Welcome to Bureau of Women's Affairs Government of Guam | Bureau of Women's Affairs Government of Guam

Providing access and opportunities for women and persons of all genders

Hafa Adai & Welcome to the Bureau of Women‘s Affairs

The website you are about to navigate is evolving based on our vision to bring services closer to you. You can find news about the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, financial data, Information on programs and a list of who works in your government. We provide it here for your convenience. The Bureau of Women’s Affairs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age in the delivery of services to program participants and beneficiaries, employees, applicants and others.

BWA Guahan Doula Project

The Guåhan Doula Project was initiated by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs and the Birthworkers of Color Collective, a nonprofit organization based in California and co- founded by CHamoru Stevie Mesa Merino, herself a trained doula for nine years. Merino’s BWCC came to Guam in December 2023 and trained 13 local women to become doulas. It was after this initial training that BWA teamed up with BWOCC for the Guahan Doula Project.

The Guåhan Doula Project aims to reduce our island’s high maternal and infant mortality rates through nonmedical services that provide support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for pregnant and postpartum women. Doulas play a vital role in guiding expectant mothers through birth planning, labor, and postnatal recovery, leading to improved health outcomes for both the mother and the child. Guam Memorial Hospital officials reported that an average of 17% to 20% of the women who give birth at GMH have had no prenatal care. Data from the Department of Public Health and Social Services 2023 Maternal Health Summit shows lack of prenatal care is a contributing factor to Guam’s high maternal and infant mortality rates. The goal of the Guahan Doula Project is to reduce Guam’s high maternal and infant mortality rates through nonmedical support, advocacy, education, resources, and referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, their babies, and their families.

The Guahan Doula Project consists of the following components: Training sessions FOR DOULAS conducted in February and August 2025 (over 30 LOCAL doulas trained) (funding provided by the Office of the Governor) CPR, HIPAA, and Disability Sensitivity Training for doulas: May-October 2025 (funded through GEDA QCCC grant) Village Outreach sessions (Teams of doulas are conducting sessions for pregnant women throughout the island): July – October 2025 (funded through GEDA QCCC grant)

For more information on BWA’s Guahan Doula Project, or to ask BWA to host a doula outreach session for your organization or in your village, email: info.bwa@guam.gov or guam@birthworkersofcolor.com, or call BWA at (671)475- 9162.

The Bureau of Women’s Affairs was established by 5GCA Chapter 1 Article 8 on May 17, 1991. It is the only agency mandated to represent the female population in public policy process and increase their efficiency and advance their opportunities. The BWA was dormant for nearly a decade, however it was revived by Maga’Haga Lourdes Leon Guerrero in January 2019. Jayne Flores is the current BWA director. Flores also serves as administrator of the Governor’s Community Outreach – Federal Programs Office, which handles the federal Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) STOP and SASP grants to provide services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Check out the BWA’s Project Sottera and our other efforts under Projects.