‘Hire women and you will succeed’ – U.S Ambassador tells women’s empowerment conference

The third annual WeLead Caribbean Women’s Leadership and Business Conference began on a high note Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme: PowHERful Transition from Inspiration to Action.

A number of businesswomen from Guyana and the Caribbean came out eager to be empowered by speakers such as Guyana’s First Lady Sandra Granger, Beyonce’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure, Ansa McAl Country Head, Beverly Harper, Ethiopian Princess Arianna Mckonnen and United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch.

The US Ambassador in her remarks said that when women are hired, businesses will succeed.

According to the US Ambassador, it has been proven that the Gross Domestic Product goes up and poverty rates go down when there are more women in politics and economics.

“As women, we bring a lot. We are one-half of humanity. There is so much data that supports the notion when you bring women into the political and economic life of a country. It’s proven that companies with more women in higher management positions achieve higher profits,” the American diplomat said.

The Ambassador further noted that when women participate in decision making, there is an increase in peace and security.

“It’s not enough to just talk about empowering women; if you’re serious about the political, economic and security of the future. Women need to be involved in every aspect of shaping the world they live in and they need the tools to do that.”

The Women’s Leadership and Business Conference will provide women with the tools to be able to take their business to the next level.

Since 2007, over 120 women from 65 different countries have been recognised for making a difference, but there are still barriers and obstacles for women to achieve their full potential.

“Talented women everywhere are working 24 hours a day and still get discouraged that they cannot seem to get ahead. Every day, sexism is still with us. We’ve all felt it,” the Ambassador said.

It was highlighted that not only young girls should be empowered but also boys and men.

Meanwhile, President for Welead Caribbean Abbigail Loncke spoke about becoming an entrepreneur without any guidance or mentor. She said her first attempt with her business failed.

But according to Loncke, her experience inspired her to provide young entrepreneurs with the tools to make a difference and help them to succeed.