Attorney-at-Law and immediate past President of the Guyana Bar Association, Ms. Anande Trotman made the observation while delivering the welcome remarks to participants of a workshop held under the theme, `Women's Leadership and Political Participation’.

Sponsored by the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Women Laywers (GAWL), presented its second workshop yesterday at Field and Stoby Law Chambers, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

At the last workshop, Guyana had partnered with Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, and a delegation headed by Ms. Roxanne George, President of the GAWL, travelled to Antigua to assist the women and provide training.

"They are relying on us especially in the areas of Constitutional Reform," Ms. Trotman noted.

The first workshop in Guyana saw a wide cross-section of women in leadership positions in attendance. It had dealt with updating them on Constitutional Reform as it relates to gender equality and also prepared women for entry into political life, generally. The second workshop sought to educate the women on the local and national budget.

Ms. Trotman, Coordinator of the Project, during the opening remarks, noted that many women will hear the Finance Minister using many different terms during the Budget speech and think that this information belongs to the domain of the male persons in our society, but, she added, women make up the majority of the population and political parties and must be enlightened so they can constructively contribute to the general welfare of the nation.

When this workshop concludes, she predicted that participants will no longer be in a position of disadvantage when they hear another budget, but will be able to identify with the proceedings.

She challenged them to go out and communicate the women's agenda for gender equity and equality in their communities and the nation as a whole.

She pointed out that among limitations to the quest for gender equality, is how to get the legislation to work “for us”. But by increasing their knowledge women can lobby and network all associations represented, so that together, they can achieve gender equality in Guyana.

In an interview with the Sunday Chronicle prior to the opening of the workshop, Ms. Trotman noted that they are working with a core of 60 women representing Political Parties, Non- Governmental Organiastions, Community Workers, and Local Government organisations, among others.

According to Ms. Trotman, some limitations exist in the area of sponsorship, and she noted the need to further sensitise donor agencies since the objective is to "fan out across the country" to train women.

Participants at the workshop held yesterday in the Conference Room of Hughes, Fields & Stoby, Law Chambers.
Describing the response by the participants as good, she pointed out that the basic feeling in Guyana is that the women are the main supporters of political parties, but this has not always transposed to leadership positions.

OAS representative, Mr. Dennis Moses, in brief remarks said he is heartened by the progress made and this workshop is the latest stage of an ongoing OAS initiative in Guyana.

Issues focused on during the workshop were: The Local Government Budget; The National Budget; Budgets and Gender; and Communicating the Women's Agenda. There was also a Panel Discussions and Feed-back Sessions.