Guyana

National Assembly

Political system: Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Date of independence: 1966
Year of first woman in parliament: 1964

Notes: 1964: The Assembly of British Guyana elected on 7 December 1964 became the first legislature of Guyana after the country became independent on 26 May 1966.The first woman to be elected to Parliament prior to independence was in 1953.
Year of first woman speaker: Not applicable

Notes: No woman has occupied the function of Speaker in the country.

Women’s right to vote

Women’s right to vote: 1966
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Universal

Notes: Prior to independence, under British administration, on 16 April 1953, universal suffrage was granted to both men and women 20 years and over. Women were already given the right in 1945 to vote under the Legislature of British Guyana. This right was confirmed at independence.

Women’s right to stand for election

Women's right to stand for election: 1966
National or local: National
Restricted or universal: No information available