Dear Editor,
I recently saw an article where ‘10 women receive scholarships to pursue maritime careers’. I write to commend the initiative by the Office of the First Lady and Tidewater Inc., which provides scholarships for women, particularly from Guyana’s hinterland, to pursue careers in the maritime sector.
The awarding of scholarships to the female cadets to undertake specialised training in ship navigation and engineering is a powerful statement of support for women’s empowerment and gender equality. This initiative not only equips women with the technical skills needed to thrive in a male-dominated industry but also creates opportunities for hinterland women to advance professionally and contribute meaningfully to their community’s development and ultimately the country’s development.
As Guyana’s maritime sector rapidly evolves to lend support to the expanding oil and gas ecosystem, the need for a skilled and diverse workforce becomes more urgent. Training programmes like these directly address that need while ensuring that Indigenous and rural women are not left behind. I am proud. I am not an indigenous woman, but I felt proud seeing this partnership, and I hope that as I read the news, I see more women-inclusive and women-focused initiatives.
I believe that their partnership exemplifies a growing commitment to building an inclusive maritime workforce and positions Guyana to become a global contributor in addressing the critical shortage of maritime personnel.
Yours sincerely,
Whitney Hall
