Wakenaam declaration and White Zone facility initiated
A large number of men and boys from the island of Wakenaam, Region 3 Wednesday joined government in its efforts to put an end to domestic violence as they signed their names onto the Wakenaam Declaration, ‘Stop Black and Blue’. Wakenaam is a chapter of the Skeldon Declaration, and is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and non-governmental organisations, the Men Empowerment Network and the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB). 
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, who was present at the event, said government has over the years continued to extend its services to all vulnerable groups and that the issue of domestic violence is not something new or confined to Guyana.
“Guyana, like any other country, faces the issue of domestic violence against women and children, and no government alone can deal with the problem; it requires a combined effort from all in society”.  
She said most of the victims of violence are women and children; hence she was pleased to see many of them showing interest in helping to combat the issue of violence.

Minister Manickchand also mentioned that while everyone was busy addressing the needs of women, they failed to create a space for men to discuss their new roles and problems, thus the establishment of the MAB was prompted.
In addition, Minister Manickchand also noted that government, having recognized that Guyana could not progress to the level it wants to, unless close attention is paid to the issue of domestic violence in all its forms, established a number of initiatives to tackle the issue, including the establishment of the domestic oversight committee, Men’s and Women’s Affairs Bureaus, Legal Aid services, passing of legislations, shelters and a White Zone, among others.
“We have done so much, but for me we have not seen a proportionate amount of reduction in violence compared to what we have done,” Minister Manickchand informed.
Since MAB’s establishment, she said that the body has been engaging thousands of men across the country, since some of them are also victims of domestic abuse.
Head of the MAB, Rev. Patrick Findlay, said that the Wakenaam chapter is one of many more to be initiated around the country.
“          Meanwhile, Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber, urged Wakenaam residents to be responsible and “to take a grip of our society to ensure that it is not overcome by domestic and other forms of violence”.  
Rev. Dr. Marcus Stapleton, a guest speaker from the United States, told the gathering that men are supposed to be leaders and not abusers, and that a man who truly loves his wife loves himself and when he abuses her, it’s an abuse against himself.     

White Zone
While on the island, Minister Manickchand also launched the white Zone programme at the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital.

The White Zone is a place of neutrality, where vulnerable persons, especially women and children, can seek help and protection from human predators.
The strategy was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Wakenaam Night Committee that cleared the path for the launching of the historic White Zone on the island.
“Domestic violence is not only someone beating you, it is much more than that, it can be someone constantly calling you all sorts of names,” Minister Manickchand said.
Prior to the launching of Wakenaam declaration and White Zone, over 30 persons from the community were trained to deal with the issue of domestic violence.
The White Zone facility is providing temporary accommodation to abused women, men and children.   
The first declaration was launched in November 2010, when scores of men and boys from Skeldon and surrounding communities in Region Six signed on to the Skeldon Declaration, declaring their commitment to help put an end to domestic violence in all its forms and wherever it exists. (GINA)