Women breaking barriers

­– WeLift 5 showcases surge in female-led construction, tendering and innovative enterprises

The WELIFT 5 Initiative has experienced major growth and changes, with a record number of women making their mark in the construction industry. Notably, many of these women are now upgrading their products and services in well-packaged and professional ways.

This was revealed by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, on the second day of the WELIFT 5 exhibition. According to the Minister, what stood out most was the increasing involvement of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, especially in how they are handling project tenders.
“Last night, one story stood out to me—a case involving two women running a company that I thought was quite novel. They handle the preparation of tender documents and everything someone might need to bid on a project,” Dr Persaud shared.
“They told me people are often hesitant when they see them, simply because they are women in a male-dominated field. That, in itself, is a huge step forward.”
She added that the progress is evident since the first WELIFT event.

“At WELIFT 1, we only had one woman-owned construction company. Today, we have many more. I’m standing here in front of a backdrop showcasing the results of an ambitious training programme we launched last year—training women in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical installation.”
Dr Persaud also mentioned plans to amplify mentorship opportunities for women in business.
“There has been mentorship happening already, but we want to strengthen and expand it. We want every woman to have access to support, no matter where she is. Additionally, we’ve introduced the WIIN (Women’s Innovation and Investment Network) App to help with this effort.”
Beyond mentorship, she noted that women are becoming more innovative in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
“What I’ve been seeing is women growing more courageous in entering the economy—through entrepreneurship or business—and going beyond conventional types of enterprises. I tell them often: there are already many of you in cosmetology, but let’s go further.”

Dr Persaud acknowledged that one challenge is the tendency for women to operate independently.
“A lot of women prefer to do this alone. I’ve been encouraging them to collaborate and utilise the skills of other women who’ve gone through similar training. Together, they can form consortia and cover all the skill sets needed from the start.”
She also emphasised the importance of sustainable funding and business quality.
“Sustainable capital is still a challenge. But through various Government programmes and directly via the Ministry of Human Services, many women have benefited from startup support. Still, I continue to advise them to focus on labelling, quality control, and managing production to meet demand.”
Meanwhile, this publication caught up with several exhibitors to hear about their businesses and what they had to offer.
Annisha Persaud, owner of The Wooden Gallery, spoke about her business, which showcases art using local wood.
“WELIFT has been going well. I’ve gained a list of potential customers and clients. We use local materials—wood species from Guyana—to create unique pieces. Sometimes clients bring their own ideas, and we bring them to life,” she explained.
She offered a key piece of advice to women thinking about starting their own businesses.
“I think they should bury that fear. That fear will have you stuck in one place. Just go for it—no regrets.”
This publication also spoke with Cindy Halls, owner of Natural Glow Organic Skincare, which has become a standout company, offering a variety of skincare products for women, men, and children.
According to Halls, her business started in 2021 after she experienced severe acne.
“We offer a wide range of products—moisturisers, body scrubs, lip scrubs, and more. I started the business after struggling with acne. I tried many products, but nothing really worked. So, with my background and studies, I mixed some natural ingredients myself, and they worked for me. I gave them to family and friends to try, and they worked for them too.”