The newly appointed all-male Public Service Commission (PSC) has raised the ire of the National Commission on Women (NCW) which calls it a matter of deep concern since no women have apparently been deemed capable of contributing to the work of the PSC. This week we sought the view of the man and, of course, the woman in the street.

A. Walcott, security personnel: `Women in the main have come on stream and are making significant contributions towards progress in our country. The decision not to include women on the commission is an unfair one. An all-male commission cannot provide balanced views. I do not feel that women in general are being deprived of anything because women continue to make their mark in society. It is a pity that the commission was not set up earlier but I believe that it could not have happened at a better time.'

Onica Dublin, teacher: 'A mixed commission would have been fitting. Women are fighting for equal rights across the board and an all-male commission belittles gender equality. Where is a woman's perspective in the newly appointed commission? I felt that the commission would have been testimony to women's contributions in Guyana and included women in the body since there are capable females out there. I think the commission was long overdue.'

Lester Daniels, pensioner: 'Presently we are living in a world where equal rights is a matter of grave concern. Women form the greater part of our society and play pivotal roles in areas of interest. The commission should have reflected a representation of our womenfolk. The all-male commission sends the wrong message and could be looked upon as partial. The PSC should have been set up long now and I must commend both Government and Opposition for their collective efforts towards the composition.'

Ester Hollingsworth, public servant: 'Men are always in the forefront and that has always been the case for many years. Women are progressing and the all-male commission will not change the course of things. More and more women are impacting on society positively therefore we should be given the opportunity to make our contributions on the commission. It is no longer a man's world, women are sharing it and our productivity level is consummate. I feel women should have been named on the commission.'

Collin Jackson, nurse: 'It is really sad that no woman has been named to sit on the commission. Women are now a driving force in society and there is really no changing that. Whether or not they were named does not take away from their abilities to function effectively on any other commission. In other countries women are a part of the Senate and also elected leaders. There should have been some positive representation of women on the commission, in that way the views can be balanced.'

Francine Nelson, housewife: 'Once again women are being denied a chance to contribute positively. The exclusion from the commission is another hurdle we women must cross in the fight for gender equality. The essential roles we play in moulding this nation often go unnoticed yet we remain steadfast. I was disappointed to learn that we are not being represented on the commission. An all-male commission is a reality we are constantly faced with. Still we rise. I am certain there are women out there who are in the forefront and are capable of sitting on that commission.'

Dane Daniels, gym instructor: 'Why is it that only males are sitting on the commission? Decisions made by the commission will reflect views that are from a male perspective only since there is no female representation. Women and men alike should sit on the commissions that are set up so as to achieve a balanced output. I am disappointed that the commission is all male. In this time when everyone is fighting for equal rights we need to acknowledge the input of both genders. I feel that the commission should have been set up a long time now but the move is greatly appreciated.'

Elizabeth Fredricks, self-employed: 'Women tend to get a little more emotional than men and we get a bit deeper too. This could very well be the reason an all-male commission was set up. I feel that it is a step backwards though. Women have always held strong positions in society and take on greater responsibilities. We are capable of contributing to the commission the same way our male counterparts are. Women are the more insightful of the two genders which makes our contributions the more valuable. We women have been in charge of the household for centuries and the tradition lives on. I feel the commission was delayed for too long.'

Ronald Williams, customer service: 'There should have been at least one woman on the commission. The decision not to include them strikes me as a biased one. Women are fighting for their place in society and we are not helping the situation by excluding them from things such as these. I feel that women can make significant contributions to the commission. They do make up for the larger part of the public service and a representation would have been a positive thing. I do not feel that women are being discriminated against. There are a lot of qualified women out there with positions and high paying jobs.'