[www.inewsguyana.com] – Guyana’s female Members of Parliament (MPs) at a special meeting convened by Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, on May 19, discussed the possibility of establishing a local arm of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP).
After much discussion, the meeting, which was well attended by the female MPs, saw them agreeing to form a Steering Committee. This Committee will run for one year and will have one person from each party acting as coordinators. These coordinators will be tasked with ascertaining issues for the Committee to focus on, in keeping with their respective party’s view.
It was also agreed that these issues will not be limited to those affecting women and children, but will also focus on engendering the Legislative process, creating awareness campaigns and encouraging lobbying as well as advocacy, networking, resource mobilization and information dissemination.
One of the key highlights of the discussion was that women MPs should aim to be a major contributor to a just and gender sensitive constitution, and further legislation and national policies that enable political, social and economic empowerment of women and men in Guyana
This Steering Committee will also provide a forum for women MPs to discuss, share experiences and support activities that would enhance women’s participation and effective leadership in all dimensions of politics.
