Today’s women are at the forefront of life, Regional Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo said in his address at the recent launching of the Women’s Empower-ment Project (WEP) in Region Five.
Baldeo lauded women’s involvement and participation in society adding that “the question of male chauvinism is a thing of the past.” Over 160 women including those who are differently-able were targeted for the training in the two-day WEP workshop which followed the launch. WEP is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID through the Guyana Democratic Consolidation and Conflict Resolution (GDCCR) collaborated with eleven non-governmental organizations including the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers, Guyana Forum for Lifelong Learning, the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) and the Women’s Progressive Organization to open WEP in the region.
Daune Pratt, Civil Society Specialist attached to the USAID/GDCCR told the women that the main aim of the project is to build the credibility of civil society so that they can be more involved in decision and policy making. She reminded them too that in order for the project to be effective they must cooperate. Pratt said the objective is to ensure that the partners work together to empower women from the specific rural communities “who may never have had the opportunity to attend or participate” in such workshops. She then encouraged them to share their knowledge with their communities and support other women.
Chairman of the WEP Shazaad Khan, who represents the GIT, said the project is a networking/partnership between civil society organizations and private sectors. He said that “partnering with others through networking and bringing resources together is a way forward for the project.” He urged the women in attendance to focus on partnership in addition to women empowerment when they return to their communities. He also urged the groups to network in order to fulfil their mandates.
The workshop is expected to be replicated in regions two, seven and ten. It was based on civic education which deals with matters pertaining to citizenship; legal rights with regards to domestic violence and on sexual and reproduction health.
