50 Women get two-day leadership training in Reg. 3
By Ganesh Mahipaul
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 23, 2019
A total of 50 working and single parent women from across the length and breadth of the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region (Region 3) are now well equipped with the relevant skills and requisite knowledge to take up leadership roles in their communities.
The two-day leadership training seminar was hosted in the boardroom of the Regional Administration on May 16 and 17. The seminar was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Protection – Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute and was held under the theme, “Enhancing Capabilities and Increasing Choices”.
The main objective of the training exercise was to empower and help women, especially vulnerable ones, to develop excellent leadership skills that are essential for good institutional and community success and to improve their performance by creating their practical leadership skills and be ready to meet the demanding challenges of today’s society.
At the opening ceremony, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Region 3, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall welcomed the initiative and committed the administration’s full support to programmes of such nature, seeking to empower and enhance people.
Ferreira-Dougall explained that professionalism and commitment to duties are essential for any successful person. She appealed to the women present to always display professionalism and the maintenance of a high standard. “We women are special in every way and, therefore, this opportunity that is before us today must be grabbed with both hands. I want you to make full use of the training, and when we go out into the open society, we are to maintain professionalism at all times and maintain a high standard. We must set the bar very high and prove to the world that we are also excellent leaders with quality character and unique skills.”
The women were urged to do regular introspection to identify their weaknesses. “If we are to become strong then we must know where our weaknesses lie and when we find the weaknesses, we must work on eliminating them. This allows you an opportunity to know yourself, understand who you are, believe in yourself and discover the hidden potentials. Self-introspection is not a one day something but must be done overtime. You have to practice basic ethics wherever you are, and build your self-esteem continuously. You must also discipline yourself and your mind. If you are to be a good leader, you must be able to control your mind from the negativity,” highlighted Chairperson of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Mavis Benn.
After completion of the programme, the women were presented with Certificates of participation.
“This is excellent on the part of the government. For too long women have been living submissive lives which is responsible for them not knowing their true potential. Activities like these bring out the real person inside of us and empower us to go change the world for the better, and I am very thankful for this opportunity as I am sure all others present here are also,” remarked Loraine Hooper, a beneficiary of the training programme.
Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute was set up in 1999 with a mandate to empower women, employed or unemployed, to take up roles and responsibilities in society regardless of its challenge. Similar training is scheduled to be held in the future in other regions.
Images: Ganesh Mahipaul.