The United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS) yesterday launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Service Guide App that will enable persons to access help and support.
The app was launched at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre during the opening of the ‘We-Lift – Women Entrepreneurs: We lead, we innovate, we flourish together” campaign to highlight women’s successes in various industries including business, arts and craft, beauty and wellness and health.
The campaign is being led by the MoHSSS in observation of International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated on Monday. Attendees included President Irfaan Ail, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, United Nations Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka and other members of the diplomatic community.
Liaison Officer from the UN Population Fund Adler Bynoe, giving an overview of the GBV app, explained that will allow anyone affected by violence to access information and the various agencies that can offer support or assistance.
He noted that the creation of the app follows a prior collaboration with the MoHSSS, which saw the mapping for GBV services in Guyana and the development of referral pathways. These initiatives, he says, involved all the regions in Guyana.
Bynoe stated that the app is easy to use and can be downloaded on any mobile phone, while noting that the app does not require internet connectivity to access information. He said that persons can find the list of support services by region, information on any given GBV situation, laws pertaining to GBV and answers to frequently asked questions.
He revealed that the app was developed by Guyanese activist Akola Thompson, who received technical and financial support from the UN Population Fund and the European Union under the Spotlight Initiative.
Meanwhile, in celebration of International Women’s Day, MoHSSS is hosting a two-day exhibition at the conference centre in recognition of women’s empowerment and resilience. Minister of MoHSSS Dr. Vindhya Persaud stated that the event symbolises the ministry’s commitment to empowering women, especially those who survived violent situations, to be equipped with knowledge and skills that would enable them to be financially independent.
The exhibition features new women-owned businesses, budding artists, and established businesses promoting additional goods and services, and the ministry’s upcoming programmes to assist women. Persons can enjoy an open-mic session that will allow persons to creatively express themselves throughout the two-day event.
The event, which will continue today from 11.30 am, is open to the public and admission is free.
‘Massive programme’
Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, President Irfaan Ali stated that women’s problems are not theirs alone and solving those kind of problems requires commitment from everyone. In order to integrate women into the national framework, Ali said persons must acknowledge the development of families. “We cannot change this country community by community unless we develop the family and we must change the way families think and when that change is combined you get community change and national change. The value of family is important in the advancement of women. Strong families are critical in supporting women,” he said.
Ali disclosed that the Office of the President will soon be embarking on a project that will address the issues of the family so that his dreams of “One Guyana” can become reality. He stated that one of the things they will be focusing on is increasing household income, specifically targeting rural communities. He said that women will have access to training, which will see them becoming exposed to economic activities which they can use to add to household income. He stated that he hopes this will give women greater independence. “This is a massive programme we are going to launch across the country,” the president said.
Further, he said there are other projects designed specifically to target single-parents and added that if there is no economic changes and opportunities to support social development there will be problems. This is why, he said, it is important to change the entire framework, while stressing that this is one of the goals of the government.
“We want to achieve for women, development, greater participation, empowerment, a more secure environment, stronger families and ensuring that institutions and our national framework addresses the challenges of women and I congratulate women not because of International Women’s Day but I congratulate you for the great role you have played in the lives of every Guyanese. Together we can and together we will change and I ask you to join with me in building one Guyana,” he said.
Meanwhile, Persaud stated that the Ministry will embark on an aggressive movement to ensure that the skills, the talents, the creative abilities, and the very essence of the women in the country, are harnessed so that a world where women not only feel safe and secure but they are allowed to achieve their fullest potential is created.
She encouraged women to not only dream but ensure that those dreams become a reality. “Make it happen, don’t limit yourself to a ceiling, don’t be in a position where you think it is not possible, it is possible because if the mind can conceive it, then it can happen,” she stated.
Persaud added that the world is still dark and dangerous for women and girls and almost every day there are stories about women or girls being raped and abused. This, she says, needs to change and it is the responsibility of not only women but also men to speak out against the societal ills.
“The network must comprise of men who are ready to walk with us every step of the way, support us and understanding clearly that there is a space for everyone in this world,” she said before noting that equality means that men and women are able to see each other’s perspective and work together to achieve common goals.
“This afternoon I would like to recognise all the women who used their talent and creative skills to make us have an opportunity to enjoy all they are presenting to us. The MOHSSS is poised to ensure that we create an enabling platform for women across the country,” Persaud stated.
