Civil Society Calls for Urgent Reforms to Tackle Gender Violence

The General Equality Forum (GEF) is making an appeal for urgent collective, local action to combat the scourge of gender-based violence. In a statement the body notes that “As the world observes International Human Rights Day and concludes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the spotlight falls on the urgent need for collective, local action to combat this scourge in Guyana. This year’s commemoration emphasises the devastating reality that violence continues to affect women, girls, sex workers, sexual and gender minorities disproportionately, and nowhere is this more evident than in Guyana.”

A recent hearing at the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IAHRC) on the “Impacts of Gender Violence on Migrants, Sex Workers and Transgender Women in Guyana” serves as a sobering reminder of the critical work still required to protect marginalised populations in the country, GEF notes.

The hybrid IAHRC hearing was requested by Synergia: Initiatives for Human Rights, and the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), represented by leading GEF member ogranisations: Blossom Inc., Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC) and SASOD Guyana.

The delegation was led by the GEF’s Attorney-at-Law, Chandrawattie Persaud. Testimonies from the petitioners painted a harrowing picture of systemic violence, with reports indicating 307 cases of violence against migrant women since 2020. Dr. Ayodele Dalgety-Dean from Blossom Inc. highlighted the compounded risks of economic exploitation and xenophobia faced by migrant women.

At the same time, Kinesha Thom of GSWC called for the repeal of offences related to sex work, stressing that these punitive laws create an unsafe working environment for sex workers and heighten occupational risks.

Guyanese transgender advocate Twinkle Paul, who is affiliated with SASOD Guyana, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony, shedding light on the persistent barriers transgender individuals face in seeking justice when they suffer hate crimes and other forms of transphobic abuse.

The GEF advised that their petitioners put forward a number of recommendations to address these deep-rooted issues. “These include more accessible services for migrants, repeal of offences related to sex work, decriminalisation of same-sex intimacy, and targeted public awareness campaigns to combat xenophobia. These proposals are aimed at creating safer, more equitable environments for marginalised groups, addressing not just the symptoms but the structural causes of violence.”

GEF says Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, M.P., responding to the petitioners on behalf of the Government of Guyana, acknowledged the challenges while pointing to significant efforts to strengthen legislative protections against sexual and gender-based violence.

At the same time GEF notes the existence of gaps in data collection and law enforcement practices, and emphasis by the Commissioners for greater transparency and accountability to translate legislative reforms into meaningful protection for Guyana’s most vulnerable groups.

“As the 16 Days campaign reminds the global community, that every ten minutes a woman loses her life to gender-based violence, the recent IACHR hearing stands as a poignant call to action.”

GEF says it underscores that while legislative advancements are necessary, actual change demands sustained efforts from civil society and government, and the ongoing dialogue emphasises that change must address legal protections and societal attitudes toward gender equality and human rights.

International Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 each year. This year’s theme is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”