Intensified efforts to eradicate domestic violence nationally
─ there needs to be shared responsibility for the state in which our society has become – MOSP
─ Country radio programme launched to educate Guyanese on Domestic Violence Prevention
─ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Sexual Assault Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness
Alleya Hamilton
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The Ministry of Social Protection is continuously engaged in numerous collaborative ventures that result in police officers, public officials, frontline workers, children, men and women being trained in improving their response to Gender-Based Violence at various levels.
The ministry holds the position that a single institution should not be held solely responsible for the eradication of Gender-Based Violence. There needs to be a shared responsibility for the state in which our society has become.
According to a letter to the editor, the ministry wrote: “For every time we condoned violence against any person, or failed to report the violence, failed to support individuals experiencing the violence; or perverted the justice process… we have all contributed in some way or the other in failing to protect those who could not do so for themselves.”
It added that several programmes and mechanisms have been launched by the Ministry of Social Protection to establish and ensure a national effort towards the prevention and eradication of Domestic Violence.
One of these is the ministry’s launch of a countrywide radio programme – the “Cut-it-Out” Hour on two radio stations, which have large grassroots following; and wider coverage across the country.
Areas as far as Orealla and Siparuta, Madhia, Lethem, Aishalton and many areas along the coast, benefit from this programme.
Additionally, international observances such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Sexual Assault Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month activities, are also channels through which information is disseminated, and a call to action is achieved. Moraikobai, Bartica and Orealla and Siparuta were recent beneficiaries of the ministry’s ongoing regional public education and awareness campaign.
“We must be willing to support the work of the government, NGOs and civil society, and not try to stymie efforts that can achieve inevitable progress,” Ministry of Social Protection affirmed.