Merundoi Inc on Monday received funding from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) for an edutainment project aimed at combating domestic violence.
A release from the European Union delegation said that its Head, Ambassador Robert Kopecký and Merundoi Inc Executive Director Margaret Lawrence signed a grant agreement for a total of 137,222 euros ($39.1 million) from the EIDHR 2012-2013 country allocation for Guyana.
“Not only does the EU advocate for better protection for victims of domestic violence, the EU also advocates for the eradication of domestic violence in all forms. The rights of vulnerable persons, especially those subjected to the scourge of domestic violence, are particularly important and the Merundoi project seemed particularly appropriate in this regard.
We look forward to an effective implementation of the project as it complements the existing work on the ground initiated by the government of Guyana and other civil society partners,” Ambas-sador Kopecký was quoted as saying in the release.
He noted that on June 6, 2013, the EU adopted the European Protection Order (EPO), which will help to protect victims of crime and victims of violence, wherever they go in Europe: the protection will travel with the citizen.
He opined that the EPO could be looked at for best practices in combatting domestic violence locally.
According to the release, Lawrence stated that research shows that domestic violence crosses racial and socioeconomic lines, with 31 women killed in 2012, 24 in 2013, and four in January 2014.
She said that the overall objectives of the Merundoi Inc project, entitled, “Modelling and Rein-forcement to Combat Domestic Violence,’’ are to sensitise men and young boys about the effects of gender-based violence (GBV), and encourage them to adopt new attitudes, behaviours and practices that will improve their lives; to educate young people about GBV as a preventive approach with education rooted in gender- and rights-based approaches; and to empower women and girls to identify all forms of abuse and to take action to protect themselves.
Work will be done in the 10 administrative regions with in- and out-of-school females and males, current and former prisoners, men and parents. The general public will also be given a voice in assisting to prevent violence against women.
The activities will be implemented through the use of entertainment and education (edutainment) to raise general awareness and to facilitate dialogue leading to attitude and behaviour change.
The release said that the EIDHR is an independent financing instrument that provides assistance for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide.
In Guyana, it specifically aimed at assisting civil society to become an effective force for political reform and the defence of human rights.
Since 2010, the EU delegation in Guyana has launched regular calls for proposals under this thematic line and to date has provided grant financial assistance to 22 civil society beneficiaries, totalling approximately 1.4 million euros ($399 million).
The grant to Merundoi Inc will supplement the work already undertaken by other grant beneficiaries locally, and the organisation will be working over the next two years towards the effective roll-out of the planned activities. Merundoi is an Amerindian (Akawaio) word, which means strength, stamina, courage, and hope.
The mandate of the non-governmental organisation, established in 2007, is to work with its partners towards a Guyanese society where every child has the right to grow up in a safe and secure family and community.
