KATO, Region 8 – On a cool morning in the Pakaraima foothills, Toshao Sandra Brazao surveys Kato Village’s communal farm, where workers are harvesting cassava and peanuts. It’s a routine scene with a historic twist: Brazao is the first woman ever to lead Kato, a remote Patamona Amerindian community. Her election in 2024 shattered a glass ceiling in a village – and a society – where leadership was traditionally male-dominated. “At first some elders were unsure about a woman in charge,” Brazao admits with a smile. “Now they see the results and they’re supportive.” In just a year, she’s spearheaded projects to improve local healthcare access and start a cottage industry making cassava bread for regional markets. Kato is not alone. All across Guyana’s interior, women are stepping into leadership roles in their villages and bringing fresh perspectives to community development.
Recent local elections for village councils saw an unprecedented number of female toshaos and senior councillors chosen. Thirty-five women now serve as either Toshao or deputy in various communities – about 14% of all indigenous leaders, up from single digits not long ago. Some villages, like Waramadong in Region 7 and Santa Rosa in Region 1 (the country’s largest indigenous settlement), elected women as Toshao for the first time in centuries of existence. In Waramadong, Amrita Thomas made history as the first female chief of the Akawaio community. Her agenda includes expanding educational opportunities for girls and preserving cultural heritage. Over in the North West District, Santa Rosa’s new Toshao, businesswoman Whanita Phillips, has prioritized sustainable fishing practices and youth training. These women bring diverse backgrounds – Thomas is a former teacher, Phillips an entrepreneur – and they share a common refrain: “Leadership is not confined to gender,” as one of them put it.
The push for women in leadership has been bolstered by government and civil society initiatives. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and various NGOs have conducted women’s leadership workshops, encouraging females on village councils to run for the top job. Many of the newly elected female toshaos had previously served as councillors or treasurers, earning trust over time. For instance, Sonia Latchman of Bethany (Region 2) was re-elected Toshao and serves as Vice-Chair of the National Toshaos Council – she’s a teacher by profession and has become a vocal advocate for women’s voices in decision-making at the national level. Latchman’s rise to a Caribbean regional indigenous leadership role (she was named lead expert for the Americas on indigenous rights) showcases the growing influence of Guyanese indigenous women beyond their communities. “Women’s leadership leads to more inclusive changes,” Latchman argues, noting that women often focus on issues like education, healthcare, and family welfare that male leaders might overlook.
The transformation hasn’t been entirely smooth. Some communities initially resisted – there were reports that in one village, a faction attempted to invalidate the vote when a woman won. However, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry made clear that democratic outcomes must be respected, and after mediation, the community accepted their new Toshao. “There’s been decades of gender awareness building, and it’s paying off,” says Sharon Atkinson, a longtime activist from Region 9. She recalls that even in the 1990s, it was rare to see women speak up at village meetings. Now, many community development projects are led by women, and villages increasingly judge leaders by performance, not gender. In Awarewaunau (Region 9), where 27-year-old Roxanne Beck was elected Toshao last year, residents credit her with reviving the cattle farmers’ co-op and securing solar panels for households. “She’s small in size but mighty in actions,” an elderly villager said of Beck, affectionately.
The emergence of female leaders dovetails with nationwide efforts to empower women. President Irfaan Ali’s government has appointed several women to key posts – including the first female Chief of Staff of the Defence Force and more women as regional officials. In indigenous communities specifically, policies like increased scholarships for hinterland girls and support for artisan businesses run by women have been crucial. Amarilyn David, who runs a women’s embroidery group in Region 1, says having a woman Toshao in a neighboring village helped her secure a small business grant. “She understood what we were trying to do and linked us with the right folks,” David explains. “Sometimes you need that peer support.”
There’s also a cultural shift among the men. Younger indigenous men often voice pride in female relatives leading. One young man from Moruca said of their Toshao, “She is my aunt, and she’s fearless. We’re all backing her.” Still, challenges like domestic violence and unequal access to opportunities persist in some areas, issues the new wave of women leaders has vowed to tackle. The government has launched sensitization campaigns and even floated the idea of quotas for women in village councils, though for now the organic rise in numbers makes quotas unnecessary.
As these pioneering women navigate governance, many rely on networking with each other. WhatsApp groups of female toshaos buzz daily – sharing advice on dealing with mining companies, or tips on negotiating better prices for village products. In August, a historic “Women Leaders Conference” was convened alongside the National Toshaos Council meeting, giving a platform for the women to coordinate and present collective concerns (like requesting more daycare facilities so young mothers can attend training programs). This solidarity augurs well for sustaining the trend. “Our daughters see us and know they can lead too,” Toshao Brazao says, watching schoolgirls play in Kato’s yard. For those daughters and the whole community, the example set by women like Brazao and her peers is transformative: power and responsibility in indigenous society are no longer the sole domain of men, but a shared journey to a better future.
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Women Chiefs Lead the Way in Guyana’s Hinterland Revival
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