– says PM Phillips

PRIME Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Saturday stated that a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to ensure that the status of women as a minority group in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is changed.
He made this disclosure at the launch of the Industry and Innovation Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the University of Guyana. He was delivering opening remarks at the first-ever virtual orientation of the Guyanese Girls Code 2021 through the government’s ‘Girls in ICT programme’ under the theme: Connected Girls, Creating Brighter Futures.

The initiative will facilitate training in programming and other STEM activities for a total of 70 girls, as part of the unit’s commitment to bridge the digital divide for gender equality.
Prime Minister Phillips stated that initiatives such as these create opportunities for women and girls to see themselves having a career in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He noted that despite the technological advancements rapidly taking over the world, the percentage of women in ICT-related professions has decreased over the last 40 years, which has led to a major under-representation of women in careers relating to STEM.

According to the Prime Minister, the initiative aims to be a first step in producing future Guyanese women who are software engineers, programmers, information systems managers, database administrators, information technology consultants, systems analysts, and systems designers.
The Prime Minister explained that the government intends to have the gender gap filled through initiatives such as these that will provide women with a door into the ICT sector. He further noted that the government is keen on creating a level playing field for all, especially as it relates to gender equity and women empowerment.

Further, he noted that there must be a greater approach taken to ensure that these opportunities and initiatives transcend into the real world and that all stakeholders play their part to ensure that women and girls feel welcome and know that their contributions will be recognised.
“Women and girls must be made aware that there is no industry in which they cannot participate. They cannot only contribute, but make a difference in every enterprise they occupy.
“But achieving gender equity and empowering women is not a feat that can be realised alone. It is a joint effort that requires the input of multiple stakeholders– including men — to ensure that the status of women as a minority group in STEM fields is changed,” the Prime Minister expressed.

Further, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the invaluable contribution of several women in the local ICT sector including Jennifer Britton, Penelope DeFreitas and Farnaz Baksh, thanking them for their invaluable contributions and the role they have played in inspiring the future generation of girls and women in ICT.
“Experts believe that if women and girls see more female role models in ICT-related positions, they can serve as inspirational examples of success that demonstrate the possibilities that women can achieve. These role models showcase that woman can, indeed, overcome traditional gender barriers and encourage other women to aspire to these standards,” the Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, Director of the Industry and Innovation Unit of Office of the Prime Minister, Shahrukh Hussain, disclosed that the 70 young girls will be taught by female instructors and trainers from the University of Guyana, with lessons focusing on a number of ICT subjects.

He further stated that the participants will be able to benefit from interactive sessions on contributions made by women to the ICT sector, as well as how STEM can be used resolve the address problems faced by local girls.
Additionally, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr. Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin lauded the initiative. She noted that over the years similar programmes have kick-started the careers of many girls in the ICT sector.
Professor Mohammed-Martin believes that Guyana’s ICT sector has major potential for growth, noting that from UG alone several ICT breakthroughs have been formulated. She highlighted, in particular, the creation of the app UnityGy, which will match people who have needs, or have a social struggle with persons or donors who want to give to those people.

Further, she called on the Prime Minister to create an ICT stream in high schools, noting that currently, Guyana’s high school system does not provide for information technology as a stream option for students who will be sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
The UG Vice Chancellor noted that initiatives such as these are extremely important and that students should be allowed the opportunity to specialise in this field during high school.