Gender-Based Violence Country Profile GUYANA Contents INTRODUCTION 3 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID 4 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 7 GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES 8 APPENDIX 1 – TIMELINE OF KEY LEGISLATION 10 APPENDIX 2 – DEVELOPMENTS AND NOTABLE GAPS IN LEGISLATION 11 APPENDIX 3 – BROCHURE FROM THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 12 APPENDIX 4 – INSTITUTIONS/SERVICES INVOLVED IN CASES OF VAW 13 APPENDIX 5 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST 16 WOMEN (GUYANA) GLOSSARY 17 REFERENCES 18 World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 3 INTRODUCTION Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South GBV is deeply rooted in the country’s social fabric America. The population of Guyana is estimated to be and remains a serious issue across ethnic and socio- around 804,567 as of 2021. The economy of Guyana is economic groups. In addition, vulnerable employment largely dependent on its natural resources, particularly is high among both women and men6, leaving many gold, bauxite, and timber. In recent years, the country workers without formal work arrangements, social has also begun to explore offshore oil reserves, which is protection, and safety nets. expected to provide a boost to the economy. According to the World Bank, Guyana’s GDP is currently 8.04 ad The pandemic has only intensified these challenges, for 2021.1 Guyana faces several challenges, including with women facing greater financial stress poverty and high levels of inequality, ranking 114 out of and caregiving burdens.7 The situation is further 170 countries in the Gender Inequality index. exacerbated by the influx of refugees and migrants, particularly from Venezuela, who are increasingly Guyana faces significant challenges in addressing vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation and need gender-based violence (GBV) and supporting proper assistance.8 women’s economic empowerment. The 2019 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey showed that over half of all women aged 15-64 had experienced at least one form of violence,2 and 4 in 10 had experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime.3 4 Furthermore, Guyana recorded the highest rates of gender-related homicides of women by their intimate partners in the Caribbean5. 1 World Bank. (n.d) Guyana. In World Bank Data. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/country/guyana 2 Caribbean Women Count: Ending Violence and Women and Girls Data Hub (n.d.). https://caribbeanwomencount.unwomen.org/countries.html?country=1. 3 Ibid 4 Spotlight Initiative. (n.d.). Guyana Country Programme Document. 5 United Nations. (s. f.). Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/GUY 6 Ibid 7 Tan, H.L. (2020, Nov. 17). When home is not a safe place: COVID-19 and domestic violence. https://www.genderandcovid-19.org/webinar/when-home-is-not- a-safe-place-covid-19-and-domestic-violence/ 8 Regional Response Plans for Refugees and Migrants 2023-2024 Guyana 2-pager | R4V. (s. f.). https://www.r4v.info/en/document/rmrp-2023-2024-guyana-2- pager World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 4 PREVALENCE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: PRE- AND POST-COVID UN Women Prevalence Data on Different Forms of sub index that has improved significantly, ranking 57th Violence against Women9: in comparison with the previous year ranking (91st). — Lifetime Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner The 2019 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Violence: Official National Statistics Not Available Experiences Survey indicates that more than half — Physical and/or Sexual Intimate Partner Violence (55%) of all women aged 15-64 have experienced in the last 12 months: Official National Statistics at least one form of violence11 and 4 in 10 have Not Available experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime.12 Nevertheless, by 2022 the — Lifetime Non-Partner Sexual Violence: Official percentage of ever partnered women and girls aged 15- National Statistics Not Available 49 years subjected to physical and/or sexual violence — Child Marriage: 30.2% 10 by a current or former intimate partner was 31 %. In addition, the percentage of ever-partnered women and Guyana has a GII value of 0,454, ranking it 114 out of girls subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a 170 countries in 2021. current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months was 9 percent. The number of rapes reported Regarding the Global Gender Gap Index, Guyana has to the Guyana Police Force has risen steadily from 2011 improved in the gender parity scores the most, ranking to 2018, and reports indicate that 3 in 5 Guyanese 35th in comparison with the previous year in which it women and girls have experienced some form of ranked 53rd. Moreover, in Guyana parity has increased violence by an intimate partner.13 among workers in senior roles by at least 10 percentage points (46.7 % in total). Educational Attainment is other 9 UN Women Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). Guyana. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/guyana 10 Percentage of women aged 20 to 24 years who were first married or in union before age 18. Source: UNICEF global databases, 2021, based on DHS, MICS and other nationally representative surveys. 11 Caribbean Women Count: Ending Violence and Women and Girls Data Hub (n.d.). https://caribbeanwomencount.unwomen.org/countries.html?country=1 12 Spotlight Initiative. (n.d.). Guyana Country Programme Document. 13 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey Report. (2019). https://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20office%20caribbean/attachments/publi- cations/2019/guyana-womens-health-and-life-experiences-survey-report-2019.pdf?la=en&vs=4309 World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 5 Various agencies have estimated that Guyana has There is limited data from Intimate Partner Violence one of the highest rates of domestic violence among (IPV), latest data available is from the Health and the Commonwealth Caribbean, in a 2021 study Life Experiences Study of 201918 and states that conducted by the Gender Equality Observatory for Guyanese women experienced IPV at significantly Latin America and the Caribbean,14 Guyana recorded higher rates than the global average of 1 in 3 women: the highest rates of gender-related killing of women 55% of survey respondents who had ever had a male at the hands of their intimate partner or former partner have experienced some form of IPV during their partner in the Caribbean (2.0 per 100,000 women). lifetime; 38 per cent have experienced physical and/or Moreover, 169 women die per 100,000 live births due sexual violence, and more than 1 in 10 have experienced to pregnancy-related causes in Guyana. 15 Although physical and/or sexual violence from a male partner in the maternal mortality ratio in Guyana has improved the past 12 months. The most significant risk factor from 231 in 2000 to 169 in 2017, maternal mortality in for non-partner sexual violence (NPSV), including rape, Guyana is higher than its regional average. In addition, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching and sexual 66,6 of every 1,000 girls ages 15-19 gave birth in harassment, is being young: the 15–24 age group Guyana in 2021.16 reported statistically higher rates of NPSV of every type.19 Regarding labour force, in Guyana, the labor force participation rate among females is 39.6% and Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a serious among males is 61.3% for 2022. Since 1990, female issue across ethnic and socio-economic groups. The labor force participation has increased. Nevertheless, Spotlight Initiative notes that: vulnerable employment among women is 30.5% and among men is 27.4% in Guyana for 2019. Workers in “Patterns of family violence and sexual violence are vulnerable employment are the least likely to have deep-rooted in the social fabric of Guyana, enabled by formal work arrangements, social protection, and a culture of tolerance of violations of personhood; fear safety nets to guard against economic shocks; thus of reprisals by survivors who report these crimes to the they are more likely to fall into poverty.17 authorities; inadequate enforcement of existing laws; the need for economic survival especially by women 14 29 countries and territories of the region, reported to the Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean the latest official data. 15 United Nations. (s. f.). Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/GUY 16 Ibid 17 Ibid 18 The Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey 2018 is the first report to provide a comprehensive examination of the nature and prevalence of violence against women and girls in Guyana. 19 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey Report. (2019). https://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20officeiiii%20caribbean/attachments/pu- blications/2019/guyana-womens-health-and-life-experiences-survey-report-2019.pdf?la=en&vs=4309 World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 6 who have no alternative route to economic security (288) while NGOs identified 15. Of the identified outside of the homestead; beliefs that connect family victims, 193 were women and 14 were girls exploited values to the preservation of a male head in the in sex trafficking; five women, 10 men, six girls, and household irrespective of the brutalities that may be three boys were exploited in labor trafficking. The sex endured by the occupants; practices that undermine trafficking victims included a high rate of migrants, 166 the fundamental core of social justice; and knowledge Venezuelans, five Jamaicans, two Cubans, and one Indian of, and access to services that would alleviate the pain as well as 22 Guyanese; the remaining victims were and suffering to which mostly women are vulnerable.” 20 from unspecified countries. As for the labor trafficking victims there were six Guyanese, 10 Venezuelans, three Guyana hosts refugees and migrants from Venezuela, Cubans, two Brazilians, two Jamaicans, and one Indian including significant numbers of indigenous people, national. There is an alarming increase in the number of as well as Guyanese returnees which has increased cases compared with the identification of 199 victims the pressure on GBV service providers and host by the government and an additional five victims by communities in hinterland regions along the border NGOs in 2020. with Venezuela and in urban/peri-urban locations in the coastland (34% population in need of said services)21. The pandemic has cut women and girls off from their Additionally, since COVID-19, migrants have been support system, while intensifying their financial particularly affected by unemployment, and more of stress and caregiving burden. Researchers working them are exchanging sex for money to survive, greatly in Guyana have expressed significant concern about increasing their vulnerability of becoming victims of increasing rates of GBV in Guyana during the pandemic, human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of stating “With limited financial resources, Guyanese GBV.22 As for October 2022, Guyana hosted 24,500 women must now feed their families with little to no refugees and migrants from Venezuela, as well as 206 money and they are also responsible for homeschooling, refugees and asylum seekers from other nationalities, as schools have been closed indefinitely.” Even as the including Cubans and Haitians. pandemic has increased their vulnerability, domestic violence survivors in Guyana have limited support.23 When it comes to human trafficking, the government of Guyana reports a high number of potential victims 20 Spotlight Initiative. (n.d.). Guyana Country Programme Document. 21 Regional Response Plans for Refugees and Migrants 2023-2024 Guyana 2-pager | R4V. (s. f.). https://www.r4v.info/en/document/rmrp-2023-2024-guyana- 2-pager 22 UNAIDS. (2020). Guyana community organization serves sex workers on the edge during COVID-19. https://reliefweb.int/report/guyana/guyana-communi- ty-organization-serves-sex-workers-edge-during-covid-19 23 Tan, H.L. (2020, Nov. 17). When home is not a safe place: COVID-19 and domestic violence. https://www.genderandcovid-19.org/webinar/when-home-is-not- a-safe-place-covid-19-and-domestic-violence/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 7 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK Gender equality in the legal framework: With regards which criminalized marital rape, and the Protection to overall gender equality in the legal framework, of Children Act (2009) as well as the National Policy according to the World Bank’s 2023 “Women, Business on Domestic Violence, among others. See Appendix and the Law” study, Guyana scores 86.9 out of 100 1 for a timeline of key legislation, and Appendix 2 for (over 8 indicators). When it comes to laws affecting developments and remaining gaps in legislation. women’s decisions to work, laws affecting women’s pay, constraints on women starting and running a business, There remains, however, a need to strengthen and gender differences in property and inheritance, and harmonize laws on family violence, especially for the laws affecting the size of a woman’s pension, Guyana protection of children (both boys and girls). Overall, gets a perfect score. However, when it comes to further reforms are required to translate policy and law constraints on freedom of movement, constraints into practice to meet the needs of survivors in a timely related to marriage, and laws affecting women’s work way, both for the prevention and the response to acts after having children, Guyana could consider reforms of family violence. Additionally, while the current legal to improve legal equality for women.24 framework does provide a clear leadership mandate for several institutions to operate, there is a need International conventions on GBV: Guyana is party for clearly defined roles, greater coordination, and to several international conventions that guarantee additional resources (including human and physical).25 equality, non-discrimination, freedom from violence for women and girls, including the Convention on the The state has recently made investments in creating Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against a specialized Family Court, Sexual Offences Court, Women (CEDAW), the “Convention of Belem Do Para,” and Children’s Court and in decentralizing court and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). services to the administrative regions of Guyana. Guyana has made some strides on the legislative and The Bureau of Gender Affairs led the development of policy fronts: Applicable laws include the Domestic a National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy Violence Act (1996), the Prevention of Discrimination and serves in an Advisory capacity on gender affairs Act (1997), the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act on established bodies such as the Women and Gender (2005), the Sexual Offences Act (2010, amended 2013) Equality Commission. 24 World Bank (2023). Women, Business and the Law 2021: Guyana. https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2023/snapshots/Guyana.pdf 25 ibid World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 8 With regards to civil liberties and political voice, women now represent the majority of appointments to Guyana has set a relatively high standard for the judiciary. At all levels of government, women have encouraging the participation of women in public accounted for about one third of the representatives office; there are quotas for political representation, and since 2011. GBV RESPONSE MECHANISMS AND SERVICES Challenges persist in the delivery of responsive and services, police, and justice services, whereas in the coordinated services to survivors. It is necessary rural hinterland regions health services are often the to strengthen the capacity of service providers and only accessible sector. to make essential services available and accessible, acceptable and of quality standards, as well as to A 24/7 helpline is available for survivors thanks to prosecute perpetrators in line with international human the Ministry of Social Protection, as well as individual rights standards and guidelines. counseling and victim advocacy (see Appendix 3 for sample brochure). Data from the 2019 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences survey revealed most survivors do Health care providers are generally not trained in not access services, and there is evidence of limited counselling GBV survivors or responding to cases of knowledge of available services and how they can sexual violence. Not all family planning methods are be accessed. Of women who said they were victims available outside of Georgetown. Abortion is legal but of IPV, only 50 percent sought help; few went to the not accessible outside of Georgetown. police (17 percent); and even fewer sought assistance from a health care worker (4 percent), religious leader There are a limited number of social workers. Training (6 percent), counsellor (4 percent), NGO/women’s is not formalized, and many are peri-professionals organizations (2 percent), or community leader (0.6 without clinical supervision. The majority of social percent). workers are based in Georgetown, and mainly focus on children, rather than adult survivors of sexual violence Access to service for survivors of violence is limited and GBV. There are limited mental health services. in Guyana, with services centralized in the capital city of Georgetown. Within Georgetown survivors Safe housing for victims/survivors of intimate have access to a greater range of health, social partner violence is only available in Georgetown and World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 9 does not meet global standards, and there is a lack Justice mechanisms are only meaningfully accessible of longer-term housing solutions. In the hinterland, in Georgetown and other urban areas. In hinterland the socially tight-knit and geographically remote and regions, the infrequency of court sessions and the isolated nature of indigenous communities adds to the distance to the nearest magistrate court means that complexity of operationalizing safe houses. Many of justice is not meaningfully accessible. Despite the these communities—largely gold mining and logging presence of the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual areas—have high rates of trafficking, child labor, sex Offences Act, outside of Georgetown relief under these work, etc. and are viewed as being unsafe. As a result, laws is limited. In hinterland regions, for instance, such areas receive very few services and are not limited police presence poses a challenge for upholding regularly reached by probation and welfare officers. orders. The establishment of branches of the Sexual Offences Court in each of the three counties of Guyana Police provide support to GBV survivors, but there is (Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice) is an important the lack of trust within many communities. Police need step in the right direction. to be trained in protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and a sexual exploitation and abuse Civil society organizations (CSO) have been active (SEA) hotline needs to be put in place to report abuses. in providing services to communities and victims Outside of Georgetown, police protection is minimal of violence. There is no systematic cooperation or due to the significant distance to the police stations, coordination protocol between CSOs and public inoperable phone lines, and non-24 hours police services. stations. Examples of Notable Interventions to Address GBV The Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey 2018 was the first report to provide a comprehensive examination of the nature and prevalence of violence against women and girls in Guyana. The Guyana Bureau of Statistics undertook a national mixed-methods study to better understand the magnitude of and women’s experiences with GBV in all regions of Guyana, providing important data to inform prevention efforts. Work with faith-based organizations: In 2011, a nationwide youth retreat by Christian youths from the Guyana Congregational Union and the Guyana Presbyterian Church was held on domestic violence, focusing on individual action to prevent violence. There are also several religious organizations in Guyana that offer residential care and provide support to victims of domestic violence and other crime related victims.26 See Appendix 4 for a full list of measures. 26 UN Women Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). Guyana. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/fr/countries/americas/guyana World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 10 APPENDIX 1 – TIMELINE OF KEY LEGISLATION27 27 Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey Report. (2018). https://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field%20office%20caribbean/attachments/publi- cations/2019/guyana-womens-health-and-life-experiences-survey-report-2019.pdf?la=en&vs=4309 World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 11 APPENDIX 2 – DEVELOPMENTS AND NOTABLE GAPS IN LEGISLATION28 28 Spotlight Initiative. (n.d.). Guyana Country Programme Document World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 12 APPENDIX 3 – BROCHURE FROM THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION29 A sample of a brochure produced by the Ministry of Social Protection in Guyana: 29 Telson, L. (2020). Home not so sweet in times of COVID-19. https://blogs.iadb.org/caribbean-dev-trends/en/home-not-so-sweet-in-times-of-covid19/ World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 13 APPENDIX 4 – INSTITUTIONS/ SERVICES INVOLVED IN CASES OF VAW Institution/ Services Function Government Support The Government recognised the need to provide comprehensive services and for Victims of is committed to providing special units in hospitals/health centres or, where no Trafficking hospitals or health centres are available, other appropriate venues, where services are centralized and victim-centered, with nurses trained in the gathering of forensic evidence and treatment of rape and sexual violence survivors, trained counsellors to address the psychological and physical trauma, and trained police officers to take statements in a humane and professional manner. Religious Organizations There are several religious organizations in Guyana that offer residential care Providing Specific institutions that provide support to victims of domestic violence and other crime Support to Victims related victims: of Violence, including These organizations include: Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence I. The Camal’s Home for Battered women and homeless children. This Home has the capacity to house 50 women and children who are victims of domestic violence; II. The New Nazareth Home for Women and Holy Family Home for women offers refuge to women who are victims of domestic violence and other crimes; III. The Panaan Full Gospel Children’s Home, the Joshua House for Children, St. Ann’s Girls Orphanage, St. John Bosco Boy’s Orphanage, Vedic Mandir’s children’s home, Shaheed Orphanage, Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, and Alpha Children’s Home all offer support to children who are orphans or those who have are victims of crimes such as domestic and sexual violence. There are 22 registered residential institutions in Guyana with an estimated population of 500 persons. These institutions are monitored by the Child Care Protection Agency, Probation and Family Welfare Department. Essential Service The Ministry of Health has measures in place to ensure that all public health Measures: The Ministry services which include hospitals, health centers and clinics are resourced to provide of Health the appropriate interventions for survivors of domestic and sexual violence who access these services. World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 14 Involvement of the As a multi-religious society, the Government of Guyana, following the restoration of Government with democracy in 1992, has worked with the religious bodies representing the Christian, Religious Organizations Hindu and Muslim faiths. This engagement has been formalized in a variety of on the Issue of Violence ways such as the inclusion of provisions in the revised 2003 Guyana Constitution against Women for one representative each from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim organizations, on the Ethnic Relations Commission, one of the 5 new Rights Commissions and their inclusion by invitation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Appointments to nominate representatives to the 4 Rights Commissions ( Women and Gender Equality Commission, the Rights of the Child Commission, the Indigenous Peoples Commission). As a result the religious bodies have representation on all 4 Rights Commissions. Microcredit Granted to Women of Worth (WOW) is a microcredit window specifically for women between Victims of Violence the ages of 18 and 65 and was established through the initiative of the Government with a locally owned commercial bank. This partnership between the Government through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry was launched in June 2010. Through this programme, women can access loans, without collateral to start businesses. Since the programme commenced in 2010 (as of May 2011), 781 loans, amounting to G $154 million (US$ 770,000) have been approved. It is open to all women; no special criteria relates to victims of violence, but such women might be given special consideration to assist them to become more independent and reduce their vulnerability to abusive partners and situations. Women and Gender The Women and Gender Equality Commission is one of the 5 constitutional rights Equality Commission commissions provided for under the revised 2003 constitution. It replaced the Presidential Advisory body called the National Commission on Women created in 1990. The Commission aims to promote national recognition and acceptance that women’s rights are human rights, respect for gender equality and protection, development and attainment of equality. Men’s Affairs Bureau CThe Men’s Affairs Bureau was established in 2010. The Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) was created on 1 November 2010, however, it was officially launched on 4 March 4 2011. It offers men the opportunity to gain knowledge on issues relevant to their gender such as anger management, conflict resolution, understanding emotional needs of spouses, self esteem and gender equality. The MAB also provides counseling and psychological care to victims/survivors of violence, including domestic violence. The MAB has held several outreach programmes at schools and communities across the country to sensitize men and youth and young boys about gender equality. It provides assistance to men who are willing to organise themselves into groups and identify locations within their communities where representatives from the Bureau can meet them for dialogue on gender based issues. World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 15 National Domestic Following the formulation of the National Policy on Domestic Violence in 2008, the Violence Oversight/ Oversight/Policy Committee was established and its membership made up of senior Policy Committee officials of various Government Ministries (Ministries of Health, Education, Human Services and Social Security) and agencies, civil society and non-government organizations (Help and Shelter, Red Thread) involved in programmes aimed at reducing domestic violence, magistrates, the Guyana Police Force, and individuals with appropriate skills and experience. Its primary function is to oversee the effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Policy (2008-2013). In addition, research into the attitudes towards domestic violence and the perceptions of gender roles and conflict resolution are carried out. Domestic Violence The decentralization of responsibilities for domestic violence compliance and Committees at the domestic violence initiatives is strategically handled in all of each of the ten Regional and Local administrative regions who are required to create within the regional and local Levels of Government government system domestic violence committees that are tasked with the responsibility of initiating and monitoring strategies, activities and support services related to domestic violence. These local and regional committees report to the National Domestic Violence Oversight Committee, who is responsible for giving them direction and undertaking some measure of monitoring and evaluating their work. Crime Prevention The Ministry of Home Affairs in Guyana has taken significant steps to address Programmes the issue of crime, including domestic violence, through a number of initiatives. The Citizen Security Programme, launched in 2009, is aimed at enhancing citizen security and coexistence, with a particular focus on reducing crime levels, including domestic violence. The Community Action Component of the programme promotes safer neighbourhoods and involves residents in community safety projects. The programme also provides economic opportunities and safe recreational facilities for youth, while police officers receive comprehensive training on the Domestic Violence Act to effectively handle domestic violence cases. Strong community- based intervention strategies are also employed to enhance social solidarity and cooperation and promote community participation to prevent crimes such as domestic violence. The Liliendaal Declaration, adopted at the 1st National Crime Prevention Conference, aims to further enhance these initiatives by promoting prevention, police management, and community participation in finding solutions to address crime and violence. Hotlines for Victims/ Two free emergency 24 hrs hotlines are available to all victims or survivors of Survivors of Domestic domestic violence. The Women Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Labour, Human Violence Services and Social Security, offers a 24 hr emergency hotline (592-227-0206), which was established in January 2010. The other emergency hotline (592-227- 0979) is available for child protection or children who are victims of domestic violence and it was established in November 2009. World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 16 APPENDIX 5 – UN WOMEN: MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (GUYANA)30 https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/en/countries/americas/guyana 30 UN Women Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). Guyana. https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/fr/countries/americas/guyana World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 17 GLOSSARY Gender Roles that are determined socially, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. These roles are contextual and influenced by a society’s culture and traditions, as well as by prevailing religious beliefs. Gender-Based Any act of violence that results in, or the nature of which causes, physical, sexual, or Violence (GBV) psychological harm or suffering to someone because of his or her sex. This including threats through similar acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life (UN, 1993). Sex Refers to the biological and physiological characteristics which differentiate men and women. Sexual Exploitation Any real or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power differential, or relationship of confidence for a sexual purpose, including, but not limited to, taking financial, social, or political advantage of another through sexual means. Sexual Abuse Real or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether it be by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. Sexual Harassment Unwelcomed sexual advances, demand for sexual favors, or any other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature. In the workplace, submission to these advances or behaviors may made either implicitly or explicitly a condition of continued employment, promotion, or other decisions affecting a person’s employment. World Bank GBV Country Profile: GUYANA Page 18 REFERENCES — Caribbean Women Count: Ending Violence and Women and Girls Data Hub (n.d.). https://caribbeanwomencount. unwomen.org/countries.html?country=1 — Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey Report. (2018). https://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/ field%20office%20caribbean/attachments/publications/2019/guyana-womens-health-and-life-experiences-sur- vey-report-2019.pdf?la=en&vs=4309 — RMRP 2023-2024 Guyana 2-pager | R4V. (s. f.). https://www.r4v.info/en/document/rmrp-2023-2024-guya- na-2-pagerSpotlight Initiative (n.d.). Guyana Country Programme Document. — Tan, H.L. (2020, Nov. 17). When home is not a safe place: COVID-19 and domestic violence. https://www.gende- randcovid-19.org/webinar/when-home-is-not-a-safe-place-covid-19-and-domestic-violence/ — Telson, L. (2020). Home not so sweet in times of COVID-19. https://blogs.iadb.org/caribbean-dev-trends/en/ho- me-not-so-sweet-in-times-of-covid19/ — United Nations. (s. f.). Specific country data. Human Development Reports. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/ specific-country-data#/countries/GUY — UN Women Global Database on Violence against Women. (n.d.). Guyana. https://evaw-global-database.unwo- men.org/fr/countries/americas/guyana — UNAIDS. (2020). Guyana community organization serves sex workers on the edge during COVID-19. https://re- liefweb.int/report/guyana/guyana-community-organization-serves-sex-workers-edge-during-covid-19 — UNLIREC. (2020). Normative Study: Making the link between norms on violence against women and sma- ll arms control and regulation norms: Analysis of CARICOM States. http://unlirec.screativa.com/wp-content/ uploads/2018/05/Caribbean-Legal-Study-on-Gender-SALW-Sept.-2020.pdf — World Bank (2021). Women, Business and the Law 2021: Guyana. https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/docu- ments/wbl/2021/snapshots/Guyana.pdf — World Bank. (n.d.). GBV Portfolio Review and Roadmap. Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice, Latin America and the Caribbean Region Published: June 2023