Women urged to support Green economy

– as PNCR hosts Region 10 NCW conference

By Utamu Belle

Under the theme, “PNCR Women, support for a Green economy”, the National Congress of Women (NCW) – the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), hosted its Regional Conference at the LICHAS Hall in Linden on Saturday.
With scores of women from a wide cross-section of Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) and other locations, including Georgetown, congregating, messages of upliftment — more so in keeping with a Green economy and women’s development — were delivered.
In delivering the feature address, Cheryl Sampson urged women to be a force to reckon with in support of the green economy. “There are times in our lives when we need to stop, look and listen…We think of where we came from, where we are, and where we want to go,” she told the gathering. Sampson also urged women that, in developing the economy, they must show support and appreciation for locally manufactured products and the creation of cottage industries. She said they must also consider creating their own version of locally made products for export.
In this regard, she stressed that local products such as guava cheese would attract both local and foreign markets. She encouraged women to utilise their own back yards and other available spaces to facilitate planting, as she stressed the importance of utilising what is available.
“We can feed ourselves! If we go green and we use what we have and plant our little trees, we can contribute to our economy,” she urged. Sampson further challenged women to develop local produce, master the art of packaging same, and get acquainted with shipping in addition to supporting a clean environment.
In stressing the era of the oil and gas industry, Sampson urged women to also get their children qualified for the emerging oil and gas sector. “We are the ones who have got to support the green economy…do a little planting so that we can feed ourselves,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chairpeson of the Region 10 NCW, Denise Belgrave, gave an overview of the Regional NCW, noting that it has embarked on empowering women in the community through various programmes and activities, with its motto being “Upliftment of women”.
“Our vision is to reach a wider cross section of women as far as possible, to aid in development,” she noted.
Belgrave said that since its resuscitation in 2014, the Region 10 NCW has also enhanced its membership by installing women’s groups at Linden, Coomacka, Three Friends, and Yaribo Mines; as well as Old England in Region 10. She said four other communities have so far expressed interest in membership.
She also urged women to uplift each other through positive decisions, words and support, noting that “women are the real architects of society”. Also in attendance were Central Executive Committee Member Sandra Adams and Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood.