-focuses on empowering women, seniors, and persons with disabilities

The Government of Guyana allocated $58.5 billion to the Ministry of Human Services, aimed at advancing various initiatives within the social services sector. This substantial funding follows the previous year’s budget of $46.9 billion, which enabled the rollout of essential programmes such as free legal aid services, shelter and counseling support, and the enforcement of the Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act.

During the budget presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, outlined key targets for 2025, including an increase in the old age pension to $41,000 per month, effective January 1. This increase is expected to inject an additional $4.5 billion into the disposable income of senior citizens, contributing to a total pension payout exceeding $37 billion for the year.

Dr. Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing service delivery to pensioners through innovations such as electronic payments, cashing pension books at commercial banks, and direct delivery to communities. The restoration of subsidies for water and electricity for pensioners will also continue in 2025.

Plans are underway for a new elderly care facility, with design work expected to commence this year. Overall, $42.8 billion is earmarked for continued support for senior citizens.

In addition, the government is prioritizing initiatives for women and gender, led by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. The Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) program has trained over 23,000 women, while the Board of Industrial Training trained 5,900 women in 2024, with a target of 11,200 women for 2025. Notably, 72% of scholarship recipients from the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) are women, and approximately 46% of house lots awarded have gone to women.

Significant legislative updates include the Adoption of Children Amendment Act and the Family Violence Act, aimed at enhancing the protection of children and family members. The government has also updated its early childhood development policy, completing the construction of several centers nationwide, and training 3,800 individuals in child care services. An additional 4,000 individuals will be trained this year, with 50 receiving grants to start or expand child care facilities.

For persons living with disabilities (PLWDs), the government has implemented several interventions, including multiple cash grants totaling $1.9 billion over the years. A one-time cash grant of $35,000 will soon be distributed to registered PLWDs, benefiting approximately 25,000 individuals and totaling $875 million. Public assistance has been increased to $22,000 per month, providing an additional $1.4 billion to 40,000 recipients.
Furthermore, a new facility with 38 classrooms is being retrofitted for PLWD training and rehabilitation, and a Special Education Needs and Disabilities Programme was launched at the Cyril Potter College of Education, with 51 teachers graduating in 2024 and 49 more expected to graduate in 2025. The government will also construct Guyana’s first school for the deaf in the Cummings Lodge community this year.

Through these comprehensive initiatives, the government aims to strengthen the social services sector and improve the quality of life for all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.