The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) in partnership with Merundoi Incorporated today launched a Human Rights and Democracy project designed to empower women and youth.

The project – Voices for Equality: Youth and Women Driving Human Rights and Democracy in Guyana – is being funded by the European Union (EU) to the tune of 220,000 Euros.

It forms part of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations for the two organisations.

Sounding the names of victims of gender-based violence, Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Kobe Smith, said the project is being launched at a time when the rights of women are being violated, with many of them suffering violence at the hands of their partners.

“The research says to us, globally that one in three women are survivors of gender-based violence but in Guyana it is one in two women that are survivors of gender-based violence,” Smith told those gathered at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

He said the time for business as usual has long passed, and through the project, the GRPA and Merundoi will strengthen civil society and advance gender equality, the empowerment of women, and human rights through community driven advocacy and awareness.

“In two years we will ensure that 150 youth and women are trained as human rights champions. As you know, there can be no talk about human rights or there can be no talk about democracy for young people and women without human rights, and so we want champions who are going to be online, who are going to be in communities and who are going to support the cause. We are also going to strengthen the capacity of at least 15 grassroots civil society organizations to ensure that they have the capacity and the training to continue the work around human rights protection. We will seek to ensure that 10,000 people are reached through digital means with the information,” the GRPA Director explained.

Through the project, the GRPA and Merundoi will also issue small grants to 30 persons to support human rights work in their communities. It will also see the roll out of four national men’s forums.

Smith said the project would not have been possible without the support of the EU Delegation.

He said at a time when traditional donors are walking away from the table, the EU continues to support the work of organizations like the GRPA and Merundoi.

The EU Delegation Charge’ d’ affaires to Guyana, Suriname and CARICOM, Spiros Polycandriotis-Van Duynhoven, said the EU is pleased to support the project.

“This project embodies crucial elements for building inclusive societies – democratic participation, human rights protection, access to health and social services and women’s economic empowerment. This approach builds upon the EU funded IMPACT Project to generate lasting positive changes for women’s rights in Guyana’s Regions 3 and 7. This endeavor concentrated on aiding women in vulnerable areas particularly those affected by trafficking, exploitation and violence by enhancing awareness, support systems and access to psychological care,” the EU Charges’ d’ affaires said.

He said integrated strategies can bring about tangible change and the EU is happy to be a partner in the process.

Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said the Government has been creating an enabling environment to ensure that democracy in Guyana is maintained, and remains on the front burner of national conversations.

“If we look at our legal framework in this country, it speaks to many areas that are part of our democratic processes and it also enforces the need for us to ensure that every Guyanese, every citizen of this country is inevitably linked to the legislative framework because rights are protected. When we speak of democracy, we speak of human rights,” Minister Persaud said.

She said among the legislation in place is the Family Violence Act, which was passed in 2024.

Minister Persaud said the legislation protects every member of the family and ensures that there are both criminal and civil measures that could be advanced.

In addition to launching the project, Merundoi and GRPA also hosted the 2026 International Women’s Day Policy Dialogue with panelists that included Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Roxane George; Managing Director of Blossom Incorporated, Dr Ayodele Dalgety-Dean; Toshao of Waramadong, Amrita Thomas, and CEO of Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth.

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