Restart of campaign against domestic violence postponed
– but remains ‘hot on the cards’
THE restart of the campaign against domestic violence, by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, remains ‘hot on the cards’ but would no longer be done this week as was previously announced by Minister Jennifer Webster. She told the Guyana Chronicle that the presentation of the National Budget, in Parliament on Friday, would have some impact on the intended resumption and, hence, the postponement.
In the meantime though, Minister Webster said she is hoping to have a meeting with the relevant task force next week.
The programme to resume the drive was being finalised by the ministry recently and Webster had said, among the plans is a fitness walk to advocate for support in fighting the scourge.
The Human Services Ministry also proposes to have the National Commission for the Family on board.
Minister Webster observed that Guyana has a good number of young parents and she opined that these need to be taught parenting skills to help reduce incidents of crime, dropping out of school and the like.
She said the restarting of the thrust against domestic violence is in response to recent cases of abuse that ended fatally for some women.

SENSITISE WOMEN
“So this is something we need to pay attention to,” Webster said, adding that the purpose is also to sensitise women who are afraid to come forward and speak out.
She had made the announcement about the ministry’s strategy when she attended the inauguration of the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation at Sea Breeze Hotel, in Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, early in January.
On that occasion, Webster said a countrywide anti-domestic violence drive would seek to further edify women about speaking out and taking action on the issue “before it is too late.”
“I would like to urge all stakeholders to come on board, so that we can work together to address the problematic issues of enforcement and prosecution. It is necessary for us to interact with women in all communities, so that we can be able to provide assistance to them in a timely manner,” she said.
According to her, Guyanese women should be “celebrated” and not violated because of their perceived weaknesses or subordination. In this regard, she pointed out that, compared with 1992, when there were only 12 female Parliamentarians, the Tenth Parliament now boasts 21 women among its 65 members.
The minister also highlighted that there are a number of women who hold key executive positions within the Government and, in the Cabinet for instance, there are five female ministers and one Presidential Adviser on Governance.
Webster noted that the single-parent initiative, Women of Worth (WOW) and the formation of the constitutional Women and Gender Equality Commission will further promote issues related to the enhancement of the status of women and girls as well.