Speech by Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator at the Red Shoe event to launch the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Members of the Women and Gender Equality Commission
Omattie Madray and Renata Chuck-A-Sang, Civil Society National Reference Group
Civil society organisations
Partners
Colleagues 
Members of the media 
Good afternoon.

Thank you so much for attending this important event and being part of this important commemoration. 

On November 17th, while I was reading the daily newspaper, I came across the heartbreaking news of the passing of a 28-year-old woman who succumbed to grave injuries inflicted by her partner. Her family and friends have likely shared stories of her dreams, aspirations, and the goals she had set for herself. With her loss, we, as a society, have been robbed of a young woman whose potential contributions—both economic and social—could have enriched her community and her country.

Tragically, this is not the only such case I have encountered since my arrival in Guyana in September. In 2024, women and girls continue to be murdered simply because of their gender, not only here in Guyana but across the globe, at an alarming and unacceptable rate. Globally, gender-related killing is the most pervasive manifestation of violence against women. The data shows that 140 women and girls die every day at the hands of their partner or a close relative, which means one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes.

I join you today as we stand united in our commitment to end gender-based violence in Guyana. This "Red Shoe" event, on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, is more than just a gathering—it is a powerful symbol of solidarity, resilience, and hope.

And talking about hope, this morning we attended the launch of the Hope and Justice Center in Region 3. One of the commitments and the promises made during that important launch was to expand these centers all over the country so that more citizens can access the services. What was very empowering about this Center is the integrated nature of the service. In a one step Center you have access to medical care, police services, psychological and social support. That would save victims of violence from the added trauma of accessing added services. This is a really important development that has happened here in Guyana. I was hoping that the Honourable Minister would be here so that we could acknowledge the efforts that she has put in place alongside partners, which includes UN agencies.

I also take this moment to acknowledge the survivors—women and girls, men and boys, LGBTIQA+ people, sex workers — who have experienced violence and brave societal norms to tell their stories, and pave a different life, a life free of violence. Their courage inspires us to do better and to advocate more fiercely for justice, protection, and prevention.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s designation of November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. For 25 years, we have raised awareness of gender-based violence not as a domestic issue but, as a systemic violation of human rights, affecting individuals, families, communities and nations. Violence against women and girls continues to be driven by deep-rooted norms, stigma, cultural practices, economic inequality, among other contributing factors. 
Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and this year is another opportunity to draw attention to the urgency for action and accountability, with a special focus on addressing gender-related killings of women worldwide. 

We can and we must fulfill the promise of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. 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.

The UN System is proud to support the efforts of Guyana in addressing these issues. From strengthening data collection and the legal and policy framework, to expanding the reach of services and our understanding of how gender-based violence is continuing and how to then address it through meaningful sustainable solutions.
I want to end by thanking the organisers who have put together this impressive display that will be a reminder of how deeply engrained and pervasive violence against women is. To put a picture and a narrative to each pair of shoes is a very strong representation that we must take with us as we start this 16 Days of Activism in 2024. 

I’d like to thank the social workers, staff of the various civil society organisations who work tirelessly, the commission, the UN staff who have been part and parcel of this initiative by supporting our partners to come up with this display and the programme for the next 16 days. It is only through your advocacy, outreach, and action, that you embody the spirit of resilience, encouraging communities to rise above barriers and chart pathways to equality and empowerment. Your work not only uplifts individuals but also strengthens our society.

Let us all continue to take bold steps forward, and let those steps lead us toward a brighter, safer future for all. Thank you.