THE Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hosted a graduation ceremony and exhibition last Friday, to climax week long independence anniversary celebrations.
At the well attended function in the Venezuelan Institute, Lot 106 New Garden Street, Georgetown, graduates were awarded certificates in tie-dying and cake decorating, among other skills.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Dario Morandy said the main purpose of the training is to afford women an opportunity to organise themselves into groups, create a source of earning of income and dignify their lives.
He said, jokingly, the Venezuelan Government gives participants a stick to fish with and not one that is already fried or with cassava bread.
According to the diplomat, the programme is particularly important because of its focus on women, who are of importance in any society.
Morandy said both Guyana and Venezuela are women’s names and he hopes the former would develop a bilingual society.
Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir said the national revenue would increase if more women join the workforce.
Quoting statistics, he said 50 per cent of the local workforce is comprised of women while, in most developing countries they comprise 80 per cent and, in the Caribbean, 65 per cent.
Addressing the graduating group, Nadir told them: “If you’re not going to train, you’re going to come under tremendous strain.”
He observed that, while the skills learned will not make them rich overnight, it would help to put curry on the table.
Nadir said the Ministry of Labour is looking to implement programmes for women in non-traditional areas, such as in automotive repairs.
Representing the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Chairperson of the Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB), Ms. Hemwattie Lagan exhorted the graduates to make full use of their newly acquired knowledge to elevate themselves.
“You have to bring about that change,” she challenged them.
Lagan urged the women to not sell themselves short, citing examples of suitable business ventures and emphasising the importance of top notch quality.
Mr. Kawal Persaud, who chaired the programme, said, so far, 143 women, 55 on Friday, have graduated from the courses.