-Several training sessions conducted in Region One  

Persons living in Matthew’s Ridge, Region One are now better advocates and gatekeepers in the field of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) that they have received access to training sessions from Blossom’s Spotlight Initiative. The group in November 2020 in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations (UN), and the European Union started a project which sought to eliminate violence against women and girls in Guyana.

According to Education and Awareness Officer for Spotlight Project in Matthews Ridge, Arlyne Ramdatt she said that Matthews Ridge in Region One, and Waramadong in Region Seven, are currently target communities for the project, and as such the team has been working tirelessly to localise campaigns, advocacy, sensitisations, awareness, and training.

Ramdatt along with fellow Education and Awareness Officer at Blossom Inc, Joses Solomon, are making several impactful trips into the communities.

Engagements
In January 2021, Ramdatt and Solomon conducted their first outreach to Matthew’s Ridge where 22 persons within the community were trained in practical skills in managing gender-based violence (GBV) in their community. Ramdatt said the trip also saw the establishment of a local group of volunteer gatekeepers who are currently certified. The group which named itself “HAMZA” engages youths to be advocates and to support their peers. They also act as protective elements against their exposure to factors related to GBV in their communities.

During the interview with both Ramdatt and Solomon, they said they intend to sustain the project and as such, they returned in March 2021 to engage the group and community of Matthew’s Ridge. The visit coincided with the observance of International Women’s Day where several events for the week were planned. The events rolled out from March 23- 28.

On March 23, a community walkabout was facilitated with the help of community Volunteer Alana Tang. During that outreach, posters were distributed highlighting Safe Spaces within the community, advocating against gender-based violence, and the numbers to referral systems in which reports can be made as well as interacting and receiving reports from locals.

Simultaneously, Solomon, with the help of Officer David (only name is given), conducted a Community beautification initiative with Blossom Youths. The youths’ creative talents were utilised in the preparation for International Women’s Day.

Other Spotlight Initiative events facilitated by Ramdatt and Solomon included a community conference on March 25 held in collaboration with representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region One, the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), UNICEF, United Nation, EU, and Spotlight coordinator for Guyana and Suriname.

At the conference, local frontline workers, community leaders, parents, and secondary school students had the opportunity to discuss their concerns surrounding Gender-based Violence in their community. The training aimed to collaborate, educate, and help mobilise persons within the community in addressing and managing Gender-based violence (alongside other forms of violence and abuse).

“Special recognition must be given to the European Union who has been a major donor of funds to the UN to embark on the Spotlight Initiative (a global initiative) that will see Guyana benefitting from this 3-year funded program aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls,” Ramdatt said.

Region One chairman Brethnol Ashley said he was very thankful for all the training that was conducted in his region. Ashley said he welcomes the approach by Blossom Inc. to sensitise and equip persons in the community with skills to manage Gender-based violence. He commended the work done so far in the Matthew’s Ridge community and encouraged Spotlight Initiative to expand its operations to other communities within the region that are affected by many social ills.

The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Orlando Thorn also extended gratitude to the Spotlight Initiative for choosing his community.

Blossom Inc.’s Spotlight Initiative take the opportunity to promote and encourage all Guyanese choose to challenge and the prevention of violence against women and girls in our communities. If you see something, say something. For safe spaces and to make reports of gender-based violence, please contact: Blossom Inc. at 233-6701, the Counselling Hotline at 914, and/or the Child Protection hotline at 227-0979