Gender equality a priority under APNU+AFC  2020 Manifesto

─equal pay, business grants for women

─improved gynecological, maternal and neonatal health care

─increased scholarships for women and girls

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, February 16, 2020

The Coalition Government intends to expand its focus on gender equality during its next administration, paying special attention to, among other things, equal pay for women in the workforce and improved gynaecological, maternal and neonatal health care.

Since taking office, His Excellency President David Granger has advocated that women and girls can contribute to all aspects of Guyana’s development.

The 2020 manifesto which was launched last Friday, promotes the implementation of a dedicated programme for girls in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), ensuring equal pay for women, the continuation of improve gynaecological, maternal and neonatal health care countrywide, and the implement of a national family counselling plan for families affected by domestic violence.

Focus will also be placed on a National Gender and Social Inclusion Policy, the provision of educational support for children of single mothers, instituting a quota of small business grants for women, and establishing a central business and training bureau for women, including those from the hinterland, to develop and grow their businesses.

The government promises to also establish reintegration learning centres for women of all ages who are keen on developing their professional, business and life skills, expand early childhood day-care centres and nurseries to help women fulfil their professional aspirations, increase the quota of scholarships for women and girls, provide specialist training for members of the Guyana Police Force to address incidents of domestic violence, continue to improve the application of laws designed to ensure the protection of women and ensure the involvement of higher percentages of women in governance and decision making in all state organisations and institutions.

Meanwhile, in its efforts to provide affordable housing, the government will also establish a National Squatter Settlement Commission to eliminate squatting country-wide, allocate 20,000 house lots and housing units within structured communities. This will be in addition to other government-funded housing initiatives to address the projected housing deficit.

Affordable housing will also be allocated to public servants, nurses, teachers and disciplined services employees, with interest subsidies to keep their mortgages affordable.

Under the affordable housing initiative, private investors can also look forward to incentives for affordable housing solutions.

Special interest will also be placed on the continued development of Guyana’s building codes, with a focus on resilient and climate-smart architectural solutions.

Utility services, including water, electricity, street lights and sanitation management will be provided in all new housing communities. Within those communities also, the government will ensure they are provided with education, healthcare, human recreational, security and fire protection services and facilities.