Since 2020, 96 women in Guyana have been killed in acts of domestic violence, a number that Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, says continues to haunt her despite national efforts to stop the abuse.
The data show that 19 women were killed in 2020, 14 in 2021, 21 in 2022, 18 in 2023, 12 in 2024, and 12 so far in 2025. The figures reflect a troubling pattern of femicide — the gender-motivated killing of women, often at the hands of intimate partners.
Speaking on the Starting Point Podcast, Dr. Persaud described the crisis as both professional and deeply personal.
“Domestic violence is very close to my heart. Some days, when I see women being killed or injured — we have seen a spate of that in recent times — it has me very depressed for days and weeks. And I think to myself, we are putting so many things in place; why is this still happening? Every life, for me, is an important one. It is not a statistic or a number, and I take it very personally,” she said.
From 2020 to September 2025, a total of 127 people, both men and women, were killed in domestic violence incidents.
Dr. Persaud noted that while partner-related killings have dropped in the past two years, each life lost underscores the need for continued vigilance. She explained that when she first took office, there was no coordinated mechanism to support victims beyond policy oversight.
“When I became a minister in 2020, there was no system in place to support victims. There was a Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Policy Unit at the ministry, so it was more about dealing with policy. Reports were made at the police. When I came in, I looked at it holistically — what was missing?”
That review, she said, led to the creation of improved reporting channels and data-driven interventions to strengthen accountability and prevention.
The minister acknowledged that eradicating domestic violence remains a long-term struggle. “I dare say it would take us a long time to completely eradicate,” she admitted.
As Guyana marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Dr. Persaud urged communities to stay alert and compassionate. She said ending the cycle of abuse requires both government action and public solidarity.
Victims or witnesses of domestic or sexual violence are encouraged to call 914, a free and confidential 24-hour hotline for support and assistance.
