By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The Arthur Chung Conference Centre was the epicenter of empowerment on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, as the Guyana Women and Girls Summit (GWAGS) 2026 brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs, students, and leaders. Under the resonant theme “Safe. Seen. Supported.,” Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud delivered a rallying cry for women to move beyond traditional roles and claim their space in the nation’s burgeoning industrial landscape.
The summit, organized by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG), arrives at a critical juncture for the country, as sectors like oil and gas, construction, and engineering redefine the local job market.
A Surge in Educational Attainment
Minister Persaud emphasized that the foundation for this “new dawn” is already being laid in the classroom. She presented compelling data showing that women are currently outperforming their male counterparts in higher education:
- University Graduates: A significant majority of recent graduates from the University of Guyana are women.
- Scholarship Dominance: Dr. Persaud revealed that women are the primary drivers of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) program, utilizing 73% of all government-funded scholarships.
- The Message: The Minister urged young women to view this education as a shield and a ladder, famously stating: “Motherhood is beautiful, but wait,” encouraging them to first stand firmly as entrepreneurs and leaders before taking on early family responsibilities.
Breaking the “Traditional” Ceiling
The summit highlighted the necessity for women to enter technical and “hard” industries that have long been male-dominated.
- Oil & Gas and Construction: With the economy diversifying rapidly, Dr. Persaud noted that opportunities in engineering, law, and high-level business management are “here now,” and women must not forfeit these positions.
- Barriers Falling: Josephine Tapp, President of the WCCIG, noted that Guyana’s proactive policies have seen the country climb four places on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index in just one year—now ranking 31st globally out of 148 nations.
Trailblazers in Focus
The event featured living examples of this shift, most notably Kathy Smith, who made history in 2025 as the first female president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in its 135-year existence. Smith, a waterproofing specialist and sole female leader in her franchise, shared her journey of overcoming initial exam failures to leading the country’s most prominent business body.
Guyana’s 2026 Gender Parity Snapshot
| Category | National Standing / Data |
| Global Gender Gap Rank | 31st (Up from 35th) |
| Women in GOAL Scholarships | 73% |
| WEF Health & Survival Rank | 1st Globally |
| Women in National Assembly | 35% |
“The opportunities are here, and women must not be left behind. Building a supportive ecosystem must begin at home and continue through the education system.” — Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services
