“Claim your seat” – British High Commissioner urges as 3rd National Assembly of Girls opens

In a powerful call to action, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, urged young women to seize leadership opportunities and accelerate change, as the Third National Assembly of Girls officially opened Wednesday at the Parliament Building.

The Assembly, held in alignment with International Women’s Day, serves as a platform for young women to debate pressing issues affecting women and girls.
This year’s motion focused on “Extension of Maternity Leave and the Introduction of Paternity Leave,” underscoring the critical need for policies that support gender equality in the workplace and beyond.
High Commissioner Miller emphasised the importance of education, empowerment, and eradicating gender-based violence—key pillars of the United Kingdom government’s strategy for women and girls.
On this point, she acknowledged the role of education as the foundation for breaking systemic barriers and lifting women into positions of power and influence.
“So many of you have heard me speak before, and one of the things I always say, as women, is: claim your seat. And that is exactly what I’m seeing each of you doing today. You have claimed your seat. Don’t wait for people to give you opportunities. Take those opportunities. And that is what the Girls’ Assembly is about. It’s about learning about governance. It’s learning about policy and learning about protocol, and having the experience to really participate in that. By doing that, you’ve shown your leadership potential. You’ve shown your appetite for seeing a change in the world,” the High Commissioner said.
The High Commissioner called for an urgent push to accelerate progress toward gender equality, aligning with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action.”
She also underscored the importance of solidarity among women, and the need for inclusive support systems, calling for unity across gender lines.
“At the current pace, it’s going too slowly. But it’s initiatives like this, and each of you individually, what you do, is going to make that difference. So, I’d like to encourage all of you, as you go into the debate today, to think about the future, to think about how women can really be that acceleration of change”.
“This is a story of how together, because a more powerful, a more prosperous, a more equitable world is where men and women have equal opportunities and equal power. So, in closing, let’s all commit ourselves to accelerate action, to support one another, and ensure that the next generation inherits a world where equality is not the exception, but the norm,” she posited.
Marking the conclusion of the 2024-2025 Girls, Assemble! programme, the event was made possible through a partnership between the Imperial House and the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana. The National Assembly of Girls is dedicated to enhancing young women’s political knowledge, leadership skills, and visibility in decision-making roles.
As the young women engaged in policy discussions, they are expected to embody the very essence of leadership and advocacy, demonstrating that the future belongs to those who dare to claim it.