Women’s arm of teachers’ union celebrates 78 years

The Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) will be hosting a number of activities to mark the 78th anniversary of its existence.
The anniversary is officially on June 25, and observance activities will be held under the theme “Celebrating and Empowering Women in Leadership”.
The WAC represents the interests of all the women in the GTU. Its General Council is made up of representatives of GTU branches countrywide.
WAC Public Relations Officer Bearl Charles told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday that the activities will be officially launched with a church service on Sunday, June 24, at the Miracle Tabernacle Ministry on the West Coast of Berbice.
Four retired West Coast Berbice teachers, one male included, will be honoured with food hampers. Tokens will also be distributed to residents of the Archer’s Senior Citizens’ Home, while all the members of the WAC will receive tokens of appreciation.
Charles added that the WAC has also started promoting its works through appearances on several television stations, in order to build awareness about the role the committee has played in women’s empowerment.
Deborah Short-Parker, WAC Vice-Chairperson, added that the WAC, throughout its 78 years, has been steadily empowering teachers and other women through various programmes.
Hazel Pyle-Lewis, WAC’s Trustee, said that even as women continue to take up leadership roles in our society, the committee will continue to empower women throughout Guyana. She is advising female teachers to get involved in the committees within their region, and make full use of the opportunities presented to them.
GTU Field Officer Lancelot Baptise spoke of the committee’s significant contribution to the GTU’s existence. He said the women played their roles and must be recognised for that.
Among activities to be executed by the end of 2018 are: the professional development of women, which includes how they should conduct themselves in and out of schools, their involvement in a conflict resolution programme, their preparedness for didasters, and symposiums dealing with first aid.
It was explained that teachers would also be honoured during the annual Teacher’s Day activity.