Biography of Her Excellency Arya Ali – First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Arya Devi Ali is youngest First Lady in the history of Guyana, assuming this important role on August 2, 2020 when her husband became the ninth Executive President of Guyana.
She attended the Sacred Heart Primary School then secured a place at St. Joseph High School. After completing her Secondary education, she moved on to University of Guyana where she read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, and subsequently, a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies.
A believer in wholesome education, the First Lady has also completed her International Masters of Business Administration at the University of the West Indies (UWI) at St Augustine.
Prior to assuming the position of First Lady, Mrs. Ali served in several capacities during an eight-year stint at the Guyana Revenue Authority. It was during this time that she developed a strong love for the public service.
Since taking office, the First Lady has identified several critical areas of focus which she hopes to make a meaningful impact.
Last year, she launched the groundbreaking Menstrual Hygiene Initiative which aims to end period poverty in Guyana by providing sanitary products to women and girls at no cost to them. She has since been able to secure funding from the government for the provision of sanitary pads to more than 30,000 school-aged girls in Guyana, free of cost.
Mrs. Ali is also spearheading the ongoing National Beautification Project which aims to promote scenic revitalization and environmental sustainability in Guyana’s urban and rural spaces.
Her ‘InclusAbility Initiative’ aims to integrate vulnerable groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities, into all sectors of society, to ensure they benefit from opportunities equitably.
She has also launched the ‘Adopt-an-Orphanage Initiative’ which establishes a critical link between corporate sponsors with underfunded orphanages for the former to provide financial and other support to those homes.
Mrs. Ali is also the mother of little Zayd and a mentor and friend to many.