Human Services Ministry launches “Girls to Women Mentorship Network”

To empower young females with guidance and support as they navigate life’s journey, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security officially launched the “Girls to Women Mentorship Network” on Monday at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.

According to the Ministry’s press release, the initiative, led by Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, was unveiled during its observance of International Day of the Girl Child, hosted by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). Minister Persaud highlighted that the network is designed to connect young girls with experienced women who can mentor, inspire, and help them unlock their full potential. She emphasised that this platform would create meaningful opportunities for growth and help prepare girls for the transition into womanhood with confidence and purpose. “We must focus on empowering our girls, focus on ensuring that they’re included in every aspect of development, and focus on making sure that they access all the programmes and supporting mechanisms through the Childcare Protection Agency, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and the Government at large,” Minister Persaud stressed.
She noted that this programme will be rolled out across the country, where it will see a closer relationship being built between women mentors and young girls.
To start up the initiative, the first group of mentors who were present at the event included Justice Roxane-George- Chancellor of the Judiciary, President of the Guyana Bar Association- Pauline Chase, President of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, Woman Superintendent- Nicola Kendall, Environmental Enthusiast- Annette Arjoon and Environmental Economist at the Ministry of Natural Resources- Pradeepa Bholanath among others. The Minister emphasised the importance of giving young girls the opportunity to hear directly from exceptional women, to learn about their challenges, their journeys, and their triumphs. “We live in a world where we cannot divorce reality, and that reality is that girls experience many challenges,” she noted. “It is about you telling them what your challenges are…and how they can help you through mentorship to make your way exciting.”
She noted that by engaging with these inspiring role models, young girls can begin to see themselves reflected in their stories, envisioning their own paths to success, and even surpassing the achievements of the trailblazing women who came before them.
“We’re trying, in our own way, to play a part in shaping the woman you will become tomorrow, while helping the girl you are today understand that there is support for everything you aspire to do and all that you can be,” Minister Persaud told the girls.
Minister Persaud also spoke of the positive impact girls are currently making in Guyana.
“If you look at education, more girls are finishing high school, there are more girls than men, or girls than boys, finishing the University of Guyana (UG),” she stated.
Those who participated in Monday’s event will have access to all the programmes and support mechanisms through the CPA and the Human Services Ministry’s resources.