FORTY women gathered together last Friday and Saturday to discuss the topic  ‘Child Protection, My Role as a Parent’.
It was not so much a workshop but a discussion forum, said UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Head of Child  Protection Services, Ms. Doris Roos, who was involved in the programme at the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVCC),  located at Lot 106  New Garden Street, Georgetown.
The exchange, that put the focus on issues of empowerment and the rights of women and children, was arranged through the joint efforts of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the IVCC and ‘Women with Power’, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
Roos, speaking at the forum, noted that, unfortunately, only women were present but acknowledged that they play a key role in the upbringing of children.
She expressed the hope that the women who attended would share the benefits of the discourse with their husbands and announced that other such programmes are planned throughout the country.
Principal of the Institute, Ms. Ediclia Bastardo said the IVCC has been working on a number of activities with women, utilising the resources that they have.
She remarked that the current rate of domestic violence and child abuse locally is “very sad.”
Also playing a crucial part in the proceedings was Ms. Marva Williams from the Ministry of Human Service and Social Security, who joined Roos and Bastardo to elaborating on important aspects.
One of the subjects touched on was ‘What is Empowerment’ and Williams explained that it is a process by which people receive power for use in their own lives and their communities.
About why is it important to empower, she said it is to allow victims of abuse to overcome.
‘The Effects of Abuse’, ‘Children to be Heroes’ and ‘You are Great’ were talked about in oral presentations, which were accompanied by some practical examples that were featured, before a question and answer segment.
The two-day exercise was the beginning of a series of courses, at the IVCC, to empower women, including through art and craft.