When the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) officially launched in November 2019, optimism about Guyana’s future was at an all-time high. Massive offshore oil discoveries had positioned the country as one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing economies, opening opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs across transportation, hospitality, food services, logistics, technology, and professional services.

For WCCIG founders Lyndell Danzie-Black and Kerensa Gravesande-Bart, the timing was ideal to create a business organization dedicated specifically to advancing women in entrepreneurship and leadership. Their vision was simple but transformative: ensure that women-owned businesses were not left behind as Guyana’s economy evolved.

Today, the Chamber has become one of the leading voices for women’s economic empowerment in Guyana, advocating for women entrepreneurs, strengthening female-led SMEs, and helping women navigate the realities of business in a rapidly changing economy.

Why Women’s Economic Empowerment in Guyana Matters

The emergence of Guyana’s oil economy after 2015 created unprecedented opportunities for economic growth. However, research consistently shows that women entrepreneurs often face barriers to accessing finance, leadership opportunities, procurement contracts, and participation in high-growth sectors (World Bank, 2020).

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic further intensified these inequalities. According to the World Bank, women were disproportionately affected by job losses, increased unpaid caregiving responsibilities, and reduced access to social support systems during the pandemic (World Bank, 2020).

During a 2020 global forum, Melinda French Gates described the rise in domestic violence, maternal health challenges, and unpaid labour burdens as “shadow pandemics” affecting women worldwide.

Against this backdrop, the WCCIG emerged not simply as a networking organization, but as a critical support structure for women-led businesses and professional development in Guyana.

A Vision Rooted in Advocacy, Leadership and Business Growth

Following its launch, the WCCIG Board engaged in strategic planning to define the organization’s long-term objectives. The Chamber focused on four pillars:

  • Education and entrepreneurial development 
  • Leadership training and mentorship 
  • Advocacy for women-owned SMEs 
  • Networking and business resilience 

The Chamber’s mission became even more urgent when Guyana experienced both political uncertainty following the March 2020 elections and the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

Rather than pause operations, the WCCIG pivoted quickly to digital engagement and virtual business support.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs During COVID-19

Recognizing the financial pressures facing women-owned SMEs, the Chamber waived membership fees until August 2020 to ease the burden on entrepreneurs already struggling through lockdowns and economic slowdowns.

The organization then launched a series of virtual educational webinars designed to help women business owners adapt to the “new normal.”

Topics included:

  • Crisis management for SMEs 
  • Innovation in digital business models 
  • Public speaking and leadership 
  • Mental wellness and anxiety management 
  • Access to financing for women entrepreneurs 

One of the most impactful initiatives focused on access to finance — a major challenge identified through membership surveys.

The Chamber brought together representatives from commercial banks, micro-lending institutions, and grant funding agencies to explain:

  • Funding eligibility requirements 
  • Loan application processes 
  • Grant opportunities 
  • Financial planning strategies for women-owned businesses 

This practical approach addressed one of the most searched concerns among female entrepreneurs in Guyana: How can women-owned businesses access financing and scale sustainably?

The Rise of the “Fearless Females” Initiative

Beyond training, the WCCIG also recognized the importance of storytelling and mentorship.

Through its social media campaign, Fearless Females, the Chamber spotlighted women entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders who shared stories of resilience, innovation, and perseverance.

The initiative helped foster:

  • Peer mentorship 
  • Visibility for women-led businesses 
  • Confidence among young entrepreneurs 
  • Community support during the pandemic 

At a time when isolation and uncertainty were widespread, these stories created a sense of connection and inspiration for women navigating personal and professional challenges.

Building the Next Generation of Female Entrepreneurs

In March 2021, the Chamber hosted its inaugural Women and Girls Summit to commemorate International Women’s Day.

One of the summit’s major milestones was the launch of the WCCIG Youth Arm, specifically designed to support female entrepreneurs under the age of 20.

The decision reflected a growing trend during the pandemic: young women and girls using digital platforms to launch small businesses, creative ventures, and online services.

The Youth Arm focuses on:

  • Entrepreneurial mentorship 
  • Leadership development 
  • Networking opportunities 
  • Business education 
  • Confidence-building for young women 

This initiative aligns with broader global calls for increasing women’s participation in entrepreneurship, STEM, and leadership sectors.

WE3A Programme: Expanding Opportunities for Women SMEs

In July 2021, the Chamber announced a major partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and Arizona State University Thunderbird School of Global Management to implement the WE3A programme in Guyana.

The WE3A initiative — Aspire, Activate, Accelerate — aims to strengthen women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly businesses connected to:

  • STEM industries 
  • Value-chain development 
  • Innovation sectors 
  • Growth-oriented entrepreneurship 

The programme represents a significant advancement for women-owned businesses seeking to participate in Guyana’s expanding economy, including opportunities linked to local content development in the oil and gas sector.

According to Danzie-Black, the partnership supports the Chamber’s long-term goal of moving women toward greater economic independence and sustainable business growth.

Advocacy Beyond Business

The WCCIG has also taken public positions on critical social issues affecting women and girls in Guyana.

As reports of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and gender-based violence increased during the pandemic, the Chamber joined advocacy efforts calling for stronger protections and public awareness.

This reflects an important evolution in modern CSR and ESG thinking: economic empowerment cannot be separated from social wellbeing and gender equality.

Research from the United Nations consistently demonstrates that women’s economic participation improves household stability, educational outcomes, and national economic resilience (United Nations, 2021).

Why Corporate Partnerships Matter

The Chamber continues to encourage collaboration with private-sector organizations interested in advancing gender equality through CSR and ESG initiatives.

Potential areas for collaboration include:

  • Women-inclusive hiring practices 
  • Mentorship and leadership programmes 
  • STEM education for girls 
  • Supplier diversity programmes 
  • Financial literacy initiatives 
  • Closing gender wage gaps 

As Guyana’s economy expands, ensuring women have equitable access to opportunities will remain essential for sustainable national development.

Looking Ahead: Local Content and Women’s Inclusion

One of the Chamber’s emerging priorities is ensuring that women-owned businesses are integrated into Guyana’s evolving local content ecosystem.

The WCCIG has sought engagement with the Government of Guyana to discuss local content policies and opportunities for female entrepreneurs within sectors linked to oil and gas development.

Future projects also include:

  • A Women Labour Participation Report 
  • Entrepreneurial ecosystem mapping 
  • Expansion of the Youth Arm 
  • Increased mentorship partnerships 
  • Advocacy for women-led SMEs in national procurement systems 

These initiatives position the WCCIG as a critical stakeholder in shaping a more inclusive Guyanese economy.

A New Era for Women Entrepreneurs in Guyana

The story of the WCCIG reflects a broader shift taking place across the Caribbean: women are no longer simply participating in economic development — they are helping lead it.

By combining advocacy, mentorship, entrepreneurship, digital education, and partnership-building, the Chamber has created a platform that supports both immediate business survival and long-term empowerment.

In a post-pandemic economy increasingly shaped by innovation, resilience, and inclusivity, organizations like the WCCIG demonstrate that women’s economic empowerment in Guyana is not only a social imperative — it is a strategic driver of national development.

References 

Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana

World Bank Gender and COVID-19 Resources

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

Inter-American Development Bank

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (2020). COVID-19 and gender equality: Addressing the shadow pandemic. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Inter-American Development Bank. (2021). Women-led SMEs and economic resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Publications.

United Nations. (2021). Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Snapshot 2021. United Nations Publications.

World Bank. (2020). Gender dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. World Bank Group.

World Bank. (2021). Guyana overview. World Bank Group.