Guyana has made significant strides on women’s issues

– Webster tells Inter-American Commission of Women Assembly

The Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) has issued a resounding call for countries to allocate the necessary financial and human resources to curb violence against women.
At the 36th Assembly of Delegates of the Inter-American Commission of Women, which was held in San José, Costa Rica, from October 29 to 30, Guyana was represented at that forum by Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster

According to the San José Declaration on the Economic and Political Empowerment of Women of the Americas, which was issued at the end of the meeting, it was agreed that member states should make allocations to their respective national mechanisms “for the advancement of women, so as to fully comply with their national plans and programmes responsible for the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), and for the protection of and attention to women who have been subjected to violence in the framework of citizens security policies”.
The declaration focused heavily upon violence, citizens’ security, care, infrastructure and women’s economic autonomy. In this regard, emphasis was placed upon the need for member states to promote access to justice for women, who have been subjected to GBV, by enforcing existing provisions and adopting appropriate measures to safeguard women’s rights.
The need for enhanced data collection, greater collaboration among stakeholders, recognition of the economic value of unremunerated work and its contribution to family welfare and countries’ economic development, were also highlighted. Recognising that women are most affected by poverty, the meeting urged renewed commitment for the protection of women who work in the informal sectors, perform unremunerated domestic work and provide care services.
National reports on the situation in member states were also presented by participating countries. Guyana’s presentation highlighted national efforts to further enhance the status of women over the past two years, inclusive of poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment.

Guyana
Minister Webster noted that Guyana’s Constitution was amended (Amendment Number Two) to incorporate the Belém Do Pará Convention (the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women).
“Guyana has recognised that the endemic culture of violence generally and widespread gender-based violence in particular, demands intensive and extensive strategic action and multi-layered interventions by all within our society. Hence, the government has made this a national priority.”
Pointing to specific developments, the minister noted that the regulations which were drafted to support the Domestic Violence Act (1996) seeks to improve access to justice, and create a more user-friendly service for victims.
She also highlighted ongoing efforts with respect to counter trafficking in persons. “It should be also noted that persons are now being charged and brought before the courts for trafficking in persons offences committed. The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security provides victim support in accordance with section 18(1) of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2005, which includes the provision of appropriate accommodation, medical assistance, psychological counselling and education.”