By Chevon Lim
In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN has recognised that over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science.
Unfortunately, the UN also recognises that women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science. According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in science-related field are 18%, 8% and 2% respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37%, 18% and 6%.
“On this International Day, I urge commitment to end bias, greater investments in science, technology, engineering and math education for all women and girls as well as opportunities for their careers and longer-term professional advancement so that all can benefit from their ground-breaking future contributions.” the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres stated.
While there have been many notable contributions from women in science the world over, the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine would like to honour several Guyanese women who are pioneers in their field of study.
Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins
Conservationist, Pilot
Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins is a nationally and internationally acclaimed conservationist; a successful commercial eco-tourism operator; a mother of two; and a qualified airplane pilot, who has been a driving force in marine conservation and mangrove replanting projects in Guyana. She was recently awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement, which has added to many other local and international accolades. Mrs Martins also serves as Chairman of the Mangrove Action Committee (MAC).
Mrs. Arjoon-Martins hails from the Pomeroon. She was born to Carmen Murray, a resident of the Pomeroon with relatives at Moruka, and Mr. Yacoob Ally, a sawmilling businessman.
She attended primary school in the Pomeroon, and then moved to Georgetown for secondary education, which she received at the Dolphin Secondary School on Broad Street, in Charlestown. She left Guyana in 1977 for Codrington High, an English boarding school for girls in Barbados, where she completed her academic education with distinction in 1982.
Her father was in the timber industry, and around this time, he bought an aeroplane to make his operations more efficient. This incidentally marked the beginning of the domestic airline, now known as Air Services Limited (ASL).
At age 18, Annette undertook training as a private pilot at Briko’s Flight School in Trinidad, which saw her become a licensed pilot. She returned home, worked with the timber business for three years, but found the aviation business more interesting. She then managed ASL for ten years.”
She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that while her career as an Environmentalist and Conservationist has been easy, she has faced the biggest obstacles in the aviation industry, which she pointed out, may be attributed to it being a traditional male dominated industry.
“The challenges have magnified during my tenure as the President of the National Air Transport Association, an association with a mandate of advocacy for equity, accountability and transparency in the aviation sector. My tenacity of sticking with facts and deep belief in the truth being my shield has protected me. I am aware that the policy makers who have done their own due diligence and are aware of what needs to be changed will take corrective measures and this gives me satisfaction that I would have made some progress before the end of my tenure,” Mrs Arjoon Martins explained. According to the Aviator, she has overcome these obstacles by being true to herself and the people she deals with and “remaining committed to what is fair and what is right.”
On sharing her vision for the future generations of Women and Girls in Science, Mrs. Arjoon Martins said, “My vision for the future generations of girls in science and in particular, those that are interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry, is to not limit yourself to administrative duties in reservations or flight despatching. Aim higher as you can also achieve your aeronautical engineering or Commercial pilots’ licence. The sky is really no longer the limit either as our University of Guyana has recently opened doors beyond what was available in my time and are now offering a diploma in aviation management.”
Equal access
She noted too that in Guyana, we are still quite behind in equal access for girls. She said “A quick review of the women in senior management positions, on boards of our large corporations and in cabinet can attest to this gender deficit. How many regional chairwomen do we have?” She noted that there has been some progress, and she acknowledged the recent positive development of the Department of Environment and our local UNESCO office in encouraging gender balance in their programmes.
“We need to do much more nationally. I must applaud the European Union for making it mandatory that there must be at least 30% of women on the boards of agencies which receive their funding,” she added.
Nikita Innis
Aeronautical Engineer
27 year old Nikita Innis has overcome numerous obstacles on the road to her becoming one of the few female Aeronautical Engineers in Guyana. Growing up in Matthew’s Ridge, Region one (Barima Waini), she saw herself being a future doctor, teacher or pilot. According to Nikita, her career choices were motivated by the needs of the community at that time.
Her childhood days were filled with numerous activities; she recalled being involved in athletics, dancing and camping through her involvement in the President Youth Award of Guyana (PYARG).
With high hopes of giving back to her community, Nikita was afforded the opportunity to study engineering at the Aeronautical Engineering School, a chance she readily embraced.
She revealed that it was her father’s urgings that motivated her to study engineering; although not her first career choice, she embraced the opportunity to work around planes.
During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, she pointed to the importance of support and said “Draft a few back up plans but don’t get discouraged along the way. If you aren’t blessed to have parental support system that I (and many others) have had, create your own: purposefully seek out mentors who have succeeded despite the odds. Throw out the perfectionist in you; perfection is an illusion.”
While she acknowledged that working in a male dominated profession comes with challenges, she is encouraging young women to use the challenges as motivation to achieve their goals. “The most certain way to succeed is always try just one more time,” she urged.
Alluding to the improved access to education and opportunities for girls in such fields of study, Nikita acknowledged that more emphasis is being placed on female empowerment, as the progress of gender equality has quickened. This, she explained, has resulted in more women being qualified and employed in male dominated areas.
“I applaud women and young girls who are interested in pursuing careers in science and technology. Yes you will fail, get up and keep fighting! As a girl interested in science and technology you may be tested, labelled (nerd) or bullied. Don’t let it stop you from achieving your dreams,” Innis advised.
She emphasised too that success will require an early commitment which echoes the advice that she heard growing up “Just because someone says you can’t achieve something does not make it true. Ignore the naysayers and chase after your goals despite the critics. Don’t be afraid of failure because failure is imminent; accept and prepare for failure,” the young Engineer added.
Her words of encouragement to young women and girls pursuing their dreams are, “The climb toward success will be gritty and at times so steep that you will cling on for dear life. CLING my dear, this too shall pass. Never stop achieving.”
Nikita has worked as a technician at the local airline, Air Service Limited, and now holds a position at Fly Jamaica.
Dr. Latoya Gooding – Oncologist
Born on November 17, 1988, she is the fourth of seven children born to her parents Franklin Gooding and Audrey McKenzie, Dr Gooding attended primary school in Bartica, after which she moved to Georgetown to pursue her secondary education at Central High. It was while still at primary level that she decided she was going to become a doctor, because of her desire to save lives.
Alluding to her interest in Science, she explained that while she knew she wanted to be a doctor, her performance in Science was not as strong. Her teachers then encouraged her to fall into the business stream, despite her desire to be in the Science stream.
“I had to literally take my mommy to school to tell them [teachers] that I wanted to do Science and that is how I got accepted into the Science stream and I never regretted that decision,” Dr Gooding explained. Although the mother of one is hopeful that her life could be an inspiration to young people unsure of their path in life, she advised, “Success does not come easy; it requires hard work and dedication. Once you believe in yourself you will be able to achieve whatever you put your mind to. I believed I could become a doctor since I was in primary school and look where I am today!”
She explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that she jumped at the first opportunity to apply for a scholarship offered through the then Public Service Ministry to study Medicine in Cuba. While waiting on approval, she reapplied at the GPHC for a job, and this time was retained as a clerk in the Matron’s office.
Despite the challenges on May 7, 2015, the young doctor joined the barely functioning Oncology Department at the GPHC. The Oncology field for some reason excited her, and so she decided she too wanted to experience the training. Before proceeding to Cuba in 2006, the aspiring doctor was the holder of a certificate in Basic Oncology Nursing.
Dr. Gooding then founded a Cancer Foundation named ‘The Giving Hope Foundation’ which is located at Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, and through which members have been reaching out to persons throughout the country.
Ms Juanelle Marks – Computer Scientist, Instructor
Juanelle Marks is currently an “Instructor” in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Guyana (UG). During an interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the young Computer Scientist explained that while she has only held that position for five (5) months now, she is actively involved in the delivery of the CS based courses at the University.
“My work primarily involves the preparation and presentation of lectures on CS based courses. However, my other duties include, but are not limited to serving on the three-member Final Year Project Coordinators body; functioning as a primary or secondary supervisor to various students who are conducting their final year research and project and serving as an advisor to one or more of the clubs in the department,” she revealed.
Alluding to her early influences, Ms Marks explained that while there is no ‘direct’ connection between her parents’ influence and her pursuit of the study of Computer Science, their parental mentorship and, most importantly, the personal value systems they embedded all played a major role in influencing her aspirations and resulting successes. “I come from a very humble background. My parents are not academics per se. My mother is a very modest housewife and my father is a skilled, certified welder,” she shared. My dad, Mr. Michael Anthony, for one, played a very, very instrumental role in encouraging academic excellence as a “girl” into my psyche. So, from a very young age, I’ve always been driven to attain academic success through diligence, self-discipline and hard work,” Marks revealed.
She pointed to several other individuals who inspired and influenced her. “Marks added that after leaving high school, she entered the teaching profession, where she served for over nineteen years. “Each head teacher under which I served was a key mentor. They each grew me in some positive way. My last HM Ms. Vernel Razack-Giles still is one of my go-to persons, especially when i am in doubt and need a source of motivation.” she added.
She said too that during her career as a woman in technology, mentorship came mainly from the lecturers, now her colleagues in the Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana. “They all were a source of great encouragement and support to me. They still are!” Ms Marks stated.
Vision for the future
Alluding to her vision for the future generations of girls in Science, she explained that while persons generally think of the ‘’Science and Technology’ field, it is imperative that they envisage the active involvement of “both boys and girls”.
“During my tenure at the University of Guyana, the ratio of male to female syudying computer science was always high (possibly 6:1). In the year I completed my BSc. Computer Science, I was the only graduating female from my batch of about twenty students. I envision this gap between male and female grandaunts, especially in Computer Science, drastically reducing and possibly balancing out. With the advocacy of women in Science and Tech over recent years, I believe this is slowly becoming a reality,” the Computer Scientist emphasised.
In relaying her message to young women thinking of pursuing studies along the field of Computer Science, she said, “If you are really passionate about IT or CS, don’t just “think” about pursuing studies in the field .Do it! Be assured that that there is already a community of women in science and technology out there ready and waiting to welcome you.”
Equal access
She also pointed to the need for the complete eradication of the existing bias against “girls in tech” so that tech is not seen as a “guy thing”.
“Equal access will create opportunities for more girls to freely decide/choose whether or not they wish to pursue studies in the field. As computing technology continues to evolve, the world needs more persons skilled and knowledgeable in the various aspects in this field,” Ms Marks said, while she emphasised that females can play a very vital role in driving the spread of Science and Technology literacy among young children and youths. “ Ms. Karen Abrams come to mind,” she added.
Tracy Persaud – Research Scientist, NAREI
Tracy joined the institute in 2007 when it was named National Agricultural Research Institute. She began her career at NAREI as a Research Assistant. However, after completing a Masters in Environmental Management in 2015, she was promoted as a Research Scientist. She is now an important member of the Soil Management and Farm Mechanisation Department.
According to information on the Institute’s website, Tracy’s involvement in the other crops sector is no accident. In fact, it appears that she was born to be part of the sector.
Her second encounter with agriculture occurred at the North Georgetown Secondary School, where she wrote Agriculture Science at CSEC. And, as destiny would have had it- Tracy followed in father’s footsteps. She pursued a Diploma in Agriculture at Guyana School (GSA) of Agriculture. Having successfully completed her tenure at GSA, Tracy went on to attend the University of Guyana.
At NAREI, Tracy prepares and implements research projects on rehabilitation of degraded soils, crop diversification; supervises the work of Research Assistants within the department; and supervises the work in the soil chemistry laboratory- where soil samples provided by farmers are tested.
According to Ms. Persaud, of all the areas she could have specialised in she chose Environmental Management because it helps to promote behaviours that make a positive impact on the planet, while enforcing regulations and developing solutions to potential environmental issues in Guyana or worldwide.
NAREI emphasises that in a world where there is limited involvement of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the Institute continues to be a gender inclusive organisation.
Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo
National Science Coordinator (NCERD)
Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo is the National Science Coordinator and heads the Science Unit within the Ministry of Education NCERD, Guyana. She is responsible for designing, implementing and monitoring programmes that improve K-12 science education. She introduced the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) pilot project for Primary Schools in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) and UNESCO. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo is a member of CAS and is part of the teacher training team. She is also the country representative for the Caribbean Science Foundation.
She coordinated the development of a television series that focused on Biodiversity Awareness and Climate Change. Ms. Punalall-Jetoo led the reintroduction of the use of the Microscience experiments kits for biology, chemistry and physics through collaboration with UNESCO for secondary schools.
Prior to her career in science education Ms. Punalall-Jetoo worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated – GuySuCo as the Regional Process Technologist (Demerara). She was responsible for sugar production and quality in the four Demerara Estates.
In addition, Ms. Punalall-Jetoo coordinated the establishment of GuySuCo’s Quality Management System which achieved ISO 9001 certification in 2005 for its Blairmont Sugar Estate. As an Associate Consultant with Delphi Consultants, Trinidad she provided the technical support that led to the establishment of the Quality Management System which is certified to ISO 9001:2008 requirements for the Guyana’s flour milling company – Namilco. She is a trained lead auditor in ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.
