More women, youths assume leadership in indigenous communities

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 14, 2018

The transition of youths and women to leadership positions at the level of the Village Council is being manifested in the current round of national village elections for Toshaos, Councillors and Community Development Council (DCD) chairpersons.

Last evening, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe announced that thus far, 78 women were elected Toshaos and Councillors.

Sharmain Rambajue Baramita, Region One (Barima-Wani) and Beverley Clenkian, Pakuri, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) are just two of the female elected Toshaos for the first time.

Young men are also taking up similar responsibilities. Twenty-one-year-old Michael Thomas of Aishalton Village, South Rupununi, Region Nine is one of the youngest Toshaos to have been elected.

With the influx of young leaders, it is felt that a fresh perspective will be brought to the fore, Minister Garrido-Lowe noted.

“As a government, we are encouraging robust management practices that are founded on the principles of transparency and accountability.  We are interested in changes from the community levels upwards.”

Elections are ongoing in 178 Indigenous villages across the ten Administrative Regions in Guyana. Thus far, elections have been completed in 174 communities.

Elections in the remaining villages, Kamarang, Region Seven and Mashabo Region Two, will be held today, while Orealla and Siparuta in Region Six will be completed tomorrow, June 14, bringing the month-long process to an end.

By: Synieka Thorne.

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