Dr. Patricee Douglas fondly known as Dr. Pat is a head wrap enthusiast and an ardent advocate for women’s and girls’ health and rights. She is a born and bred country girl, who enjoys the simple things in life. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) form the University of Guyana and a Master’s of Science in Sexual and Reproductive Health (MSc SRH) from the Queen Margaret University. She is a women deliver young leader, a global shaper, a commonwealth scholar, 120 under 40 champions for family planning 2016 winner and the 2018 finalist for the commonwealth Youth Awards.

Further, she is the founder of a grass-roots organization called SRHR Adventures that seeks to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with a special focus on family planning/contraception in Guyana. SRHR Adventures hold sessions on family planning, adolescent pregnancy, the effects of unsafe abortion and other SRHR topics. Our target audiences are adolescent girls and women; however, men and boys are not left out of our conversations since to do such would be counterproductive in the promotion of Women’s and Girls’ SRHR.

What is your greatest challenge doing what you are doing?

Guyana is a highly conservative society and all things sex and sex-related are shrouded in shame and secrecy. Hence, it proves difficult to openly talk about sex and other SRHR related topics. In addition, some older folks believe if one talks about sex to young people that it automatically encourages them to have early sex. However, the research has clearly shown that children who have access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) are more likely to delay their sexual debut. Hence, my greatest challenge in promoting SRHR is working in an environment where talking about sex is taboo!

What has been the most satisfying moment in your profession?

The most satisfying moment to date would be when we (SRHR Adventures) launched “The Parushi Club”. “Parushi” is the Akawaoi word for ladies and at the Parushi Club we seek to transform girls into kickass young women! It is a mentorship and awareness programme that seeks to engage young women within the ages of ten (10) to nineteen (19) from the Buxton/Friendship community and surrounding villages. It aims to teach adolescent females about their bodies while enhancing awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The troubling rate of unwanted pregnancies, adolescent pregnancies, and domestic violence are social ill that continues to plague the regions of Guyana. Thus, through this programme young ladies are motivated to dream big and to live their truth boldly!

What piece of advice would you give to other young people who want to follow in your footsteps?

Let your passion drive you, surround yourself with people who share your vision and are willing to support that vision. Do your research, seek advice, get a mentor, work hard but smart, be on time, be committed and do practice self-care.

How do you define success?

Yes, achieving ones’ dreams and having “nice” things can be deem success but if you evaluate those things and how fleeting they are one can conclude that they are but temporary success. True success is when you discover the purpose that you were created for, when you discover your “life’s work” but more importantly true success is when you heed the call on your life and it is manifested in the physical realm!

What will I do with my success?

I am a strong believer in the concept of “paying it forward” because all that I am and have acquired to date I owe to the mighty women and men who have invested in me! Hence, I am compelled to invest in others and ultimately make Guyana a place where “every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person potential is fulfilled”.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

My darling parents!

I am the daughter of parents who had not the opportunity to have a formal education…..neither of my parents went to secondary school. My dad is an auto-electrician and my mom did an array of what others may term “menial jobs”. She washed peoples’ dishes and cleaned their houses. However, both of my parents knew the importance of having an education and they invested in me.

What can we expect to see you doing in the future?

I plan to have my very own low-cost Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) Clinic that offers affordable, accessible and appropriate services to Guyanese. Further, creating a more meaningful and impactful change in the lives of women and girls in my country and the world at large!