THE Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) is petitioning the government to institute a tax moratorium (suspension) of two years for women-owned start-up businesses. The WCCIG believes that this move will pave the way for the development of women-owned enterprises, with significantly less pressure. “We also advocate for loan windows and grant assistance to women-owned businesses,” the organisation said in a statement. Additionally, as the entire world continues to work towards achieving gender parity, the WCCIG has moved to establish a youth arm, aimed at inspiring and including young women and girls.
The youth component, coined ‘Youth Connect and Commerce (YCC)’, was one of the many tangible outcomes of the Chambers’ inaugural Guyana Women and Girls Summit, which was hosted on March 8, 2021, in celebration of International Women’s Day, under the theme, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World.”

The initiative brought women and girls across Guyana face to face with several impactful women in leadership, stemming from inspirational speakers and industry leaders. The forum saw female leaders and executives from various industries participating in panel discussions on topical issues such as Equality in a Post-COVID Era; Young Girls in Leadership; Women and Girls in Tech; Personal Branding; Mentorship; Claiming your Power; and Women in Oil and Gas.
Commenting on the salience of women-focused events and women’s networks in a COVID-19 world and beyond, Co-Founder of the WCCIG, Kerensa Gravesande-Bart expressed her belief that “This is the beginning of a new era.”
She said, “A superior generation of girls and women are upcoming; many ideas were birthed, passions developed, and dreams realised; COVID-19 presented a chance to get in touch with our values, review our priorities and understand what is essential in our lives.”
The WCCIG, by way of a press statement issued on Wednesday, said that the organisation will continue to use its strategic alliances in executing its work plan to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs.

IDENTIFY MENTORS

Vice-President of the WCCIG, Lyndell Danzie-Black encouraged the young women to identify mentors within their communities and organisations, who can further add to the approach of fostering fruitful mentoring relationships. Through the YCC, the WCCIG said that it is hoping to bridge the gap between the skills acquired versus the skills in demand for entrepreneurship, by establishing youth development programmes, training and learning networks, skills development centres, and investor engagements.
The WCCIG announced that it recognises that ‘Business Services Organisations’ play a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurship. As a result, in its thrust to foster economically empowered youth, the YCC will be supported by a team of business leaders, government representatives, subject matter experts and innovators, who will serve as mentors and provide guidance on the programmatic focus of the YCC.
“As we analyse the outcomes of our Summit, the WCCIG is advocating for policies targeted at women-owned businesses and continues to encourage gender diversity, inclusiveness and full participation of women in economic matters,” the organisation said.

It was only on Tuesday that Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, emphasised the importance of gender parity, highlighting several gaps that continue to stymie the progress of women. Dr. Persaud said that even though women continue to play an essential role in the socio-economic and political development of the CARICOM region, and can be found in leadership positions in every sphere of influence including politics, public services, business, and in civil society, much more still needs to be done to ensure that their contributions are equally rewarded.

Dr. Persaud recognised that “Women’s very survival and their entry into leadership and decision-making are hinged on unencumbered access to opportunities for training, resources, sustainable and viable income alternatives and significant, visible national and global platforms.”
She said that the Guyana government remains fully cognisant of the amplified gender disparity and economic exhaustion of female-led households in the COVID-stricken world, and that the administration has initiated countrywide technical and vocational training, micro enterprise and cottage industry initiatives, creative funding opportunities, and dynamic marketing opportunities that are all specific to women.
She reminded that the government is currently preparing to launch its first female business incubator, which will provide critical support to female entrepreneurs.