Guyana
88. The Committee considered the initial report of Guyana (CEDAW/C/5/Add.63)
at its 235th and 239th meetings, on 18 and 20 January (see CEDAW/C/SR.235
and 239).
89. In introducing the report, the representative of Guyana emphasized
that the global economic crisis of the 1980s and the concomitant recession
had hit her country hard as it was one of the most vulnerable. Forty per
cent of the population in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
were living under conditions of poverty, unable to satisfy basic needs.
Owing to their vulnerable position in society, women were more harshly
affected by the socio-economic crisis. The fact that poverty affected women
more than men was a common phenomenon in the region.
90. As a result of the economic problems, commencing with the oil crisis
in the 1970s, the "cooperative socialism" that had been the official
policy of the country had undergone a critical period, which had led to
a continuous breakdown of the basic infrastructure. Growing unemployment
and low wages had led to increased internal migration and emigration of
men. Female-headed households had increased from 24.4 per cent in 1980
to 29.5 per cent in 1992. The percentage of permanent female emigrants
had also increased in the last years, resulting in a higher number of male-headed
single-parent households. The influx of women into the labour force had
brought with it the most profound changes in the labour market.
91. Guyana had been rated as one of the poorest countries in the Western
hemisphere. The widespread impoverishment of the majority of Guyanese had
brought with it a continuous decline in per capita production and real
wages while prices of basic commodities were rising; a severe reduction
in the quality of the educational system; hunger, malnutrition, homelessness
and an increasing number of street children; inadequate housing and a decline
in the public health services. As a result of such neglect of the development
of human resources, the last few years had witnessed a drastic decrease
in life expectancy and a rise in infant mortality.
92. Structural adjustment programmes, introduced in response to the economic
problems, had brought about new forms of stress, which added to the crisis
created by prior mismanagement. Severe shortages in the basic food supply
had had an impact on women who were forced to queue for long hours to purchase
basic commodities. Cuts in public expenditure had brought about a decline
in social services, particularly health and education, as well as in infrastructure,
including transportation, water supply and electricity. Women, as primary
household managers and income earners, were particularly affected.
General observations
93. Members of the Committee welcomed the very candid report, which
had been presented with frankness by a high-level political representative.
They recalled that Guyana had demonstrated a long commitment to the Convention
and was among the first Member States to sign and ratify the Convention
without reservation. It had also been the first country of the region to
present a candidate for membership of the Committee.
94. Members of the Committee welcomed the political will to implement the
Convention, but were aware of the cultural, social and economic constraints
to its implementation. Asked whether all the provisions of the Convention
were fully implemented in the legislation of the country, the representative
explained that certain articles of the Convention were dealt with in statutes,
which were enforceable in the courts. There was no tardiness on the part
of the Government in reducing discrimination against women, since the 1980
Constitution already contained provisions with respect to equality for
women. In 1983 the Children Born out of Wedlock Act was adopted, which
removed any discrimination against children born out of wedlock. In 1990,
the Equal Rights Act was adopted by Parliament, giving women the right
to seek redress for discriminatory practices on the basis of sex. The implementation
of the Convention had improved the status of women generally, raised consciousness
about the issue in women's organizations and in male-dominated institutions,
and focused attention on the remaining obstacles.
95. Members were interested to learn whether the Convention could be invoked
in the event of the violation of women's rights, and what was the relationship
between national legislation and the Convention. The representative replied
that under the law women in Guyana were given a significant degree of protection.
Women's access to the courts was afforded by way of the constitutional
and municipal law provisions.
96. Concerning a question about the time-frame of the programme for the
advancement of women, the representative replied that a national policy
statement on women existed, but that several ongoing programmes for the
integration of women in development could not be fully implemented because
of economic constraints.
97. Members noted that the report emphasized elimination of de jure
discrimination, but that more information was needed on the de facto situation
of women. In particular, more statistical data should be provided. They
invited the Government, when preparing subsequent reports, to refer to
existing norms and facts and to interpret changes that had taken place.
That would avoid any contradictions that might appear in the present report.
The representative said that her Government was fully aware of the deficiencies
in the collection of data and statistics and was searching for assistance
from international agencies to remedy the situation.
98. Asked whether non-governmental organizations had been consulted when
preparing the report, the representative stressed that the Women's Affairs
Bureau, as the national machinery, was in direct liaison with women's non-governmental
organizations, and had been largely responsible for the preparation of
the report.
99. Members of the Committee welcomed the clear description of the negative
impact of structural adjustment programmes on women, which illustrated
how political and economic change would affect women negatively, if human
resource development was not considered. Members asked for further information
on actions taken by the Government to mitigate the negative impact of such
programmes on women and children. The representative mentioned that, under
the Social Impact Amelioration Programme, periodic payments were made to
elderly women and pregnant and lactating mothers, for a limited period
of time, to cushion the effects of the withdrawal of government subsidies
of basic goods. Guyana received assistance from a number of United Nations
programmes and specialized agencies and other donors. Seventeen health-care
projects had been carried out. However, significant delays in the implementation
of projects were experienced, and the Government's capacity to absorb further
badly needed assistance was limited by its inability to provide administrative
and financial counterparts.
100. Members praised the active role women in Guyana had played in the
struggle for independence, which should guarantee them the right to enjoy
fundamental rights without conditions. Asked why the basic rights in the
Constitution were linked not only to respect for the rights and freedoms
of others, but also to respect for the public interest, the representative
said that this did not lead to abuse and injustice since the courts, as
guardians of the rights of individuals under the Constitution, could be
approached by any aggrieved party seeking redress.
Questions related to specific articles
Article 2
101. Given the existence of different ethnic and indigenous groups
in Guyana, members wanted to know if they had preserved their cultural
roots, because culture could be used as a unifying force in development.
More information was required on traditional customs and religious traditions,
and the way they affected women and undermined the provisions of the Convention.
The representative replied that the largest ethnic communities were the
East Indians (49.5 per cent) and the Africans (35.6 per cent); the indigenous
population of Amerindians made up 6.8 per cent of the population. As a
result of the divide-and-rule practice of colonialism, the two major racial
groups were divided in the late 1950s and again in the 1960s. Amerindians
had originally had their own culture, but the process of socialization
had altered some sections of the indigenous people, who had become involved
in national life in the field of education, health and training. Under
the Constitution, all citizens had the right to practise their customs
and religion. Some religious norms were used to keep women down, not giving
them the right to chose their husbands and not allowing them into male-dominated
religious positions. However, the fundamental problem of male domination
over women was inherent to all racial groups.
Article 3
102. Members of the Committee appreciated the appointment of a minister
for the advancement of women and requested further information on the mandate
of the Minister, the limits imposed on her work and the existence of focal
points in the various other ministries. The representative replied that
the Ministry of Labour, Human Services, Social Security and Housing had
a Senior Minister in charge of Labour and Housing and a Junior Minister
responsible for Human Services and Social Security, which included women's
affairs as one of 11 areas of responsibility. No limits were imposed on
the work of the Minister. With regard to the national machinery for the
advancement of women, the Minister was collaborating on a weekly basis
with the administrators of the Women's Affairs Bureau.
Article 4
103. It was asked which temporary measures had been taken to accelerate
de facto equality between men and women. Members also inquired about existing
programmes to increase the number of women in decision-making positions
at all levels.
104. The representative replied that the Women's Affairs Bureau was engaged
in project monitoring and the implementation of projects directly targeting
women, in particular in the acquisition of skills and education, training
in small business management and health.
Article 5
105. Assuming a high incidence of violence against women as in any
society, members asked for information on the extent of violence in all
its forms, the measures taken by the Government to eliminate violence,
police intervention and court procedures. The representative replied that
violence occurred at all levels of society and that about 48 per cent of
women had been physically assaulted in 1993. Only recently had women started
to report assaults committed against them by their spouses or common-law
partners. While arresting the perpetrators, male police very often displayed
reluctance to institute charges and considered the assaults a purely domestic
matter. Women's organizations had therefore called for female investigators.
Refuges and shelters for abused women, as well as a hotline, had been established.
A draft Domestic Violence Bill was to be placed before Parliament, following
the format of similar bills in other Caribbean countries. The Government
and non-governmental organizations were planning an education programme
to sensitize young people about other forms of conflict resolution, self-esteem
and respect for females.
Article 6
106. Members sought more information on prostitution and related activities
and wanted to know whether laws and specific programmes had had an impact
on reducing the number of prostitutes. The representative stated that the
law penalized any male person for knowingly living, wholly or partly, on
the earnings of prostitution or soliciting for an immoral purpose. To prevent
the increase of prostitution linked to the urban migration of young women,
efforts were being made to raise the living standards in rural areas and
to encourage young women there to undertake income-generating activities.
Article 7
107. Noting that the report gave figures on the percentage of women
in certain high-level positions, members asked further information on the
number of women in middle-level management positions, and on women's participation
in non-governmental organizations, political parties and labour unions.
The representative replied that women constituted a small but growing pool
of middle- and lower-level managers and that their participation had risen
from 14.9 per cent in 1985 to 25.4 per cent in 1993. However, women's representation
at the executive level had decreased sharply, from 25.5 per cent to 12.4
per cent, during the same period. Only in the low-paying service sector
and the teaching professions did women play a significant role in decision-making.
Women were active in the trade unions, in both the private and the public
sector, holding a few high positions in management and the executive branches.
Exclusively female trade union organizations did not exist.
108. She stated that women were a clear minority at the higher echelons
of public and political life and were grossly underrepresented in top positions.
Female participation in the parliamentary assembly had increased significantly,
from 14 per cent in 1980 to 22 per cent in 1985, but decreased to 15.7
per cent in 1993 with the change of Government. The imbalance in male-female
representation in Parliament was also reflected in the Government, where
only two women had been appointed, one as Health Minister and the other
as Minister for Labour, Human Services, Social Security and Housing. However,
in other decision-making positions in the Government, the situation had
improved with an increase in the number of permanent secretaries and other
high-level positions, from 21.4 per cent in 1987 to 33.3 per cent in 1993.
At the regional level, the percentage of female mayors had declined from
40 per cent in 1980 to 20 per cent in 1986 and 16.7 per cent in 1993.
109. With regard to women's participation in political parties, she recalled
women's historical involvement in political life, especially in the work
of parties and during elections. The major problem was that only a few
women could attain leadership roles in their parties owing to male competition,
lack of assertiveness and their additional burden of child-rearing.
Article 8
110. Members acknowledged the frankness of the part of the report under
discussion, but asked for additional explanation about the obstacles that
prevented women from participating in decision-making and whether there
was actual equality of opportunity for women in access to power in public
life. The representative replied that the stereotypical attitudes of women
and men inhibited women's access to decision-making positions. As more
women entered professional life, it was to be hoped that that trend would
change.
Article 10
111. Asked for further data on school drop-out rates for girls, the
representative stated that only 18.9 per cent of women dropped out at the
tertiary level, compared to 81.2 per cent for men. No data were available
for drop-out rates at the primary and secondary levels but they would be
supplied in the next report. Drop-outs were given a second chance to pursue
higher studies. In response to the question whether the programmes mentioned
in the report were aimed at stereotypical vocational skills, she stated
that programmes were open to both sexes, but the women opted for traditionally
female-oriented programmes of study.
Article 11
112. More information was sought on equal access to training, job segregation,
women's employment in health, education and the industrial sector and their
contribution to agriculture.
113. The representative said that women had equal access to education and
training. Training was an integral part of women's involvement in work.
The gender-specific division of labour was linked to the traditional definition
of women's economic roles, the majority of women being employed in the
clerical, sales and service sectors. A low percentage of women found employment
in the agricultural sector, where women's involvement in household subsistence
farming and poultry rearing for additional family income was not taken
into account.
114. A high proportion of economically inactive females was involved in
domestic duties, but the figure had declined owing to the changing role
of women, who needed to supplement family income.
115. Members wished to know if women had equal opportunity with men in
obtaining full-time jobs. The representative noted that although women
had equal opportunity with men, they were burdened by child-rearing activities
traditionally considered a female responsibility. The lack of child-care
facilities affected women's participation in the labour force negatively,
in particular if they could not rely on grandparents or elderly relatives.
The Government and non-governmental organizations were providing some day
care for children.
116. In reply to the question about equal remuneration for men and women,
the representative quoted the 1990 Equal Rights Act, which provided, inter
alia, that women and men should be paid equal remuneration for the
same work or work of the same nature. Although in general women were paid
the same as men, in some private sector organizations women with similar
qualifications and performing the same tasks were still paid less.
Article 12
117. Members required further information on programmes to combat the
AIDS/HIV pandemic and on existing facilities for infected women. The representative
stressed that the increase in HIV infection among women far exceeded that
of men, although fewer women carried the virus than men. The Government
had launched education programmes to combat the spread of AIDS among young
people, encouraging the use and acceptance of condoms. Discussions on removing
taboos associated with sexual behaviour had taken place. She also reported
on efforts being made to end the stigmatization of AIDS victims.
118. Referring to the severe problem of anaemia, a very incapacitating
illness for women, members wanted to know if female malnutrition resulted
from the traditional diet, lack of variety of foods or poverty. Given the
decrease in life expectancy, members asked for the common causes of female
mortality. The representative stated that high-risk pregnancies, lack of
trained medical attendants, malnutrition and abortion were some of the
contributing factors. A 50 per cent decrease in government spending on
health services had had an impact on the 86 per cent of the population
considered to be living under the poverty line, and on women in particular.
119. Concerning family planning, members requested information on the existence
of a national family planning programme, on access to special maternity
services and on the availability, use and general acceptance of contraceptives.
The representative informed the Committee that family planning advice and
counselling was conducted at 166 clinics across the country and included
the provision of various forms of contraceptives, prenatal and postnatal
services, immunizations, pap smears, pregnancy tests, infertility and fertility
counselling and treatment. Women, in general, accepted family planning
very well. A responsible parenthood organization was conducting educational
programmes for young people. The representative also said there was no
government policy on family planning owing to the demographic trends of
high mortality and emigration in Guyana.
120. On the incidence of abortion, the representative stated that the number
of illegal abortions was high as abortion was often used as a form of contraception
by women having no access to other family planning methods. The highest
number of abortions occurred in the 24-29-year age group and among East
Indian women, followed by Black women. There was an ongoing debate on the
decriminalization of abortion as proposed in a bill tabled in Parliament.
Article 14
121. Members of the Committee welcomed the policy of decentralization
and wished to obtain further information on the involvement of women at
the district level. The representative replied that women were generally
involved in all sectors of rural life. After the 1992 elections, there
had been a resurgence of community development groups, in which women played
an important role.
Article 16
122. With regard to reform of the family law, members expressed the
opinion that a more comprehensive approach should be preferred to a segmented
process of amendment. Harmonization with the rest of the Caribbean countries
should be given special attention. The representative agreed and added
that the establishment of a family court had been called for by women's
organizations over the past decade. She also informed the Committee about
the Married Persons Property Amendment Act and the Family Dependants Provision
Act adopted in 1990, which changed the laws relating to the division of
the property of spouses upon the dissolution of marriage or the break-up
of a common-law relationship. In reply to a question on the equal division
of marital property in case of divorce, she stated that the Married Persons
Property Amendment Act made provisions for the services of the wife in
the home to be quantified in assessing her contribution to the acquisition
of marital property.
123. More information on female-headed households was asked for, in particular
on the incidence in different ethnic groups, on their cultural acceptance
and government programmes for providing assistance. The representative
regretted that no data on female-headed households were available, but
promised that the second periodic report would supply that information.
Although the incidence of female-headed families was widespread, it was
highest among the Afro-Guyanese population.
124. Specific information was sought on the Equal Rights Act that enabled
courts to define discrimination and on any instances when the law had been
applied. The representative informed the Committee that the Act did not
define discrimination and had never been considered in the courts owing
to its relatively recent passage. No cases alleging discrimination had
been brought up so far.
125. The Committee deferred its concluding comments on the report of Guyana
until its fourteenth session.
