POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND GENDER INEQUALITY IN GUYANA: EXAMINING THE DISPARITIES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.

Write an article to include the following. Should be specially to Guyana political particpation. The disparities between men and woman existed way before now. For centeries, women have had to literally fight for their place in being a part of political decisions. Thus, a patriorcal system has always existed and it still does to date. The existence of such orgin is deeply rooted in religious beliefs, colonial history, political systems, and societal stereotypes- all of which have historically marginalized women and restricted their access to political power. For centuries, women have faced systemic inequality and discrimination due to patriarchal structures that have persisted in many societies, including Guyana. This gender disparity is invariably influenced by a nation’s social, religious, economic and political history., all of which have historically marginalized women and restricted their access to political power. European and colonial ideas dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries about women’s roles in a male dominance society, are still prevalent in Guyana today.In Guyana, women have had to fight to be included in political life, and their participation has often been sidelined. Despite gaining the right to vote in 1953, women’s participation in politics in Guyana remains significantly low. This is primarily due to a male-dominated political system and the Proportional Representation (PR) voting system. Although the PR system was designed to ensure broader representation, it has inadvertently reinforced gender inequality, making it harder for women to secure political positions. As a result, women’s representation in Guyana’s national parliament continues to fall far short of the desired 50% mark, limiting their influence in decision-making processes. While countries such as Rwanda, Sweden, and Finland have made notable strides toward achieving gender parity in politics, Guyana still faces significant challenges in overcoming its deeply rooted patriarchal traditions and entrenched gender roles.