Building the bridge from girls to women

The launch of the “Girls to Women Mentorship Network” by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security constitutes a progressive and timely step toward nurturing a generation of confident, capable, and empowered women in Guyana.
The initiative, unveiled by Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud during the observance of International Day of the Girl Child, seeks to connect young girls with accomplished women across diverse sectors, establishing a framework of guidance, inspiration, and practical support as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and transition into adulthood.
This network is an investment in the social and psychological infrastructure necessary to ensure that girls are not just participants in national development but are adequately equipped to lead it. For too long, societal structures have placed young girls at a disadvantage, burdened by stereotypes, limited access to resources, and the absence of visible role models.
By pairing girls with women who have successfully traversed professional, personal, and societal obstacles, the mentorship network aims to transform these barriers into bridges.
The participation of distinguished women such as Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Roxane George, President of the Guyana Bar Association Pauline Chase, GCCI President Kathy Smith, Woman Superintendent Nicola Kendall, Environmental Activist Annette Arjoon, and Environmental Economist Pradeepa Bholanath shows the national importance of this initiative.
These women exemplify achievement across law, business, security, environmental stewardship, and governance – fields where female leadership continues to make a decisive impact. Their involvement signals to the younger generation that success is attainable and that the journey toward it can be guided by wisdom, resilience, and solidarity.
At the heart of this program lies a recognition of a persistent global reality: girls continue to face complex challenges ranging from gender-based discrimination and violence to restricted access to education and employment opportunities. In this context, mentorship becomes a vital tool for empowerment. It humanizes success stories, demystifies ambition, and reinforces the belief that progress is not reserved for a privileged few.
A girl who can see herself reflected in the experiences of a judge, entrepreneur, or environmentalist is more likely to set goals that defy limitation and pursue them with confidence. The initiative also responds to encouraging national trends. As highlighted by Persaud, more girls are completing secondary and tertiary education than ever before, with female students now surpassing their male counterparts in graduation rates from the University of Guyana.
This upward trajectory in educational attainment is evidence of both the nation’s commitment to equality and the determination of young women to claim their rightful place in the country’s development narrative. However, education alone does not guarantee empowerment. Without the necessary emotional support, professional guidance, and access to networks, many girls’ risks being underutilized talents in a competitive world.
The mentorship network, therefore, serves as an essential complement to formal education, bridging the gap between potential and opportunity. Beyond its immediate objectives, the “Girls to Women Mentorship Network” holds wider implications for social cohesion and economic advancement. When young women are empowered to lead, societies benefit from increased innovation, improved governance, and more equitable decision-making.
Moreover, mentorship cultivates a culture of intergenerational solidarity, ensuring that today’s leaders consciously prepare the next generation to carry the mantle of progress. The involvement of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) further strengthens this initiative by anchoring it within a framework of safety and inclusivity.
The CPA’s experience in supporting vulnerable children positions it as a critical partner in ensuring that mentorship fosters ambition while also protecting young participants from exploitation and marginalization.
For the network to achieve its full potential, however, it must be expanded and institutionalized. Mentorship should not be a one-time encounter but an ongoing process supported by structured programming, monitoring, and measurable outcomes. Schools, youth organizations, and private sector partners should be integrated into its operations, ensuring that girls from all regions, urban and rural alike, benefit equally.
In the broader pursuit of gender equity, this initiative reflects a national commitment to moving beyond rhetoric to action. Empowerment must be cultivated through sustained engagement, systemic reform, and societal transformation. The “Girls to Women Mentorship Network” embodies these principles, presenting a model of empowerment that is collaborative, inclusive, and forward-looking.
In celebrating this milestone, it is also a reminder that mentorship is a shared responsibility. Every accomplished woman holds the power to inspire another; every young girl deserves the chance to be guided, heard, and encouraged.
As Guyana continues to chart its developmental path, the measure of progress will not only be in infrastructure and economics but also in the strength, confidence, and leadership of its women.
The seeds planted through this mentorship network have the potential to shape a future where no girl walks alone on her journey to becoming a woman and where every woman remembers to extend her hand to the next.