On March 8th, women of various backgrounds discussed empowerment, challenges faced by their peers, and the importance of gender equality.
They were in attendance at an International Women’s Day Panel Discussion that was facilitated by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and the High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Indian Ladies Club. The panel discussion featured speakers including wife of the European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Jeannette van Nes; Chair of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indranie Chandarpal; Anju Vivekanandaraj, who is a Psychologist and Therapist; and Asha Purohit, a gynaecologist. Each panelist shared their insights on women’s empowerment and the challenges faced in their respective regions.
Discussions on the upbringing of boys and girls in different regions, the importance of self-awareness and courage for women, and the role of mentors and role models in shaping one’s journey were also highlighted during the panel discussion.
In her opening remarks, President of the Indian Ladies Club and spouse of the Indian High Commissioner in Guyana, Dr Deepali Telang highlighted the significance of International Women’s Day and the need to recognize and honour the contributions of women to society. She emphasized the importance of courage for women to pursue their passions and break societal boundaries, noting the valuable role of homemakers in society.
“I have played the role of (a) professional as well as a homemaker [and] throughout this journey, I have gained a few insights which I would like to share. I think most of our women, we have self-doubt. We often doubt our capabilities. ‘Can I do it?’ ‘Should I apply for this position?’… whenever we want to grow, we have to step out of our comfort zone. We have to be more courageous and… we have to move out of our usual life to grow and to learn new things and to progress… Studies have shown that increasing women’s participation in the workforce not only boosts productivity and innovation, but also leads to higher living standards and more resilient economies. Therefore, let us… support women to pursue their passions, break boundaries and lead change in their communities,” she urged.
Dr. Amit Telang, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, in his address, stressed the importance of justice and equality for women, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by women globally. He highlighted the need for women to have equal opportunities to pursue their passions and unleash their full potential, emphasizing the positive impact of women’s participation in the workforce on productivity and innovation.
“International Women’s Day is as much a day of celebration and jubilation of the achievements that women have achieved, but also a time to introspect and analyze where we stand when we talk about justice and equality. There is no conflict in this world today in which women and girls (don’t) have to face the most adverse situation, and they often become a target of violence and discrimination. And that is something that we, as individuals, as a society, as countries, and as a world, all together, need to work and change,” he stated.
In her address, Minister of Human Services, Dr Vindhya Persaud, emphasized the need to accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. She called for creating an enabling environment for women to become leaders in their fields and champions of women’s equality.
“I believe that if we are to shatter stereotypes, we need to start thinking about how we lead by example in our homes, how we engage in shared responsibilities, and showing that our significant others, they have the opportunity to share those responsibilities from the time of raising children, and from the time of crafting a family and developing what we consider stable families. I would say, if we want to accelerate progress, let’s have the hard conversations…And let us always stand on the side where there is justice for women. Whenever something occurs, it should not be an anomaly. Nor should it be a struggle in a day and age when so many before us and so many currently are occupying seats of power seats of authority seats in professions that are important in ensuring that Justice occurs,” the Minister said.
Persaud further emphasized the lack of representation faced by women in leadership positions globally and the societal barriers that prevent women from seeing themselves as leaders. She also stressed the importance of challenging stereotypes and promoting equality in leadership roles.
The need to create an enabling environment for women to achieve their dreams and become leaders in various fields was highlighted, with a call for men to support women on this journey towards empowerment and equality.
“If there is something that we can do to accelerate progress, I believe it is this: create that enabling environment, create the opportunities, open the doors for more women to become leaders in their fields, champions of women’s equality. And yes, men come with us on the journey. It’s an exciting one,” she said.
The event saw a call to action for individuals to support women in pursuing their passions, breaking boundaries, and leading change in their communities. The speakers highlighted the importance of having open conversations, addressing social issues like gender-based violence, and promoting shared responsibilities in families and society.
The event was held at the Indian Cultural Centre and moderated by Narda Mohamed-Mangra.
