Secondary school students’ views on gender violence invited
THIRD and fourth form students of 21 secondary schools countrywide have been given an opportunity to express their thoughts on gender violence, through an Essay, Poetry and Poster Competition.
Organised by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with Help and Shelter, Women Across Differences (WAD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the contest was inaugurated yesterday in the auditorium of St. Stanislaus College, Brickdam, Georgetown.
It is themed ‘Youths taking the lead against Gender Violence! As young people, we can make a difference’ and seeks to encourage participants to reflect on their experiences and state their views on gender violence and sensitization.
Activities will be conducted in the targeted schools to promote greater understanding of gender violence and the role of young people in breaking the cycle and taking control.
Mission Director, Ms. Carol Horning said, under its Governance Enhancement Project, USAID is working to identify issues that affect people living normal lives and one such is domestic violence.
She cautioned that the competitors require time, thought and effort and urged them to analyse the problem of gender violence carefully, so they will be able to communicate their ideas to Guyanese men and women.
The winning entrant in each category will receive a Netbook computer and a trophy would be awarded to the school that performed the best overall, with prizes being awarded for second and third place winners in every group.
The 21 competing schools are Abram Zuil Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral, Annandale Secondary, Bishops’ High, Bladen Hall Multilateral, Bygeval Secondary, Chandisingh Memorial High, Charity Secondary, Leonora Secondary, Mackenzie High, New Amsterdam Multilateral, North Georgetown Secondary, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, President’s College, Queen’s College, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St. Joseph High, St. Rose’s High, St. Stanislaus College, Tagore Memorial High and West Demerara Secondary.
The deadline for entries to be submitted to the headteacher of the respective schools, is March 11, 2011 and the results will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 25, 2011.