Editor’s note: As part of the newspaper’s contribution in the run-up to the November 28 general election, the presidential candidates of the political groupings represented in Parliament have been invited by Guyana Publications Inc to submit weekly columns which will be carried in the Sunday Stabroek. The series began four weeks ago and will end on November 27. The columns below were received from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and A Partnership for National Unity.
The PPP/Civic alliance has a conviction that, even as national programmes are implemented to benefit all Guyanese, there is need for special interventions to address the circumstances of particular groups of persons. We have stated our unequivocal commitment towards the improvements of the lives of women, children, the elderly and those that are physically and mentally challenged. Thus far, the following achievements have already been recorded:
• The constitutional and legislative framework to protect our women and children has been completely revamped, with the establishment of the rights commissions for women and children, the establishment of the Child Care and Protection Agency, and the passage of legislation on protection, status, adoption, custody, contact, guardianship, and maintenance of children, along with new sexual offences legislation.
A national foster care programme has been established, and new children’s homes have been built at Mahaica, Sophia, and Brickdam, and new operational standards and regulations developed to govern these homes.
A national single parent register has been established and special programmes aimed to benefit single parents implemented, including the Women of Worth micro-credit scheme executed under a public-private partnership.
Support has been provided to help establish a night shelter and a home for victims of domestic abuse.
Old age pensions were doubled in a single term of office, from $3,500 in 2006 to $7,500 in 2011, as against less than $400 in 1992 which was subject at that time to a means test.
The legal aid programme was expanded nationwide, bringing access to the legal system to the most vulnerable.
In the next term of office, key priorities will include:
Expanding the foster care programme with the aim of placing every child with a family, and establishing more centres and nursery schools, including in collaboration with the private sector.
Completing the home for the homeless and relocating and rehabilitating, where necessary, every street dweller, including by providing them with skills training.
Expanding the benefits available to old age pensioners and single parents.
Conducting a comprehensive review of the National Insurance Scheme, the Dependants Pension Fund, and other pension arrangements in place for Government employees, with the aim of streamlining these entities, and in the case of the NIS in particular, ensuring its long term viability and improving its accountability and client friendliness, along with strengthening the supervision of pension funds to ensure the protection of post-employment benefits.
Examining options for making the tax system more family friendly, including through personal income tax relief conditional on the number of dependent children.
Establishing family counselling centres in all counties.
Expanding the work of the Women’s Affairs Bureau, the Men’s Affairs Bureau and the Child Protection Agency.
Increasing support for programmes to prevent domestic violence and the molestation of our children.
