The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union joins the rest of the World in celebrating International Women’s Day 2019 under the theme “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. We take the opportunity of this day to again applaud the political, social and economic achievements of the women of Guyana and across the World.
International Women’s Day is steeped in the radical history of women demanding improvement in their daily lives and in their working conditions. The day itself dates back to 1857 in New York City when women garment workers went on strike to demand a 10-hour working day, better working conditions and equal rights. In honour of this strike, another was held in 1908 by women needle trade workers. They demanded voting rights and an end to sweatshops and child labour. Two years later, the socialist, Clara Zetkin, proposed that the 8th of March be commemorated as International Women’s Day. It was first celebrated nationally in the Soviet Union established after the 1917 Russian Revolution. In 1977, the United Nations officially declared March 8th to be International Women’s Day.
Over the decades, the objective of International Women’s Day celebrations has evolved, and today has embraced the advocacy of critical issues pertaining to the advancement and progress of women. Especially noteworthy is the continuation of raising issues pertaining to workers and oppressed women and world peace. In Guyana, we celebrate and honour the relentless contributions made by the women of our country, whilst paying special homage to, and acknowledging the women in leadership positions across the Public and Private Sectors, trade union and political movements, and within our schools and healthcare sectors, and in fact all sectors of our nation’s life. We thank our womenfolk for their contribution towards the strides made in our nation’s development.
Observing a special day for women where they are being honoured, and appreciated is a deserving recognition of their importance to society and acknowledgement of a woman’s contribution to life, family, and work. It is our sincere view, considering, their all-round invaluable contributions that empowering women in Guyana is certainly necessary to bring about the ultimate goal of gender equality, and for them to take an even bigger role in the decision-making process.
On this International Women’s Day, let us all promise to work towards building a better country and work for the realization of equal opportunities of our womenfolk for fair and respectful treatment of women at the workplace and throughout society, and encourage their all-round development as, together, we strive to build a prosperous country.
The GAWU will continue helping to provide a better working environment in Guyana, where men and women can work harmoniously; a society free of violence and discrimination, and where equal opportunities are available for all workers and where together we can “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”.
