Turning shoes into voices

The second annual Red Shoe Project memorial took place at the Kitty Seawall in Georgetown as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The event brought together survivors, advocates, and organisations working to draw attention to the impact of violence on women and girls in Guyana. Rows of red shoes were placed along the seawall to represent women whose lives were lost, creating a visible reminder of the scale of the issue.

One survivor who attended the memorial reflected on the importance of community support programmes in helping women recognise risks and leave abusive environments. Speaking about her own experience, she said, “I would have been one of those shoes. Trust me.” Her statement highlighted the role of public awareness initiatives and survivor-centred services in preventing further harm.

Gender-based violence continues to be a serious national concern. Reports from local organisations indicate that more than 16 women have been murdered since the start of 2025. These cases, along with ongoing reports of non-fatal harm, demonstrate that violence affects women across different age groups, communities, and economic circumstances. Organisations working in the sector have repeated calls for expanded access to prevention programmes, stronger institutional coordination, and long-term support services for survivors.

Survivors’ accounts in recent news features provide insight into the complexity of abusive situations. One woman described living through fifteen years of violence before she was able to leave. Reflecting on that period of her life, she stated, “Sometimes strength is simply walking away.” She also explained the difficulty of maintaining a functioning household under those conditions and described how everyday routines masked her stress. 

“I smiled for photos, cooked dinner, carried the weight of being a good wife, but behind closed doors, my home was a battlefield.” 

These accounts underscore the challenges survivors face when navigating safety, financial dependency, and family responsibilities. 

Advocates at the memorial have emphasised that violence increasingly extends into digital spaces. Online harassment, the non-consensual sharing of images, and persistent cyberstalking affect many women and girls in Guyana. Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator noted that 16 days of activism draws attention to digital violence. 

“While the online world was meant to create connectivity and opportunity, it has become a source of harm for many women and girls—especially activists, journalists, women in politics, and human rights defenders,” she said. 

These forms of abuse can limit participation in public life and can cause emotional and psychological harm. Civil society groups have therefore encouraged the development of policies and public education initiatives that address both physical and digital violence.

Policy reform continues to progress through the national legislative agenda. Work on the draft Family Violence Bill proposes broader definitions of violence, including psychological, emotional, and economic harm. The bill also seeks to widen access to protective orders and strengthen support services. Organisations in the sector have highlighted the importance of comprehensive legislation that responds to the realities faced by survivors. They have also stated that strong laws must be accompanied by adequate resources for enforcement, counselling, emergency housing, and justice services.

The Red Shoe Project memorial served as both a tribute and a call to action. Organisers noted that the visual display of shoes helps communities confront the seriousness of gender-based violence and consider how they can support prevention. The event encouraged conversations about early intervention, community awareness, and the roles of families, workplaces, and institutions in identifying risk signs.

Participants also discussed the need for a sustained, coordinated response. Addressing gender-based violence requires collaboration across government, civil society, and community networks. Prevention efforts must include education, accessible reporting pathways, and services that prioritise safety and dignity.

The memorial concluded with a shared understanding that each pair of shoes represented a life affected by violence. The voices of survivors who participated in the event provided clear evidence of the importance of support systems and the potential for recovery. Their experiences demonstrated that, with the right structures in place, meaningful progress can be made toward reducing harm and strengthening protection for women and girls in Guyana.