GUYANA CALLS FOR GLOBAL ACCOUNTABILITY AS AI-GENERATED ABUSE THREATENS WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA | OCTOBER 11, 2026 — Guyana is calling for stronger international cooperation, legal protections and accountability measures to address the growing threat of digital violence against women, particularly those involved in politics, leadership and public service. The government has warned that artificial intelligence-generated sexual images, manipulated content and coordinated online harassment are increasingly being used to intimidate women, damage their reputations and discourage their participation in public life.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud raised the concerns on October 5 while addressing the Forum of Women Parliamentarians at the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the minister urged international leaders to move beyond numerical representation of women in positions of authority and focus on ensuring that women can exercise meaningful influence over decisions affecting peace, security, economic development and national resources.

Persaud identified technology-facilitated abuse as a growing obstacle to women’s participation in public affairs. She warned that the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly to produce sexually explicit manipulated images, can expose women to humiliation, reputational damage and intimidation. Such attacks can also discourage women from pursuing political office or remaining visible in public discussions.

“Digital violence threatens that promise,” Persaud declared, referring to the principle that every girl should be able to aspire to public service without fear.

Drawing on her own experience with digital violence, Persaud challenged the expectation that women should reduce their public visibility to protect themselves from online attacks. She highlighted how digital platforms allow abusive material to spread rapidly across international borders, while anonymous accounts can complicate efforts to identify perpetrators and algorithms can increase the reach of harmful content.

The minister’s concerns also raise broader questions about the responsibilities of governments, technology companies and law enforcement agencies in responding to digital abuse. Unlike traditional forms of harassment, technology-facilitated violence can involve perpetrators operating from different jurisdictions, making investigations, enforcement and the removal of harmful material more difficult.

In outlining Guyana’s response, Persaud pointed to the country’s cybercrime legislation and the Family Violence Act 2024 as components of its legal framework for addressing abuse. She highlighted provisions of the Family Violence Act that integrate civil and criminal measures, establish police responsibilities when complaints are received, and provide protections intended to allow victims and their children to remain in their homes. The legislation also includes defined timelines relating to reporting and the initiation of charges.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continues to provide training, psychosocial assistance and shelter services for persons affected by violence. However, the minister’s appeal for international cooperation reflects the limitations of relying exclusively on national legislation when digital abuse can originate and circulate across borders.

Guyana is preparing to address digital violence more extensively during the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, with public awareness, prevention and accountability expected to form part of the national conversation. The initiative will provide an opportunity to examine how existing protections can respond to emerging technologies and whether additional measures are needed to protect women and girls.

Persaud’s intervention comes amid growing international concern about the impact of technology-facilitated harassment on women’s participation in politics and public life. Her remarks placed particular emphasis on the need to ensure that women are not forced to choose between exercising their leadership responsibilities and protecting their personal safety.

The central issue extends beyond individual incidents of online abuse. It concerns whether democratic institutions, legal systems and digital platforms can provide an environment in which women participate without being subjected to intimidation, exploitation or reputational attacks.

For Guyana, the challenge will be translating its international advocacy into effective protections, enforcement mechanisms and public education that respond to the changing nature of digital violence.