MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand, said Monday that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force must play more active roles in dealing with the issue of ‘deadbeat’ fathers.

In an invited comment, she said the two agencies have to ensure that the Domestic Violence Act is as efficient as Parliament intended it to be when it was passed in 1996.

Manickchand pointed out that their cooperation is critical to how non-compliant fathers are dealt with in a holistic manner.

She described ‘deadbeat fathers’ as those who just provide the biological materials to make their children and do nothing else.

According to her, subsequent to the birth of the child, such men are unconcerned about its welfare, education or nutrition and, most importantly, they are indifferent to the guidance needed from a father figure.

“Those affected are the children, as they are vulnerable by their nature and we have to make sure that, as a society, we take a view against these issues,” the Minister said.

She called for the denunciation of those fathers and said they must be “a thing of the past.”

Manickchand admonished young men and women to make sensible choices and be responsible in their behaviour to assure that the consequences of their actions can be addressed afterwards.

However, she maintained that, as a society, Guyanese must speak out against irresponsibility, particularly where the victims are children.

“Every responsible citizen has to speak out against parents who will not take their responsibility seriously,” she reiterated.

She acknowledged though, that despite the existence of deadbeat fathers, there are other men who set the bar high when it comes to being a parent and their examples should be emulated.

“We have very many good examples of fathers, fathers who take their responsibility seriously and contribute to the development of their children, so that they grow up to be healthy, productive adults,” Manickchand attested.

She said the legislation allows for effective implementation of different orders and the Police must cooperate fully in their enforcement and address the length of time it takes for the edicts to be processed.