SASOD launches women’s arm to empower LBT females

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) has launched its women’s arm, which is intended to empower lesbians, bisexuals and transgender (LBT) women and women’s allies, as well as advance their rights.

Called SWAG (SASOD Women’s Arm Guyana), this organisation is committed to promoting gender equality and women’s rights; advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights; facilitating women’s leadership and political participation; as well as community mobilisation, economic empowerment, and socio-cultural initiatives that create space and propel the voices of LBT women and women’s allies.

SWAG is a safe space for LBT women and women’s allies, and will serve as a catalyst for greater involvement of women in the pursuit of social justice and human rights by and for LBT women and women’s allies in Guyana.

This organisation will seek to further promote and continue the advocacy work done by SASOD, with a greater focus on women and gender issues.

Membership of SWAG is open to all LBT women and women’s allies. Persons interested in obtaining membership will be required to complete an application form, and attend an induction meeting to discuss their role in SWAG.

SASOD’s Advocacy Officer Schemel Patrick explained to the Guyana Times that transgender women are being denied their right to live a life free from violence and discrimination.

“Domestic violence is a serious scourge in Guyana, and teenage pregnancy rates are among the highest in the (Caribbean) region. Gender-based violence and discrimination are prevalent in many spheres. These and many other inequalities hinder women’s development in society. A mechanism that understands these disparities and educates and empowers women to acknowledge and speak out for their rights and against these inequalities is essential,” she said.

Patrick said the SASOD women’s arm is intended to be an advocacy movement that equips women with the resources and knowledge necessary for their advancement. The arm does not aim to reinvent the wheel, but would seek to collaborate with existing organisations and initiatives to reach women, particularly grassroots women.

SWAG’s launch on Friday coincided with International Women’s Day which was celebrated on March 8.

The women’s empowerment series was birthed as a collaboration between SASOD and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA).

Some presenters during the launching ceremony included: Chelauna Providence, Programme Manager, GRPA; Akola Thompson, SASOD Member & Co-Founder of the Student Society Against Human Rights Violations; and Collette King, SASOD Member and Construction Worker. The women’s empowerment sessions are intended to create a safe space for women to ventilate pertinent women and gender issues and share their own lived experiences or observations.

The sessions also serve to give women the information needed to make informed decisions about their own sexual and reproductive health and their own rights.

SASOD has expressed gratitude to the corporate entities that contributed to the successfully execution of “Women, Wine & Words.” Those include: Massy Distributions, Leading Edge- Guyana, and Bettencourt’s Food Inc.