By Jasmaine Payne
FIFTY women who have all been actively involved in their communities were honoured on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre,Liliendaal, for their outstanding contributions. The awardees were nominated by members of the regional administrations across the country. Many of the women gushed about how grateful they felt to be recognised for their years of work. They also commented on how refreshing it is that both Guyana and the world at large are making significant strides towards promoting gender equality.

Cheryl Sampson, who hails from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), has been an active promoter of women’s rights for over 40 years. “I feel proud. It has been a long time I’ve been doing women’s work and development. As such, to be identified today by my region I feel proud,” she said. Though education is her main field of work, Sampson is also the current Chairperson of the National Congress of Women, which is the Women’s arm of the People’s National Congress. She also serves as the Deputy Chairperson on the Women and Gender Equality Commission and has participated in other projects throughout the Caribbean. She welcomed the fact that Guyana has a government which is very interested in women’s affairs. Sampson also observed that with such leadership, Guyana could very well reach the United Nations goal of “Planet 50:50 by 2030.”
Ann Baker has been promoting cultural development and sporting activities in her community of Mocha and was among those women honoured from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). “Right now I am so warmed that somebody remembered me along the line for the work that I did; right now I’m overwhelmed,” she said.
Across Region Five, Carol Smith Joseph has been involved in promoting community development and also works closely with women and children. Being acknowledged for her work not only made her feel grateful, but she expressed that it was good that her work has finally been recognised, so that more persons could be made aware of the need to promote such development among women. “I am happy that they have finally realised that I deserved this award, and words are not enough to thank the persons who made this possible,” she said.
‘WE ARE GOING SOMEWHERE’
Amrita Thomas stated that for years she strongly believed in the importance of ensuring that women are pushed to the highest level of their capabilities and so to be recognised for her work is an honour. “I have a strong belief for my women folk and this award gives me hope that we are going somewhere,” she said. Moreover, the award now serves as encouragement for her to continue in her work of educating and helping women in her native Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Both Mayfil Greene and Marilyn Thomas from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) expressed similar sentiments of gratitude regarding the honour bestowed on them. Greene is active in ensuring that there is effective drainage and garbage collection in Linden while Thomas works with women and young girls at the Linden Hospital. The women admitted to being both surprised but elated that they were selected for the work that they have been doing.
Aside from the awardees, a number of prominent women who attended also shared in their pride and honour.
Guyanese designer and entrepreneur Sonia Noel, who has just wrapped up her weekend exposition “Women in Business Expo,” applauded the event and the current direction in which Guyana is travelling with regard to women empowerment. “I think we are trying our best and within the last few years we have done much more for women… I think with the mandate of the UN we are definitely heading in the right direction, so I’m looking forward to where we are going to be,” she said.

GIVING LOVE
More than that, she said, Guyanese should also get into the culture of giving love and being “our brothers and sisters keepers,” adding that as women climb to higher heights with the provisions being made through gender equality, they will also be able to help other women to reach those heights as well.
GREAT LEAP
Former Minister of Information Yvonne Harewood-Benn, said that it is great to see the distance we have come so far as regards gender equality. “We have been able to get a lot more men to pay more than lip service to the equality of women. That’s one great leap ahead and I see us doing much more of that in the future,” she said.
In expressing their gratitude, the women presented President David Granger with a token of appreciation following his feature address at the event held in honour of International Women’s Day. The token took the form of a painting which represented not only a woman’s role in society, but the transformational role that the new administration is playing in Guyana’s development.
“I felt like it was the most suitable piece in light of the situation of things,” said Devina Deputron, the young artist who created the piece she named “Goddess.” The abstract work of art represents Mother Nature and her attempt to right all the wrongs in society such as corruption, crime and pollution by absorbing their negative energy and producing a brand new, optimistic result.