GUYANA’S steady rise in the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report is no small feat.
Ranking first globally in women’s health and survival, and climbing to 31st overall among 148 countries, its achievement speaks volumes about what deliberate public policy, social investment, and political will can achieve.
For a developing nation, Guyana’s success in closing the gender gap is both remarkable and instructive.
The report highlights not just improvements in statistical indicators, but the tangible results of a long-term vision, one anchored in equity, empowerment, and opportunity for women and girls.
Over the past five years, the Government of Guyana has moved beyond rhetoric to action. The Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) alone has trained more than 90,000 women in entrepreneurship, ICT, garment construction, and hospitality, programmes that translate directly into livelihoods and financial independence.
This empowerment has allowed thousands of women to transition from informal work to formal employment, strengthening both families and the national economy.
Equally significant is the transformation in land and housing ownership, with women now holding over 60 per cent of housing titles nationwide. Such a development is not just symbolic, it provides a foundation for security, access to credit, and intergenerational wealth-building.
The government’s support for female farmers through the Women Agri-Entrepreneurs initiative has also advanced women’s participation in food production and agribusiness, areas once dominated by men.
These changes are reshaping the face of rural and regional economies, ensuring that women are not left behind in Guyana’s broader drive for sustainable development.
On the front of safety and justice, the Family Violence Act (2024) and the establishment of Hope and Justice Centres mark important milestones.
These facilities, coupled with national hotlines and the innovative Safe Space App, have enhanced access to protection and counselling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. For many women, these reforms are not abstract policies—they represent safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.
In education, Guyana’s leadership is equally commendable. Free tertiary education at the University of Guyana and other technical institutions, alongside government scholarships and STEM initiatives, have propelled female literacy and opened doors to new professional fields. Girls are not only attending school—they are excelling, innovating, and leading in spaces that were once closed to them.
Speaking at the National Conference on the Beijing Declaration and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, Minister Gail Teixeira rightly pointed out that these gains are not coincidental but the result of sustained commitment.
“Our investments in women’s education, safety, and economic inclusion are transforming lives and accelerating national development,” she said.
Indeed, Guyana’s progress is both a national triumph and a regional inspiration. It underscores how gender equality is not a side issue but a central pillar of economic and social transformation.
The WEF ranking validates what many have observed: When women thrive, the nation prospers.
Still, maintaining this trajectory requires vigilance. Economic empowerment must continue to be matched with legal reform, cultural change, and institutional accountability.
Gender equality is not a finish line but an evolving pursuit, one that demands ongoing investment, public participation, and political courage.
As Guyana advances into an era defined by rapid growth and diversification, ensuring that women share equally in that progress will determine not just fairness, but the sustainability of development itself.
The message from the latest WEF report is clear: Guyana’s women are no longer waiting for inclusion, they are leading the way.