Paternity leave recommended in a report to House Speaker

─ the report will be presented at an appropriate time in the House and then to the public – House Speaker

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, March 7, 2019

The Women and Gender Equality Commission, on March 5, presented the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland with a report with several recommendations including paternity leave for men. Recommendations of the report are also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number Five.

Chairperson of the Commission, Indranie Chanderpal called for the introduction of “paternity leave in law and in contracts for employment.” While this recommendation is new and groundbreaking, Chanderpal believes the commission and the government can begin the process.

The Women and Gender Equality Commission which advocates for women’s rights in Guyana embarked on research that investigated the laws of Guyana with the aim to rectify any prejudicial enactment against Guyanese women.

The report was executed and completed by Melinda Janki, an International Legal Consultant. In compiling the report, the commission visited all ten administrative regions and gave women a chance to highlight the challenges they face. The report entitled, “Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls”, also included recommendations such as, “harmonised code of law on women’s rights”, “elimination of discrimination against women”, and “sexual harassment repercussions enforced by law enforcement and the judicial system”.

Chairperson, Indranie Chanderpal handing over the report the Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland

Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland and Chairperson, Indranie Chanderpal reviewing their copies of the report

Chairperson of the Indranie Chanderpal is reading parts of the report for the Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland

This research was sanctioned by the House Speaker at the commission’s last appearance at Parliament on March 8, 2017. This approval was granted to prove the government’s endorsement towards women and gender equality in Guyana.

After receiving the report, the House Speaker congratulated the commission’s effort on their research and assured that the report will be presented at an appropriate time in the House and then to the public.

The speaker said, “we are a country of people and the strength of one enhances the strengths of the other.” In closing, he noted that there is a need for work to be done to educate the public about the content of the report produced by the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

Alleya Hamilton

Images: Jules Gibson