Civil Society Dialogue Builds Momentum for Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Guyana

Civil society organisations across Guyana came together for a dialogue hosted by the British High Commission in partnership with UN Women to explore how the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda can be meaningfully applied within the Guyanese context. The WPS approach can be seen as a blueprint for preventing societal conflict and crises, including addressing violence against women and girls which is occurring at alarming levels across the Caribbean. Prevalence data across five Caribbean countries depicts that on average 46 per cent of women have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime. The session aimed to further identify key entry points for the WPS agenda in Guyana, support movement building, and inform the development of a locally driven roadmap for NGO and CSO engagement.

The half-day hybrid session brought together representatives from women’s organisations, youth groups, and community leaders, as part of a broader series of engagements to localise the WPS agenda and contribute to Guyana’s future National Action Plan on WPS.

The dialogue was also strategically scheduled to coincide with Guyana’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which in part focuses on advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. By aligning local engagement with Guyana’s global leadership role, the event sought to build national momentum for WPS and emphasise the importance of inclusive, community-driven action in support of international peace and security commitments.

The session opened with welcome remarks from Her Excellency Jane Miller, British High Commissioner; Ms. Isiuwa Iyahen, Head of Office a.i., UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) – Caribbean; and Jean Njeri Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana. Their remarks underscored the importance of grounding WPS priorities in inclusive dialogue and community consultation.

British High Commissioner Miller noted, “This was an important next step in the WPS journey for Guyana. The agenda is wide-reaching and touches on many different issues, which is why hearing directly from civil society is so important. Their input is essential to making this process meaningful and grounded in the realities people face every day.”

Ms. Isiuwa Iyahen, Head of Office a.i. UN Women MCO – Caribbean said through the WPS approach, women have been empowered to take leadership roles in community policing, peacebuilding initiatives, and criminal justice systems; contributing to shaping policies that promote safety and security for all.

“The discussions are designed to facilitate meaningful conversations that align the WPS agenda with the lived experiences of individuals in Guyana. We explored key human rights issues and the impact of crime and violence on various communities. We must ask ourselves: Who is most affected by these challenges? What are the root causes of conflict and insecurity in our neighborhoods? By understanding these dynamics, we can begin to identify effective strategies for prevention and intervention.”

The morning featured a series of presentations and discussions by Je’nille Maraj, UN Women Planning and Coordination Specialist, who provided an overview of WPS in the Caribbean, highlighting regional progress and opportunities for Guyana. Akilah Dorris, UN Women Planning and Coordination Specialist based in Guyana, addressed civil society engagement in the context of this milestone year of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the cornerstone of the women’s rights framework, focusing on leadership, participation, and social norms.

Participants then engaged in a roundtable session themed “Aligning the WPS Agenda to Lived Experience.” Drawing on insights from a pre-event survey, attendees reflected on how WPS could address priority issues in their communities and shape more gender-responsive peace and security policies.

A WPS National Action Plan (NAP) is a strategic framework designed to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for the protection and inclusion of women in peace and security efforts. These frameworks offer countries the opportunity to strengthen institutional responses, tackle gender-based violence, and ensure that women are actively engaged in decision-making and crisis recovery.

The event marks another step in building momentum toward a nationally owned WPS agenda for Guyana, grounded in the principles of inclusion and gender equality. The perspectives shared will contribute to the design of a Guyana-specific roadmap that reflects both national realities and international commitments.