Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving gender equality “soon enough,” Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has affirmed.
She was at the time addressing officials at a National Conference aimed at reflecting on Guyana’s progress, achievements, and ongoing challenges in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), held at the Royal International Mall on Wednesday.
The BPfA, established as a global framework for achieving gender equality, serves as a cornerstone for advancing women’s rights and empowerment across the world.
In Guyana, its implementation has been closely aligned with national development strategies and policies that address key issues such as poverty reduction, access to education, prevention of gender-based violence, and the increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making roles.
Through the BPfA framework, Guyana continues to reaffirm its commitment to building a more equitable society, where women and girls can fully participate in and benefit from national development.
In her address, Dr. Persaud attributed achievements thus far as a thirty-year milestone which has radically changed the world.
“It was three decades of persistent, consistent work by advocates, including many powerful and outspoken women globally, that would have brought us to this point. Were it not for them, we would not have seen the efforts that today we have over 193 countries when it comes to legislation, policy, national action plans – to deal with the welfare and wellbeing of the progress of women,” she shared.
She noted that while there is “a feeling of not going fast enough,” Guyana remains consistently dedicated to ensuring that gender equality is achieved “soon enough,” where women and girls will understand that they have an equal space where their voices are not diminished.
“I also recognise the remarkable women in this room, who would have and continue to champion these causes that led towards us having among the countries who continue to work on this agenda of the Beijing Platform for Action – so that we can see the kind of transformation, progress, and national infrastructure that exist in our country,” she said.
She highlighted examples of achievement such as the Women and Gender Equality Commission as a significant stride towards achieving this mandate.
The conference was hosted in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the United Nations System in Guyana. Together, these partners aim to foster dialogue, share insights, and strengthen cooperation in advancing gender equality and social empowerment.
