GOVERNMENT’S efforts to combat crime and violence, especially efforts to protect women and children, were expounded by President Bharrat Jagdeo when he delivered the feature address at the flag-raising ceremony at the National Park to mark Guyana’s 43rd independence anniversary.

“Our commitment to fostering pride and dignity amongst Guyanese would not allow us to tolerate the abuse of our women and children. My administration remains committed to building a legislative shield to protect our women and children, even as we recognize that legislation is just one of many means which are required to end the sickening and tragic scourge of domestic violence,” the President said.

To this end, several pieces of legislation have been passed by the National Assembly ,focused on child welfare and protection, including the Child Care Protection Agency Bill, the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill, and the Adoption of Children Bill.

“Work is also proceeding on the Child Care Services and Development Bill and the Custody, Guardianship and Maintenance of Children Bill,” the large crowd gathered was told.

To stop domestic abuse of women, the President explained that greater emphasis is being placed on the work of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and other agencies that provide assistance to battered women.

“In response to the alarming levels of domestic violence and the horrific murders, my Administration has intensified its support to victims by increasing the funding for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Legal Aid and Help and Shelter, and caused to be instituted a more sensitive and proactive approach by the Guyana Police Force in responding to the victims,” the President explained.

Further, the Constitutional Rights Commissions to protect the welfare of women and children have been enacted by Parliament and will be operational shortly. Also, a Family Court is being established which would consolidate the handling of all family- related legal matters.

Legislative efforts are focused on curbing crime and violence in communities as well. “We have revolutionized court rules dealing with evidence and procedures. We have also instituted harsher penalties including identifying non-bailable offences such as piracy. We have also enacted laws to provide mandatory supervision for convicted felons of certain crimes, including paedophilia,” the Head of State noted.

“Due to the carnage on the road, we have introduced legislation to penalize driving under the influence of alcohol and provide for the use of radar guns to control speeding, two of the most common causes of fatalities from traffic accidents,” the President added.

On May 22, President Jagdeo assented to the Evidence and Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill which makes it an offence to drive under the influence of alcohol.

The Bill places restrictions on the amount of alcohol a driver is allowed to consume while driving. The limit is a breath alcohol concentration of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath, and blood alcohol concentration of 80 milligrams in 100 milliliters of blood, or the equivalent of two beers.

All these measures are intended to provide Guyanese with a greater sense of security, allowing for the productive development of Guyana and the improvement of the standard of living of its people.