A Survivor’s Advocacy Programme for domestic violence victims is to be launched before the end of the quarter.
This was announced by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud during day three of the National Budget debate which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. She also disclosed that a full restructuring and reorganization of the ministry is planned.
Dr Persaud told the house that when she took over the ministry, she congratulated the staff as it appeared that they had managed to get a lot done with very little. “The childcare programme and many of the other programmes were virtually starved of technical resources” the minister said while adding that persons were brought into the ministry but at the lower levels. The technical expertise that was needed like that of a Childcare Psychologist as well as Social Workers with specialist degrees to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder were not there.
To this end she noted that she discovered that there were a number of studies that were done in conjunction with the IDB and these were all stuck on a shelf. Those studies she said, dealt with social protection and expenditure, social safety net reform, poverty assessment, and the strengthening of organisations. “Nothing was acted upon, that’s going to change”, Dr Persaud declared. To this end she said that she has already met with the various programme heads at the ministry and discovered that there were a number of programmes to tackle issues like gender-based violence and domestic violence that were waiting for approval.
“I want to say that very soon before the end of this quarter, a Survivor’s Advocacy Programme will be rolled out in regions across this country where women will have the support that they need from the moment of reporting to the conclusion of their cases,” she assured. The human services minister went on to say that persons will be trained to offer technical support in dealing with the issue which she noted has escalated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, Dr Persaud stated that a partnership with the United Nations and the European Union on the Spotlight Initiative will bring some US$4.5 million to the country to tackle violence. “Violence that affects women and girls and imagine that was just waiting and not dealt with because persons were too busy holding this country to ransom,” the minister said. This programme she added will be launched by October as it is urgently needed at this time.
Within the ministry $22 million will be designated to essential workers to provide child care services. “I feel this is necessary. We have lot of our working force women and men primarily women who had to leave their children unattended and this will be offered to both public and private sector workers.”
Meanwhile she mentioned that there are a number of other “groundbreaking” initiatives that will target the country’s disadvantaged, underprivileged, and differently-abled.
“We say human services but this ministry has been aligned with women and could you believe that nothing was done at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute” she stated. Further, she noted that before the end of the last quarter of this year, two programmes will be rolled out to benefit at least 200 women. While the ministry will be dealing with the immediate needs of women and providing for their families, they will also ensure that women have an opportunity to be a part of the working world and be financially independent.
“This is looking at women holistically” she stated.
