Rights of Indigenous Women in Guyana are top priority for Government -UN Forum hears

The rights of Indigenous Women in Guyana are a priority, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said as she addressed the 24th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.

Speaking at the UN Forum on Inter-regional, inter-generational and global dialogue on the Rights of Indigenous Women, Minister Sukhai said she is pleased to be part of a Government that advances women’s rights, with indigenous women’s rights being a priority.

The Amerindian Affairs Minister said indigenous women are increasingly involved in politics both nationally and locally, and it is evident in the country.

“Thirty years ago, when I entered Parliament, there were few Indigenous women Parliamentarians. Today, 39% of women in Parliament are Indigenous. Three Indigenous women have led the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs,” Minister Sukhai pointed out.

Minister Sukhai said in Guyana, the Government continues to ensure the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous women – providing the necessary funding for them to develop their businesses and thrive.

“Funding of entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture, eco-tourism and traditional economic activities is provided through the national budget. The Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Program provides training and business opportunities for Indigenous Youths, 63% of the participants are Indigenous Women,” the Amerindian Affairs Minister reported.

Additionally, she said the Government has also advanced equitable access to healthcare and education nationwide. New and upgraded healthcare infrastructure and telemedicine services are expanding across the Amerindian Villages, she said, while adding that these improvements prioritize Indigenous Women’s healthcare, including financial aid for universal healthcare and cancer screening.

“Special emphasis is placed on expanding access to education in Indigenous communities through teacher training, construction of new schools and expanding investment in ICT connectivity. Reaffirming our country’s realization of empowerment of Indigenous Women through education, they can now access tuition-free University and technical education as well as fully funded international scholarships,” the Amerindian Affairs Minister said.

She said while access to clean and safe water supply by Indigenous Populations continues to be a challenge globally, 91% of the Indigenous Villages in Guyan have access to potable water. She predicts that by the end of 2025, 100% of the villages will have access to potable water.

Minister Sukhai said too that combatting Sexual and Gender Based Violence remains a priority for Guyana, pointing to the recently passed Family Violence Act, which strengthens the legal framework on domestic violence, enhances protections for victims and survivors and ensures offenders are held accountable.

Minister Sukhai noted that the protection of Indigenous Women’s rights and their economic and social development are only possible through political will matched with the requisite resources. The current Administration, she said, has reaffirmed its commitment to proactively promote and support Indigenous Women’s rights and development.

The UN Forum is being held from April 21 to May 2, 2025 under the theme “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.”

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