Guyana Defence Force (GDF) women soldiers will soon join their male counterparts at the country’s border locations to lend support in the defense of Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The announcement was made by Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips during a thanksgiving service on Wednesday to mark the commencement of activities to celebrate the 49th Anniversary of the Women’s Army Corps.

Brigadier Phillips said women soldiers are no less intelligent and are just as able as male soldiers. He urged them to embrace the change necessary for the transformation of the GDF.

The Army Chief told the gathering that the commitment of the Women’s Army Corps alongside the male soldiers remains relevant as the Army seeks to counter threats to Guyana.

He said more women soldiers must also step up to the plate and take advantage of the training being offered by the institution.

On the social side, Brigadier Phillips said “our women soldiers must at all time conduct themselves in a manner that will earn the respect of the Guyanese society.” He recalled that the Women’s Army Corps was formed following the seizure of Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River by the Venezuelan Armed Forces in October 1966, Guyana’s year of Independence.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips

The recruitment of women was one of the solutions to the threat, Phillips said, and he pointed out that the first batch of women soldiers commenced training in February 1967 and that batch was inducted in March of the same year.

The Chief of Staff thanked the women for their service to the Force and expressed the hope that the women’s arm will remain strong in support of GDF’s mandate.

The thanksgiving service also saw in attendance one woman from the first batch of women soldiers.

She was honored with loud applause from those gathered. The women were also treated to a motivational sermon by Dr. Marva Williams of the West Ruimveldt Wesleyan Church.

(Kurt Campbell)