This mechanism will be the Women and Gender Equality Commission -- one of the four Commissions to function under the umbrella of the Human Rights Commission. This is very appropriate since the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 declared that women’s rights are human rights.

When in 1997, the First Constitutional Review Committee began its hearings, the existing National Commission on Women appointed in 1996 made representation for the establishment of a Commission under the constitution. This advocacy was strongly supported by the Non-Governmental Women’s Organisations (NGWs) then and again during the more recent review process.

Article 212 G of the Revised Constitution of Guyana calls for the establishment of the Women and Gender Equality Commission. Article 212 Women (2) (a) assigns to the National Assembly the responsibility for the process by which the Members/Commissioners are appointed. The National Assembly is to be assisted in this task by the Standing Committee for the Appointment of Members of Commissions. This Committee has begun consideration of organisations, which will be involved in the nomination process.

I am certain that you are wondering about the inclusion of the term “gender’ in the designation of the Commission - Women and Gender Commission. For quite some time now, in fact since the decade of the 1950s, the strategy of gender sensitisation was being recognised by the women’s movement activists. This strategy aims at consideration and understanding of the relationships between women and men in society thus leading to adoption of meaningful policies and programmes for women, who remain as the main focus. Also, gender is accepted as a social and not a biological construct, which therefore means that discriminatory social norms and practices can be changed for the improvement in the position and situation of women.

In my view, this Commission represents significant progress, and therefore, as Chairperson of the current Commission, I bring this to your attention, and urge every Non-Governmental Women’s Organisation (NGWO) to mobilise for the identification of persons with expertise and experience in women’s and gender equality issues and who will function with the dedication and commitment which are essential for realising the vision which women have of justice, equality, development and peace.

I recognise that there is need for more information for your careful guidance. The National Commission will shortly provide you with relevant information.