GDF Women’s arm celebrates 49 years

TIMES INT'L

Women of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were urged to take advantage of training opportunities offered at various Government institutions by their Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the Army’s Base Camp Ayanganna to mark 49 years of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) on Wednesday, Brigadier Phillips praised the women for the work they have been doing over the years. He urged them to take advantage of what the GDF has to offer.

“We want more of our women soldiers to take advantage of the training opportunities offered by the Guyana Defence Force, that is to attend GTI (Government Technical Institute); GITC (Government Industrial Training Centre), to attend Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Cyril Potter College of Education and of course, the University of Guyana,” Phillips  stated.

The Army Chief believes that the women soldiers are no less intelligent than the men; therefore, the GDF is working to reduce gender equality within its ranks.

“I remain confident that as a corps, you, our women officers and soldiers, will embrace changes that are necessary for the transformation of the Guyana Defence Force.”

The WAC’s establishment came about following Venezuela’s seizure of Ankoko in the Cuyuni River in 1966. As a result, soldiers had to be deployed to secure the borders. With a limited number of men, women had to be recruited.  Some 56 women were enlisted and commenced training, and on March 12, 1967, they were inducted into the GDF.

The thanksgiving ceremony had a packed programme of activities that included prayers, dance, scripture reading and gospel singing.

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