MINISTER PERSAUD AMPLIFIES CALLS FOR STRONGER GLOBAL ACTION TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR WOMEN

By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK — Guyana has intensified its call for a global overhaul of legal systems that remain “elusive” to women and girls. Addressing the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) on Monday, March 9, 2026, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, delivered a powerful indictment of traditional justice frameworks, stating that the “silence of systems” never built with women in mind is deafening.

Dr. Persaud’s address focused on the gap between “laws on paper” and the “reality of the streets,” calling for a shift from passive legislation to survivor-centered enforcement.

Beyond Legislation: A Call for Accountability

The Minister argued that passing laws is merely the first step; the true measure of justice lies in a system’s accessibility and responsiveness.

• Structural Barriers: Dr. Persaud noted that many legal systems were designed by and for men, leaving women without effective recourse.
• The Four Pillars of Reform: She emphasized that for laws to be effective, they must be supported by:
  1. Legal Literacy: Educating women on their specific rights.
  2. Affordability: Access to legal services that are not cost-prohibitive.
  3. Responsive Policing: Law enforcement trained to handle gender-sensitive cases.
  4. Timely Justice: Reducing the “judicial backlog” that often re-traumatizes survivors.

New Frontiers: Social Media & Digital Abuse

A significant portion of the Minister’s address focused on the “unpunished” realm of the internet.

• Cyber-Violence: Dr. Persaud highlighted the rising trend of harassment and violence against women on social media.
• Jurisdictional Hurdles: She called for international cooperation to address the anonymity and jurisdictional challenges that allow digital abusers to operate with impunity. Guyana is currently exploring regional frameworks to hold perpetrators of online gender-based violence (GBV) accountable.

Guyana as a Case Study for Reform

While calling for global action, the Minister presented Guyana’s recent legislative milestones as a potential roadmap for other nations.

• The Family Violence Act 2024: Cited for its progressive definition of abuse, covering emotional, financial, and psychological harm, as well as providing strong civil and criminal remedies.
• Hope and Justice Centers: Integrated “one-stop” spaces that provide medical, legal, and psychological support under one roof.
• The Sex Offenders Registry: Confirmed as a key forthcoming amendment to the Sexual Offences Act to ensure transparency and public safety.

The 70-Year Reflection

Dr. Persaud reminded the delegation that it has been 70 years since the first Commission met, yet the world is still debating fundamental rights for “half of humanity.”

“We are still discussing how we can ensure that justice and inclusive legal systems do not remain elusive for our women. This is a question of power, and that power must be shared.” — Dr. Vindhya Persaud

The CSW70 session continues through March 19, 2026, with negotiations focused on adopting “Agreed Conclusions” that will mandate member states to eliminate discriminatory practices in their national courts.