Minister Persaud: Women and girls centre of empowerment

Women and girls are at the centre of empowerment, said the Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud.

Minister Persaud made the remarks during an address at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 7th plenary meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

She underscored the government’s transformative policies and initiatives, which she noted are designed to protect, empower, and elevate women, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we are reminded of the groundbreaking vision set forth three decades ago – a bold blueprint for gender equality that catalysed global momentum. Yet, despite transformative strides in education, health, and political participation, we stand at a critical juncture, where regression threatens to unravel hard-won gains. Violence against women, gender disparities in economic opportunity, and systemic barriers to leadership persist, undermining the very ideals enshrined in Beijing,” the minister said.

She noted that Guyana has not stood still but has strategically invested in capacity-building, achieving gender parity in primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

“Guyana has placed women and girls at the centre of technical, vocational education and socio-economic empowerment efforts. All women in Guyana have access to free healthcare, telemedicine, focused maternal and child services, and free testing and immunisation. Targeted services for cancers affecting women have revolutionised the delivery of healthcare to women in indigenous, rural, and remote communities,” the minister said.

She highlighted that women’s rights to safety and security have led to the development of a comprehensive national model to counter violence against them, with the new Family Violence Act, reporting, response and support mechanisms, and Hope and Justice Centres providing multi-faceted, multi-sectoral services under one roof.

“The government is taking a holistic approach to eradicating poverty among women by facilitating significant land and home ownership, training in climate-smart agriculture towards increased food security, and promoting non-traditional jobs to capitalise on growing industries in construction and renewable energy,” she said.

The government has recognised that affordable childcare is essential for women to compete equally and equitably in the workforce and has provided assistance in this regard.

The minister also pointed out that the government is aware that, despite sustained efforts, no country has yet achieved gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls. She stressed that the challenges are vast and multi-faceted.

“It is a travesty that women are still massively outnumbered by men in decision-making and leadership positions. Financial independence for women, their safety, and their inclusion in decision-making processes require urgent changes to global attitudes. Innovative global partnerships and unprecedented financial investments are necessary to ensure that the momentum of the Beijing platform is not lost,” she said.

Minister Persaud warned that failure to act decisively risks not only leaving women behind but also denying the world the full potential of half its population.

“Let us ignite a renewed urgency to push forward with unrelenting resolve. Inaction today could pave the way for a future less equitable, less just, and less inclusive. We must not allow the progress of the last 30 years to be stifled. We must forge ahead, unwavering in our commitment to breaking the chains of inequality,” she said.