WHAT began as a vision of Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has evolved into a transformative workplace initiative, with six private sector companies now participating in the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal programme.
Introduced in November 2025, the initiative has engaged B&J Civil Works, Demerara Associates, Blue Water Shipping, MatPal Marine, Camille’s Academy and Cerulean Inc. for more than six months as they work towards creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
According to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal encourages organisations to hold themselves accountable for promoting gender equality while fostering safer and more supportive work environments.
The Ministry explained that each participating organisation was assigned an individual work plan based on its registration and preliminary assessment, providing a roadmap towards achieving National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal accreditation.
The initiative is being implemented through partnerships with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry’s dedicated technical team, including Jairo Rodrigues, who led work on the policy and programme, alongside Dr Cona Husbands, Adil Lily and other members of the team.
According to the Ministry, the programme encourages employers to assess their workplaces through a gender lens by recognising the diverse needs of mothers, fathers and caregivers while creating environments free from sexual exploitation, harassment and discrimination.
It also promotes equal pay, equal opportunities for career advancement, stronger leadership practices and more inclusive workplace policies for both women and men, ultimately contributing to safer, more productive workplaces.
The Ministry noted that the programme is already producing tangible results, including updated workplace policies, improved working environments and modifications to building designs to better accommodate mothers, fathers and caregivers.
The National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal provides businesses with a practical framework for translating commitments to gender equality into measurable action.
The gender-neutral certification also forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to mainstream gender equality in workplaces while raising awareness of sexual and gender-based violence and strengthening measures to prevent discrimination, harassment and other forms of abuse.
The initiative aims to ensure that all Guyanese workers have equal opportunities in employment while being protected and empowered to pursue both personal and professional development.
At the programme’s launch, Minister Persaud described the initiative as more than a policy.
“This gender seal is not merely a policy. It is an actionable programme where there are measurable indicators,” she said.
She further described the initiative as a “paradigm shift”, saying it reflects Guyana’s progress in the way it views its people, its workforce and the future of equitable employment.
