THE Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) held its highly anticipated fourth annual Guyana Women and Girls (GWAG) Summit at the Marriot Hotel in Georgetown on Friday.

The event, attended by girls aged 14 to 18 and women over 18 from various sectors across Guyana, aimed to foster unity and empowerment among attendees through networking and insightful discussions.

The one-day summit provided a platform for women and girls to connect with each other and gain valuable insights from the panel discussions and guest speakers. Central to the event were informative panel discussions featuring prominent women in business and other non-traditional industries.

This year’s panel featured four distinguished Guyanese women: Patricia Bacchus, Managing Director of Caribbean Container Incorporated; Kandila Ramotar, Projects Manager of Environmental Management Consultants Incorporated (EMC); Dee George, Co-Founder/Director of Herdmanston Lodge; and Gwenetta Fordyce, Sustainability and Social Impact Program Development Officer at SBM Offshore. The panel delved into the economic and social impacts of investing in women, exploring how strategic investments contribute to transformative shifts in society.

The summit also featured notable guest speakers who delivered inspiring remarks to motivate and empower attendees. Brian Edwards from Green Agro Service and Supplies Incorporated (Guyana) spoke on “FeMENism: A Journey Towards Shared Progress,” while Tashi Browne, Project Coordinator of WCCIG & WE3A Project, highlighted the journey highlights of the WE3A project. Additionally, Quenita Walrond, Education Consultant and Managing Director of Atkali Learning Lab Incorporated, discussed “Inclusive Education and Skills Development for Women and Girls.”

The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a nonprofit charitable organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in business, organised the summit. With a diverse membership base of dozens of women entrepreneurs, WCCI provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and professional development. The organisation is committed to assisting women in achieving success and economic independence through business ownership and self-employment.

The Guyana Women and Girls Summit serves as a beacon of empowerment, bringing together women and girls from diverse backgrounds to inspire and support each other in their personal and professional endeavours. Through meaningful dialogue and collaboration, events like these contribute to the advancement and empowerment of women across Guyana.