections when we know who is who and who is where in the parliamentary decision-making processes is a key goal.

Equally important is the role of women in the non-governmental sector. Several of these organisations met with the Commonwealth Observer Group earlier this week and gave their views and recommended actions and/or guidelines for improving the role of observer missions in this upcoming election. These organisations also signed a joint statement released to the press advocating violence-free elections on and after voting day. Women Across Differences has also put out a statement urging women to stand firm against violence against women and the population at large.

The police
Women are especially calling on the constabulary, the police in general and the 'black clothes' police and riot squad in particular, to show restraint, good sense and professionalism in keeping the peace in the build-up to elections, and in their immediate aftermath.

Likewise, the women candidates are calling on their own party supporters to desist from acts of violence which will only hinder and hurt fellow citizens.

Already there have been beatings of persons in the streets by the police. This does not augur well. People's anxiety and exasperation over not finding their names on the final list, or getting wrong ID cards or none at all are understandable. They actually do have every right to go down to GECOM to demand explanations.

GECOM has started an all-out effort to allay fears and provide new and updated explanations and alternatives to calm fears and frustrations. Let us hope and pray that good sense and good 'governance' by all parties prevail. It is the responsibility of the parties to keep their supporters in order as best they can.

Walk the talk
The women have issued a special call for this to prevail. Please listen up and give Guyana a chance to 'grow' its diversity and expand its inclusivity. This ethnic diversity constitutes the particular richness of Guyana's human resources. We need the differences and we need for them to be recognized and included in decision-making at all the various levels in society. This is the only way that we will flourish as a nation. The only way we will become a nation worthy to be so named.

We Guyanese have a long way yet to go. As the women pledge to walk together within and across party lines to achieve a vision for a better Guyana. Let us as a nation resolve to walk the talk about unity and racial equality and ethnic respect and joint effort. Let the new government of the day, whichever way the chips fall, and however the votes cast add up, ensure that its cabinet will embrace good and able women and men from other parties. Let the best and brightest amongst us lead the way irrespective of political persuasion.

The dream team
I recently listened to a number of women candidates on the Women's Day Panel discuss issues and concerns reflected on the common agenda of the Women's Political Forum and felt proud and pleased that all of these women could and would do a very good job indeed in parliament. Without a doubt, having such women lead the way in the government would give us the kind of boost and push we need to get the country on track. Similarly, at the NGO Forum, I listened to a number of presidential candidates and/or prime ministerial candidates as they conversed with members of NGOs, and came to the conclusion that I would actually like to see them all in the government of the new day.

If we citizens could choose the individuals to sit in our parliament, I would put all these women and all these men in the government of my choice. And I would put in a youth chamber that would give guidance and keep conscience just to make sure that the elected leaders kept their word, minded their manners and kept honest accounts of the nation's money.

In thinking of Elections 2001, I remember most particularly the statesmanship of Desmond Hoyte and Cheddi Jagan, when havoc all but broke loose and these men put nation before party. Mr Hoyte is still in charge of one of the juggernauts and Mr Jagdeo is at the helm of the other juggernaut, once led by Dr Jagan. I hope they have been listening to the women and have taken counsel from the Women's Platform and the No to Violence messages. They could also learn a thing or two about respect and civility from the heads of the smaller parties. Take example gentlemen. To the women out there - Woman's-eye View salutes you all as candidates and wishes you every success. You have made history. The challenge is to shepherd the voting public on and after elections day to share your vision of the new day, and to take the path that builds our nation into one, that makes space across differences to erect bridges and platforms for all. It's time to bury the hatchet.

We will watch with interest to see who will 'walk the talk' too, by ensuring that the mandatory 30 per cent women on the lists gets translated into 30 per cent women in parliament. We will be watching to see who will measure up and we expect no one to renege on the implicit mandate of the Constitution Reform Commission's recommendation that there should be 30 per cent women's representation in the National Assembly.

Women candidates and women politicians out there - we're counting on you! Keep the peace and keep the pledge and bring our nation home to itself in this new millennium!! Good luck to each and everyone of you. Make us a proud nation!!