We Lift 2: Showcasing woman-owned businesses in Guyana

In celebration of the upcoming International Women’s Day 2022, which will be observed on March 8, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry held its second “We Lift” event – an event promoting and empowering women entrepreneurs.

We Lift 2 was held on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud welcomed the guests at the event, especially the women in a brief speech. The Minister, in her speech, said that the fight for gender equality falls on the shoulders of everyone, shedding light on the importance of persons playing their part to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality.
“Gender equality has never been elusive, will not be elusive, but it depends heavily on each one of us. It depends on us believing that there must be gender equality and it relies on us ensuring that we are part of a momentum that would’ve started some time ago. The important thing in all of this is to never let that momentum relent,” she urged.

“We Lift is a powerful environment where women must understand that we’re here to support, to encourage, to motivate, to train, to upscale, and to ensure that they have every conceivable platform so that they can emerge with all of their potential, expressed in every conceivable way,” Dr Persaud explained.
The Minister added that in light of the event, it calls for persons to rid themselves of gender bias and approach the concept as a human being who is compassionate.
“Let us not see ourselves as a man or woman but as a human being that is compassionate, who is compassionate, filled with all of the energy required to ensure that women and girls receive every iota of support that they require to achieve their fullest potential.”
On behalf of the Canadian Government, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman congratulated Minister Persaud on the initiative she drives for gender equality in Guyana.

“I have met many confident, strong young women from Guyana, and it is remarkable and I am very happy, on behalf of the Government of Canada to be here to celebrate the second We Lift event in celebration of International Women’s Day. Thank you, Minister for inviting us here again. Thank you as well for your dynamism and dedication to this. You really drive these issues and you have our compliments in that regard,” he said.
The event was filled with exciting entertainment, all organised and produced by women.
The opening item on the programme featured young and accomplished women who aspire and inspire to be successful women in a field of their choosing from different walks of life. The “Amplify Her” segment featured Aurelia Sueann, a poet and student of Maryann Academy, Aleka Persaud, Guyana’s international swimmer, Samira Duncan, a multiple medallist for her outstanding performance in archery, and many more talented women.
That was followed by a musical number by Parvani Chetram, also known as Rihanna. Then, a stunning spoken word performance by the talented Quanisha Patterson. The entertainment ended with a fashion show, showcasing 40 pieces designed by eight Guyanese fashion designers.
In addition, 150 woman-owned businesses were on exhibition at the event. This publication caught up with a few of these inspiring women.
Raphaella Ovietta, CEO of Guyana’s first and only Manga bookshop, Rakiyomu hopes of having a physical location for her business and becoming a household name across Guyana. The manga enthusiast made her We Lift debut at the event and hopes to be back next year, bigger and better.
“Since we’re Guyana’s first and only manga store, right now I’m hoping to have a physical location and possibly being a household name. That’s my dream, becoming a household name,” the 22-year-old businesswoman said.
Ovietta expressed her gratitude for the We Lift 2 event as it helps in spreading the world about new business to the people of Guyana.
Sisters Julianna and Mary Lopes are founders of a marketing and advertising company, Marketing and Advertisements for Developing Enterprises (MADE), which is an online-based graphic design and marketing agency. The duo who are each talented in the world of marketing and graphic design founded the business in 2021.
“What we’re trying to do is not only build the businesses that we work with through the services that we provide but also for us, what we want to do is to ensure that, one, we are a household name, but to also provide innovative technologies with our services,” Julianna explained.
The We Lift event, in its second year, seeks to recognise, inspire and appreciate the hard work of businesswomen in Guyana. (Shane Marks)