MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, on Friday, encouraged female students to pursue opportunities, support one another, and cultivate strong self-confidence as she addressed an International Women’s Day (IWD) event at Queen’s College in Georgetown on Friday.

Delivering remarks to a packed auditorium of students, teachers, staff, and special invitees, Minister Parag reflected on the long struggle for gender equality while stressing that the contributions of women have always been fundamental to society.

“Today is about recognising those who have come before us… and have fought a good fight to level the playing field for women in a world that was always seen and dominated by men,” she said.

While emphasising the importance of gender balance, the minister noted that the achievements of women must be understood in the broader context of partnership between men and women.

“It cannot exist in the world without men and men can’t exist in the world without women and I suppose that’s why we need a level playing field,” she said.

She reminded the audience that women have historically played a central role in shaping societies and nurturing communities.

“From time immemorial, women have been the creators of all humanity, because whether one likes it or not, every man must come from a mother,” Minister Parag told the gathering.

She said progress toward equality has been gradual but evident, noting that the actions of earlier generations have created opportunities that today’s women can build upon.

“It’s not where we would like it to be, but it has definitely borne fruit from their actions in the past,” she said. Minister Parag encouraged the students to recognise that their own actions today will shape future generations.

“What you do today will make history tomorrow… what you do as women today to empower yourselves and other women… is going to be a part of the history of recognising the significance of the contribution of women tomorrow,” she stated.

The minister underscored that empowerment is not the responsibility of women alone but requires the active support of men and the wider community.

“Men are not excluded from empowering a woman… whether you are a husband, whether you’re a father, whether you’re a brother… you play an important role in empowering a woman in your life,” she said.

According to Minister Parag, empowerment begins within families and continues through institutions such as schools.

“It starts from home… it is a national effort and it starts definitely with institutions such as the family institutions, the school institutions and other institutions that will come after this,” she explained.

She defined empowerment as ensuring women have both opportunities and the ability to access those opportunities.

“It means that a woman must have opportunities, a woman must have access to opportunities because it makes no sense if opportunities are presented to you and you don’t have access to them,” Minister Parag said.

Reflecting on her own experiences, she recalled the challenges she faced as a young student travelling from the Essequibo Coast to attend school in Georgetown.

“When I got Queen’s College in 1994, it was five of us from the Essequibo Coast and I had nowhere to stay because I had no family in Georgetown,” she said, adding that opportunity and access were crucial factors in her journey.

To facilitate accommodation, however, Parag opted for the convenience of President’s College.
Today, she noted, educational opportunities have expanded across the country.

“Girls who are living in the hinterland are getting some of the same opportunities as you are and definitely the resources to make them successful,” she told the students.

However, Minister Parag stressed that success ultimately requires personal determination.
“What you do with this opportunity is definitely 50 per cent up to you… your teachers, your parents will give you that other 50 per cent,” she said.

SELF-CONFIDENCE AND MOTIVATION

A key message of her address centred on self-confidence and internal motivation. She shared advice she received as a young student that has guided her throughout her life.

“If you ever look for motivation outside yourself or rely on external factors to determine who you are or to make you happy, then you will always be unhappy and you are bound to be disappointed,” she said.

Minister Parag urged the students to develop a strong mindset and believe in their own ability to succeed, even in difficult moments.

“You are the only person… that can make you make it,” she stated.

The minister also encouraged the students to recognise the contributions of those around them, including auxiliary staff within their school community.
She commended the enthusiasm shown by students in acknowledging the efforts of workers such as security officers and cleaners, noting that every individual contributes to the functioning of an institution.

Minister Parag also reflected on her own path in public service, noting that, on January 2, 2024, she became the country’s first female Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.

She said the opportunity demonstrated the importance of leadership believing in women’s ability to perform at the highest levels.

“There are so many opportunities that are available to you… do not let anyone tell you that engineering is still for men, that technology is still for men,” Minister Parag urged.

Looking ahead, Minister Parag said the next decade will see rapid technological advancement and young women must be ready to participate in shaping the country’s future.

She also encouraged students who are pursuing studies overseas to return home and contribute to national development.

“I hope that you are leaving with the intention and the goodwill of coming back to ensure that you, as a woman, play your part in developing Guyana,” she said.

Importantly, Minister Parag warned that women must also support each other rather than view one another as competitors.

“We are often our own greatest enemies. Many times, we look at the next woman and say she cannot do better than I can,” she said.

Instead, she urged students to adopt a different mindset. “The only competition should be I can do better than I was yesterday,” she said.

She further encouraged the students to uplift their female friends, classmates, and family members, emphasising that empowerment includes helping other women succeed.

“Ensure that you, as a woman, help your female colleague to also be lifted up,” she urged.

Closing her address, Minister Parag encouraged the students to cultivate strong self-worth and use their talents to positively impact others.

“The greatest gift that I can ever receive is someone coming back and telling me that I am making their life better,” she said.

She concluded by wishing the students a meaningful International Women’s Day and urging them to treat the occasion as the beginning of continued action toward women’s empowerment.

“Let it not just be a day… but let it be a beginning of days to come of positive action towards empowering women,” she said.