The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on Wednesday received a boost from Canada through the donation of computers and printers for SGBV units in Regions One and Four.
A release from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Justice Education Society of British Columbia (JES) partnered with the Canadian High Commission here to present the GPF with eight computers and six printers as part of their efforts to address SGBV through the “Strengthening Justice for Women, Girls, and Indigenous Peoples in Guyana” project.
Canada’s High Commissioner Mark Berman handed over the equipment to the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Home Affairs, in the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Calvin Brutus, and other officials from the Canadian High Commission and representatives of JES.
The JES project is a four-year one that aims to deliver greater equality in access to justice for women and girls who have experienced SGBV including those who live in remote communities in Region One.
Valued at $3.1 million, the computers and printers will be placed in police stations at Baramita, Santa Rosa and in SGBV units in Region Four and will aid the GPF in their efforts to provide high quality services to SGBV survivors/victims. The JES project is a CDN$2 million initiative, conceptualized in consultation with key Guyanese stakeholders including beneficiaries, the release said.
JES has also been working in partnership with the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to bolster systems that provide trauma-informed and gender-sensitive services to SGBV survivors.
Global Affairs Canada is funding the project through its Caribbean Regional Development.
