The Women’s Studies Unit, located in the Institute of Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Guyana, was the recipient of a generous donation from the Democracy and Governance Programme of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The donation, valued at US$6,000, comprised one computer complete with peripherals, a book case, filing cabinet, spiral binding machine, fax, television, and DVD player, as well as 40 books and 10 training DVDs on women’s issues, said a news release from UG’s Public Relations Division.
In handing over the gifts, Dr Fenton Sands, Mission Director, USAID, said that it is expected that the items will be used to encourage and support women to become more involved in public issues, participate in public fora, and work at the community and organizational levels to increase the use of democratic processes.
He also alluded to the phenomenon of male underachievement in education and the associated issues of limited opportunities, stating that it is an issue that all should be concerned with and he challenged the unit to consider a name change to Gender Studies Unit.
Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Michael Scott, in his brief remarks expressed gratitude on behalf of UG and assured that the unit would take up the challenge to generate new ideas as they strive to advance women’s empowerment.
The donations were received by Evette Burke-Douglas, Head of the Unit, in the presence of Magda Pollard, Chairperson of the National Commission on Women, officials from USAID, the university and students, the release added.
