Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 06, 2022 News
Be who God created you to be; be faithful and dedicated to your family and carry yourself in a way in which other young women can look to you as a role model in your community. – Anita Ramdass-Singh
By Davina Bagot
Kaieteur News – On Tuesday, the world will celebrate the female gender in observance of International Women’s Day (IWD). It is a special day dedicated to honour women, who all play a pivotal role in society, irrespective of ethnicity, colour and even their career choices.
This year, IWD is being observed under the theme: ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
Kaieteur News spoke to a few of the exceptional women in society who defy the odds by doing jobs and other activities that were once known to be male dominated.
The women also shared how they overcome their challenges on a daily basis to provide essential services before returning home to resume other duties as wives or mothers.
Salma Hack – Power-lifter
Salma Hack, a Key Account Sales Representative at Value4u Inc., advises that women make time every day to strengthen themselves. She is a power-lifter who feeds her passion on a daily basis.
Hack, a resident of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) shared that she has an 11-year-old son and also juggles her job and training. “I am a single parent and my day usually starts at 3:40am. While my son is doing online classes I am challenged to ensure I answer his questions and get him to study after class, as he is preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) later this year. Working and being on the road most of my working hours is very tiresome hence the reason for training at 5am.”
The single mom said that she was once very weighed down with all of her responsibilities which pushed her into power-lifting. She said, “Power-lifting has become a sport I’m striving to be my best at. It has so many ups and downs but the reward of being a strong woman is empowering. My main challenge is time. I always live a healthy lifestyle but I am sure not to over restrict myself but stick to what my training goals require. My day ends when I get home and even though I may be tired and a bit cranky and my son tells me story that sounds 30 pages long I try to listen and laugh because in that very moment my life feels the happiest!”
The young woman’s advice to women is to dedicate at least an hour, three times per week, to get stronger. “Building strength and gaining muscles wouldn’t make you look like a man. Don’t say you wish you can do this or be that person. You are your own individual and if you want something really badly make it work. Sacrifice what needs to be, and be your own motivation. Take one step, one breath and keep moving and remember failure happens on the road to success!
Daniele Henry – Entrepreneur
Daniele Henry is a woman that wears many hats. She is a mother of two, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, student, church leader and business entrepreneur.
She resides on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and recently opened the doors of a new auto parts store in her village with the support of her husband.
Henry said, “I am an accountant and have been involved in finance and administration since out of secondary school, which is over 14 years. I also partner in business with my husband for just over one year. I always knew business and finance was my interest as I came out of business stream in school and started CAT (Certified Accounting Technician) immediately then continued on to ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).”
Wearing so many hats, Daniele said her biggest challenge is finding balance to ensure she gives sufficient time to each area, while being effective and efficient which also includes time for self care and development.
“Some of my responsibilities include managing the finances and administration of our business; I am a home maker; a leader in church, dancer, Sunday School teacher and I am also still pursuing studies. The most rewarding part of my day is coming home to my family. Family is everything to me and they are priority and when all else fails I am happy to know I have them.”
Her advice to women is “know your worth”. She urges, “Love and develop yourself so you can teach others how to love and treat you. Know that your only limitation is you, and irrespective of where you came from you can be great! As Napoleon Hill said: ‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve’. Finally, let’s support and encourage each other. Each of us is facing our own challenges.”
Mikhaila Puran-Xavier – Medical Doctor
While some of the women in this article enjoy various activities in their personal lives, Mikhaila Puran-Xavier, a general practitioner attached to a private city hospital said she finds joy in watching her patients get better.
“We were taught during our days in medical school to not get emotionally attached to our patients. This is impossible. Every face holds a different story and with this, I share a piece of their life whilst I am taking care of them. I become invested and I try to break the barrier between doctor and patient. I try to make all my patients feel as comfortable as they can be and when they get better, I feel better. I would worry about them until I know their various conditions have improved. That feeling of relief, knowing that they are better, is one unlike no other!”
Dr. Puran-Xavier has been a general practitioner for seven years now. She recently gave birth to a baby girl and shared that managing her responsibilities is sometimes challenging. However, she is grateful for a good support system and work environment, which she says make managing work life and home life easier.
The doctor said too, her job can sometimes be challenging. She explained, “General practice is quite rewarding and at times intriguing. It tests all of your skills as a medical doctor as you have to know a little bit of everything. It’s like putting the pieces of a puzzle together to get the right diagnosis. One of the biggest challenges of being a female doctor is that the majority of first time patients come in expecting to see a male doctor! They have this idea that female doctors are inferior and that we don’t know what we’re doing so it takes time to break down that misconception.”
When asked what advice she would give to women, Dr. Puran-Xavier noted, “Us women have come a far way but we have much further to go. In the year 2022, women still face so many inequalities and injustices. I would shout out to my fellow women to keep fighting for their rightful place in this world. When someone tells you that you cannot do something, keep working hard to show them that they are wrong and that you can do anything you set your mind to. Even if you fail 10 times, if you really want something keep trying until you get it! We are much stronger than what we are given credit for!”
Julian Baljit – Oil and Gas Admin Support staffer
Julian Baljit is one of the fortunate women to be employed in the nascent oil sector, providing administrative support for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).
She resides on the East Bank of Demerara and while she’s not at work, Baljit cares for her daughter and husband, in addition to managing her online clothing store. She also plays a leadership role at her Church, supporting her husband who is a Minister of the gospel.
“Being a wife, a mom, a small business owner and employed fulltime is challenging but so rewarding. I am also actively involved in our Church Ministry. I wouldn’t have been able to manage all of this without God being at the centre of my life. Having a great supportive system (my husband and family) also makes my days possible,” she explained.
Just like other women in this article, the young woman said one of her greatest challenges is balancing her responsibilities. She said, “Being tasked with so many responsibilities can be tedious and exhausting. So not having a work-life balance takes a toll mentally, emotionally and physically.”
On the other hand, Baljit shared that the most rewarding part of her day is going home to her family and being able to hold her daughter. “She makes me forget about everything else that is happening around me with all the loving I receive after a long day.”
Her advice to women is to stay centred in faith, as she believes faith sustains and guides an individual through their darkest times. She added, “Be kind, remain humble and always take special care of how you treat other people.”
Anita Ramdass – Singh – Painter
At 44 years old, Anita Singh is more than just a stay-at-home mom. She is a painter and assistant to her husband, Paul Singh.
The couple has four children together and lives at Kuru-Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Anita is passionate about her children, as she is about her part time job, though being employed by her husband.
She explained, “I am an assistant to my husband and housewife. He has been operating a welding and fabricating shop for approximately 15 – 20 years. I assist in painting and installing the grills, purchasing materials and taking care of the home.”
The mother of four said her main challenge is managing herself. “It’s sometime difficult to have to cook, drop off my daughter to school in the mornings, travel to Georgetown for materials occasionally, return in time to get her from school, and prepare dinner for my family.”
Her advice to young women is to stay focused. “Be who God created you to be. Be faithful and dedicated to your family and carry yourself in a way in which other young women can look to you as a role model in your community,” she added.
Stacey Austin – Teacher
Being a teacher can be a challenging and frustrating job to some, but Stacey Austin, a teacher attached to a private secondary school located at Soesdyke, said she enjoys every second of her work.
“I’ve been in this profession for the past 16 years. I chose this profession because of my love for kids and the joy it brings being able to impart knowledge to them, making them realise their potential so that they can perform to the best of their abilities,” she shared during an interview.
Austin who resides at Soesdyke, EBD is also a part time nail technician and full time mom. She said that her part time job as a nail technician is also very fulfilling to her, as she enjoys making other women feel confident.
The mother of two was keen to note that managing her time to get all her duties completed was her main challenge.
“As a woman with so many responsibilities and duties, if I don’t work with a planned timetable I tend to have a setback in getting things done. For example if a client shows up late in the afternoon for their appointment, it makes me have to work later than I have planned,” she explained.
“My most rewarding time of the day is when I’m about to take a good night’s rest and I feel satisfied knowing that I would have done something to make a positive impact on my pupils, my client(s) or even in my home, in spite of all the challenges. My advice to young women is that a woman can do anything she conditions her mind to do, but when you do, let it make a positive impact in your life or the life of others, to be an over-comer,” she shared.
Juretha Fernandes – Parliamentarian
Being a Parliamentarian is not an easy job, but being an Opposition Member of the House makes it even more challenging for a woman. So says MP, Juretha Fernandes.
Fernandes, who is originally from Bartica, Region Seven, spends a significant amount of her time in Georgetown, as her work as a politician is very demanding.
In an interview, the MP said she became a member of the National Assembly in 2020, joining with the intent of making a positive difference in her country.
Fernandes is the mother of two daughters and in addition to being an MP, she also hosts a morning programme “FYI – For Your Information” broadcasted Monday to Friday on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.
The public figure shared, “My biggest challenge is never having enough time but I find a way to manage and get everything done. I do not find it difficult to navigate the political terrain. Balancing family and political life is nothing easy, especially for women. I am awake from 5am most mornings just to make sure I have enough time to tackle all that I have to. I have to make sure my children are okay, then I have to make time for my personal life as well. I also have to be readily available to my political constituent at all times. Political work has no time limit, it’s a 24/7 job and my commitment to represent the most vulnerable in our country is what motivates me daily to keep pressing forward.”
She said the most rewarding part of her day is being able to spend time with her loved ones.
Her advice to young women is to continue fighting for equality. The MP said, “Women have come a long way in fighting for equality in the world. Today we often take things like being able to vote for granted and we do not acknowledge the hard fight that women went through to accomplish that right.”
It is her view that the overall empowerment of women is not where it needs to be when equal pay for equal work is still not universal. She is adamant that women must however, continue the work that was started by other women and take up their place in society; that is, wherever we choose to be.”
Denita Crandon – Engineer
Denita Crandon is one of the few female civil engineers in the country. Her services are rendered to the Ministry of Public Works on a daily basis.
In an interview, the mother of four children said that one of the major challenges she faces, is winning the respect and confidence in an organisation that is predominantly men. She said that while this respect is easily or naturally given to men, she works hard to prove her capability and efficiency, while trying to maintain her confidence and not allowing herself to be intimidated by her male colleagues.
“Managing my responsibilities is sometimes very challenging and at other times it’s just routine. Once you have a strong support team, whether it’s family or colleagues, that love, respect and is driven by the same force or will as you are, everything would be manageable,” she said.
As the Senior Engineer/Programme Manager for the Miscellaneous and Urban Roads Programmes at the Ministry of Public Works, Crandon is tasked with managing the construction and rehabilitation of community roads along the coast and urban areas in the 10 towns of Guyana.
For her, the most rewarding part of her day is being able to spend time with her husband and children.
She urged, “There is nothing in this world you cannot achieve. Once you put your mind to it and give it your all, you can achieve the impossible even though you may fail a number of times or might not be good enough in someone’s eyes. Always keep pushing forward because at the end of it all, it’s only one life we have to live and if we can’t give it our all what’s the point?”
Susan Rodrigues – Government Minister
The Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues recently became a Parliamentarian, driven by her passion to effect change in Guyana.
But what readers may not know about the public figure is that she is also a mother of two children who struggles to manage her daily responsibilities.
In an interview with this publication, Minister Rodrigues said that she was raised in Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, but currently resides on the East Coast of Demerara.
“I joined the People’s Progressive Party and politics in 2016. At that time, I believe our country lacked leadership and clear direction. I disagreed with the policies of the previous government and the general posture/attitude of the government ministers. I wanted to see a change in government and wanted to be a part of that change. I wanted to make a difference and felt like I had a lot to offer.”
Driven by that passion, she said she left her job in the private sector to serve the country. She said, “Managing responsibilities is about setting priorities. I am a mother, a Minister of Government and a Member of Parliament. I am also a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter. At different stages in life priorities can shift. For example, when my children were infants they needed me constantly and this required a lot of my time. Now that they are a bit older they do not require the amount of time as before so I can focus more on my work. However, striking the right balance between family and work is always important and a constant struggle. I do not always get it right, but I keep trying.”
In addition to this, the Minister noted, “Income inequality, harassment in the workplace from men or male employers and self esteem struggles are also common issues women face in their daily lives. I think one of the biggest challenges women face in a professional environment is being underestimated. I think a lot of times men are automatically viewed as being competent and qualified when they hold a certain position in an organisation. I don’t think the same applies to women who hold high positions. I think women have to constantly prove themselves. Women have to work twice as hard to prove their competence, qualification, experience and leadership to be taken seriously. An appointment or designation alone does not guarantee respect for a woman or her abilities.”
Rodrigues said the most rewarding part of her day is being able to help someone, since many times a solution may not be straightforward.
Her advice to women is to believe in themselves. “Young women need to believe in themselves and not allow anyone to define boundaries or roles for them. Too often women give away their power…women need to take control of their own lives and set their own ambitions. Then, they need to chase those ambitions and not allow anyone or anything stopping them. Our only limitations are those we place on ourselves. Young women need to find what they are passionate about, set clear targets, and hustle like hell to achieve them,” she encouraged.
Phybe Noble – Patient Care Assistant
While some of the women featured in this article joined politics and even education to create a difference, Phybe Noble of Lichfield, West Coast Berbice decided to become a Patient Care Assistant to help those in need of medical attention.
Noble recently gave birth to a son and shared what her journey has been like. She said she always found joy in taking care of people, but recently her duties have become challenging.
“A new baby also bring along a lot of responsibilities. My journey only just started but it has been tough to get up and cook and do my other chores plus take care of my son who is just three months old. I recently turned out back to work and it has been difficult,” she explained.
Noble is attached to the Fort Wellington Hospital and has been a Patient Care Assistant for the past four years.
She said that working through the pandemic has been a challenge too as the first thing she is required to do is “hit the bathroom” when she gets home from work.
For her, the most rewarding part of her day is knowing that she has helped to save a life. Her advice to young women is to “stay in school, educate yourself and get a good job.”
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