Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman and the United Nation’s Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Director for the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, Jenny Karlsen, on Tuesday last, signed a two-year extension of the Canada-funded “Enhancing Quality, Access and Logistics of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” (EQUAL SRHR).
In a press release from the Canadian High Commission, Berman stated that the extension and accompanying financial resources seek to close the persistent gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls, adding that with the extension, Canada will now be providing more than CAD$15M in bilateral international assistance to support the wider health sector in Guyana, in areas such as mental health, maternal, newborn and child health, early childhood development and forensic evidence gathering for victims of sexual assault. This, the release added, is in addition to regional Canadian-funded projects and the recent CAD$120M sovereign loan to improve social services in Guyana through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The EQUAL SRHR project, according to the High Commission, was launched in October 2022 to strengthen systems that addressed Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and to respond to instances of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), most frequently experienced by women and girls. More specifically, the release added that EQUAL SRHR applied a holistic approach to support national efforts to reduce the prevalence and incidence of adolescent pregnancy, GBV and sexually transmitted infections inclusive of all persons regardless of social status, location, gender identity, disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The two-year/CAD$2.250M project was part of Canada’s wider response, in 2021, the release noted, to address the ongoing Venezuelan displacement crisis, particularly in host communities.
The release further noted that during the period of implementation and following consultations with key implementing partners, it became apparent that the initial two-year timeframe was insufficient to adequately address the issues identified. UNFPA approached the Government of Canada for an extension and additional resources, both of which were granted, according to the release. The extension, to December 31, 2026, the release said, will now allow for both a realistic timeframe for completion of originally programmed activities in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 as well as expansion of regional coverage, into Regions 2 and 3, where previously, these regions were unserved by the programme.
And speaking on behalf of UNFPA, the release said that Karlsen gave recognition to the commitment of Global Affairs Canada to the cause of advancing women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as their empowerment. Karlsen, in her remarks, thanked the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, as well as civil society partners: Help and Shelter, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, and Blossom Inc., for their continued collaborative efforts and highlighted that the EQUAL SRHR project is essential in supporting Guyana to reach its development objectives. She highlighted, the release said, that the EQUAL SRHR project was one that ensured people’s dignity and rights were placed at the heart of sustainable development; that inclusive sustainable development was not possible without prioritizing human rights, including reproductive rights, empowerment of women and girls, and addressing inequalities as well as the needs, aspirations and rights of individual women and men.
Meanwhile, Hamwantie Bisesar, Deputy Director of Social Services at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, highlighted her Ministry’s commitment to working with the Region to ensure service delivery to all villages of Region 8. The need for the expansion of the knowledge base of citizens on programs such as EQUAL SRHR, the release said, was emphasized, along with the work of the Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit. Bisesar also highlighted the importance of ensuring that women and girls have the power to make their own choices when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health, through the services made available to them.
And Dr. Johnathon Dudnauth, Deputy Director (ag), Regional Health Services, representing Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, addressed the GBV component of the project. According to the release, Dr. Dudnauth spoke to GBV as not merely being a woman’s issue, but rather a human rights violation that corrodes the very fabric of humanity. He added, according to the release, that it is every citizen’s responsibility to stand up, speak out, and take action against GBV in all its forms and challenge the toxic attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate it, while working to dismantle the systems of oppression that enable gender-based violence to thrive. This, the release added, means challenging patriarchal structures, promoting gender equality, and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and support they need to live free from violence and fear. Together, the release concluded, a world can be created where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of their gender – a world where love, not violence, is the norm.
The ceremony was held at the Roger Hinds Hotel in Mahdia, Region 8, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Regional Chairman Headley Pio, Regional Health Officer Dr. Thalita Cort, Mayor Eslyn Romascindo-Hussain, former Toshao of Campbelltown Jillian Williams, as well as officials from Global Affairs Canada and UNFPA, and residents of Mahdia and surrounding communities. Following the ceremony, UNFPA and Canadian officials interacted with villagers to learn about their experiences and how the project has benefitted them thus far.
