When women excel, society follows: advocating for Guyanese girls’ education

“When Guyanese women excel, society will follow and realize that women are much more than the gender norms that restrict them.” (Photo courtesy of Bhumika Ashwar)

17-year-old Bhumika Ashwar writes about the barriers to education Guyanese women face and how she’s championing girls’ education on the ground through her advocacy.

Growing up in Canada, I never thought about how my life would be without the resources, leadership opportunities, and safety I’ve been afforded. Career opportunities for many women in Canada are endless. If I feel anxious, depressed, or in danger, I can get help from mental health professionals with a click of a button. When I visited my home country of Guyana, I realized how different my life would be today if I lived there. 

Guyana is known for its beautiful wildlife and bodies of water, hence the name “Land of Many Waters.” Whenever I went on walks from my aunt’s home to my grandma’s home in Berbice, I came across an abundance of adorable kittens, dogs, large palm trees, and flowers. On these walks, I also noticed that the streets were lined with stores that often had the same inventory: clothing, cookware, school supplies, and other miscellaneous items.

“Guyana is known for its beautiful wildlife and bodies of water, hence the name “Land of Many Waters.”“ (Photo courtesy of Bhumika Ashwar)

In Berbice, and many other regions in Guyana, working in retail is one of the few jobs available for women outside the home. Most of my close female relatives in Guyana work in retail. But, I’ve always wondered, over time, why hasn’t this changed. 

Like many young women around the world, Guyanese women face barriers to their education that affect every aspect of their lives. I created an organization to support Guyanese girls and women in pursuing their education. I created the organization G.E.M. For Guyana, to fund girls’ education, and champion the importance of education. G.E.M. provides scholarships to underprivileged Guyanese girls who want to pursue a post-secondary education. 

We also work to remove barriers that prevent girls from attending school, including transportation and school fees. My parents, my mother specifically, inspired me to create G.E.M. She grew up in Berbice, a city about an hour and a half away from Georgetown, where the university is located. She wanted to pursue a business degree but was unable to because her parents weren’t comfortable sending her far from home. It broke my heart to know my mother couldn’t pursue an education like she wanted.

My aunt was especially excited about G.E.M because she, like many women, was not able to attend University due to the cost. Creating G.E.M. has been an empowering experience for me. As someone who always enjoyed learning, I felt that it was important to help those unable to continue their education, do so. Being in a position of leadership is a nerve-wracking task, but I believe that it will inspire more Guyanese girls to follow their dream education or career path and overcome the barriers they face.

Bhumika speaking at the launch of her girls’ education organization, G.E.M for Guyana. (Photo courtesy of Bhumika Ashwar)

In 2019, Guyana’s primary sources of employment were divided into two groups: agriculture and wholesale & retail trade. The many women working in the agricultural sectors aren’t recognized for their role in the production of crops — from pumpkins to peppers — without these women, many Guyanese would not have access to fresh produce. 

Not only does lack of education lead to less economic opportunities for women, but gender norms can perpetuate that inequality too. In a study completed by the United Nations in 2018, 83% of Guyanese respondents believed that men should be the head of the home, 78% agreed that it is the woman’s responsibility to look after the home, and 44% of respondents believed that women should always obey their husbands. These beliefs are more than studies — they are harmful and negatively impact our self-esteem and dreams.

When young women are treated as less than, we internalize these beliefs. We believe we don’t have the same capabilities as our male counterparts. It causes us to disregard our unique skills, abilities, and intelligence, ultimately neglecting ourselves. It discourages us from pursuing our dreams, furthering our education or embarking on alternative career paths.

When women are told we should only take care of the home, we are forced to close the doors of opportunities that lead us to a future beyond their homes. Although some women choose to work in the home, why should women who want to pursue careers, be stripped of their dreams? With these harmful gender norms and beliefs continuing in the country, how will Guyanese women who want to pursue careers outside the home, and beyond agriculture and retail be free to do so?

I’ve been fortunate. I’ve never had to experience these issues as a second-generation Guyanese immigrant living in Canada. But for girls and women back home — my relatives included — this is their reality. The solution to these issues requires participation from all Guyanese people, especially the government.

“When young women are treated as less than, we internalize these beliefs. We believe we don’t have the same capabilities as our male counterparts. It causes us to disregard our unique skills, abilities, and intelligence, ultimately neglecting ourselves.”

— Bhumika Ashwar

Education is a solution. Many women are unable to access post-secondary education due to the enrollment costs and distance from the University of Guyana, the main university in the country, and it’s far from many Guyanese communities. 

The Guyanese government needs to create more affordable post-secondary institutions across Guyana so that more women are able to continue their education. There also must be a shift in social norms encouraging women to continue pursuing education. 

An increase in Guyanese women pursuing post-secondary education allows them to diversify their job prospects beyond the agricultural and retail sectors and helps them secure stable, well-paying jobs, allowing them to no longer rely on men as their primary source of income and financial security. Education is the first step to improving the lives of Guyanese women on all fronts. 

When Guyanese women excel, society will follow and realize that women are much more than the gender norms that restrict them. Guyanese women are more than the stereotypes that are forced on them. Guyanese women are the future of their country.