CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP
The Ministry of Social Protection, Gender Affairs Bureau, held a two day capacity building workshop on “Gender” on the 28th and 29th of May 2018 at the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, region two.
The facilitators of the workshop were led by Mr Adel Lilly, Manager, Gender Affairs Bureau and included Ms Hymawattie Lagan, [fruitful_recent_posts posts=”4″ cat=””][fruitful_recent_posts posts=”4″ cat=””][youtube url=”video_url” width=”560″ height=”315″]Gender Affairs Officer and Ms Nzomi Miftari, CUSO volunteer.
There were brief remarks by the Gender Affairs Bureau officers, Regional Executive Officer Mr Rupert Hopkinson and Regional Vice Chairperson and Regional Gender Affairs Committee Chair Nandranie Juliet Coonjah.
The programme covered topics such as Gender Conceptualisation, Gender stereo typing? Gender and Identities, the road from Women In Development (WID) to Gender And Development (GAD),Gender Mainstreaming, Gender and Development Issues and Gender resource Mapping among others.
A major element of the workshop was an understanding of key concepts and terms such as Gender, Sex,Gender equality, Gender equity, Empowerment, Women In Development, Gender And Development,Gender Mainstreaming, Literacy Gender Parity Index among others.
The specific objectives of the National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy was were discussed and these were identified as:
1) Eradicate Discrimination
2) Women’s and Vulnerable Group’s right to safe public spaces.
3) Elimination of all forms of violence.
4) Promotion of Economic Development and Inclusion.
5) Governance and the Law.
6) Health, Wellness and Health Care.
7) Agriculture and Climate Change.
8) Education, Training and Skills Development.
9) Security, Human Rights and Justice (peace and conflict).
10) Media and Information.
Some pieces of legislation looked at were:
The Married Persons Property Act.
Representation of the People’s Act
Combating of Trafficking In Persons Act
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.
Domestic Violence Act
Prevention of Discrimination Act
Disability Act
Sexual Offences Act.
Coming out of the discussion it was noted that there is no Gender equality without Gender Equity. It was also stated that persons have a legal responsibility to report incidents of Domestic Violence /Abuse.
No cultural way of life that is against the laws or constitution of Guyana should be condoned.
It was noted that the region needs to include plans for funding for programmes on Gender Affairs in preparing it’s 2019 budget and the Regional Gender Affairs Committee be reorganised before the end of 2018.
