Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond on Friday encouraged young women to embrace leadership and participate boldly in national decision-making as she addressed the opening of the Fourth National Assembly of Girls, held in observance of International Women’s Day.
Delivering remarks in the National Assembly chamber during the sitting organised through the Girls Assemble Programme, Walrond said the initiative represents an important investment in the future leadership of Guyana.
“It is an affirmation that the future of Guyana will be shaped by the voices, ideas, and courage of young women who are willing to participate in the democratic life of our nation,” Walrond said.
The minister praised the organisers, including the Imperial House and the National Assembly, for creating a platform that allows girls to experience governance firsthand.
“This is a space where girls do not merely learn about governance in theory, but are given the opportunity to practise it within the very chamber where the nation’s most important decisions are debated and made,” she noted.
The sitting comes just days before International Women’s Day on March 8, a moment Walrond said should serve not only to celebrate the achievements of women but also to reaffirm the importance of their participation in shaping national policy and governance.
According to the minister, programmes like Girls Assemble aim to increase women’s participation in politics by equipping young women with knowledge of Guyana’s parliamentary system while fostering mentorship and networking opportunities.
“That is important work, because when women and girls are missing from decision-making spaces, issues that affect households, communities and everyday safety can be misunderstood or under-prioritised,” she told the participants.
Walrond shared her own journey into public life, explaining that her entry into leadership was driven by a sense of responsibility to contribute to national development.
“I became convinced that it is not enough to care privately about public issues. There comes a moment when you must decide whether you will remain an observer or become a participant. And I chose participation,” she said.
Reflecting on the challenges women often face in leadership spaces traditionally dominated by men, Walrond said women frequently encounter visible and invisible barriers, including being doubted, overlooked, or judged more harshly than their male counterparts.
“These pressures are real, and if you’re not careful, they can push you into shrinking, into becoming less visible, less vocal, less ambitious,” she said.
Walrond also recounted her early professional experience when she aspired to become a magistrate at a young age but was placed on probation while evaluators questioned whether she had sufficient experience.
“I accepted the challenge. I proved them wrong, and I went on to serve on the bench for seven years,” she said, adding that the experience strengthened her resolve rather than discouraging her.
She encouraged the young participants not to diminish themselves in order to earn respect.
“You do not earn respect by shrinking or disappearing. You earn respect by demonstrating competence, consistency, and good character,” Walrond stated.
The minister also emphasised the importance of purpose, resilience, and mentorship in sustaining a career in public service, noting that leadership requires discipline, continuous learning, and perseverance.
“Confidence often arrives after you act, not before it. You become ready by speaking, you become strong by trying, and you become better by practising,” she told the assembly.
Walrond highlighted the increasing role of women in Guyana’s national development, pointing to their growing presence in government, business, academia, and the security services.
“As the Minister of Home Affairs, I see women every day serving with distinction in the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service, and the Fire Service,” she said.
She added that women must also be reflected in top leadership positions within these institutions, an objective she said she is committed to advancing.
Walrond further urged the girls participating in the assembly to approach debates with conviction, respect, and evidence-based arguments.
“Speak with conviction but also respect. Disagree firmly but fairly. Critique ideas without attacking people,” she advised.
Closing her address, the minister encouraged the young women to believe in their place in leadership spaces and to continue preparing themselves to serve the country.
“Belonging is not granted only by invitation. Belonging is built through effort,” she said.
“The future of Guyana is in your hands. Today, that future is not only sitting in this chamber, but it is also speaking in it.”
