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In honour of International Women's Day, we are proud to launch the Women Warriors for the Earth (WWE): Empowering Change Wednesday in March segment. This initiative celebrates the incredible contributions of women leaders in Guyana who are leading the charge for environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and positive change. Every Wednesday, we will spotlight the inspiring stories, actions, and vision of these fierce advocates, drawing attention to their invaluable work in shaping a greener, more equitable future. Join us in recognising the women warriors who are not just imagining a better world – they are making it happen, one powerful action at a time.
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 As the global climate crisis continues to escalate, women are increasingly emerging as critical drivers of change in the environmental sector. Felicia Persaud is among the accomplished environmental leaders in Guyana who is strengthening the country’s climate resilience through policy action, grassroots advocacy and the mentorship of upcoming changemakers. While Felicia’s undergraduate degree in chemistry equipped her with a solid analytical foundation, it was her postgraduate degree that inspired her passion for sustainable water management. During this time, Felicia gained a deep awareness of the urgent need to protect and preserve water resources. Like many women who occupy technical and decision-making roles in the field, Felicia has faced moments where her voice was overlooked and her competence questioned. However, rather than deterring her, these difficulties have only added to her determination to achieve success and to pave the way for the next generation of women committed to driving sustainable change. One of Felicia’s notable successes involved championing the expansion of water quality testing services. She is currently spearheading an initiative to broaden our analytical scope by introducing trace metals analysis using specialized equipment. “This required method development, validation, and targeted staff training”, says Felicia. Felicia has also collaborated closely with technical partners to improve instrument calibration routines and quality control systems, which strengthened Guyana’s alignment with ISO 17025 standards. Felicia views her combined expertise in chemistry and sustainable development as a vital asset in bridging the gap between science and policy. As such, she advocates for ecosystem-based management that values rivers, wetlands, and aquifers, and supports national water quality standards tied to land-use planning. Felicia also actively promotes capacity building in labs and regulatory agencies. She believes that these efforts are needed to ensure that environmental monitoring remains a focus during rapid development phases.  Her efforts have bridged critical gaps in Guyana’s water quality data which is essential to decision-making in sectors such as public health. Felicia’s work has not only strengthened the scientific rigor of environmental monitoring in Guyana but also laid a strong foundation for data driven policies pivotal to public health and the conservation of natural resources for generations to come. When asked about the role of women in driving environmental change, Felicia emphasized that “women play a vital role in driving environmental change because they bring diverse perspectives, collaborative approaches, and a deep sense of responsibility to community and future generations”. She believes that in many parts of the world women are often the first to feel the impacts of environmental degradation. Consequently, their insights are valuable and essential in the crafting of feasible and inclusive solutions.  Therefore, Felicia believes that intentional investments in mentorship, access to technical training and the involvement of women in decision-making are important to encourage more women to take up leadership roles in sustainable development. She underscored that “representation matters —when young women see others leading water policy, heading labs, or negotiating environmental agreements, it sends a powerful message that their voices are needed and valued”.
Felicia advises young women to never underestimate the power of their perspective. She stressed that environmental work thrives on diverse thoughts, experiences, and approaches. As such, their contribution to the field is significant no matter the sector. Felicia also encourages building a strong scientific or technical foundation, while also developing soft skills like communication, collaboration, and systems thinking. She urges young women to seek mentors, connect with others in the field, embrace lifelong learning, and most importantly, believe they belong in spaces of influence. Felicia Persaud serves as an exemplary leader whose purpose-driven approach is characterized by resilience, inclusive representation, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. She is a testament to the vital role women play in decision-making and in driving sustainable change. “Women make the best conservationists because it’s our natural instinct to nourish and nurture,” says Kim Chan Bagot, a GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in Guyana. Like many STEM fields, the field of GIS has historically been male dominated. However, the percentage of females in GIS is considerably higher than in other STEM careers and continues to grow (Lenhard, 2015). Women are now making significant stride in Guyana, this progress is exemplified through young geospatial leaders like Kim Chan Bagot, who excels in using GIS to meaningfully contribute to Guyana’s development  With a background in architecture and engineering, Kim has always been passionate about the environment. As such, she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in geography to better understand how designs and construction impact the environment. During her studies, Kim was introduced to GIS and remote sensing, which altered her perspective on the environment. This deepened her interest in the environmental field and ignited her desire to pursue a career as a GIS/remote sensing specialist. Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood, being a wife and being a full-time student, Kim remained steadfast, recognizing the significant role of her career choice in the development of Guyana. A balancing act that tested her resolve: “GIS was a male-dominated field when I started, and juggling motherhood, marriage, and full-time studies was tough. But I believed my work could make vital contributions to Guyana’s development.”  By working as a GIS specialist at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in the department of Mangrove Restoration and Management, Kim has contributed to numerous mangrove restoration projects. One standout achievement, as identified by Kim, was her application of GIS and remote sensing, alongside advanced satellite technology, to help bridge critical research gaps. Kim believes bridging the gaps in research is necessary to balance development and conservation as the information discovered influences decision-making processes and policy changes. An example of this in her work is the assessment of the spatial distribution of mangroves to identify areas where significant changes were observed. This allowed the identification of impacts on sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure so that effective solutions can be formulated. Furthermore, Kim’s research on estimating and mapping blue carbon in Guyana provided pertinent information for the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, while also contributing to the global understanding of climate change.  In addition, Kim highlighted her involvement in a collaborative project with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and SERVIR Amazonia, which sought to develop an online application that allowed free access to mangrove related datasets for individuals interested in mangrove research. She noted that these data sets have also meaningfully contributed to the development of mangrove related policies such as the review of the Forestry Act, Sea and River Defense Act and the NAREI Act. The aforementioned contributions are essential to the country’s environmental development, thus highlighting the pivotal role Kim plays in the achievement of environmental sustainability in Guyana.  Launch of the Guyana Mangrove Information System App Kim voiced the importance of women in the field. “Women make the best conservationists because it’s our natural instinct to nourish and nurture”, says Kim. She believes that grassroots advocacy—starting in schools—will continue to drive the surge of women entering fields like GIS, remote sensing, and environmental science. “Women make the best conservationists because it’s our natural instinct to nourish and nurture. It’s critical we encourage young women to be at the forefront of environmental leadership.”
For those who aspire to make a difference, Kim emphasizes embracing challenges and treating mistakes as learning opportunities : “Challenges help build problem-solving skills, and mistakes teach us what works and what doesn’t. So, don’t be afraid to take up the challenge and contribute to Guyana’s development.”
Kim serves as a powerful inspiration to young girls aspiring to pursue GIS related careers. Her innovative solutions to address complex environmental issues in Guyana have greatly aided in advancing the country’s development. Through collaboration, advocacy, and continual research, she reminds us all that development and conservation need not be at odds—an insight that will shape Guyana’s progress for years to come.  Maria Fraser’s journey to success in marine biology is a testament to her unwavering persistence and relentless hard work. Initially, on a path to a career in medicine, Maria's discovery of her true calling in the environmental field was not a mere coincidence but a result of a profound appreciation for the natural world. Through continuous learning, she gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the crucial role marine and coastal environments play in sustaining life on Earth. The foundation for her career in marine biology was laid at the University of Guyana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. This was followed by a Master’s Degree in Marine Science, with a focus on Marine Biology, from Zhejiang University in China. Her expertise and success in the field earned her several accolades, including the UGBC Director’s Award, the Best Graduating Student Award, the highest GPA in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Excellent International Student Award from Zhejiang University. Today, she is a marine biologist employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources, where she develops, manages, and implements plans in technical discussions. Although she has achieved considerable success in the field, Maria's journey has not been without its challenges. As a woman in environmental science, she has had to navigate traditionally male-dominated spaces, particularly in policy-making and technical discussions. This male dominance, at times, overshadowed her expertise, requiring her to work twice as hard to be heard. However, Maria’s determination and commitment to collaboration have been instrumental in helping her overcome these challenges.  Maria places a strong emphasis on the importance of women in leadership positions within the environmental field. She noted their critical roles in environmental conservation, sustainability, and policymaking. Additionally, she highlighted the pivotal roles women have played in grassroots movements, advocating for causes such as access to clean water, sustainable agriculture, and climate action. As such, it is clear that women should be more significantly involved in environmental policy decisions. “Encouraging more women to step into leadership roles starts with mentorship, education, and opportunities for women to participate in decision-making at all levels. Governments, academic institutions, and environmental organizations must actively create pathways for women to lead”, Maria stresses.
Another major challenge she identified in the field is achieving economic prosperity while maintaining a commitment to environmental protection. Nonetheless, Maria believes that development and conservation can coexist with the enforcement of strong policies. In this regard, she expressed her strong support for a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) and the establishment of a Marine Managed Zone to guide sustainable development in coastal and marine areas. These will be key in accomplishing Guyana’s commitment to the 30x30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the marine and terrestrial land by 2030. Strategies like these, combined with diversification of economic sources through investments in sectors such as fisheries and eco-tourism, are pivotal in achieving sustainable development. Recognizing that lasting environmental solutions require a collective effort, Maria has a strong commitment to collaboration. Partnerships are important to be able to successfully tackle large-scale environmental challenges. As such, she attributes the most rewarding aspects of her job to collaborating with NGOs, government agencies, and other stakeholders for the completion of conservation projects. “By working together, we’ve been able to implement initiatives that promote sustainable resource use, habitat protection, and environmental education. These collaborations have led to tangible outcomes, such as the strengthening of protected areas and the development of improved conservation management strategies”, says Maria. Her passion for the field has also fueled her entrepreneurship venture in agriculture, promoting organic farming and sustainable environmental management. Maria also continues to volunteer at several organizations. Driven by her passion for mentoring young, aspiring scientists, Maria serves as the Research Manager of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society.  Maria voiced that her advice to young women is simple. She encourages doing the following:
Follow your passion, seek mentorship, and take up space. The environmental field requires diverse perspectives, and women play a critical role in shaping sustainable solutions. Here are a few key lessons Maria has learned throughout her journey:
Maria Fraser’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity. As Maria looks ahead, she remains dedicated to fostering inclusivity, empowering future generations, and driving meaningful change in marine and coastal conservation. She is an inspiration to all those striving to make a lasting impact in the field of environmental science.  In the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), with STEM being the more widely recognized version, women are typically underrepresented. In the last 10 years, only 35% of STEM graduates have been women. However, today, they are increasingly breaking barriers in the field, proving that they have the proficiency to function just as effectively in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Women are constantly utilizing their innovative skills to push the boundaries of progress, particularly in environmental sustainability. In Guyana, several women dominate the environmental sciences, including Tajwattie Persaud. Although Persaud recognized the absence of female dominance in the environmental realm, her passion for sustainability fueled her pursuit of a career in this field. “My pursuit of an environmental career was mainly driven by my passion for environmental sustainability and the need to make a positive impact and contribute to the natural world,” Persaud says. Persaud’s desire to positively impact the natural world came to fruition in her career as a Senior Environmental Technician, where she has made significant contributions to environmental conservation. Persaud recalled one notable experience, “At our hazardous and non-hazardous waste storage and treatment facility, our team successfully diverts most landfill waste into recyclable waste, mirroring a circular economy." She noted that this contribution not only reduced the amount of waste in landfills but also underscored how sustainable waste management practices can lessen pollution and promote resource efficiency by extending the lifecycle of materials destined for dumps.  As a result of her experiences in the field, Persaud emphasized the importance of involving women in all aspects of sustainable development, including policy and framework development and more physical roles. “This should always be encouraged as their inputs greatly shape the environmental field,” says Persaud. The involvement of women is crucial in the championing of environmental change. As such, she noted the importance of promoting women in STEM and creating opportunities for their development. Without the presence of women, innovation for sustainability would be limited and not adequately represent the perspectives and needs of society.
Persaud encourages young women who desire to take up roles in the environmental field, particularly waste management, to remain curious and receptive to continuous learning. She explained that “hazardous and non-hazardous waste treatment is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methods emerging to address waste generation and processing more effectively.” As a result, it is crucial to think innovatively about recycling and waste product solutions that can promote circular economies.
Tajwattie Persaud is a role model for young girls and women, demonstrating women's significant potential and capabilities in STEM. Her contributions to waste management highlight the importance of women's involvement in environmental sustainability. An inclusive STEM environment empowers the next generation of women to lead groundbreaking solutions in sustainability. By embracing and supporting women’s passion, innovative thinking, and expertise, we can create a future where both male and female perspectives thrive and meaningfully come together to drive progress. An inclusive STEM environment empowers the next generation of women to lead groundbreaking solutions in sustainability. |
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