Over 100 women-led businesses were given the opportunity to promote themselves on Saturday at the second annual “We Lift” expo organized by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The event was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, where the 150 women-led small businesses were able to showcase their products and build relationships with each other and customers.
The initial “WE LIFT: Women’s Empowerment. We choose to Lead, be Innovative and Flourish Together” campaign, designed to highlight women’s successes in the various industries, was launched on March 5, 2021.
Ahead of this year’s observation of International Women’s Day, to be observed on March 8 under the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” the ministry collaborated with small women-led businesses to aid in the ‘uplifting’ of their businesses.
In attendance were acting President Mark Phillips, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues, Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman High Commissioner of India to Guyana Dr K J Srinivasa, and British High Commissioner Jane Miller, among other dignitaries.
In her address during a brief ceremony, Minister Persaud noted that gender equality is not a fight for women alone, instead, she said, “it is a fight for all of us. I consider it a human right.” She said that gender equality is an active mission and it relies on everyone ensuring that they are part of the momentum that started a long time and there is space for everyone.
“We must not see our self as a man or woman but as a human being, a human being that is compassionate, who is compassionate filled with all of the energy required to ensure that women and girls receive every iota of support that they require to achieve their fullest potential.” The minister also posited that if gender equality is achieved for a sustainable tomorrow, then every dimension that exists in our world and country must ensure that there is a space for a woman to be educated, empowered and more importantly to contribute. “We are an empowered people in this lovely land of Guyana and the pride of our country must be in the people of our country and so no effort must be spared, when it comes to ensuring that people of our country have every opportunity to climb the ladder of success and to achieve every conceivable thing that they are meant to achieve.”
Canadian High Commissioner Berman, in his remarks, said that the theme for International Women’s Day is “Women inspiring Women”. “We all want to celebrate women who inspire and show leadership in the choices they make in their day-to-day life which contributes to society.”
A mural painted by Roberto Tiko was unveiled during the ceremony. It was done in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative which is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. It was launched here on November 1, 2020. Spotlight Initiative Programme Coordinator Anuradha Persaud said the mural represents the strength, resilience and determinations of our women.
In addition to the women-led businesses being showcased, during the ceremony, woman in sports, technology, medical and other professional fields expressed their vision for women through poetry, song, and a fashion show which showcased vibrant pieces created by women fashion designers.
