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The Canada High Commission, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, yesterday poured C’dn$20,000 into a Women and Gender Equality Commission initiative to increase female leadership in decision-High Commissioner Pierre Giroux (l) hands over a cheque to Chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Commission (W&GEC) Indranie Chandarpal to increase female leadership in decision-making.making, hailing the project as a step toward the future.The cheque was handed over by High Commissioner Pierre Giroux to Chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Commission (W&GEC), Indranie Chandarpal at the Human Rights Commission headquarters in Queenstown.According to Ms Chandarpal, the project will increase gender equality and women’s leadership in decision-making through community outreach,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, workshops seminars and the development of a community outreach university course that will serve as an introduction to gender and development and its necessity to sustainable development.She stated, also, that there will be action towards the SDG Goal 5: gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls with the objective of stepping it up for gender equality: 50:50 for 2030.“The project is implemented by the Women and Gender Equality Commission and will support the newly established Institute of Gender Studies at the University of Guyana,” she said. The project aims to engage NGO/CSO Gender Advocates, grassroots leaders, regional and municipality bodies, the National Toshaos Executive Council and Women Toshaos, the National Youth Commission and parliamentarians.She indicated that the commission will commence next week with the assistance of Professor Kamala Kempadoo of York University, Canada to develop and test the community outreach course module.“This module will be delivered through regional roundtables and seminars and workshops at regional level for delivery of one day roundtables in the three counties for the NTC Executives and women Toshaos and special seminar sessions for parliament.”Chandarpal said if it is possible, the project will include interested candidates standing for the upcoming local government elections.“We are grateful to the government of Canada, to the High Commission of Canada, and to the excellent personnel of the Canada Fund in Guyana, and look forward to a successful partnership,” she said.Giroux also expressed confidence at the implementation of the project, stating that there is a need for more women to be involved in decision-making positions, especially in government to influence policies. He hailed it as a move in the right direction.He said that it is a part of the Canadian government core value to work together with the government and civil society to address issues of gender equality and violence.It was also indicated that while the preliminary project is small-scale, a second phase is anticipated with current and additional partners to build capacities for sustained action for gender equality and women in decision-making to build a more equal and gender just society. |
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