At opening of Regional women’s forum—
Minister Shadick urges recognition of women’s efforts
Guyana Chronicle
June 11, 2004
Minister responsible for Women’s Affairs Ms Bibi Shadick has again urged that women’s efforts in the home and at the workplace be recognised by the entire population. The Minister was at the time addressing the opening ceremony of the annual General Meeting of the Regional Women’s Affairs Committees held in the auditorium of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Brickdam on Wednesday.
“Noting the inner strength of women, everybody needs to recognise women because they form half of the population. We do live in a man’s world, this we were told,” the Minister emphasised.
Ms Shadick said that it is an equal responsibility of both parents to mould and shape the minds of their children because “we no longer live in a man’s world once women’s efforts are recognised”.
Sponsored by Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the Women’s Affairs Bureau, the conference, in the words of Ms Shadick, comes at an opportune time since the entire nation is now focused on the operations of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The Minister deplored the situation that all some persons are seeing are the instances of negligence and wrongdoing. The successes are not looked at right now, she stated.
“The press and the whole country have been misinformed with quotes and misquotes and all kinds of things,” the Minister lamented.
She said those found guilty would face the legal action that she intends to initiate. Shadick bemoaned the situation in which the media has become obsessed with a particular story. She underscored the fact that her Ministry has to deal with many topical matters on a daily basis.
The Women’s Affairs Bureau Committees fall under the Regional Democratic Council and provide linkages with the Woman’s Affairs Bureau on issues relating to the advancement of women in Guyana.
These Committees comprise representatives of different sectors and women’s organisations in the Regions. In addition, the Committees liaise with the Women’s Affairs Bureau for guidance on policy formulation relating to women and programme-planning in the various Regions.
Reports are prepared by the Regional Women’s Affairs Committees for the National and Regional Administrations and are presented to the Regional Democratic Council on a monthly basis.
During her presentation on Wednesday, Ms Shadick described the NDC’s structure as a male dominion and she expressed the view that more women should be part of this local government structure.
The Minister stressed the importance of the role women play in this country even though they go through many trials and tribulations.
“Women still have responsibilities in the home even though they also have jobs like their husbands,” she remarked.
Participants at this week’s forum came from the hinterland and outlying areas as well as from the coastland. Dr Dale Bisnauth, Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security declared the conference open.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Women’s Affairs Bureau Administrator (ag), Ms Hymawattie Lagan; Director of Social Services, Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Dr. S. Doodnauth and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pulandar Kandhi.