Several women honoured in observance of International Women’s Day

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Georgetown :  Several women were last evening awarded for their outstanding services to society by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

There was also the launching of  a magazine entitled “International Women’s Day”, which provides details of the struggles of Guyanese women from 1955 to present, and also the vision of the ministry towards bettering the lives of Guyana’s children, women, elderly, homeless, as well as eliminating violence. Present at the event were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other distinguished women who have, and are still playing a role in Guyana’s development. Speaking at the event which was held under the theme “Celebrating the achievements of Guyanese women”, Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster said that it is not often that persons take time out to recognise the contribution of women, and the event was a significant one to reflect on the progress made to enhance the quality of life of women and to celebrate the courage and determination of ordinary woman who played an extraordinary role in the growth of Guyana’s economy.” Women such as retired, Justice Desiree Bernard, the first woman to become the Chief Justice in Guyana and the first woman to have served on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the late Former President, Janet Jagan, late former Minister of Education, Desrey Fox, and late Member of Parliament Deborah Backer would have played a significant role in their country’s development.

Today, women hold thirty- three percent of the positions in the Cabinet, which Minister Webster said is commendable. Women have access to greater services as a result of programmes and policies implemented by Government. 

“Our women have secure economic independence, many of them have been able to access secure livelihood programmes…so today, as we embrace this opportunity to pay tribute to those women, we must recognise their roles, struggles and commitment to Guyana,” Minister Webster noted.

She pointed out that the recognition of these women speaks to Government’s unswerving commitment to the contributions that women have made to the development of the Guyanese society and the progress made towards the advancement of the status of women. 

Receiving awards were Mrs. Patricia Benn, mother of Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, Member of Parliament Indranie Chandarpal, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Lorene Baird, former Manager, Document Centre,Ministry of Human Services and Social Security Yvonne Stephenson, Director of Child Care, Ann Greene, Administrator of the Women's Affairs Bureau,Hymawattie Lagan and  Assistant Chief Labour/Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Ministry of Labour, Lydia Green who would have served the Labour Ministry for many years.