Venezuelan Women Victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Guyana – NGO Reports to IACHR
A leading human rights organization has presented a troubling report to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), highlighting the increasing number of Venezuelan women falling victim to sexual and gender-based violence in neighboring Guyana. The NGO’s findings paint a disturbing picture of abuse, exploitation, and neglect faced by many migrants, particularly women and girls, who flee Venezuela’s economic collapse and political unrest only to face further hardships in their new host country.
The report, submitted by the non-governmental organization Human Rights for All (HRA), draws attention to a disturbing and often underreported phenomenon – the vulnerability of migrant women to violence in Guyana. The findings are based on over a year of extensive research, including interviews with survivors, local community leaders, and service providers in Guyana, as well as a review of available governmental and non-governmental data. The HRA’s report raises alarm bells for regional policymakers, urging swift action to address the growing crisis.
The Growing Crisis: Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees in Guyana
In recent years, Guyana has become one of the major transit countries for Venezuelan migrants fleeing the humanitarian crisis in their homeland. As of late 2024, there are an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Venezuelans living in Guyana, with many seeking refuge due to food shortages, hyperinflation, and political persecution in Venezuela.
Although many Venezuelans migrate to Guyana in search of better opportunities, the journey is fraught with dangers, especially for women. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that women make up a significant portion of the Venezuelan migrant population, and they face heightened risks of exploitation, including sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based harm.
However, it is not just the journey that poses a threat. Once in Guyana, many women find themselves in precarious and marginalized situations, often working in informal sectors such as agriculture, domestic labor, and prostitution, where they are exposed to violence, discrimination, and exploitation. Their precarious legal status—many do not have regularized residency or work permits—further exacerbates their vulnerability.
NGO Report: Findings and Alarm Bells
The NGO Human Rights for All has been documenting the rise of sexual and gender-based violence among Venezuelan migrant women in Guyana, and their findings have been alarming. The organization states that cases of sexual violence, domestic abuse, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence are rampant, yet largely invisible to the broader public and international community.
According to the HRA’s report, between 2023 and 2024, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Venezuelan women seeking assistance after experiencing sexual violence. The most disturbing finding is that many of the victims are minors, with girls as young as 14 years old being trafficked for sexual exploitation or coerced into prostitution.
The report highlights several critical issues:
- Sexual Violence and Rape: Venezuelan women are often subjected to rape and sexual assault, either by male perpetrators in their host communities or as part of organized criminal networks involved in trafficking. Many victims report being attacked by employers, landlords, or individuals in positions of power who exploit their precarious status as migrants.
- Trafficking and Prostitution: Human trafficking is another significant issue. According to the HRA, organized trafficking rings have been exploiting vulnerable Venezuelan women and girls, particularly in border towns and remote areas of Guyana. These women are often forced into prostitution or sexual servitude, with little to no legal protection.
- Domestic Violence: Another disturbing trend is the high incidence of domestic violence within migrant families. Many Venezuelan women face abuse from partners who are also migrants, and in some cases, their abusers are Guyanese nationals. Legal and social barriers prevent many victims from seeking help, as they fear deportation or detention.
- Limited Access to Support Services: One of the most significant barriers to addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence is the lack of adequate services for migrant women. The HRA report stresses that many Venezuelan women are unaware of available support services, such as shelters, legal aid, and counseling. The language barrier, coupled with fear of discrimination, makes it even more difficult for these women to report violence or seek assistance.
- Impunity and Lack of Legal Protections: The report also points to the lack of accountability and impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence. Guyana’s legal system, while having some provisions for gender-based violence, remains inadequate when it comes to protecting migrant populations. Many migrant women lack access to justice, and perpetrators of violence against them are rarely held accountable. Fear of deportation or legal repercussions prevents many women from reporting crimes.
The Humanitarian Response: A Call for International Action
The NGO has called on the Guyanese government, as well as regional and international actors, to urgently address the increasing vulnerability of Venezuelan women and girls in Guyana. The HRA urges the IACHR and the United Nations to pressure the Guyanese authorities to take stronger actions to protect migrants from sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure that those responsible for such violence are held accountable.
HRA’s executive director, María del Carmen Díaz, stressed the importance of a coordinated international response. “The Venezuelan migrant crisis is not just a Venezuelan issue, nor is it simply a Guyanese problem,” she said in her address to the IACHR. “It is a regional crisis, and it requires a regional solution. Governments must collaborate to protect the rights of migrants, especially women and children, who are the most vulnerable in this crisis.”
Díaz called for stronger border management policies that respect the rights of migrants, increased funding for services that provide support to survivors of violence, and the establishment of specific legal protections for Venezuelan women and girls in Guyana.
Additionally, the report calls for a greater presence of international humanitarian organizations in the region to assist with the provision of legal aid, healthcare, and psychosocial services for migrant women. It also urges the IACHR to monitor the situation closely and to continue to apply pressure on the Guyanese government to take concrete steps to prevent further abuse.
Government Response and Challenges
The government of Guyana has acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. In recent years, the government has worked to provide humanitarian aid to Venezuelans, including food and medical assistance. However, critics argue that more needs to be done, particularly in the areas of protecting women and ensuring that migrants’ legal rights are respected.
In response to the NGO’s report, Guyanese officials have promised to take action to address the issue of sexual and gender-based violence, but have also pointed out the complexities involved. The government’s challenges include limited resources, a strained healthcare system, and a shortage of trained personnel to handle cases of sexual violence and trafficking. Additionally, Guyana’s legal framework does not always accommodate the needs of vulnerable migrant populations, and some critics argue that local laws need to be updated to better protect migrant women from exploitation and abuse.
“We recognize that there are gaps in our response, but we are committed to working with international partners and NGOs to improve the situation,” said a spokesperson from the Guyanese Ministry of Human Services. “We will continue to work towards ensuring that all women, regardless of their nationality, are protected from violence.”
A Regional Issue
The plight of Venezuelan migrant women in Guyana is part of a broader regional issue that has emerged in Latin America as millions of Venezuelans have been forced to flee their country in recent years. While neighboring countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador have also faced significant challenges in providing for the growing number of refugees and migrants, the situation in Guyana remains particularly dire due to its relatively small population, lack of infrastructure, and geographic isolation.
Experts argue that addressing sexual and gender-based violence among migrants requires a comprehensive approach that includes stronger legal protections, better support systems, and regional cooperation. The Venezuelan refugee crisis is not going away any time soon, and unless governments act decisively, many more women and girls will continue to suffer in silence.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
The issue of sexual and gender-based violence among Venezuelan migrant women in Guyana is a grave human rights crisis that demands immediate attention. The NGO’s report to the IACHR has brought attention to the urgent need for stronger protections, better services for survivors, and greater accountability for perpetrators. While the Guyanese government has taken steps to address the issue, much more needs to be done, and regional and international actors must work together to prevent further suffering.
For Venezuelan women and girls in Guyana, the search for safety and stability continues to be marred by violence, exploitation, and neglect. The international community must step up to support these women, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they are given the opportunities they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
