GAWU’s Women Forum International Women’s Day Message 2010

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, being celebrated on March 8th, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union Women Forum extends warm wishes to all working as well as non working women.

This year, International Women’s Day is celebrated under the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”. This theme aptly expresses the thoughts of Egyptian philosopher and writer, B. Boutros Ghali who wrote “the human race is a two winged bird – one wing is female, the other is male; unless both wings are equally developed, the human race will not be able to fly.”

The GAWU’s Women Forum calls upon our men folk to reflect and renew their love and respect for those women close to you, e.g. your wife, your mother, your sisters, daughters and working colleagues.

Today, in our society, women and girls are still subjects of abuse, rape and even discrimination. There are instances where women are deprived of their fundamental rights and dare not speak out against the injustices meted out against them. For some societies that is a normal way of life, but certainly it’s not for the Guyanese Society as our Government has continuously enacted legislation to protect the right of women in our country.

International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to strengthen solidarity among working people particularly women for development and equality. It is a day for us to encourage our comrades to recognise that securing full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires the active participation of women. It is also an occasion to review progress in women’s development as well as an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change and at the same time recognise the contribution of women leaders like Janet Jagan, Jane Phillips Gay, Jessie Burnham and Kowsilla to name just a few from a long list.

We encourage all women to unite and fight for your right to be recognised for your rightful place in society. Our male Comrades must always remember that their presence on earth was because of a woman, so give women the respect and space they deserve in society in keeping with this year’s theme “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”.