Health & Human Services Ministries host Men’s workshop on gender-based violence
Diego Alphonso, Head, Men’s Affairs Bureau chairing the Gender Based workshop
Diego Alphonso, Head, Men’s Affairs Bureau chairing the Gender Based workshop

THE Ministry of Human Services Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB), in collaboration with the Salvation Army’s Men’s Social Sector, Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Ministry of Health’s Gender Based Unit conducted a two-day workshop, on the role of males in addressing the issue of gender-based violence.

According to Diego Alphonso, Head of the MAB, the workshop which commenced on February 19, was aimed at highlighting the importance of men, in the fight against gender-based violence in Guyana.

Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer

Some of the areas touched on during the sessions included suicide and gender-based violence, along with parenting from a male’s perspective.
He added that the workshop targeted 50 men from various institutions, including the GPF.
Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), during his remarks at the opening ceremony, stated that the ministry has been placing emphasis on violence as a whole, as it is a major health concern.
He added that violence affects children greatly, and with the recognition of this, the government has seen the need for early intervention. He also acknowledged that violence is a cycle, and kids who grow up experiencing these types of violence, become abusers or victims themselves.
Further, the CMO pointed out that this issue also has a great effect on the economy, due to the fact that the victims cannot function at full capacity.

A section of the participants at the workshop
A section of the participants at the workshop

According to Dr Persaud, the Ministry of Health has set up a Gender Based Unit, to allow individuals to seek help with regard to the said topic.
He further highlighted that the ministry’s Health Vision 2020 places a lot of focus on violence, and with support from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative, the ministry has been able to create awareness sessions and train individuals in the this area.
The sessions were facilitated by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Services, Patrick Findlay.
According to Alphonso, through this collaboration, similar sessions have been held in Regions Three, Six and Ten and six others are being planned for the country at large during the rest of 2015.

***PHOTO saved as: Diego Alphonso
Diego Alphonso, Head, Men’s Affairs Bureau chairing the Gender Based workshop

 

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