Access to justice is a challenge for women who are victims of violence, especially those who live in remote areas, given the geography of the country and that law enforcement services are limited.
This was revealed at a forum held at the National Conference Centre at Liliendaal on Friday as the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) conducted a stakeholders’ review of the progress, gaps and actions of the Beijing Platform for Action since it was implemented some 20 years ago.
The Government of Guyana’s Report on Beijing+20 said that as regards access to justice for gender-based violence, many women, especially those in the interior and rural areas, have not been fully exposed to human rights education, people-friendly information, education and communication materials and are not are not familiar with the operation of the courts. Given the geography of the country, law enforcement’s services in some areas are limited, rendering access and administrative challenges for victims of gender-based violence.
According to the Women and Gender Equality Commission, a study was conducted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security/United Nations Population Fund which stated that women across all divisions in society have experienced gender-based violence at some point in their lives, which supports the view that gender-based violence is rooted in women’s lack of power in relationships and in society relative to men.
In terms of economic participation and empowerment, the WGEC also stated that there has been greater involvement of women in the economy as workers, farmers, professionals, and micro, small and medium sized businesses. It cited the formation of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation in 2012, adding that according to a recent report there are some 700 women employed in the mining sector. “The development illustrates the movement of women into non-traditional areas of economic activities and their greater participation in economic life,” the WGC said.
Speaking at the forum on Friday was chairperson of the National Congress for Women, Cheryl Sampson who told the gathering that the major contributions by women in the past have effectively contributed to the development of Guyana. She also pointed out the major roles that women currently play in society.
