Speaker Raphael Trotman with the four women who were honoured by the National Assembly. To the Speaker’s right is Olga Aaron and Indranie Chandarpaul, and to his left is Gail Teixeira and Clarissa Riehl
In celebrating International Women’s Day, the National Assembly today honoured four women Members of Parliament (MPs) for their yeoman service to the House. The honorees, Gail Teixeira, Indranie Chandarpaul, Clarissa Riehl and Ogla Aaron were honoured today at the Tower Hotel on Main Street.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman said that Guyana has much to celebrate in terms of its women. In the field of politics, said Guyana has had outstanding women such as past President Janet Jagan.
He believes that the celebration of International Women’s Day will go a far way in keeping women together in society, noting that the commemoration is very important.
Advisor on Governance to the President, who is also Chief Whip for the Government side, Gail Teixeira said that Guyana is far ahead n terms of the progress of the country. “We have 32% of women in Parliament but there is always room for more,” she said.
Ms. Teixeira added that Guyana has moulded her and made her what she is today and had she been in another country she would not have reached the heights she has achieved in Guyana. “Guyana have given me everything, and I am very honoured to serve my country and as Guyanese, whether women or not we must want to serve our country”
She further added that young women of today need to be more involved in confronting issues. She believes that the younger generation has what it takes to be groomed and she is willing to work with any young woman on how to deal with controversy.
Cecelia McAlmont who gave the feature address said that Guyanese women have struggled to be in the position that they are in today. She added that women in Guyana are still the minority in the political field despite being the majority in the population. She then gave an over view of how women from the 1940s have evolved into who they are today.
The gathering at the “Tribute to the Women of Parliament” at Hotel Tower
In attendance at this year’s event were Ministers Priya Manickchand, Jennifer Webster and Jennifer Westford who are also MPs and Vidya Persaud, Bibi Shaddick, Cathy Hughes, and Valerie Lowe all MPs.
International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 under the theme “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.”
According to the United Nations, in 1975, during International Women’s Year, it began celebrating 8 March as International Women’s Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.