By Chevon Lim
The Women of Kaieteur, which was launched in 2016, is a global empowerment network designed to create a platform for women to encourage, inspire, collaborate and celebrate each other, while raising money to support women and girls in less developed countries. According to its founding member, Ms. Roianne Nedd the initiative was born of the need to do more to progress gender equality in Guyana. Nedd, a Guyanese, is a Chartered Accountant and Gender Specialist with the UK Government. She has been involved in Gender Policy for the last 10 years.
In addition to heading the Group’s altruistic works, Ms. Nedd is also a published Author. In December 2016, she published ‘50 Women: 50 Years’; the main aim of the book, she explained, was to highlight the stories of ordinary women who are the unsung heroes in Guyana and who do extraordinary things. “Women’s role in Guyanese society is extremely low key, and as a girl, I didn’t hear enough stories about phenomenal women, so I wanted to create a publication that we could use a fundraising vehicle as well as inspiring and educating girls from Guyana and of Guyanese parentage,” Nedd explained.
One of the main aims of the Women of Kaieteur is to raise the voices of women while raising funds to achieve sustainable change. According to Ms. Nedd, the biggest success story in terms of raising the voices of Guyanese women has been through the book. She explained,
“It is why we continue to look at literary projects as the way to share stories with the rest of the world. The book has been purchased from readers in Europe, America, and London and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We have also had feedback that older Guyanese women who left Guyana decades ago have used the book to reconnect with Guyana and to teach their grandchildren especially granddaughters about Guyana.”
She pointed out that the Women of Kaieteur members are also able to connect via their facebook page, the group, and their membership database that enables them to send regular newsletters and information to members. The Group currently has Guyanese and non-Guyanese and male and female members from across the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. “We want to continue expanding,” Nedd emphasised.
Extraordinary women
Alluding to the journey towards the book’s completion, she acknowledged that the research from the book and the conversations with Guyanese women from across the world were both cathartic and life-affirming. “As I sat with the team here and read the inspirational quotes from these women, we were struck by just how amazing some of these ordinary women’s lives were, and it gave us the impetus to continue this journey,” she said.
One of the key goals during the book’s launch a few years ago, Nedd reminded, was to get a copy of 50 Women:50 Years into every secondary school in Guyana to provide girls with access to information about role models and to help raise their aspiration. While this aspiration has been a work in progress, the Author explained that it has been challenging finding ways to get the books to the schools and to make the right connections via the Ministry of Education. She said, “We are still aiming to achieve this, but we think we need a more structured plan to make it happen and we need help on the ground in Guyana.”
With regards to the Women of Kaieteur’s future plans, Ms. Nedd revealed that several initiatives are in the pipeline, including recognising phenomenal mothers for Mother’s Day in May, repeating their Educational Grants Program, which involves sending school supplies to Guyana for the September term , the Christmas Assistance Program ; members send toys to Guyana and provide grocery vouchers for families in need, which are delivered through their corporate partner Tons of Fun Party Service in Guyana.
“We also want to launch a project to give away free sanitary and hygiene products to women as we know these products can be expensive and as they are a necessity, it can be tough for women or for a house full of girls and women to cope with this additional expense each month,” she continued.
In addition, Nedd also pointed to the release of another publication which will focus on Guyanese women building on the success of 50 women 50 years. She noted, “We recognise that there are more significant issues that need tackling. We also have some other projects that we introduced last year that we want to replicate.”
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Women of Kaieteur’s founding member conveyed a strong message to the Nation’s women and girls. She said, “You can and will overcome any challenges that you encounter. And the darkest days shine the brightest light on your blessings”. Ms.Nedd reminded that the Women of Kaieteur are available to provide moral support if needed. The group can be contacted through their Facebook page or via their email at womenofkaiateur@gmail.com. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
