Minister Pauline Sukhai
Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman said women have made contributions to all spheres of life, as he lauded their contribution to society on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Trotman in a statement said the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana joins women the world over and particularly in Guyana, to commemorate this day.
This year’s theme, “Inspiring Change,” could not have come at a better time, especially when Women are playing pivotal roles in leadership capacities all across Guyana, Trotman said.
“Guyanese women have registered successes, both at the regional and international levels, in achieving gender equality, empowering women and elevating them politically, economically, socially, and culturally. Guyana’s maintenance of a high ranking in the Global Status of Women in Parliament is a testament to this. These outstanding contributions of Guyanese women to the political, social and economic life of the country through the years cannot be ignored.”
The National Assembly, he said, salutes the services of several long-serving women parliamentarians. These include Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai with 20 years of service; People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) MP Shirley Edwards who served for 18 years; PPP/C MP Philomena Sahoye-Shury who served for 15 years; former Deputy Speaker and MP Deborah Backer who served for 14 years; and Parliament staff member Eleanor Coddett who has 30 years of dedicated service to the public service.
