Every life has value and purpose …First Lady tells Women’s Empowerment Conference in Linden
FIRST Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger has saluted Guyanese women for the sterling contribution they have made to national development through the diverse roles that have played in moulding their families, communities, and the nation at large.Speaking at the Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference held at the Egbert Benjamin Centre at Mackenzie, Linden, the First Lady spoke of young Guyanese women who died at the hands of their partners long before they were able to realise their true purpose and reach their optimum potential; of women who are lured into prostitution under false promises of employment, and of teen mothers who are forced to drop out of school.
She informed that nearly 25 percent of babies born in Guyana are for women under the age of 19, and one percent of that amount is for girls under the age of 16.
The audience at the conference
She noted that 88 girls under the age 15 delivered babies last year — a clear indication of the level of statutory rape being committed. These girls, she said, are made to feel that their lives lack value and purpose.
“I believe that conferences such as this and the work of organisations such as WOMI can bring about the changes we need in our society by helping girls and women achieve their full potential…. Every life has purpose and every life has value. Too often we, as women, undervalue ourselves,” the First Lady said.
During a panel discussion, Member of Parliament Valerie Patterson spoke on entrepreneurship opportunities and financing for women. She said that women can be just as successful as their male counterparts in any field they choose.
Patterson pointed out that, in Linden, more women are heading businesses because they are known to be more prudent and can better interact with suppliers and buyers. She said there is still a huge equality gap that must be bridged, since women have to overcome the challenge of balancing business and family.
“The world needs women entrepreneurs and we must provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure that women-led enterprises flourish,” Patterson said.
Adding to this discourse, Region 10 Chairman Rennis Morian spoke out against the bureaucracy that prevents women from branching off as entrepreneurs. He gave assurances of the support of the Regional Democratic Council to prioritise issues affecting women.
The issue of domestic violence was also thoroughly discussed. Carwyn Holland, who was part of the panel, said that two out of three Afro-Guyanese women in Guyana experience physical violence from their partners.
He stressed the need for the Guyana Police Force to be more proactive and professional when dealing with reports of domestic violence.
Lurlene Nestor, who served in the Eighth Parliament, spoke on women in politics, and outlined the challenges and sacrifices that they are forced to make in order to take up roles in the political arena.
She urged women to become more active in politics, so that they can be part of the decision-making process.
The conference, which was held under the theme “Knowing your purpose”, was organised by the Women of Mission International (WOMI), a non-profit organisation based in the United States. The aim of WOMI is to develop social, economic, and educational development programmes for women of all ages; providing them with necessary resources to make them self-sufficient.
