– urges political cooperation
President Bharrat Jagdeo early this morning slammed the current upsurge of domestic violence perpetrated against women and children stating that his administration would not tolerate such abuse.
In his Independence Day message to the nation, President Jagdeo also called for a more supportive political environment and the implementation of a framework for improved cooperation between all political parties, especially the two major ones, “and to foster engagements that go beyond parliamentary exchanges and that are more reflective of the enormity of the challenges facing Guyana.
“While we may not find common ground on every issue and while differences will persist, the need for joint action in response to these challenges must surmount our differences,” the President said during his speech at the National Park at the flag-raising ceremony to mark the nation’s 43rd independence anniversary.
‘Legislative shield’
Over the past months there has been an upsurge of violence against women with more than six women already being slaughtered by the men in their lives and numerous others being abused daily by spouses and boyfriends.
“My administration remains committed to building a legislative shield to protect our women and children even as we recognise that legislation is just one of many means which are required to end the sickening and tragic scourge of domestic violence,” the President said.
“In response to the alarming level of domestic violence and the horrific murders, my administration has intensified its support to victims by increasing the funding for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Legal Aid and Help and Shelter, and caused to be instituted a more sensitive and proactive approach by the Guyana Police Force in responding to the victims.”
Jagdeo mentioned Child Care Protection Agency Bill, the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of Children Bill which he have been enacted to “comprehensively address the welfare of children”.
He said that the constitutional rights commission to protect the welfare of women and children has secured parliamentary adoption and would soon be operational and thus provide another plank of support for the nation’s women and children.
And the Head of State noted that the legislative tool has also been used to address the difficult situation of crime and violence in our communities.
“We have revolutionized court rules dealing with evidence and procedures. We have also instituted harsher penalties including identifying non-bailable offences such as piracy. We have also enacted laws to provide for mandatory supervision for convicted felons of certain crimes including paedophilia.”
And because of the carnage on the road, Jagdeo said, the government has introduced legislation to penalise driving under the influence of alcohol and provide for the use of radar guns to control speeding, two of the most common causes of fatalities from traffic accidents.
Crises
Meanwhile, President Jagdeo said that last year while oil and food prices threatened to condemn millions around the world to hunger and poverty, his government’s response was “swift and focused, and directed at protecting the welfare of the working people and the most vulnerable in our society.”
And while the interventions taken by the administration came at significant fiscal cost, the President said that by “astute management” the government was able to safeguard the continued growth of the economy.
The fuel and food crises were followed by the current global economic crisis, which the President said has sapped the confidence of the markets, led to recession in the developed world and a bleak outlook for developing countries. He said while it is inevitable that a small open economy like Guyana will feel the effects, the challenge is not just to respond to the immediate consequences but also to “ensure that our responses are consistent with and supportive of our national development thrust to create a new economy.
“Fortunately, the application of sound and responsible macroeconomic policies over the past decade and a half has provided us with the policy space needed for crisis management of the economy.”
And as the country celebrates independence it is important to acknowledge the contributions “of those before us who fought valiantly, even dying so that we could live a life of freedom.” He pointed out that the freedom earned at independence was not absolute but was one “we have constantly had to defend and protect, just as the next generation and the generations to come will have to safeguard and secure the boundaries of true independence.”
The country, he said, has had to overcome adversity in all forms, “both within and without, in order to continue to give true meaning to our independence and to build a nation in which our citizens can realise their aspirations.
“In essence, struggle has become a necessary part of the life of Guyanese. We are here today because of the resolve of our forebears to struggle indefatigably for our day in the sun,” he reminded.
The President also focused a significant part of his speech on the effects of climate change and steps the country has been taking to address the global issue.
