Guyana: Tamùkke Feminists Critique Guyana’s GY$1.5 Trillion Budget for Structural Inequality

Tamùkke Feminists, a grassroots organization focused on female rights and empowerment, has raised concerns regarding Guyana’s GY$1.558 trillion national budget for the current year. According to their Feminist Budget Analysis (FBA) titled “An Intersectional Feminist Desk Analysis of Guyana’s 2026 National Budget: Health, Environment and Equity,” the budget does not adequately address ingrained disparities.

The organization notes that while increased spending is evident, it does not necessarily lead to equitable outcomes, as budget allocations remain largely gender-neutral in both design and implementation. Tamùkke emphasizes that resources are not systematically directed toward addressing structural inequality, which is particularly relevant as Guyana experiences rapid oil-driven economic growth.

The FBA examines fiscal priorities through an intersectional feminist lens, questioning not only the amount spent but also who benefits and who is excluded. The analysis reveals that women in hinterland and rural areas continue to face significant barriers to healthcare and reproductive services. Additionally, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans+ women experience documented exclusion from public health systems, while Indigenous communities bear environmental costs without adequate protection.

At the community level, the analysis highlights concerning findings, such as elevated mercury levels among Indigenous residents in Parabara, South Rupununi, particularly affecting women. This illustrates the disproportionate environmental consequences of extractive development on marginalized communities.

Akola Thompson, Managing Director of Tamùkke, stated, “Budgets are political documents that reflect government priorities regarding urgent needs versus secondary needs.” She emphasized that a feminist perspective makes these choices more visible.

The FBA identifies three structural gaps that future national planning must address: a distributional gap, a prevention gap, and an inclusion gap. The distributional gap highlights the long travel distances and high transportation costs faced by hinterland regions, while the prevention gap points to the disparity between investments in hospital infrastructure and community-based care. The inclusion gap reveals the invisibility of Indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ persons, and individuals with disabilities within expenditure structures.

Despite the legal framework provided by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, access to abortion services remains limited in hinterland areas, demonstrating that legal rights do not guarantee equitable access. The analysis also indicates that LBT+ women face barriers to sexual health knowledge and services, compounded by the lack of comprehensive sexuality education.

Tamùkke clarifies that the FBA is not a critique of the government’s fiscal efforts but rather a planning tool for future direction. The organization calls for the establishment of a gender-responsive budgeting unit within the Ministry of Finance by 2027, expansion of abortion services, routine mercury testing in mining communities, and the rollout of comprehensive sexuality education.

Thompson urges the government to recognize the importance of integrating inclusive, intersectional budgeting into national planning cycles, stating that it is essential for protecting the future of all Guyanese amidst rapid economic transformation. The FBA concludes by questioning whether Guyana can afford not to pursue inclusive budgeting, given the significant fiscal space created by petroleum revenues.

Source: demerarawaves.com

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