Tag: women

Several women charged with unlawful wounding in Bartica brawl

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Eight people have been charged in connection with a brawl at Byderabo, Bartica, on Wednesday, police said.

Albert James, 54, a gold miner, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding of 24-year-old excavator operator Alec Ault. He was sentenced on Friday to three months’ imprisonment and fined $100,000, with a default sentence of six months.

Five women – Evelyn Dalgetty, 47; Pauline Smith, 54; Alicia Ault, 26; Atalya Dalgetty, 22; and Serina Williams, 22 – were jointly charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on 18-year-old Grace James. They pleaded not guilty and were released on self-bail. Their case was adjourned to October 3.

Separately, Alec Ault was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on Grace James. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail. Grace James was also charged with unlawful wounding of Ault. She denied the charge and was granted $20,000 bail. Both matters return to court on October 3.

14 women honoured at inaugural WiMAC–Guyana Gala

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Fourteen women were honoured for their achievements and contributions to the maritime sector during the inaugural Gala and awards ceremony hosted by the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) – Guyana Chapter, held Friday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

The event, themed “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women: Anchoring Excellence,” brought together leading voices in maritime to celebrate women working locally and internationally in the sector. It recognised their commitment to excellence and continuous development.

According to a release, nominations opened in April 2025 across 14 award categories. The 2025 awardees were: Romona Arthur – Maritime Leadership Award; Briony Tiwarie-Gabriel – Executive of the Year; Nalini Jamuna – Port Management Excellence Award; Sabita Sookdeo – Outstanding Female Ship Captain; Dawn Maison – Sustainable Maritime Champion; Donnette Streete – Blue Economy Advocate; Shania Stewart – STEM in Maritime Award; Annette Arjoon-Martins – Mentor of the Year; Miranda Thakur-Deen – Diversity & Inclusion Champion; Coleen Denyse Abrams – Maritime Educator of the Year; Rebecca Samuels – Exemplary Seafarer Award; Sherry-Ann Wilson – Maritime Safety Advocate; Keisha Hack – Shipping & Logistics Innovator; and Kerensa Bart – Women-Owned Maritime Business Award.

The Executive Council of WiMAC also recognised Thandi McAllister as Maritime Ambassador for her advocacy and excellence in maritime stewardship.

WiMAC–Guyana President Katina Benn said in her opening remarks, “This Gala is more than a celebration, it is a statement of intent. We are here to honour the resilience, intellect and leadership of women in maritime, while actively creating space for the next generation of female professionals. WiMAC–Guyana is steadfast in its commitment to building a more inclusive, visible and empowered maritime workforce.”

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill

attended the event and congratulated the awardees. He reaffirmed government’s support for gender equity and development in the maritime industry. “The establishment of the national WiMAC Guyana chapter, which serves as the voice for women in our local maritime sector, and actively seeks opportunities for women is something that must be applauded,” he said.

Nominees were assessed based on active employment in the sector, demonstrated impact in their field, and between two to five years of professional experience.

The keynote address was delivered by Jamaican legal scholar and maritime governance expert Dr. Deniece M. Aiken, who is also President of WISTA-Jamaica.

“Let every step you take be purposeful, you belong in this industry and your voice matters,” she said. “To the awardees, thank you for your courage and resilience. You remind us of what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”

Since its inception, WiMAC–Guyana has advocated for equal opportunities for women in the maritime sector through capacity building, training, and increased visibility. The awards ceremony reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women to lead, innovate, and thrive.

The event was supported by sponsors and partners including the Guyana Maritime Administration Department, International Register of Shipping, El Dorado Offshore, Caribbean Shipping Ltd., C&V Shipping Ltd., Muneshwers Shipping, BK Marine, SBM Offshore Guyana, John Fernandes Ltd., and Tropical Shipping.

WiMAC–Guyana extended gratitude to all sponsors, stakeholders, and maritime community members for making the inaugural event a success.

WiMAC President, Katina Benn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support for women to convert skills into viable enterprises

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) to enhance financial literacy and business support for women across the country.

The agreement, signed earlier this week at the Ministry’s head office, will provide technical assistance, mentorship, business training, and financing support to participants of the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme.

“This Memorandum of Understanding will significantly empower participants of the WIIN programme, enabling them to further pursue and achieve their goals,” Deputy Permanent Secretary Arianna Beharry said at the signing ceremony. “We deeply value this partnership with IPED, as it complements the Ministry’s aim of economic empowerment.”

The WIIN initiative, led by the Ministry, offers training in areas such as garment construction, child and elderly care, event management, design and décor, and marketing. With the new agreement, graduates will gain access to targeted business support to help convert their skills into viable enterprises.

IPED Chief Executive Officer Jagdesh Haripershad said the partnership aligns with IPED’s national development mission.

“This partnership aims to empower women by enhancing their entrepreneurial capacity and improving their livelihoods through targeted support and financial services,” Haripershad said. “IPED’s vision and mission align closely with that of the ministry, making this collaboration a natural and powerful step toward social and economic transformation.”

Since its launch, the WIIN programme has trained more than 17,000 women, with nearly 1,000 starting businesses and around 400 business plans developed, according to the ministry.

The collaboration reflects a broader effort to support grassroots entrepreneurship and women’s economic participation in national development.

Strong community key to advancing women leaders  

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

A thriving community or network of women is an important component in building the foundation of an inclusive society, said Michelle Nicholas and Lyndell Danzie-Black, Co-Creators of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA).

Over the years, Nicholas and Danzie-Black have built a community of 125 pioneering Guyanese women, all inducted into the 25IWLA leadership programme — a network dedicated to empowering women leaders across a range of sectors.

The network was birthed out of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award, considered one of Guyana’s premier accolades. It recognises visionary women from the public, private, and non-profit sectors who are driving transformative growth and setting new benchmarks of excellence.

During an interview with Ignite News on Wednesday, the Co-creators reflected on what the community of women leaders means to them.

“The community really represents hope, promise and possibility,” Nicholas said.

“Imagine having a room of 125 women, visionaries, colleagues, friends, being in the same space as you and they’re all looking for the same thing– which is collaboration, innovation, impact, and opportunity to build. Not just go alone, but to be able to say we are gonna do this together. Impact is so important right now. So when we think about community, we see possibility, and not just the possibility for today but for tomorrow and beyond,” she shared.

Danzie-Black emphasised the importance of safe spaces and the recognition of women’s rights.

“What we see also is women’s rights. The right to be here, to produce in the way we work, the right to have an opinion and a view, the right to build our tables and our chairs and bring it in, because we have a voice and we are contributing consistently to community. We also see the issue of safety of women. So, not only are we thinking about what we can do, but that we can do that in a safe environment and that is so important,” she stated.

The 25IWLA network, she said, has been making a mark.

“The beautiful part about being in the 25 community is that your impact is not just individual, your impact is expanded. It triples and continues to multiply across industries, sectors. So we can tell you a story about one honouree, but know that that one honouree is impacting so many other honourees,” she said.

The sixth anniversary gala of the 25IWLA is slated for this evening at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. The event is expected to be a night of inspiration, networking, and recognition — bringing together government officials, corporate stakeholders, and industry leaders to celebrate 25 women currently making a significant impact in shaping Guyana’s future.

Women in Energy connecting job seekers with industry leaders 

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Persons interested in switching careers or breaking into the exciting oil and gas industry – but who are unsure of how to do so – will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight when the Women in Energy (WIE) group hosts its annual job fair at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre tomorrow.

Vice Chair of WIE, Filisha Duke, stated that the organisation will focus on connecting local job seekers with major players in the sector. Participants are advised to come dressed professionally and prepared to be potentially hired on the spot or vetted for opportunities aligned with their interests.

Major industry players directly connected to the sector, such as SBM Offshore, Saipem, Halliburton, and Arrow Oilfield Service Inc., along with staffing and recruitment agencies including MBW Support Services, Eve Anderson Recruitment, and Eldorado, will be present and actively seeking candidates to fill various

“They are always looking to vet candidates for various roles. Roles do vary based on the needs of the client – you may have logistics roles, technical roles that include offshore fits, warehousing clerks, administrative positions, construction, managerial roles. Then there may be roles for business analysts, and accountants as well. It just depends on what the client is hiring for,” Duke explained.

She added that companies will pre-screen and vet participants based on both the roles being marketed and the interests of the attendees, in order to match them with suitable openings.

In addition, career guidance services will be provided to participants, including those who may have developed skills or academic qualifications throughout their careers and are now seeking to transition into the energy sector.

Duke emphasised that many people are eager to enter the energy industry but lack the know-how, and as such, career guidance will be a key resource to help individuals chart a path suitable to their strengths and interests.

It was further noted that several government ministries will be present at the job fair. The Ministry of Labour will be offering information on the crucial subject of labour rights, especially from the employee’s perspective. The Ministry of Tourism will provide details on upskilling courses and may also vet participants who qualify for such programmes. The Ministry of Education’s GOAL Scholarship Programme is also expected to have a presence.

“We want the Guyanese workforce to attend. We know they have a lot of questions. WIE is all about creating opportunities within the energy sector for Guyanese. One of our main goals is increasing the inclusion of women – but this particular event is open to both men and women. It’s open to all job seekers in the market. We know people have questions, and this is a great space for them to come,” the Vice Chair noted.

More than 12 major oil and gas companies, alongside government ministries, will be in attendance tomorrow. According to Duke, the event has already received over 250 clicks from interested persons on Facebook alone, and a significant turnout is anticipated.

‘C’ Field Sophia women get help to stitch their way to success 

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

A number of women from ‘C’ Field Sophia are now closer to establishing businesses in the area of garment construction, after being awarded sewing machines.

 

The sewing machines were handed over to the women at the ‘C’ Field Sophia Community Centre by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, following their successful completion of the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) garment construction course.

 

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security noted that, in recognising the pivotal role of skill-based initiatives in sustainable community development, this provision aims to bolster local economic activity by empowering the women to leverage their newly acquired skills for income generation and self-sufficiency.

 

Himwattie Kishun, a beneficiary of the garment construction course offered by the WIIN programme initiative conducted through the ministry, expressed her gratitude during the simple handover ceremony hosted at the community centre.

 

“I am very happy to join this programme and I’m glad that all the young people could take part, and I wish it come more every year,” she said.

 

In response, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindyha Persaud, assured that this will be a continuous initiative, specifically designed and tailored to meet the needs of the women.

 

“Well now you have your own sewing hubs, it’s going to be here all year-round. It’s not something that’s only going to be a couple times a year, it’s going to be every day, all day–run by you women of Sophia,” she noted.

 

Additionally, Tiffany Gennis of Wonder Beauty Salon expressed gratitude for the skills she acquired.

 

“I also take part in this sewing programme and I come out great because I’m doing my own lil small business now. So, I must convey gratitude to the WIIN programme and also give you a special ‘thank you,’” she told the minister.

 

Gennis also conveyed her appreciation for being able to participate in the WE LIFT Women’s Expo, which was held last weekend at the National Aquatic Centre.

 

The expo, which is considered the largest women’s expo initiative in the region, provided exposure as well as economic and social empowerment to over 350 women-owned businesses.

 

The WIIN programme continues to transform the lives of thousands of women across the regions of Guyana, through its impactful hybrid training format. It continues to yield entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses and empowered women who are knowledgeable in various technical and vocational areas, in addition to increasing their chances of gaining meaningful employment.

Legal definition of woman is based on biological sex, UK supreme court rules

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The UK supreme court has ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex, in a victory for gender-critical campaigners.

According to the UK Guardian, five judges from the UK supreme court ruled unanimously that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates (GRCs).

In a significant defeat for the Scottish government, the court decision will mean that transgender women can no longer sit on public boards in places set aside for women.

It could have far wider ramifications by leading to much greater restrictions on the rights of transgender women to use services and spaces reserved for women, and prompt calls for the UK’s laws on gender recognition to be rewritten.

The UK government said the ruling “brings clarity and confidence” for women and those who run hospitals, sports clubs and women’s refuges.

A spokesperson said: “We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, posted on social media: “The Scottish government accepts today’s supreme court judgment. The ruling gives clarity between two relevant pieces of legislation passed at Westminster. We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions.”

Lord Hodge told the court the Equality Act (EA) was very clear that its provisions dealt with biological sex at birth, and not with a person’s acquired gender, regardless of whether they held a gender recognition certificate.

That affected policymaking on gender in sports and the armed services, hospitals, as well as women-only charities, and access to changing rooms and women-only spaces, he said.

In a verbal summary of the decision, he said: “Interpreting sex as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of man and woman in the EA and thus the protected characteristic of sex in an incoherent way. It would create heterogeneous groupings.

“As a matter of ordinary language, the provisions relating to sex discrimination, and especially those relating to pregnancy and maternity and to protection from risks specifically affecting women, can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex.”

Trans rights campaigners urged trans people and their supporters to remain calm about the decision.

The campaign group Scottish Trans said: “We are really shocked by today’s supreme court decision, which reverses 20 years of understanding of how the law recognises trans men and women with gender recognition certificates.

“We will continue working for a world in which trans people can get on with their lives with privacy, dignity and safety. That is something we all deserve.”

Ellie Gomersall, a trans woman in the Scottish Green party, called on the UK government to change the law to entrench full equality for trans people.

Gomersall said: “I’m gutted to see this judgment from the supreme court, which ends 20 years of understanding that transgender people with a gender recognition certificate are able to be, for almost all intents and purposes, recognised legally as our true genders.

“These protections were put in place in 2004 following a ruling by the European court of human rights, meaning today’s ruling undermines the vital human rights of my community to dignity, safety and the right to be respected for who we are.”

The gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland, which is backed financially by JK Rowling, said the Equality Act’s definition of a woman was limited to people born biologically female.

Maya Forstater, a gender critical activist who helped set up the campaign group Sex Matters, which took part in the supreme court case by supporting For Women Scotland, said the decision was correct.

“We are delighted that the supreme court has accepted the arguments of For Women Scotland and rejected the position of the Scottish government. The court has given us the right answer: the protected characteristic of sex – male and female – refers to reality, not to paperwork.”

Hodge, the deputy president of the court, said it believed the position taken by the Scottish government and the Equality and Human Rights Commission that people with gender recognition certificates did qualify as women, while those without did not, created “two sub-groups”.

This would confuse any organisations they were involved with. A public body could not know whether a trans woman did or did not have that certificate because the information was private and confidential.

And allowing trans women the same legal status as biological women could also affect spaces and services designed specifically for lesbians, who had also suffered historical discrimination and abuse.

In part of the ruling that could have sweeping implications for policymakers in the sports world and sports centres, he said some services and places could “function properly only if sex is interpreted as biological sex”.

“Those provisions include separate spaces and single-sex services, including changing rooms, hostels, medical services, communal accommodation, [and] arise in the operation of provisions relating to single-sex characteristic associations and charities, women’s fair participation in sport, the operation of the public sector equality duty and the armed forces.”

Hodge urged people not to see the decision “as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another”. He said all transgender people had clear legal protections under the 2010 act against discrimination and harassment.

Kishwer Falkner, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which had intervened in the case to support the Scottish government’s stance, said it would need time to fully interpret the ruling’s implications.

However, the commission was pleased it had dealt with its concerns about the lack of clarity around single-sex and lesbian-only spaces.

“We are pleased that this judgment addresses several of the difficulties we highlighted in our submission to the court, including the challenges faced by those seeking to maintain single-sex spaces, and the rights of same-sex attracted persons to form associations.” (UK Guardian)

We Lift elevating women in business

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

From homemade breads and pastries to locally written books and handcrafted jewellery, women entrepreneurs are taking centre stage this weekend at the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal, Georgetown.

More than 350 women in business are showcasing their products and services at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s WE LIFT 5 exhibition, which began on Friday.

Business owner Chevon Lim of L’Evate Management Studio—an event planning, publishing, and editorial services company—is promoting numerous locally written books at the exhibition. In a special interview with the ministry, she said, “The books are about Guyanese culture, folklore,” and noted that she would be launching a new piece called “You’ve got it, own it”, which deals with women empowerment and various issues affecting women. Lim is a first time participant at the event.

Oneca Caesar, who owns the Countryside Kitchen, said she has a passion for cooking using the old-school methods and enjoys bringing the “country to the town.” Her items at the exhibition include corn bread, homemade bread, cakes and pastries, prepared using the methods of her elders. Caesar applauded the WE LIFT event, describing it as “a great opportunity for women to showcase their talents, while at the same time, meeting new customers and creating opportunities to expand their operations.”

Jewellery designer Matoya Grant, whose business Mag Elegance produces handmade costume and silver jewellery, shared that her items are made using all Guyanese materials such as precious stones and other minerals. An avid participant in the WE LIFT exhibition, Grant said, “The event gets bigger and better with each year.” She urged citizens to “come out to the event and support women in business,” highlighting the numerous items and services that will be offered.

The three-day exhibition was officially opened by subject minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and is now being dubbed the largest women’s exhibition ever hosted in Guyana. What began five years ago with just 75 women exhibitors has grown into a vibrant platform for over 350 female entrepreneurs, representing a range of industries including candle making, agro-processing, fashion, hospitality services, and food preparation.

Apart from the exhibition, today’s WE LIFT activities will feature a candle-making tutorial, jewellery making, Easter hat making, portraits and painting sessions, yoga, and more. Participants who benefitted from WE LIFT training between 2021 and 2023 will also be awarded certificates for the courses they completed during that period.

Models at the opening of the expo (MoHSSS)

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, looks at agro- processed products on display (MoHSSS photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 women to benefit from shade house projects

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The government will work with 100 women in Canal Number One and Bagotsville, on the West Bank of Demerara, to develop shade houses aimed at improving their livelihoods.
President Dr Irfaan Ali made the announcement today while addressing a community meeting in Canal Number One, Region Three.
“We want to identify 100 women in this Canal–Bagotsville area, and we want to help you by putting a shade house in your yard so that you can produce — so that you can plant celery that goes to the market. We want to empower 100 families by empowering 100 women,” President Ali said.
He further stated that his administration wants to ensure that women are empowered so they, in turn, can empower the nation.
“When you empower women, you are empowering the entire community,” he added.
The President also pointed out that these projects are part of his government’s new strategy for developing localised economies, which he has dubbed “grassnomics” — grassroots economics.
To support these projects, President Ali said that the government will allocate resources to develop micro-enterprises nationwide in the next budget.
Following the meeting, the President handed over 20 mechanical tillers to assist farmers in improving their efficiency, along with a lawn mower to help maintain community grounds and playfields across the areas.

Women’s, children’s health significantly enhanced, says Health Ministry in World Health Day message     

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Guyana joins the international community in observing World Health Day 2025, under the theme: “Accelerating Progress to Improve Maternal and Neonatal Health and Survival.”

In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Health said it continues to prioritise the health and well-being of the nation, fully recognising the importance of maternal and child health.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 300,000 women lose their lives each year due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth.

In addition, over two million infants die within their first month of life, and another two million are stillborn.

Unfortunately, current trends show that four out of five countries are not on track to meet the targets for improving maternal survival by 2030.

In Guyana, the Ministry of Health has taken significant steps to enhance the long-term health and well-being of women and children.

Over the past five years, the country has made notable progress in reducing maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), with a decrease from 23 cases in 2019 to 14 cases in 2024.

Guyana is also constructing a Women’s and Children’s Hospital aimed at providing specialised maternal and neonatal care. In the hinterland regions, Maternal Waiting Homes have been established within hospital compounds to provide a safe and supportive environment for pregnant women at risk of complications.

In addition, 81 telemedicine sites have been established across the hinterland regions, enabling Community Health Workers (CHWs) to conduct ultrasounds on pregnant women with the support of obstetricians and gynaecologists based at regional hospitals.

Among other ongoing efforts is an increased focus on Continuing Medical Education, especially for midwives, to ensure that maternal and neonatal care continues to improve across the country.