On December 1st, the world commemorates World AIDS Day, reflecting on the progress made in responding to the HIV epidemic and recommitting to the journey ahead. This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” underscores the indispensable role of human rights in achieving disease elimination nationally and the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. For Guyana, this theme holds particular significance as the country confronts a rise in new HIV infections, which disproportionately affects key populations and young people.The Current Landscape of Guyana's HIV Response Guyana has made considerable progress since the first reported case of AIDS in Guyana in 1987, and today the country continues to invest strategically in the achievement of 95-95-95 targets, that is, the ambition to ensure that 95% of all persons living with HIV know their status, 95% of persons who know their status are on treatment and 95% on treatment are virally suppressed.At the end of last year, Guyana recorded results of 94% - 72% - 87% against these benchmarks, (National AIDS Programme 2023 Annual Report). According to the 2024 Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) Report, about 7,000 of the estimated 10,000 people in Guyana who live with HIV already access free HIV treatment that is provided by the Government. National authorities have also taken steps to provide Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to key populations and improve coverage of social protection measures for persons living with HIV who are eligible for social assistance.In this broader context of investment and advancement, Guyana is facing up to a concerning rise in new infections, highlighting the urgent need for sustained and targeted action. According to the 2024 GAM Report, new infections have increased by 19% in the period since 2010. HIV prevalence is 1.5% among the general population while high HIV rates persist among gay men and other men who have sex with men (7.7%), transgender persons (11.1%), and sex workers (2.2%) as reported in the 2021 Bio Behavioural Social Survey (BBSS). Hence, the HIV epidemic in Guyana is mixed in characterization, with marginalized key populations being disproportionately affected, further amplifying the challenges faced by these groups.   Adolescents and young people, aged 15-24 years, are particularly affected: these demographics accounted for 14% of the 580 new infections recorded in 2023 (UNAIDS HIV Spectrum Estimates 2023). Over the past decade, HIV prevalence in this age group has increased slightly, from 0.2% to 0.3%. Young women have become more vulnerable, with incidence rates rising by 12% since 2010 Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) Report 2024.Late diagnosis of people living with HIV is a real concern because advanced HIV disease contributes significantly to preventable AIDS-related deaths and exacerbates the health and economic burden on families and the healthcare system. To reverse the trend in new HIV cases, it is critical to break down these systemic barriers and ensure equitable access to prevention, testing, and treatment services, with a focus on the human rights and the needs of the most vulnerable populations. Removing Barriers and Prioritizing Human RightsHuman rights are fundamental to the health and well-being of every individual. They are central to ending AIDS as a public health threat, and their full realization is an essential element of human dignity. The universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of human rights are critical to achieving our collective development goals. Ending HIV in Guyana, therefore, demands a rights-centered approach. That means taking another close look at laws that have real-world discriminatory effects, including those that make same sex relationships a crime. It means scrutinizing laws that inadequately protect the interests of key populations or are insufficient to combat stigma. It means stopping the breaches of confidentiality that deter persons living with HIV from seeking care, and the social judgement that accompanies such breaches.The ongoing Stigma Index 2.0 survey will provide good data on the experiences of people living with HIV and key populations on the impact of stigma and discrimination on their ability to access services. Empowering community-led organizations is vital as they can be effective in creating safe spaces for vulnerable groups. This can only happen with sustained funding and partnerships to scale up their impact.To end the HIV epidemic trajectory, we call on lawmakers to once again review all laws that have discriminatory effects and limit access to HIV and broader health services. We further call for renewed efforts to reduce stigma through targeted training for healthcare providers, to address self-stigma at the household and community level and implement mechanisms to document and address rights violations. Investing in community-based interventions to scale up services across the regions, at the primary healthcare level, especially for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis via the innovative “Lash Bags” or sex baggies which contains self-testing kits, PrEP, condoms and lubricants will be critical.Additionally, educational information provided during outreach services by healthcare workers or community workers; expanding access to combination prevention tools and leveraging digital platforms for outreach are essential steps and are equally important. Strategic prioritization of human rights across health and social sectors, meaningful and greater involvement and empowerment of communities living with or affected by HIV and civil society, and most importantly continuous commitment of the Government to sustainable financing of the HIV response from domestic resources will be key to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The United Nations commends the Ministry of Health for its exemplary leadership in forging strategic partnerships with civil society and development actors to address the public health challenge of HIV. Through this collaborative effort, Guyana is poised to regain control over the epidemic and ensure a sustainable HIV response for the future.A Call to ActionOn this World AIDS Day, the United Nations urge policymakers, civil society, and communities in Guyana to embrace bold and decisive actions:Dismantle Barriers: Repeal discriminatory laws and policies, while strengthening protections that reduce stigma and ensure equitable access to services. Address stigma and discrimination by integrating human rights and patients’ rights awareness into healthcare worker training and institutional policies.Prioritize Prevention: Scale up access to comprehensive prevention tools, including PrEP, HIV self-testing, and peer-led education, with a focus on key populations and young people. Expand digital platforms for virtual outreach and HIV self-testing to reach hidden populations.Empower Communities: Support CSOs to lead the HIV response, ensuring their expertise and reach are leveraged to address the epidemic’s root causes. Support peer-led interventions and community-based outreach to increase uptake of testing and prevention services and to respond to violations of rights and to seek restorative justice.Ensure Sustainability: Invest in domestic funding mechanisms to secure the gains made and build resilience against future challenges. Explore innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to ensure the long-term sustainability of HIV programs.As stated by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, "Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable. But reaching this goal requires breaking down the barriers keeping people from vital services." Guyana’s leadership in financing its HIV response and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations reflects a commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring health and well-being for all. However, the rise in new infections among young people and key populations highlights the need for urgent, rights-based interventions.By taking the rights path, Guyana can achieve an AIDS-free future—one where health, dignity, and equality are not privileges, but universal rights for every citizen., filtered_html

Observed annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, this global campaign invites individuals and communities to stand together in the hope of creating a world where everyone can live free from violence.This year, the “Red Shoe” event held in Guyana on November 25 offered a heartfelt and moving tribute to the lives affected by gender-based violence. Each pair of red shoes on display carried its own silent story, urging attendees to consider the resilience of survivors and the need for collective support.Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator, spoke to the significance of the event. “This Red Shoe event is more than just a gathering—it is a powerful symbol of solidarity, resilience, and hope,” she said, emphasizing the shared commitment to ending violence and supporting those who have been affected.Reflecting on Progress and Urgency
This year marks 25 years since the United Nations General Assembly first designated November 25 as a day dedicated to eliminating violence against women. The campaign also comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global framework for achieving gender equality.Ms. Kamau reminded attendees that while progress has been made, the work is far from over. “It requires all of us—leaders, civil society, governments, private sector, academia, and every individual—to partner, engage in dialogue, and undertake deliberate, collective actions to deliver tangible and meaningful change,” she shared. Building a Stronger Support System in Guyana
In Guyana, the UN System works with government, civil society organizations, and other partners to address gender-based violence. This collaborative effort focuses on improving data collection, enhancing legal and policy frameworks, and ensuring that support services for survivors are accessible and effective.A recent milestone in these efforts was the launch of the Hope and Justice Centre in Region 3. This Centre brings essential services—including police reports, medical exam and report, counseling, free legal services, temporary shelter and for the first time a forensic interview programme—together in one location. The UN supported this initiative by aiding the development of the operational aspect of the Centre, as part of the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls programme, which ended in 2023. By streamlining support for survivors, the Centre reduces the additional burdens they might face when seeking help. Such integrated approaches reflect the compassion and determination of those working tirelessly to create safe spaces for those in need.The 16 Days of Activism is also a time to honor the courage of survivors who have risen above their experiences to build new lives. Their stories of strength remind us of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of creating environments where everyone feels supported and protected.The “Red Shoe” display not only represented those who have experienced violence but also served as a call to action for communities to stand together and advocate for change.The event was organised by the Civil Society National Reference Group, in collaboration with the United Nations and Women and Gender Equality Commission-Guyana.
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In a joint effort to enhance media reporting on suicide, UNICEF Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and PAHO-WHO hosted a two-day training exercise with close to 20 media professionals in Guyana.The training was facilitated by PAHO Consultants, Tanya Nicole Fernandes and Amiti Varma and Ministry of Health Psychologist, Kadija McClure. Among the topics discussed were Reporting on suicide and mental health, best practices for reporting on suicides cases, the mental health of journalists and media professionals, to name a few.Dr. Timothy Morgan, Director of the Mental Health Unit, during the training, outlined a vision for mental health care within Guyana’s health sector growth. He announced plans to soon introduce a 3-digit suicide helpline, offering a lifeline for individuals in need of immediate assistance.Meanwhile, media professionals touted the training successful and made calls for additional trainings to enhance their reporting on sensitive topics in the health field.The training exercise comes as part of UNICEF, PAHO-WHO and the Ministry of Health’s joint Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children and Adolescents Programme.In September 2023, the joint initiative was launched with an aim to address and break the inter-generational cycle of poor mental health and transform mental health outcomes in Guyana.  This article was first published on UNICEF Guyana and Suriname's website., filtered_html

In Guyana, this day holds particular significance as the United Nations System reflects on the partnerships and progress achieved through its active engagement with the government of Guyana and all stakeholders. This year’s observance highlighted the collaborative efforts in areas such as sustainable development, human rights, climate resilience, and peacebuilding—issues that are integral to Guyana's national development agenda.A Day of Reflection and Renewal of CommitmentUN Day was observed with a reception that brought together all stakeholders - government officials, UN staff, civil society organisations, development partners, private sector, academia, media, among others. During her remarks, Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, reflected on global crises like conflicts, climate change, and inequality, emphasising the importance of collective action and quicker institutional responses to tackle these challenges effectively. She highlighted that the recent Summit of the Future in New York yielded three critical international agreements—the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations, which aim to build a fairer financial system, prioritize peace, and protect future generations.  
Kamau offered praise for the country’s leadership on many of the commitments that were made in the Pact for the Future. “With respect to youth, already Guyana is a Co-Facilitator for the establishment of the UN’s Youth Office, which puts young people closer to the heart of the multilateral system. As it relates to global security, as we know, Guyana is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council until 2026. In this role Guyana is contributing to discussions and decisions on international peace and security contributing to Key resolutions, sanctions and peacekeeping mandates,” highlighted Kamau. In his address, the Honourable Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Acting President and Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to the principles of the United Nations. “Guyana remains dedicated to contributing to the important work of the Organisation across its major pillars: international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and international law,” he said. He added that the government will persist in creating an environment that supports sustainable development, eradicates poverty, and combats climate change, while also leveraging technology and innovation, including AI, for the greater good of humanity.The Acting President and Prime Minister also underscored Guyana's role as a member of the UN Security Council, with a focus on key global priorities such as climate change, food insecurity, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, women’s peace and security, protection of children in armed conflict, and youth engagement in peace and security.United Nations-Guyana CollaborationDuring her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator outlined the UN Country Team’s collaborative efforts in Guyana across key areas, including job creation, health, education, environmental protection, and support for vulnerable communities. She highlighted the UN System’s investment of $17 million in projects in 2023 aimed at making development inclusive and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also acknowledged the work of several UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes that are helping to expand Guyana’s non-oil economy, enhance healthcare, support Forcibly Displaced People and vulnerable populations, and protect human rights.  Kamau said, “We bring transparent, trusted, and technically robust support to this country, at the invitation of national authorities. We leverage global networks to help ensure that the country's development remains rights-based, inclusive, resilient, and aligned with the SDGs. We remain fully committed to supporting national authorities, and to our deep, long-standing partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and international development actors.”Moving Forward: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Guyana
UN Day in Guyana served as a reminder of the power of global cooperation in addressing challenges that no single nation can solve alone. It highlighted the need for continued collaboration with all stakeholders to create resilient societies that prioritize the well-being of their people. As Guyana and the UN work together, the promise of the UN Charter continues to inspire a shared commitment to peace, progress, and the global good.
 

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