At the eleventh graduation ceremony for the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) on Wednesday, Coordinator, Sheila Veerasammy emphasised that alternative education is a ladder used by women to move out of poverty.
A release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that at the graduation ceremony 34 women completed training in computer studies, capacity building for leadership advancement and office procedures. Also 39 volunteers completed their training as community volunteers against domestic violence – 17 from the West Bank of Demerara and 22 from the East Coast of Demerara.
GINA said that those volunteers are expected to help address domestic violence in their respective communities. One of the results of this training programme is the establishment of three counselling centres at Enmore and Buxton on the East Coast, and at Goed Fortuin in Region Three.
Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster spoke at the graduation highlighting that the GWLI is one of the avenues through which the government sought to empower women.
Region Four Vice- Chairman, Genevieve Allen pointed out to the graduates that they have been given skills to become leaders in their communities and should participate in community development by identifying issues and advocating for changes at the level of the Neigbhourhood Democratic Councils (NDC).
GINA said that Chairperson, GWLI Board of Directors, Dr. Vindhya Persaud emphasised that the skills attained at the institute will not only enable the women to gain an income, but these have made them leaders in their homes and communities.
She said the vision of the Board is that it can develop training right across the country cottage industries where women can work together and find sustainable markets in and out of Guyana so that financial independence can be carved out.
