IN observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, the High Commission of Canada on Thursday continued its eight-year tradition of hosting one exceptional young woman as the High Commissioner for the Day.

According to a press release, Attiya Griffith, an 18-year-old, third-year economics major at the University of Guyana, emerged as the winner of the online High Commissioner for the Day contest.

It added that this year, dozens of young women ages 15-20 years old, submitted one-minute-long videos on the topic, ‘If you can have one wish, with regards to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, what would you wish for and why?’

Griffith delivered an inspiring and strong submission on the topic highlighting that she would wish for a world where equality is no longer a goal, but a
reality, the release added.

“After being selected as the winner, Ms. Griffith was tasked with performing her duties as High Commissioner on Thursday October 10th. Her day included meeting with her staff, visiting the Guyana School of Agriculture’s hydroponic facility, funded in part by Canada, meeting with the Guyana Lottery Company, a luncheon hosted in her honour with several accomplished women, and a speed mentoring event hosted at the British High Commission.

“She was exposed to a cross section of activities and engagements that allowed her to see some of the work being done by the High Commission of Canada as well as meet representatives of partner organisations,” it added.

It was explained that in addition to providing Griffith with the insight and experience as the High Commissioner, the activity was also aimed at giving her the opportunity to network and gain some inspiration from some high-achieving women.

She was able to meet and interact with British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues; Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir and Deputy Programme Manager at CARICOM, Michele Small-Bartley, among other notable women.

According to the release, Griffith expressed that the experience as High Commissioner was exciting and one that she would never forget. She added that it was deeply inspiring and that she felt encouraged to reach even higher.

Throughout the coming year, the High Commission of Canada will continue to engage Griffith in various activities at mission and through its partners.

“In recent years, we have seen the winning young ladies excel in other avenues through the confidence and encouragement they gained from this activity,” the release said adding that the High Commissioner for the Day activity is in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy which recognizes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world.

The High Commission of Canada will continue to work with partners to create spaces where women will have equal opportunities to achieve their potential.

In recapping on hosting the activity successfully for another year, High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin indicated how impressed he was with the quality of submissions received.

“I believe that Guyana has a very exciting future ahead. From looking at some of the presentations I was greatly impressed with what these future women leaders will do for this nation and for the world,” he was quoted as saying.