Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth has been appointed the new Executive Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) with effect from January 2, 2013, a release from the Board of Directors said.
She has local and international experience, having worked in Guyana and Switzerland, and studied here and in Jamaica, Sweden and the USA. Her expertise in the fields of sexual and reproductive health, gender and development, social work, research and management will serve to strengthen the organisation and enhance its operations.
Sheeratan-Bisnauth is a theologian and social justice advocate who has a strong commitment to the transformation of society through critical consciousness, gender equity and sustainable development, the release said. She has developed two gender training manuals, including one to promote positive masculinity.
The Board of Directors welcomes her and looks forward to her moving the association to new heights in growth and development as it continues to build its services as the leading agency for sexual and reproductive health rights in Guyana, the release said.
She is also expected to strengthen GRPA’s local, regional and international partnerships.
The release added that Sheeratan-Bisnauth indicated that she will be building on the work of her predecessors in advancing the aims of the association which are to promote, advocate, and ensure the individual’s and families’ access to information, education and services needed to attain and maintain good sexual health.
GRPA’s clinic is located at 70 Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg.
It offers gynaecological care, pap smear tests, contraceptives, breast, pelvic, prostate and testicular examination, termination of pregnancy, infertility management, menopausal syndrome, HIV and STI testing and treatment and provides a host of other services.
Additionally, the programmes department offers services including family, marriage and HIV counselling. GRPA has outreach programmes in other coastal regions and intends to extend to hinterland areas. The association’s current focus is on gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS and STIs.
Volunteers are being encouraged to join the association.
