UK Embassy Unveils New GEDSI Report Highlighting Gender Inequality and Violence Against Girls in Guatemala

The British Embassy in Guatemala has unveiled the 2025 regional GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) analysis, offering fresh insights into the challenges faced by girls and young women across the country.

The launch event brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and international organisations to discuss the findings and chart a path forward.

Persistent Barriers for Girls and Young Women

The report highlights the ongoing struggles that girls face in Guatemala.

Patriarchal norms, structural inequalities, child marriage, and high levels of impunity continue to drive gender-based violence.

Indigenous girls, girls with disabilities, and those impacted by migration are particularly vulnerable due to overlapping forms of discrimination.

The study paints a stark picture of how entrenched social and cultural factors continue to impede progress toward gender equality.

Collaboration Across Sectors

The launch convened representatives from the Presidential Secretariat for Women, the Indigenous Women’s Ombudsman, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior, UN Women, and other agencies, including SVET (Secretariat Against Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons) and the Global Survivors Fund.

Frontline organisations supporting girl and adolescent survivors also participated, highlighting the need for coordinated action across government and civil society.

Key Recommendations for Change

Developed by ODI Global under a UK FCDO-funded regional programme, the study provides clear recommendations for addressing systemic inequalities:

• Strengthen protection systems for girls and young women.

• Improve inter-institutional coordination among government agencies.

• Support community-led initiatives aimed at transforming harmful social norms.

• Expand survivor-centred services and early prevention programs.

• Ensure culturally appropriate approaches, particularly in Indigenous territories.

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These recommendations emphasize the importance of both structural reforms and community engagement to create lasting impact.

UK Commitment to Gender Equality

Juliana Correa, British Ambassador to Guatemala, reaffirmed the UK’s dedication to supporting gender equality in the country.

She emphasized the need to collaborate with local institutions, communities, and international partners to drive sustainable and inclusive change.

The Embassy stressed that empowering women and girls, particularly those on the frontlines of community leadership, remains a central focus of its mission.

Impact and Consequences

The release of this report could have several meaningful effects:

• Policy influence: Strengthening national policies on gender equality and social inclusion.

• Awareness: Bringing attention to the intersectional risks faced by Indigenous girls and girls with disabilities.

• Community empowerment: Encouraging local initiatives that challenge harmful social norms.

• International collaboration: Deepening partnerships between Guatemala and international actors like the UK and UN Women.

What’s Next?

The UK Embassy plans to continue its work with Guatemalan authorities and civil society groups to implement the report’s recommendations.

Focus areas include improving protection mechanisms, enhancing institutional capacities, and promoting culturally sensitive programs in Indigenous communities.

Follow-up initiatives are expected to translate research findings into concrete interventions that safeguard girls and young women.

Summary

The 2025 GEDSI analysis provides a comprehensive look at the challenges facing girls and young women in Guatemala, highlighting persistent gender-based violence, structural inequalities, and the heightened risks for marginalized groups.

The UK Embassy, alongside government and civil society partners, is committed to addressing these issues through policy reform, community engagement, and international collaboration.

Bulleted Takeaways

• The UK Embassy launched the 2025 GEDSI analysis for Guatemala, focusing on girls and young women.

• Patriarchal norms, child marriage, and high impunity levels continue to fuel gender-based violence.

• Indigenous girls, girls with disabilities, and those affected by migration face disproportionate risks.

• Recommendations include strengthening protection systems, inter-agency coordination, and culturally sensitive approaches.

• Community-led initiatives and survivor-centered services are central to lasting change.

• The UK remains committed to collaborating with Guatemalan authorities and international partners.

• The analysis aims to guide policies, empower communities, and ensure inclusive progress in gender equality.