THE Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) welcomes the training that will soon be provided for women in the mining industry under the CARICOM Education for Employment Programme (C-EFE). The C-EFE is a five-year programme (2011-2016) implemented by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), in close collaboration with the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) and the Caricom Secretariat.
C-EFE’s ultimate goal is increased economic growth through a more competitive, productive and gender-equitable workforce in the Caribbean. It is being implemented through a collaborative approach with key Caribbean players involved in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sectors.
Last March 28, St. Lucia hosted the Gender and TVET Working Group Meeting and President of GWMO, Simona Broomes, was invited to attend and participate by C-EFE’s Regional Coordinator and Senior Technical Advisor Linda Cooke.
The purpose of the meeting was to achieve  gender balance in approaches to TVET programmes in the Caricom Region.
Broomes attended a meeting in Guyana with the TVET team where she made representation for the GWMO and it was at this forum that she enquired whether provision was made for training women in the mining industry.
She received a positive response and Cooke, having taken note of Broomes’ concerns, followed up and invited her to the meeting in St. Lucia.
“I was impressed (at the meeting) because for a woman operating in the male-dominated industry, it was the first time I learnt about gender and how we can put out our proposals and how we can lobby for women in the sector,” Broomes told the Chronicle when she returned from the meeting.
She said the knowledge she received while there enhanced her understanding of her roles as president of GWMO and how she can more effectively advise and educate other women in the industry.
“That meeting was really, really timely. I was really pleased with it. We will take advantage of all the opportunities coming out of this training that TVET will be here to do,” she said.
As soon as the details and arrangements are fine-tuned, Broomes said, an announcement will be made as to when and what training will be available in Guyana. Women who are interested in training for various types of jobs in the mining sector, can call 645 2979 or write to Lot 8 Alexander Street, Kitty.
Broomes said GWMO is grateful to Chunilall Babulall, Alfro Alphonso, Terrence Adams, Mr. Marcus, the Perreira Family,and Azim Baksh, among others, for providing financial support to the organisation.
GWMO was launched earlier this year under the theme, “Expanding Opportunities for Women Miners,” and is intended to represent the rights of women miners and others who work in hinterland communities.
The thrust of the newly formed association is to define the roles and contributions of women miners; highlight the problems they face; help secure financing and easy access to credit; establish standardised procedures for women to resolve challenges they face while mining; and address issues of abuse, trafficking, and prostitution.