PRIME Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips, has called on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to share their expertise with the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) so that the social issues exacerbated by the pandemic can be addressed.

In an invited comment, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Task Force is open to any NGO that wishes to assist the efforts geared at curbing the spread of the virus, and any of its accompanying problems such as domestic violence.

“We appeal to all NGOs to come on board, come with your specialised knowledge and we will incorporate what you are bringing to the table and we will ensure that we work with you to better the lives of all Guyanese during this trying time of COVID-19,” the Prime Minister, who heads the NCTF, emphasised.

Since March, the pandemic has placed a strain on many of the social services offered to vulnerable populations in Guyana. Domestic violence has been one issue which has surged during this time, and stakeholders — particularly from the NGOs that work to address this issue — called for there to be more inclusive planning and response from the task force.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, told the Guyana Chronicle that gender considerations should form a key part of Guyana’s planning efforts as it contends with the pandemic. She acknowledged that the focus on health and economic recovery is necessary but emphasised that human security should be considered too.

Women’s rights activist, Danuta Radzik, also stressed that the national COVID-19 planning and management should include persons who are grounded in women’s rights and supporting vulnerable populations.

“The [National] COVID-19 Task Force has some representation, but it does not have that kind of representation. From the little I know, it has never been broad-based enough,” Radzik said, adding, “these issues [domestic violence and gender-based violence] come from a position of knowledge and understanding of things like domestic violence and how women are affected by it.”