ACTIVITIES to re-launch the Domestic Violence Campaign by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security are currently being fine-tuned by subject minister, Jennifer Webster, who is hoping to have the re-launch in the last week of March. Speaking with the Chronicle in an invited comment on the telephone yesterday, Minister Webster said that among proposals for the re-launch is a ‘fitness walk’ to advocate for support in fighting domestic violence.
The Human Services Ministry also intends to have the National Commission for the Family on board in its re-launch.
Minister Webster observed that Guyana has a good number of young parents, and she opined that these need to be taught parenting skills to help reduce incidents of crime, dropping out of school, and the like.
She told this newspaper recently that the re-launch of the Domestic Violence Campaign is in response to the recent cases of abuse that ended fatally for some women. “So this is something we need to pay attention to,” she said, adding that the thrust is also to sensitise women who are afraid to come forward and speak out.
She had announced the ministry’s plan when she attended the inauguration of the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation at Sea Breeze Hotel, in Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, early last January.
On that occasion, Webster said a countrywide anti-domestic violence drive will seek to further edify women about speaking out and taking action on the issue “before it is too late.”
“I would like to urge all stakeholders to come on board, so that we can work together to address the problematic issues of enforcement and prosecution. It is necessary for us to interact with women in all communities, so that we can be able to provide assistance to them in a timely manner,” she pointed out.
According to her, Guyanese women should be “celebrated” and not violated because of their perceived weaknesses or subordination. In this regard, she pointed out that, compared with 1992, when there were only 12 female Parliamentarians, the Tenth Parliament now boasts 21 women among its 65 members.
The minister also highlighted that there are a number of women who hold key executive positions within the government and the judiciary. In the Cabinet, for instance, there are five female ministers and one presidential advisor on governance.
Webster noted that the single-parent initiative, Women of Worth (WOW), and the recent formation of the constitutional Women and Gender Equality Commission will further promote issues related to the enhancement of the status of women, and girls as well.
Last December, President Donald Ramotar vowed not to sit idly by and allow Guyanese women to continue suffering at the hands of violent spouses. He called for a reorientation in the way the police approach and address the question. He told staff of the Human Services Ministry that government will ensure the effective functioning of the systems that are put in place to provide a safe refuge for women in Guyana.
“It is a criminal and abhorrent act when any woman is abused emotionally, mentally or physically; and no woman should be a victim of sexual or domestic violence,” President Ramotar said.
The Head of State said he believes that the police, with whom the responsibility lies to investigate cases of domestic abuse, should know that such issues should be treated with sensitivity; and, in that regard, advocated training for this to be accomplished.
“Too often, people take the position that this is a family matter… We see, in many cases, it ends in murder and loss of life. The government has sought to break the silence on these atrocities, and is committed to the sustained rejection of abuse in any form,” he added.