Guyana Chronicle Women's Day Supplement

‘My father urged me to try law; I did and I liked it’ — Pauline Chase

By Feona Morrison

ATTORNEY Pauline

Chase’s late father, Ashton Chase, a well-respected Senior Counsel in the Commonwealth, strongly encouraged her to pursue a career in law.

Although Pauline's ultimate goal was to become a nutritionist, she started reading for a Diploma in Public Management at the premiere university in the country, the University of Guyana (UG), at the age of 15. This marked the beginning of an arduous journey that involved years of academic study, real-world experience, and a dedication to lifelong learning and professional development.

Following her successful completion of this programme, she enrolled in UG’s law degree. She stated that while none

reflects on her journey to becoming an attorney

of her older siblings followed in her father's professional footsteps, it was his intention for his children to do so.

“I think I was his last hope. My elder siblings: my brother, my sister did not gravitate towards the law. My brother became an orthopedic surgeon and my sister went into security. My father urged me to try law and I did and I liked it and I stayed with it,” she shared.

During Pauline's time, students enrolled in the three-year law programme initially attended the University of Guyana for their first year. They had to finish their second and final years at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.

She graduated with honours after successfully completing her law degree. She was able to gain

a strong foundation in legal knowledge through the law programme's demanding curriculum in subjects including contracts, criminal law, civil procedure, constitutional law, and more.

Pauline attended the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad and Tobago after graduating from UWI in order to pursue her Legal Education Certificate (LEC), which is the final academic requirement for practicing law in the Anglophone Caribbean. She was admitted to the Bar after finishing the twoyear course with success.

When asked to give a brief account of her early years, the attorney said: “As a child, I attended Stella Maris nursery and primary schools. From there, I attended QC [Queen’s College] and I stayed there from

first to fifth form; I had a wonderful time there. I enjoyed my high school life, my primary school life. I wrote CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] and I attained all my subjects. And then I progressed to the University of Guyana at the age of 15 because I started school early…”

Pauline is passionate about her work as a lawyer, as they are trusted advisors who become involved in their clients' lives.

When asked what she enjoys the most about being part of this noble profession, Miss Chase noted that helping people is really what drives you as an attorney.

“It is just something within you to want justice, to want to right wrongs, to see the right prevailing in society or in a situation,” she continued.

“Any passionate attorney would tell you that that is what really is their motivation. It’s that inherent since of justice to see right being done and wrongs being corrected.”

Having been a member of the legal community for more than 23 years, Pauline is now encouraging anyone aspiring to become a lawyer to pursue their dreams, saying, "By all means do all that you can to achieve that goal. But know that when you achieve that goal, it comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility.”

She emphasised that nothing could be more accurate regarding the legal profession than the Bible verse, "To whom much is given, much is expected," which Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), frequently quotes.

“You [attorneys] are seen in society as someone who is noble; the profession is noble. But

it really is an opportunity not only for you to grow and for what you can gain but for also what you can give back to society. If you approach it from that angle, you are in good stead and it will serve you well.”

Pauline is the current Chairman of the Public Procurement Commission (PUC) and President of the Queen's College Old Students' Association. In 2021, she became the first woman to be elected President of her alma mater’s old students’ association.

Miss Chase is a devoted volunteer and was the Guyana Bar Association's President. She now serves as the Bar Association’s Vice President.

Her father, Ashton Chase, is known for being a legal luminary and a forerunner in the political and trade union arenas. He passed away in July 2023 at the age of 96.

Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase with her now late father, Ashton Chase, SC (PC: Facebook/Pauline Chase)

The awe-inspiring story of Dr. Cindy Streete

— in navigating loss and overcoming social constructs

By Faith Greene

A dental surgeon, biologist, content creator and entrepreneur, Dr. Cindy M. Streete has tackled seemingly every challenge life has thrown at her.

Facing social constructs, navigating loss and building a business, the 26-year-old, in a recent interview with this special edition of the Guyana Chronicle, shared that her

in the middle of the night and go somewhere. I thought that was really scary. I thought it was something that I didn’t want to do, especially as a woman. I do want to have a thriving home life, I wanted to have a husband and children one day, but I also wanted to be a career woman, and I didn’t want my career to take away from that.”

Caught between her desire to work in medicine, and

journey to success is merely now beginning.

Taking life by the wheels, Dr. Streete has worked tirelessly to achieve her girlhood dreams of being in the medical profession and with the support of her family, particularly an older brother, she pursued studies in biology and, later, dentistry.

“The reason why I chose dentistry in particular has a lot to do with me being a woman.”

Her goal was to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling and etch her name into the history books as a woman of science and medicine.

After commencing her studies in biology at the University of Guyana, she quickly discovered how gruelling the medical profession is.

“People were busy and tired, and away from their family a lot. People were on call, people had to wake up

content on social media that lifted her spirits, and brought her back to a place where she continued to pursue her career while also embarking on a new journey to inspire others.

“There was a big part of me that didn’t want to do anything… I was young and scared, and I felt really trapped in all of this pain and mourning and frustration.

But at the same time, I still wanted things for myself, and I knew [my brother] wanted those things for me too; and the only way to honour him would be to push through.”

While taking her career to newer heights, Dr. Skeete recently launched her business ‘Unorthobox’ through which she provides unique and customized care kits.

She also inspires and mo-

tivates her customers by leaving notes with kind words. These products include rare lip glosses/lip balms, unique jewellery, hair care items, eco-friendly bags, and a list of other unique finds. Unorthobox can be found on Instagram: @unorthoboxgy.

“Where you start your journey is by discovering you. Taking the time to understand who you are. What

is it that you love, and how can you make it into a career,” she said while sharing plans to advocate for women on her platforms.

To see more content from Dr. Streete, persons can follow her on Instagram @the_hungry_toothfairy and @thetoothfairygy, and on TikTok @thehungrytoothfairy.

the joys of womanhood, Dr. Streete had begun questioning her dreams.

“I met up with an obstacle, which was, how do I merged my womanhood and the things that I want for myself as a woman with wanting a big career, and I had a decision to make. Do I still want to be a doctor? Yes. But I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to be doing what these other people were doing… I started exploring other fields within the medical sciences, and I stumbled upon dentistry,” she said.

While doubts lingered, Dr. Skeete suffered the unimaginable, one of her biggest supporters, her brother, passed away. It was melancholic period in her life as she tried to navigate the prospects of her career and while grieving.

It was during this period she found hope in creating

Dental Surgeon, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, Dr. Cindy M. Streete

‘Let your voices be heard’

—Young parliamentarians urged to be ‘future leaders,’ as second sitting of ‘National Assembly of Girls’ got underway

By Cindy Parkinson

IN a powerful address at the second sitting of the National Assembly of Girls, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, made a sounding charge to scores of young women to ‘let their voices be heard,” and be future leaders.

“As you sit here and engage in thoughtful and fruitful discussions, I have no doubt that, overall, our country and our parliament will benefit from your recommendations, your solutions, and your voices as part of a rich discussion and a continuation of what was started last year when the National Assembly of Girls was convened,” Minister Persaud said.

Praising the young women for their early political engagement, Minister Persaud expressed optimism that the National Assembly of Girls will craft future leaders.

“We are in a time where the world does not have many of us; there are 28 female leaders globally...we are at a time where, globally, we have just under 30 per cent of par-

liamentarians, and we are at a time when speakers have not even touched 25 per cent.”

Noting that the aim is to transform the world through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Minister urged the young women and the wider population to not only bring their physical presence to the proverbial ‘table’ but to also share their ideas.

“A feminine perspective that takes into consideration all of the things that, through our SDGs, we are trying to achieve. SDG five speaks of gender equality... Here in Guyana's parliament, we have over 34 per cent females in the National Assembly.”

In addition, Minister Persaud emphasised that Guyana, governed by the People's Progressive Party/Civic Government (PPP/C), has always been and will continue to be an inclusive nation. She asserted that in order to enable women from all walks of life to achieve their goals, the government is dedicated to supporting them in their respective fields. She urged the young women to exploit pro -

grammes such as the GOAL Scholarship – an online academic programme – and other similar initiatives that provide training opportunities.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the National Assembly for Girls, Honourable Maya Saunders, shared that it is her hope that the special sitting

is marked by collaboration, resilience, and a shared commitment to build a future in which every girl and woman in Guyana can thrive.

She urged all to rise to the occasion in unity and shape a legacy that inspires generations to come.

“As representatives of the young women of this

nation, we bear the responsibility of being advocates for equality, justice, and empowerment. Let us seize this opportunity to address pressing issues that are faced within our community, recognising the interconnectedness of our struggles and the potential for collective action to bring about positive change.”

She added: “Let our decisions be guided by a commitment to the wellbeing of our fellow Guyanese citizens and the vision for Guyana that uplifts and empowers all of its people.”

The Parliament of Guyana convened its second sitting of the National Assembly of Girls in honour of International Women's Day 2024. This year, International Women’s Day – March 8th is being celebrated under the theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress."

In order to hasten the transition to gender equality, the theme highlights how important it is to invest in women's leadership, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.

The British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; members of the Diplomatic Corps, and several female members of Parliament were all present at the second session of the National Assembly for Girls.

From left to right, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, and speaker of the National Assembly for Girls, The Honourable Maya Saunders

Guyanese young women, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and several female members of parliament at the second sitting of the National Assembly for Girls on Wednesday (Delano Williams photos)

Women at the UN: Everything you need to know about #CSW68

The annual United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets in March each year to address the widespread inequalities, violence and discrimination women continue to face all around the world.

Here is a brief five-point guide to this high-profile UN event:

1. PUSHING FOR ACTION FOR EIGHT DECADES

The work of the Commission began in 1946, days after the UN General Assembly’s inaugural meetings heard former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and part of the country’s delegation read an open letter addressed to “the women of the world”.

Ms. Roosevelt had called “on the Governments of the world to encourage women everywhere to take a more active part in national and international affairs, and on women who are conscious of their opportunities to come forward and share in the work of peace and reconstruction as they did in war and resistance”.

The UN’s Economic and Social Affairs Commission (ECOSOC) promptly established a sub-commission. Its six members – China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, India, Lebanon, and Poland – were tasked with assessing “problems relating to the status of women” to advise the UN Commission on Human Rights, a precursor to the UN Human Rights Council.

In its first report, “members considered that the work of the sub-commission should last until women had reached the point where they were on equal footing with men in all fields of human enterprise”.

From the beginning there were calls for action, including prioritizing political rights, “since little progress could be made without them”, alongside recommendations for improvements in civil, education, social, and economic fields, by which “problems should be attacked simultaneously”, the report said. In addition, the report called for a “United Nations Women’s Conference to further the programme”.

By June 1946, it formally became the Commission on

the Status of Women, as one of ECOSOC’s subsidiary bodies. From 1947 to 1962, the Commission focussed on setting standards and formulating international conventions to change discriminatory legislation and foster global awareness of women’s issues.

2. LANDMARK INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS STRUCK

Dating back to the Commission’s early days, its growing membership contributed to some of the most widely agreed upon international conventions in UN history. Here are just a few.

Helping Ms. Roosevelt, chair of the drafting committee for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Commission had successfully argued against references to “men” as a synonym for humanity. It also introduced new, more inclusive language in the final version the General Assembly adopted in 1948.

In 1963, efforts to consolidate standards on women’s rights led the General Assembly to request the Commission to draft a Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which the world body adopted in 1967.

CSW was pivotal in the adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality.

3.

With a growing UN membership and mounting evidence in the 1960s that women were disproportionately affected by poverty, CSW focussed on women’s needs in community and ru-

ternational Year of Women and convened the first World Conference on Women, held in Mexico. In 1977, the UN formally recognized International Women’s Day, observed on 8th of March.

and assess emerging issues, along with progress and gaps in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action. Member States then agree on further steps to speed progress.

Since 2018, CSW has

one behind, the Commission also contributes to the follow-up to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

5. WALKING THE TALK

Solutions to end women’s poverty are widely recognized. From investing in policies and programmes that address gender inequalities and boosting women’s agency and leadership to closing gender gaps in employment. Doing so would lift more than 100 million women and girls out of poverty, create 300 million jobs and boost the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 per cent across all regions.

In this decisive year, as 2.6 billion people go to the polls to cast their votes, they have the power to demand higher investment in gender equality.

These game-changing issues are being addressed at the 2024 CSW session,

ral development, agricultural work, family planning, and scientific and technological advances. It also encouraged the UN system to expand technical assistance to further the advancement of women, especially in developing countries. Advanced work in this regard, CSW also drafted the legally binding Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1979.

During this decade, the UN declared 1975 the In -

In 2010, after years of negotiations, the General Assembly adopted a resolution consolidating the Organisation’s related sections and departments into the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), which continues to collaborate closely with the Commission.

Climate change has made the life of women farmers more difficult in recent years.

4. ADDRESSING EMERGING ISSUES

Annual sessions address

addressed such challenges as climate change, gender-based violence, and ensuring women’s full participating in decision-making and in sustainable development strategies.

Adopting multi-year programmes of work to appraise progress and make further recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the Platform for Action, CSW sends its negotiated agreed conclusions to ECOSOC for action.

With a view to reaching all women and leaving no

where its 45 members and thousands of participants from around the world will be focussing on the theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.

This year’s Commission on the Status of Women takes place at UN Headquarters in New York from 11 to 22 March.

UN Women/Ryan Brown Mathu Joyini, Chair of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), officially closes the event at UN Headquarters

UN Photo Sub-commission on the Status of Women members, from Lebanon, Poland, Denmark, Dominican Republic and India, prepares for a press conference at Hunter College in New York on 14 May 1946

Queen ‘King’ looks to take her throne

By Naomi Parris

A recap of Guyana’s Miss World Journey to the crown

THE new Miss World will be crowned on March 9, in Mumbai, India. Guyana’s representative, Andrea King, has been doing an exemplary job in representing the ‘land of many waters.’

Last month, King journeyed to India where she

hails from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and is the holder of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management. She is a former student of The Bishops’ High School.

To recap the coronation ceremony held here in Georgetown, Guyana, King was greeted with thundering applause, and was a fan

joined 115 women participating in the pageant which was last won by Miss World, Karolina Bielawska, of Poland in March, 2022.

If you haven’t been tracking the competition, don’t fret, we have all the details you need to know.

THE START OF HER JOURNEY

Back in August 2022, King copped the Regia Lily award.

The 25-year-old project manager at telecommunications company, GTT,

the Head-to-Head Challenge, and the Talent Segment.

“Being the representation of Guyana in this competition is my honour and I embody this role with much pride and respect for my country. With your unwavering support, I am fueled with determination to showcase our culture and abilities to

the world.

“Thank you for believing in me. Together, let’s shine brightly and show the world GUYANA!” King recently shared on Instagram.

THE COMPETITION

SO FAR

Currently in Mumbai, King has been representing the ‘592’ with the fierceness comparable to that of

a Jaguar, the might of the Essequibo and the poise of the savannahs.

She recently presented her ‘Beauty with a Purpose” project on the international stage –Project FLO (Financial Literacy Orientation)— which was established to help shape the future of Guyana through education.

The initiative focusses

on developing cognitive skills in financial literacy for Guyanese youth who are making the transition into adulthood. By educating students in financial literacy, Project FLO aims to disrupt generational poverty cycles by introducing the knowledge, attitudes, and behav-

Continued on page 14A

favorite who was already set to win a number of side prizes including the most popular delegate on social media.

She had graced the stage donned in a baby pink blush rhinestone gown, with what appeared to be chiffon draping. This was her moment. Her coronation. Her crown.

King entered the National Cultural Centre (NCC) a princess, and exited a queen, copping also the prizes for the Multimedia Challenge,

Andrea King

Queen ‘King’ looks to take her...

From page 13A

iors needed for a future of financial stability.

King believes that “Financial Literacy is a necessary life skill that plays an integral role in disrupting generational poverty cycles and preventing economic abuse.”

She also joined her fellow pageant queens for the launch of the ‘Save the Tiger’ campaign. She has since been lobbying for this environmental cause and, although miles away from her home, King is raising awareness for this cause here in Guyana.

If you’re interested in

catching up on king’s journey, you can click on and share the link below to support OUR QUEEN as prepares to grace the international stage tomorrow.

https://www.missworld.com/contestant/andrea-king/

King recently visited the Than Singh Ki Pathsala (school) in Delhi on an outreach trip

From Colonies to World Heritage…. Ambassador Mukherjee's book explores history, indentured labour’s impact across globe

By Rabindra Rooplall

In a profound discussion shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of history, Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee delves into the intricate narrative of indentured labour and its enduring impact across the globe.

Mukherjee's profound insights, derived from her extensive research and personal experiences, offer a persuasive viewpoint on the historical and cultural progression of indentureship and its present-day significance.

Mukherjee’s journey into this subject matter stems from her personal connection to the region, as she hails from East Bengal, now Bangladesh. Her earlier works focused on the trauma of the partition of Bengal, laying the foundation for her exploration of the untold story of indentured labour.

Throughout her term as India's representative on the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO, Mukherjee came across the moving story of the Girmitiyas and the indentured labourers, particularly during Mauritius' endeavour to designate Apravasi Ghat as a World Heritage site.

The incident in which she encountered a representative who depicted indenture history in a derogatory colonial fashion acted as a catalyst for Mukherjee's determination to illuminate the overlooked narratives of indentured labourers.

A pivotal moment occurred when Mukherjee was tasked with elucidating the concept of indenture to the World Heritage Committee, resulting in a profound revelation among its members and the subsequent inscription of Apravasi Ghat without any deliberation.

This particular experience emphasized the importance of documenting and paying tribute to the heritage of indentured labourers, which motivated Mukherjee to begin writing her book, ‘The Indentured and Their Route: A Relentless Quest for Identity.’

During her interview and subsequent discussions with this publication, Mukherjee provides a contextual analysis of the importance of Guyana and the Caribbean in the wider framework of indentureship.

Her work brings attention to the exceptional encounters of indentured migrants in diverse geographical contexts, encompassing the richly blended culture of the Caribbean and the particular obstacles confronted by indentured women in various plantation colonies.

Mukherjee's analysis explores the historical similarities and distinctions between indentureship and the African

slave trade, highlighting the determination and resistance of the victims in their pursuit of liberation.

She emphasizes the significance of recognizing the collective hardships faced by indentured labourers and slaves, warning against the enduring divisions caused by colonial legacies that foster discord within communities.

One significant element of Mukherjee's discourse centres on the predicament of indentured women, who endured severe exploitation and marginalization under the colonial system.

Notwithstanding the indescribable adversities they faced, these women played an indispensable role in upholding families, communities, and ultimately, contributing to the liberation movements of their respective nations.

Looking ahead, Mukherjee discusses her forthcoming book, “The Journey of the Indian Woman,” which will delve deeper into the historical evolution and contemporary challenges faced by Indian women.

With a focus on indentured women’s experiences across different countries, Mukherjee aims to amplify their voices and commemorate their resilience in the face of adversity.

In her concluding remarks, Mukherjee's impassioned dedication to uncovering obscured histories resonates profoundly, serving as a symbol of remembrance and homage to the unwavering resilience of indentured labourers across the globe.

Through her scholarly work and advocacy, Mukherjee persists in shedding light on the path towards a more inclusive and empathetic comprehension of our collective human heritage.

Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee has emerged as a trailblazing figure in the field of international diplomacy and historical scholarship, possessing a distinct ability to connect the past and present. With an illustrious career encompassing academia and diplomacy,

Ambassador Mukherjee has made noteworthy contributions to the understanding of indentured labour and its enduring legacy.

Her accomplishments serve as evidence of her unwavering commitment to the progression of historical research and the promotion of

cross-cultural comprehension.

The diverse and valuable contributions she has made as both a diplomat and scholar have greatly enhanced our comprehension of indentured

labour and its significant global implications. In our ongoing efforts to navigate the intricacies of our intertwined past, the legacy of Ambassador Mukherjee

stands as a guiding light for future generations of academics and diplomats dedicated to advancing principles of fairness and harmony.

Ambassador (Ret’d.) Bhaswati Mukherjee