Differently-abled youth on Forward Guyana Movement’s candidacy list

Jul 16, 2025 News

Bibi Alisha Feroze on FGM list of candidates

Kaieteur News – For the first time, a differently-abled young woman has been nominated to a National Top-Up List by a newly formed political party, the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM).

Twenty-two-year-old Bibi Alisha Feroze of Montrose, East Coast Demerara, is candidate number 16 on the party’s list. She says she is determined to be a voice for persons with disabilities and is ready to step into the political arena.

In an interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday, Feroze opened up about her life’s journey and her motivation to enter politics. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, a condition that affects muscle movement, Feroze explained that while her condition posed challenges, it never prevented her from living a full life.

“Growing up with a disability when I was small, my parents didn’t really know much about persons having disabilities. My dad was a cane cutter and they tried, took me to several doctors and thought it was something that could have been fixed. But that was not the case. Then I quickly figured that it wasn’t something that could be cured and since then, I have adapted to getting things done my way. I do everything for myself and since then to now it’s a development process. I constantly work on myself. I learn different things to make my life better. I can stand with my walker, I can walk with a walker, however if I am to move off, I would have to restrict my movement.” she said.

Bibi Alisha Feroze

Feroze shared that her interest in politics began around age 16. She was driven to become more involved after noticing how often persons with disabilities are overlooked.” There are a few things the government done to improve our lives and make sure we get training but that in itself is not enough,” she said. Feroze added that she was further motivated to run for candidacy because of her own personal experience of not finding a decent job because of her disability despite being qualified. “If I find a job I am qualified for, most of the time, the spaces are a little bit too tiny for a wheelchair or completely not accessible,” she explained. “I’ve met people with degrees and are still unable to find a job and that is what motivated me to get into politics because if there is someone there to speak for persons with disabilities, they would ensure that we will surely be heard,” she said.

Feroze also spoke about the societal stigma that persons with disabilities cannot work or live independently. “We heard in the past and continue hearing that persons with disabilities should be content with what we have even if that’s not having a job and that is relying on family. And the thing is that is not seen is that some people don’t have family to rely and that in itself can make life really hard and that is speaking from other persons experiences and my own,” she said.

When asked why she chose the Forward Guyana Movement, Feroze said she was inspired by party leader Amanza Walton-Desir. “When I saw the party being formed and I heard what Miss Amanza was about, I was really inspired by her. We met before I decided I wanted to be a candidate. She spoke to me about my inspirations on what I would want to see as a candidate going in, and of course I voiced to her my representation of persons with disabilities and we are going to be working with other persons. I will be talking to other persons to hear what are their struggles and how we can make it better,” she explained.

Despite the physical challenges she faces, Feroze lives a full and independent life. She is currently engaged, enjoys cooking, and loves reading. “My day usually includes doing household chores, relaxing, reading, and end the day,” she said. Feroze credits her father and fiancé as her biggest supporters. “My dad is really proud of me. He’s always there, supporting everything I do.”

Feroze’s candidacy marks a significant step forward for inclusion in Guyanese politics, as she aims to amplify the voices of persons with disability.

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Bibi Alisha Feroze, Differently abled, Forward Guyana Movement, Guyana Elections, Montrose

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