….in Regions 1, 7

IN addressing the issue of violence against women and girls in Region One (Barima-Waini) and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Blossom Inc., in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched its ‘Spotlight initiative’, a programme aimed at women empowerment and activism.
Through advocacy, sensitisation, awareness, and training, the programme aims to bring about sustainable change that will safeguard women, children, and other vulnerable persons within the community. According to a release from Blossom Inc., the programme was launched in November of 2020, with emphasis being placed in Matthews Ridge, Region One, and Waramadong, Region 7, so as to provide the region with access to resources that could negate the reach or impact of this social issue.
The programme is being spearheaded by Arlyne Ramdatt and Joses Solomon, the Education Awareness Officers at Blossom Inc. The first successful outreach was held on January 20, 2021, at Matthew’s Ridge, which saw a total of 22 participants. The outreach sought to collaborate, educate, and help mobilise the participants in addressing and managing gender-based violence in the community alongside other forms of violence and abuse.

The four-day trip included a two-day training workshop held at the community centre for frontline professionals in the community, such as healthcare professionals, teachers, police officers, and child protection volunteers; secondary school students and parents also took part in the training.
“With this, it could be seen that the training workshop was a success and great initiative that will receive follow-up and be applied in other communities. The training had several objectives that were meant to provide persons with practical skills, knowledge, and sensitisation in order to effectively manage gender-based violence, abuse, and other violence in the community,” the release stated. Additionally, the group’s first training session included a module on self-care and mental health. At the end of the training, persons received a certificate of completion from Blossom Inc., and were then given the opportunity to volunteer and be a part of a community support system of ‘Gatekeepers’ for the managing and prevention of gender-based Violence.
Before leaving the community, a youth peer support group for advocacy, abuse prevention, and support for the youth in the community battling the effects of these social ills, was also created, with six youths volunteering to be a part of it.

“Special emphasis is placed on the youths, not only because they are the most impacted by the violence and abuse in the community, but due to COVID-19 restrictions and policies, they are even more exposed to unsafe habits in the community and for many schools was their only safe space,” Blossom Inc. said.
Blossom Inc. also noted that it will continue working to engage the youths further through several other initiatives that it has planned for the year. One of its new initiatives is the “Hear me out!” youth competition. The competition is open until February 6, with two age categories (12-16 and 17-25 years) aimed at visual artists, creative writing or through videography that gives youths the opportunity to use their creative talents in addressing aspects of violence against women and girls in the community.