A step towards fairer, safer and more supportive workplaces across Guyana’s public sector.
On Friday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, alongside Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Hon. Zulfikar Ally, launched the Gender Equality in the Workplace initiative and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Training for public sector employees.
The training will target Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, managers, programme heads and other employees, strengthening how sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment are prevented and addressed in the workplace so that they can better identify and put a stop to it.
The initiatives form part of the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal (NGEES), which aims to advance gender equality and create workplaces where both women and men feel respected, protected and supported.
The launch represents another effort to strengthen institutional practices across the public sector, with particular emphasis on ensuring that employees at all levels understand their responsibilities in maintaining professional, respectful and safe working environments.
By targeting senior administrators and managers alongside other public sector employees, the training is expected to help strengthen awareness and accountability within government agencies and ministries.
Participants will be better positioned to recognise inappropriate behaviour and understand the importance of responding effectively when concerns involving sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment arise.
The initiative also places emphasis on prevention, recognising that creating safer workplaces requires more than responding to incidents after they occur.
Building awareness among employees and strengthening institutional systems can help foster a workplace culture in which unacceptable conduct is identified early and appropriately addressed.
Gender equality in the workplace also extends to ensuring that women and men have an environment in which they can contribute professionally without discrimination, harassment or other forms of inappropriate treatment.
Through the NGEES framework, the Government is seeking to promote workplace standards that encourage equality, dignity and respect while strengthening mechanisms aimed at protecting employees.
The involvement of the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security and Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation also underscores the cross-government approach being taken to strengthen workplace standards within the public sector.
With Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, programme heads and managers among those targeted, the initiative has the potential to reinforce responsibility at the leadership level, where policies and workplace practices are implemented and employees often turn when concerns arise.
The training is expected to contribute to a broader culture of accountability and awareness across the public service, ensuring employees are equipped to recognise sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and understand the importance of taking appropriate action.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to create public sector workplaces where employees can carry out their duties in an environment built on fairness, safety, equality and mutual respect.
