Women’s groups in indigenous communities are soon to benefit from training in conflict resolution and negotiation skills, conducted by the Rural Women’s Network (RWN).

According to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) the programme is being held in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry. RWN recently represented Guyana at the just-concluded three-day workshop for training in the abovementioned skills for the Integrated Water Resource Management. The participants were trained to deal with water and work environment conflicts.

The RWN teaches women how to market their produce, and continues to search for markets. It disseminates information to women throughout Amerindian and hinterland communities as well as to the women’s groups within the network.

According to GINA in 1998 government instituted the RWN programme to train rural and other women on how to access credit in order to pursue sustainable development projects. The RWN oversees 60 women’s groups countrywide and secures food items as well as clothing and machinery from other sources to provide economic support for women.

The group is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency, the Organisation of American States and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture.