As efforts intensify to assist and improve the living conditions of the vulnerable sections in society, 13 single parents drawn from different parts of the country yesterday received individual cheques of varying sums, signalling hope and confidence for a brighter future. The ceremony at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Water Street Branch, at which the Human Services Minister, Priya Manickchand presented the cheques, highlighted the PPP/C government’s commitment towards bringing relief and support to single parents, particularly women, allowing them an opportunity to make a significant contribution to economic development.
Speaking at the presentation, Minister Manickchand emphasised that this facility will enable women to access financial assistance in a manner which they formerly would have not been able to do.
She stressed that because of this easier way of financing, women will now be able to contribute to the development of the country, pointing out that they are the more vulnerable sections of society.
“We can do so at a more rapid pace if we make sure that all of our people are able to access all of Guyana’s resources; we know that women generally are more vulnerable to harsh circumstances and so it makes you less likely to be able to proceed at the same pace like our male counterparts,” she said.
Government has, over the years, been creating an environment where women can function and perform at their best, and according to the Human Services Minister, with the loans it would facilitate a brighter future for their children and the country as a whole.
“We launched the WOW just about a month ago and at the launch we promised that we were going to work very hard to ensure that there wasn’t a lot of bureaucracy and running around for persons accessing loans, and I am happy to say that even with the teething problems usually experienced by new departments, (because this is new to both the Ministry and GBTI) we have been able to fast forward many applications,” she said.
“Many of you have not been able to access credit from any bank because of the lack of collateral and the ability to prove the requirements needed, and so this is an opportunity for you to show Guyana and banks, other than GBTI, that women are capable of managing finances just as well as men; and although we may be poorer, resource wise, we can utilise all of our training to make our lives and our children lives better,” she added.
Government has been spending huge amounts of resources to establish an environment where women can thrive and be protected, allowing them to realise their true capacity. In this regard, a number of legislations have been passed, allowing for the protection against both mental and physical violence.
“We have had small businesses which we have supported in the past. We try to do things and put policies in place that will allow our women across the board to thrive, but it’s easy sometimes to talk about these policies and to write them on paper, but to share them out and speak of them highly, it’s another issue,” she said.
Single parents are not new to Guyana, according to Minister Manickchand, but government is now addressing the needs of this particular group of women.
“You here represent the beginning of what single parents can be in Guyana. If you are successful, you would prompt the bank to see this as a revolving process and therefore put forth more monies; so the responsibility is on your shoulders and you should use this financing for what it was intended,” Minister Manickchand stated.
“The Ministry and the GBTI stand ready and are willing to assist you with any problems that you might have,” Minister Manickchand said.
Staff of the Human Services Ministry and the Bank will be in Berbice on Saturday and Essequibo next Wednesday to make the facility accessible to women there.
The first beneficiaries are Simone Primo, Roxanne Williamson, Teresa Yong, Shivauna Marciano, Oney Forde, Mary Merciano, Vanessa Estwick, Mariska Trotman, Denise Warrick, Lauretta Applesammy, Shondell Adams, Nicola John and Donna Breedy.
The loans, which range from $100,000 to $250,000 will be used to establish businesses in the areas of rearing broiler chicks, groceries, hair and nail supplies, clothing and a salon.
The Ministry also approved 92 other applicants who will receive their cheques shortly.
The Women of Worth (WOW) project is a single parent financial facility launched by President Bharrat Jagdeo on June 4 at the Guyana International Conference Centre. (GINA)