MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud has said that the government will bring several bills to the National Assembly this year, which according to her will bring relief to vulnerable persons.

The minister made these remarks as part of her presentation during the recent 2024 National Budget debate.

According to Dr Persaud, under the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration several pieces of legislation have been laid before the National Assembly and passed for the benefit of the people of the country.

This year, she noted that the government will be putting a number of bills on the floor that include the Family Violence Bill, which the minister noted has benefitted from extensive consultation and will provide relief to those persons who seek protection under the justice system.

Added to this, there is also the Harassment bill, which will have policies similar to the Family Violence Bill.

The Human Services Minister went on to add that the draft of the gender violence policy is also expected to be completed this year which will see a referral system created to integrate all of the agencies across the ministry. This will ensure that there is a cohesive and competent response.

She said: “There is also going to be a policy that will be done this year on gender inclusion and there are many more policies and legislation that will be coming to the floor of the house.”

Earlier this month, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, said that Guyana’s legislative framework is currently experiencing significant changes as more than 70 pieces of legislation have been introduced since the PPP/C assumed office in 2020.

At that time, she indicated that the government has been bringing pieces of legislation that are transformational and that are modernising the legal framework of the country.