Guyana

Laws enacted

• Medical Termination of Pregnancies Act (1995);
• Various laws enacted to address Gender-based violence, women and poverty..

Policies Implemented

• Monitoring of Human Rights: HIV/AIDS related issues included; signatory to Belem do Para; periodically reporting to CEDAW
• Since 1999 Government has taken over responsibility for RH commodities supply.
• pregnancy advisory education for health workers; establishment of Advisory Committee; safety inspections at hospitals
• National Youth Policy tabled in Parliament; development of Adolescent Concept Paper
• Draft National Policy
• Promotion of Senior Citizens Clubs;
• Provision of Old Age Pension to all citizens age 65 and over;
• Provision of annual subventions to senior citizens homes;
• Establishment of a National Commission on the elderly;
• Food support for vulnerable persons through the Social Impact amelioration Programme and Food for the Poor Incorporated

Partnerships established

• National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS; prevention programmes; voluntary testing and counseling; PMTCT intervention programme; improving management of STDs; close collaboration with NGOs
• Peer education; promotion of use of condoms and free distribution of condoms; outreach clinics to social organizations; Government supports NGOs
• Government technical institutes; skills training programmes; President's Youth Choice' initiative; YMCA, YWCA.
• Increasingly gender biased gap in education in favour of girls; distribution of free school books; provision of school uniform
• Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association: IEC campaigns and sessions for men; Ministry of Health and NGOs conduct IEC

Continuing challenges