THE school system, along with faith-based and other organisations, has been failing young people in Guyana, who are in need of help, Executive Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth has observed. For instance, some young people who stay away from school after being raped, impregnated, or ran away from home are often shunned and rejected when they are ready to return to school.
“Many institutions fail these young people,” she said, adding that unlike those, the entire operation of the GRPA is user- friendly.
“They need access to facilities where they can get help and access to services. Many who are having sex at a young age are not using contraceptives and one of the reasons is that such contraceptives are not available to them. We still talk about abstinence, but let’s be realistic,” Bisnauth urged.
She believes that a comprehensive approach is needed for help to be administered to these young ones.
Bisnauth spoke to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, especially in the context of GRPA’s recently concluded 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM). Its theme was: “Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Guyana” under the tagline: “Be Proud! Be Responsible! Be Protective!”

“BodyBoss Campaign”
The GRPA Youth Advocacy Movement took the opportunity to present their “BodyBoss Campaign,” which aims to empower adolescents and youths to make wise choices and to reduce risky sexual behaviours.
The keynote address was delivered by Marianne Flach, UNICEF Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname. A teen mother, Vidyamatie Persaud, shared her story and the Youth Advocacy Movement rendered messages in drama and other artistic forms.
Meanwhile, the GRPA is one of the oldest Non-Governmental Organisations in Guyana and is a leading provider in sexual and reproductive health and an advocate for sexual and reproductive rights.
“The Association has a rights-based and holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health care and also offers education, emotional and psycho-social support, and counselling to ensure the total well-being of the client is considered.
The organisation has been growing in strength and currently has a major focus on adolescents and youth with whom it works, providing comprehensive sexuality education, including gender, sense of self, values, parenting, gender- based violence, HIV/AIDS, STIs and other lifeskills and related areas. The GRPA also has a Youth Friendly Space, which is welcoming and comfortable and where confidentiality is assured,” GRPA had said.
In the last 12 months, GRPA said it has provided more than 50,000 services, including medical care, counselling and education.