The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Wednesday launched the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal, a major initiative aimed at expanding equal opportunities and strengthening protections for women across Guyana’s workforce.
The launch also included the signing of the Guyana Women and Gender Equality and Empowerment Principles, marking a unified commitment from government agencies and the private sector to promote gender fairness and safer workplaces.
The initiative was unveiled at the Roraima Duke Lodge in Kingston with participation from the Ministries of Public Service; Government Efficiency and Implementation; Labour and Manpower Planning; as well as the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Private Sector Commission.
Developed with support from the United Nations (UN) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Seal provides businesses with a practical framework for turning gender-equality intentions into concrete, measurable action. As a gender-neutral certification, it aims to mainstream gender considerations in workplaces and strengthen protections against all forms of sexual and gender-based violence—from discrimination to harassment.
The Seal is designed to ensure equal employment opportunities and empower all Guyanese workers to advance their careers with dignity, fairness, and professional support.
Findings That Shaped the Seal
Policy Coordinator Jairo Rodrigues shared an overview of the ministry’s work, noting that from 2021 to 2025, the Ministry of Human Services held 37 consultations with public and private organisations—engaging nearly 1,000 people—to better understand persistent gender disparities.
Key findings included:
- Women make up only 40% of the labour force and remain underrepresented in leadership and ownership.
- Women continue to face rising levels of family and professional violence, especially those aged 20–30.
- Both men and women experience discrimination, gender biases, sexual harassment, labour exploitation, and abuse.
- Sexual harassment disproportionately affects women, and many organisations lack internal policies to address it.
- Victims of family violence often prioritise going to work out of fear of losing their jobs or being disciplined for attending court.
- Immigrants—both male and female—reported experiences of sexual harassment and exploitation.
- Women face challenges related to child care, including being penalised for minor lateness.
- Men’s hygiene needs are often overlooked, with some workplaces lacking basic sanitary disposal facilities for men.
Through extensive research, sector-wide feedback, and careful redesign to align with local realities, the ministry finalised the structure and standards of the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in her feature address, emphasised that the Seal represents a transformative step toward building safer, more equitable workplaces and ensuring that every Guyanese—regardless of gender—has the opportunity to thrive.
