IN a bid to further strengthen opportunities for women’s empowerment and sustainable economic growth in Guyana, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Wednesday afternoon, hosted key representatives from the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) for a strategic meeting.

The engagement, held at the Ministry’s office, focused on exploring collaborative efforts between WUSC and the Ministry, particularly targeting women who have benefitted from training through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme.
WUSC is currently leading the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) project, which aims to expand opportunities for youth and women in agriculture and other sustainable livelihood sectors across the region.
EXPLORING SYNERGIES FOR WOMEN’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

Present at the meeting were WUSC’s Deputy Project Director of SAC, Munish Persaud, and Gender Equality Officer, Yvonne Barrow. They were joined by key officials from the Ministry, including Permanent Secretary, Daun Ellis, Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar, and Senior Training Officer at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Shamane Headley.
The discussions centred around creating synergies to ensure that women trained under WIIN can further leverage sustainable livelihood opportunities, especially in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Persaud commended the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to empower women, praising its proactive approach in driving women’s economic development and self-sufficiency.

ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Minister Persaud welcomed the collaboration, noting that partnerships such as those were vital in expanding the reach and impact of initiatives designed to improve the lives of women and families across Guyana.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to work towards developing practical programmes and projects that will provide women with greater access to resources, training, and opportunities in sustainable sectors.
The partnership aligns with the Government of Guyana’s broader vision of creating an inclusive economy where women play an active and empowered role in the country’s development.