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Minister Persaud pushes education as a shield against early motherhood
(Kaieteur News) – “Motherhood is wonderful, but wait.” Those were the firm words of Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vidya Persaud, as she urged young girls to delay pregnancy and focus on building opportunities for themselves while they are young.
The minister made the remarks on Wednesday at the Guyana Women & Girls Summit (GWAGS) 2026, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in observance of the upcoming International Women’s Day.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vidya Persaud addressing young girls at the Guyana Women & Girls Summit (GWAGS).
Her comments come in the wake of two recent incidents involving teenage mothers that have shocked the nation and reignited concerns about teenage pregnancy. Fourteen-year-old Aleena Preetam, who had recently given birth, was found dead at her Good Hope, Essequibo home on February 23. Kaieteur News had reported that the teen was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom after her baby was heard crying for an extended period. Relatives reportedly found her motionless on her bed. Authorities later determined that her cause of death was heart failure and anaemia.
In a separate incident on February 24, a 15-year-old mother, Tiana Chapman of Pepper Street, Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice, was allegedly stabbed 25 times by the father of her child. The teen is currently battling for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Amsterdam Hospital. Reports indicate that her lungs were punctured, and doctors have described her condition as “critical but stable.”
Addressing the summit, Minister Persaud cautioned that while no woman should face abuse, young girls must make careful choices about relationships and motherhood. “Delay those relationships until you are standing firmly on your two feet, as leaders, as entrepreneurs,” she said. “I’m saying it bluntly because sometimes these things need to be said. We are dealing with a whole barrage of challenges when it comes to teenage pregnancy,” the minister added.
Reflecting on the recent death of the teenage mother, the minister expressed deep sorrow. “There are lots of teenage mothers out there, and again, it was difficult. I hadn’t slept that night when I heard that child had passed. She should not have even been a mother,” Persaud said.
She urged parents and guardians to become more actively involved in their children’s lives and to consistently engage young girls in conversations about their future. “You have to speak monthly to the young women. The girls, wait. Let me say it again—wait. Because when you make choices, your future is different. Motherhood is beautiful, but wait. With teen pregnancy come medical challenges, emotional difficulties, social obstacles and everything that follows,” she stressed, while acknowledging that support services are available but often underutilised.
The minister highlighted that her ministry provides several empowerment programmes, including public assistance, technical and vocational training, and other initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable women. However, she noted that many young women do not take advantage of these opportunities. “The conversation always starts with ‘I am a single mother,’ and I remind them that we have programmes that empower women like you. I want you to utilise the programmes that push empowerment that are free to you, technical, vocational programmes,” she said.
Persaud further emphasised the importance of education and family support in shaping better outcomes for young women. She pointed to free universal primary education, opportunities at the University of Guyana, and the GOAL scholarship programme as avenues young women should pursue. “You are at the perfect stage to choose well for yourself,” she said, adding that building a supportive ecosystem must begin at home and continue through the education system.
She also outlined legal avenues available to women, including the ministry’s pro bono legal initiative for survivors of violence and expanded access to free legal advice at ministry offices. Legal Aid, she noted, has expanded its services across the regions. Despite these resources, Persaud acknowledged that many women still do not pursue legal action or seek available support.
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