By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK — Guyana’s aggressive push for gender equality and specialized protection for survivors of abuse took center stage at the United Nations headquarters this week. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, is currently leading the national delegation at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
Addressing a high-level ministerial round-table, Dr. Persaud framed Guyana’s progress not just as a matter of policy, but as a total transformation of the nation’s judicial and social architecture.
Legislative Teeth: The 2024 Family Violence Act
A primary focus of the Minister’s presentation was the implementation of the 2024 Family Violence Act, which replaced the decades-old Domestic Violence Act.
- Wider Definitions: The new law expands the definition of violence beyond physical harm to include emotional, psychological, and economic abuse.
- Stronger Remedies: It provides enhanced criminal and civil remedies, making it easier for survivors to obtain protection orders that are actually enforceable.
- Sex Offenders Registry: Dr. Persaud announced that new amendments to the Sexual Offences Act will soon include the establishment of a formal Sex Offenders Registry, a move aimed at increasing public safety and perpetrator accountability.
The Power of Representation
Minister Persaud highlighted that Guyana’s legal reforms are being driven by women at the highest levels of power, ensuring that the “gendered perspective” mentioned by Acting Chancellor Roxane George is reflected in every ruling.
- Parliamentary Strength: Women now constitute 39% of Guyana’s Parliament, significantly higher than the global average.
- Judicial Leadership: More than 50% of Guyana’s judges are women, and the nation’s top two judicial posts—Chancellor and Chief Justice—continue to be held by females.
Hope and Justice Centers: The “One-Stop” Solution
Beyond the courtroom, Dr. Persaud stressed that justice is inaccessible if a survivor has to travel to multiple locations while in crisis.
- Integrated Services: Guyana’s “Hope and Justice Centers” were presented as a global model for survivor support. These centers provide a single, safe space where a woman can:
- File a formal police report.
- Receive immediate medical attention.
- Access psychological counseling and legal aid.
- Find emergency safe shelter.
Global Advocacy Continues
The Commission on the Status of Women will continue through March 19, 2026. During the remaining sessions, the Guyanese delegation is expected to hold bilateral talks with representatives from the UN Women agency and other CARIFTA nations to discuss regional strategies for ending gender-based violence.
As the Minister concluded her address, she reminded the international community that while laws are written on paper, their success is measured by the “on-ground” safety of the girls in the smallest villages.
