The appointments of the all-male Public Service Commission and Police Service Commission are in breach of the Constitution of Guyana and the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) is urging that an application be made for redress and the enforcement of a fundamental right.

In a statement issued yesterday, GAWL called on the National Assembly, especially female Members of Parliament to ensure that this breach of the Constitution is corrected and that no further such violations occur. GAWL noted that it was incumbent on the state and its arms to ensure that at all times decisions are scrutinised to ensure they are in compliance with the Constitution. "It is clear that it cannot and must not be business as usual when it comes to the participation of women in decision-making at all levels."

GAWL quoted Article 29 of the Constitution which states: "Women's participation in the various management and decision-making processes, whether private, public or state, shall be encouraged and facilitated by laws enacted for that purpose or otherwise." Article 13 provides: "The principal objective of the political system of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making that directly affect their well-being." Membership of the commissions is important as the commissions will directly affect the well-being of the women of Guyana.

The statement referred to non-discrimination provisions which were enacted last year. And it said it was disconcerting that the Appointive Committee of the National Assembly, which derives its mandate from the Constitution and its members which are MPs should in such a short timeframe forget and thereby violate the very constitutional provisions which they passed just six months prior.

The women lawyers reminded that anyone could apply for constitutional redress of a breach of a fundamental right. The Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission were appointed in the last two weeks.