Kwakwani launches Women’s Group

Approximately forty women in Kwa-kwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are on a path of self-empowerment following the establishment of a Women’s Group in the community.
The women proudly launched their group with several pieces of beautiful handmade craft on display.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe who has direct responsibility of women attended the launch and praised the women who possess remarkable talent.
The Minister, in encouraging the women noted that “it is always good to add more to our household because we always want to see our children look good, feel good because naturally we are women and we are the foundation of any home”.
She added that a fundamental aspect of growing as a group is that “you should bond with each other, look out for each other and support each other. I know you can do it”.
Minister Garrido-Lowe told the gathering that eighty per cent of the farmers who supply the factory with organic tomatoes are women, and that the number continues to grow annually.
Similarly, Minister Garrido-Lowe said the womenfolk of Kwakwani can follow suit and not only encourage other women to participate but also the youth and men as well.
The women have already signalled their intentions of ensuring the Group remains productive and have since produced beautifully woven, knitted, crochet and embroidered towels, chair covers and pillowcases among other handmade items which will be available to local and regional markets.
Minister Garrido-Lowe also assured the group that Government will support their efforts to ensure the longevity of their business venture.
Residents of Kwakwani depend heavily on bauxite mining, logging and cattle rearing as their main economic activities, and with the women now establishing what will be a lucrative craft producing industry, additional revenue will be in circulation.
The Minister said the Government remains committed to the people in bringing the “Good Life” to all since, in the past, villages could not have realised such economic and social empowerment as they remained stagnant economically and socially.
“What I saw was, the previous Administration gave villages a tractor, an ATV, and every year they get one million dollars or so to do a community project but their lives remained the same. Villages were getting no upliftment, their standard of living remained stagnant, they couldn’t think of their future because they never had the opportunity to do so. This wasn’t a guarantee for development of self, of young people and of community. And not because you are far, the Government has committed to meeting you no matter where you are, so all across the country we have been trying to do that,” the Minister assured.
Kwakwani, she said, will continue to receive Government’s support and once proceeds from the oil and gas sector begin, residents will receive further benefits.