Victims of domestic violence in Wakenaam are now able to find temporary refuge at the second “White Zone” to be set up in the country, this time at the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital Wednesday last.
This initiative was implemented by the Minister of Human Services and the first “White Zone” was set up at the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre, Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice last year.
At  both facilities, women fleeing from abusive partners will be provided with temporary lodging and meals, among other forms of assistance. It also promises to be child friendly for those persons leaving home with their children; it also has beds, kitchen utensils amongst other relevant item.

The strategy was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Wakenaam Night Committee that cleared the path for the launching of the historic White Zone on the island.
The ‘White Zone’ was launched minutes after scores of men signed the ‘Skeldon Declaration’ in Wakenaam. In it they vowed not to abuse their women verbally, physically and sexually.
Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB), Ms. Hymawattie Lagan, announced that the hospice will offer 24 hours-a-day service and is not intended for long term shelter.

Minister of Human Services, Priya Manickchand, said that many persons mistake domestic violence as the only form of physical abuse. However, it is much more than that. “It could be someone call you a bitch, whore, ugly, useless, stupid, dunce, good for nothing or an antiman….I am being very frank because these are some of the things people don’t recognize as abuse.”

Advising young ladies at the event on Domestic Violence, Manickchand said that if anyone makes them feel less than worthy by what they say, and that person is a male companion or a boyfriend that can also be domestic abuse also; and controlling behaviour is another factor of domestic abuse which can escalate to violence.
Noting that in a marriage there is need for implicit permission or consent before sexual intercourse, Manickchand said that a woman is allowed to say no to intercourse even in a marriage or if the person is in a committed relationship.

“If you say no and your partner forces you then that amounts to rape, abuse, and domestic violence.”
She said that when a man withholds finance from the woman willfully and she has to even ask for money to buy her underwear that is also a form of abuse.
According to Minister Manickchand, the government has a duty to provide an environment where issues of domestic violence can be discussed with a view to it being resolved, the government has a duty to pass the right laws and educate the police force, nurses and doctors. The government also has a duty to put systems in place to implement policies and programmes to deal with domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is not only someone beating you; it is much more than that, it can be someone constantly calling you all sorts of names,” Minister Manickchand said.
Adding that individuals in their homes must put a stop to abuse, Manickchand said that the government cannot visit anyone’s home and force them to make a decision.

“No woman is responsible for being abused…If you know you are being abused you owe it to your children and yourself to get out of that home…Many women could end up being those persons who are placed on the front pages of the newspapers dead.”

Underscoring that abusive individuals and sexual predators do not change overnight; Manickchand said these types of persons don’t change because they got caught or simply because they plead guilty. These persons need counseling or different types of intervention throughout their lives in order to change from such behaviour.

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/07/23/%E2%80%9Cwhite-zone%E2%80%9D-implemented-at-wakenaam-hospice-for-victims/

… on the US 2011 TIP report

WE find objectionable the entire tone of the report but we wish to highlight a few of the untruths declared about Guyana by our friend the United States in the 2011 report.
By its recommendations and specific statements, the report suggests or states 
1.  That because of our now proven justified protest about last year’s report, we encourage trafficking in Guyana.
2. That an open atmosphere of discussion about the problem of trafficking does not exist in Guyana.
3. That NGOs and officials feel unable to discuss human trafficking because of public statements made by the GOG about the small scale of the problem.
4. That we do not offer support to NGOs to identify and actively help women, men and children subjected to trafficking.
5. That we punish victims of trafficking rather than help them.
6. That we are aware of complicity by officials in the area of trafficking and have done nothing about it.
7. That we have not done enough to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking.

RE # 1: That because of our now proven justified protest about last year’s report that we encourage trafficking in Guyana.
The Government of Guyana has a duty to defend the integrity of the people and State of Guyana. We make no apologies for exposing the last US report for what it was…that is, dishonest, unfair and a misrepresentation of the reality that exists in Guyana. We shall not be bullied into staying quiet by this now suggestion that our public statements regarding the state of Trafficking in our country could result in harm to our people and victims. Instead, we wish to say to the US that if you are so concerned about what messages our protests about your inaccurate reports might send, then you have a greater duty to ensure accuracy and honesty in your reporting, not only about us, but about every country you seek to monitor or judge.

Re# 2: That an open atmosphere of discussion about the problem of trafficking does not exist in Guyana.
Hundreds of public meetings are conducted all over Guyana, and particularly in the regions that might be most vulnerable to trafficking. Great effort is made to ensure all community members and officials, including police, teachers, social workers, NGOs, health workers, regional officials, trafficking focal point persons,  etc, etc, attend.
Prior to hosting any such meeting, we spend a considerable amount of time mobilising said persons so that we can make maximum use of the resources, including time and money, that would be expended to conduct the meetings.
We reiterate our invitation to the representatives of the United States who are with us in Guyana to accompany us on any and all of these journeys to meet and inform and educate persons about the issues of trafficking, as well as to learn ourselves of any instances/vulnerabilities that may be existing in communities.
If this invitation is taken up, the US GTIP shall learn these discussions are as open as open can get.

RE# 3: That NGOs and officials feel unable to discuss human trafficking because of public statements made by the GOG.
Guyanese would know that government makes statements and NGOs in Guyana have never been shy to refute said statements and/or to wholly contradict them. To suggest that the US GTIP is not hearing from NGOs on this matter because said NGOs feel constrained by government’s public rejection of the United States report is to make a careless, destructive and unsupported assumption.
However, what is amazing in this particular matter is  the suggestion that NGOs did not speak up is entirely dishonest. Two NGOs spoke on this issue. Both are on record as having been heavily critical of Government on other occasions in other matters. And both spoke. They are the Help and Shelter and the Guyana Human Rights Association. They spoke, but they didn’t say what the US GTIP wanted to hear. What they said would not have supported what the US has been saying about us all these years. Not a word was mentioned about these two correspondences in this year’s report. Do you believe if these NGOs had said that there is trafficking and given instances that these instances would have been left out of the report?
In the case of Help and Shelter, in a public letter to the newpapers, published in the Kaieteur News on the 29th June 2011, quoting the 2010 TIP report which based its conclusion that we  were not doing enough as a country because, inter alia, we did not have appropriate shelter, H&S said:

“ The main shelter [incorrect location] focuses on domestic violence and reported it did not assist any trafficking victims; it is unclear whether this is an appropriate service provider for trafficking victims….
These statements apparently form the basis of the report’s finding that Guyana has failed to ensure that trafficking-specific shelter and care is offered to victims of trafficking, yet the first leaves room for misconception and the second is simply an unverified expression of doubt”.

And after detailing certain facts H&S continued with the following :
“We are concerned not only that the impression may have been created that we do not provide assistance to trafficking victims, but also that the our appropriateness as a provider of services for trafficking victims has been called into question simply – it would appear – due to lack of requirement for them.
“Our provision of shelter services to victims of domestic violence, while standing ready to assist victims of trafficking, prevents a waste of material and human resources in a country that cannot afford either.
We invite representatives of the US Embassy to visit our shelter to see for themselves that – to quote from the Action Guide – “potential victims are [sic] provided [with] appropriate shelter and care…”

Additionally, the GHRA, in a letter dated 18th August 2010 to the political affairs officer of the US Embassy here in Georgetown, and copied to the Hon Minister of Human Services and Social Security, said :
“As with human rights concerns in general, we believe the issue of Human Trafficking be addressed in accordance with international procedures with respect to facts, policy and principle. The GHRA’s assessment of TIP reports produced in recent years by the US state Department falls short of internationally acceptable standards.
“On the questions of fact, it is our view that the evidence of trafficking provided in the US trafficking Reports…is inadequate….the evidence is more speculative than factual….
“.On issues of policy, it is appropriate to place emphasis on national arrangements to prevent, protect and redress cases of trafficking. …. The case for concluding that the response of the Government of Guyana in terms of such arrangements is inadequate has not been justified. The GHRA is of the view that this situation has arisen because well established principles governing international fact-finding have been overlooked [by the US]…”
The GHRA then went on to quote relevant sections from the UN declaration on Fact Finding as a guide to how the US may fairly acquire facts on Guyana.

In his response on behalf of the United States, dated August 19th 2010, the Political Affairs Officer said, inter alia, that “the [convention] applies to UN fact finding missions and does not apply to reports compiled by [the US]….”
So it is not that the US GTIP  is not hearing from NGOs because those NGOs are afraid of Government. The USGTIP is not hearing what it wants to hear from NGOs because Guyanese who live and work here are not of the view that we have trafficking on the scale that the US is claiming. Surely the Government, individuals and NGOs all can’t be wrong and only the USGTIP right.

How “truthful” is this report when it fails to tell its readers that the US was written to and about by these two NGOs. There is great effort to detail even single instances of trafficking, so any excuse that the US treated the complaints and objections by these two NGO as general would have to be rejected out of hand.
Re#4: That we do not offer support to NGOs to identify and actively help women, men and children subjected to trafficking.

The Government gives to the Shelter all the money the shelter says it needs to manage and operate said shelter and that amounts to $10,000,000.
In kind, support has been given to many other NGOs. This support includes training and facilitation of training and sharing of experiences and resources. Guyana is a developing country with the constraints on its budget that developing countries face. NGOs are funded by agencies other than the government, hence their name “non- Governmental….” It is true that not many NGOs work in the area of trafficking. Why is this? Could it be because the scale of the problem has been determined by these NGOs not to be big enough to warrant their help? Could it be because the said NGOs have determined that their efforts could be directed at other bigger social problems that Guyana faces?
Could we all be wrong on this issue and only the USGTIP right?

Re #5: That we punish victims of trafficking rather than help them.
This is simply untrue.  We challenge the US to provide evidence of this.
The one case that was mentioned regarding the girl that was charged for wandering happened in these unfortunate circumstances. The young lady was rescued by our TIP department. She was placed at the Shelter and ran away. After much heartbreaking searches and great worry, we found her again. She was placed in the care of her grandmother, with full financial and other support from us. She ran away again and spent time on the road, committing other offences. She was then kept at the Police Station again, with visits from us and full support. The law enforcement felt the only way this child could have been kept safe away from predators was by having her in a facility where she could be watched and monitored. She was sent to the New Opportunity Corps. It is to be noted that she was not sent to NOC because of any trafficking related instances. Is this the best thing for this child? I would be the first to tell you no. If I had known personally of this victim, I assure you this would not have been the route that we would have taken to protect her. But, is it fair for a picture to be painted that we do this with the majority of our limited number of victims? If you look at the US report on itself ,where it gave itself a gold star and tier 1 ranking, you will see that even in the US there are victims who are unwilling to co-operate with law enforcement officials (and experts would tell you this is for a variety of very complex reasons). I quote directly from page 3 of the US report about the US
“…NGOs reported isolated incidents of officers citing victims risking withdrawal of  benefits when faced with reluctant victims; NGOs also reported continued challenges in getting law enforcement to recognize reluctant victims for protection purposes…”
Can we conclude that the US treats all of its victims this way? That would be as silly as their unfounded conclusion about the way we treat victims their said conclusion being based on one incident.

Re #6: That we are aware of complicity by officials in the area of trafficking and have done nothing about it.
This is absolutely unverified. I know of no complicity by officials of the government. I wish to assure the United States that almost immediately, after we react to their routine and routinely unfair reports about us, we forget GTIP even exist. Officials could tell you that my and our protests to the US government and about said reports are never repeated in local routine meetings on trafficking.  When we meet with officials to plan the way forward, and when we lay down policies and programmes, we do so with firmness which sends a clear message that any one sleeping on the job of addressing trafficking and any complicity would be dealt with condignly.

Official complicity would not be tolerated by the Government of Guyana on any issue of crime.
However, I wish to reiterate what we said officially to the US Government at our February Govt to Govt meeting. And that is if you know of something like this where officials are complicit in trafficking, then we want to be told, so that we can address same. Saying it in a report is hardly helpful and can hardly advance the cause for eradicating trafficking without providing whatever evidence you have which shall be treated confidentially. This report this year contradicts all the previous reports which specifically say there is no official complicity in trafficking. It is the same officers working in the area. So how come all of a sudden they have become complicit. However, I repeat with sincerity, we want to know about it.

Re#7: That we have not done enough to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking.
This suggestion is so ridiculous it is almost not worth addressing. Guyana has spent more money and other resources on awareness of the issue of trafficking that it is disproportionate to the scale of the problem we have here.
I close by saying that I truly believe it is necessary to keep worldwide attention on the issue of trafficking. The consequences for victims and for us as a human race would be overbearingly severe if we fail to address this issue frontally with all of our resources. Although many have objected at the arrogance of the United States appointing itself chief judge, sole jury and mass executioner, I am honestly of the view that this annual reporting should be done and could be very helpful in our worldwide fight against trafficking. If the US insists on doing it alone, then the best service they can give to victims of trafficking and potential victims of trafficking is to be fair and objective in their reporting.

If these reports continue to be so grossly inaccurate, not only will friendships be hurt, but as a world, we run the risk of refuting every year inaccuracies and unjustness rather than holding hands, combining resources and moving forward forcefully as one body against traffickers. When the US speaks and countries reject, the traffickers may well be emboldened. Victims may well feel hopeless, two consequences, I am sure, that the US Congress never intended when the TVPA was conceived and passed.

I wish to clearly say that while we will continue to reject false reports about Guyana, we are committed to ensuring this horror is removed from our midst. We have work to do in and around  this very complex issue of trafficking. We shall continue to strengthen our social safety nets and our other social services so as to reduce vulnerabilities amongst our people. Guyana reinforces its resolve to continue the battle against those criminals who insist on exploiting and abusing the weaknesses of others. To all traffickers and would be traffickers, we say watch out. We will catch you and we shall deal with you condignly. To all victims, we say there is help. Please do not hesitate to access that help. Our 24 hour hotline number is 227-4083.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/06/30/statement-by-minister-priya-manickchand

-replete with untruths

MEMBERS of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), comprising Ministers Clement Rohee, Priya Manickchand, and Pauline Sukhai, yesterday responded to the recently published 2011 United States (US) State Department report on TIP at a press conference at the Home Affairs Ministry’s boardroom, Brickdam.
Minister Manickchand said that while this year’s report has seen Guyana ascending the ladder of the tier ranking system, moving from a tier 2 watch list to a tier 2, making a fairer ranking, it is still replete with misrepresentations of the country’s reality.

“We have argued for a number of years now that the reports about us do not reflect the reality on the ground in Guyana…last year we called for a withdrawal of Guyana from the tier 2 watch list and an apology from the US Government, neither of which was forthcoming,” the Human Services Minister said.
She pointed out that last year, a lot of work was done to eliminate trafficking by dealing with those found to be traffickers and by protecting and caring for victims and potential victims, yet the country was placed on a tier 2 watch list.

“This year, we have done nothing differently as far as we know, but we are ranked as a tier 2 country, which may be a quiet correction of last year’s mistake which we maintain, was unfair and unjustified,” the minister said.
Government remains unsure as to how the US ranks countries on the tier system and maintains that there seems to be little effort to determine a country’s true status and more of a rush to righteously issue these annual reports.
While the report highlighted that, “the United States is a source, transit, and destination country for many men, women and children subjected to forced labour, debt bondage, document servitude, and sex trafficking”, it also highlighted what is being done by the U.S. Government and the challenges that they are facing with regard to trafficking, an aspect that is not included for other countries.
With regard to the U.S. ranking itself as a tier 1 country, Minister Manickchand said, “we would see America being ranked as a tier 2 country if the ranking was consistent to the way in which a small, developing country like Guyana was ranked.”

She questioned how credible and consistent is the ranking system. “How much does this system carry out the intentions of the congress that passed the Trafficking and Victims Protection Act? How wisely is the dollar of the US citizen being spent, when this report seems to be a self-righteous routine and political gimmick rather than a genuine effort to combat TIP?”
Minister Manickchand quoted Democratic Senator, Jim Webb who, on April 7, 2011, criticised the US anti-trafficking approach and urged reforms of the annual report, which he said lacked “clear metrics and caused confusion and resentment…”

She also quoted the Host of America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh, who, with regard to TIP in the U.S., said, “it (trafficking) is the underbelly of the rich, rich country we live in that touts personal freedoms all over the world. We are the freest country in the world…but we are also a great country in denial.”

Minister Manickchand clarified a few misrepresentations in  this year’s report, one of which stated as a result of Guyana’s now proven, justified protest about the 2010 report, might encourage trafficking.
She said that government has a duty to defend the integrity of the people and State of Guyana, and added, “we make no apologies for exposing the last U.S. report for what it was, dishonest, unfair and a misrepresentation of Guyana’s reality…If the U.S. is so concerned about what message our protest about its inaccurate reports might send, then you have a greater duty to ensure accuracy and honesty in your reporting.”

Another misrepresentation is that Guyana lacks an open atmosphere of discussion about trafficking. The report fails to mention the hundreds of public meetings that are continuously being conducted all over the country, particularly in the regions that might be most vulnerable to trafficking.

“Great effort is made to ensure full participation of all community members and officials including police, teachers, social workers, NGOs, health workers, regional officials, and trafficking focal point persons,” Minister Manickchand said.

With regard to the allegation that NGOs and officials feel unable to discuss human trafficking because of public statements made by government officials, she said that Help and Shelter and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) are on record as having been heavily critical of Government on various matters.
“They spoke but they didn’t say what the U.S. wanted to hear, as it would not have supported what they have been saying about us all these years,” she asserted.

With regard to claims that NGOs are not supported to help trafficking victims, Minister Manickchand clarified that government gave $10M to Help and Shelter to manage its operations, while in-kind support has been given to many other NGOs.

Another unsubstantiated claim was that Guyana punishes victims instead of helping them, a statement that the minister said is simply untrue, and she challenged the U.S. to provide evidence to support this.
With regard to allegations that Guyana is aware of complicity by officials in the area of trafficking and has turned a blind eye, the minister said that this is absolutely unverified and assured that anyone sleeping on the job of addressing trafficking and any complicity would be dealt with condignly.
“This year’s report contradicts all the previous reports which specifically said that there is no complicity in trafficking,” she said.

With regard to statements that enough is not being done to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking, the minister said Guyana has an amount of money and other resources on awareness of the issue of trafficking that is disproportionate to the scale of the problem in the country.
She said, “If the reports continue to be so grossly inaccurate, not only will the friendship be hurt, but as a world, we run the risk of refuting every year, inaccuracies and unjustness rather than holding hands, combining resources and moving forward forcefully as one body against traffickers.”

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai added that thus far for 2011, 44 sessions have been held in potential high-risk communities and her ministry continues to work closely with the Human Services Ministry and other agencies to spread awareness.

Minister Manickchand added that it is indeed disappointing when persons who claim to be patriotic Guyanese citizens choose to embrace these untruths just to advance their own personal agenda.
The report released for the 10th year in succession is being done with the objective of outlining the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the U.S. 

Source: (GINA) https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/06/30/2011-tip-report-not-representative-of-guyanas-reality-yet-again

The Childcare and Develop-ment Services Bill 2009 was passed by the National Assembly last Friday after it was discussed in a Special Select Committee for just under a year.

The bill is the final one of five pieces of legislation dealing with children, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, said. The bill seeks to provide for regulating childcare services in the country and for granting licences for childcare and development services. Rules, under which those providing such services must operate, will be laid       in the House soon, Manickchand said.

PNCR Parliamentarian Cheryl Sampson expressed hope that there will be the required personnel in place to supervise and monitor operations. She pointed to the “long time” it took for the bill to return to the House and said that she hoped that no part is overlooked.

Manickchand in her final remarks accused the opposition members of “duplicitous behaviour” with regard to the time it took for the Bill to be brought back to the House. She said that opposition members were constantly absent from the Select Committee.

The bill sets out who is regarded as a caregiver, provides for registration as caregiver, provides for the maintenance of the register of caregiver or sponsor, sets out the requirements for registration and licence as a caregiver or sponsor, sets out the circumstances under which a licence maybe cancelled or suspended and provides for disqualification for a person not to be registered as a caregiver or sponsor.

The bill also provides for powers to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) to inspect premises where any childcare service is being provided, requires that a caregiver or sponsor shall ensure that a child is not subject to corporal punishment or any kind of abuse, gives power to the CPA to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a caregiver or sponsor in certain circumstances.

It also provides for penalty on a caregiver or sponsor by the agency if it is satisfied that in any proceedings under a section, it is expedient and in the interests of any child to take action against him. The bill gives powers to the CPA to require a caregiver or sponsor to surrender his licence in the event of his name being removed from the register.

The bill also gives the minister certain powers and mandates that voluntary organisations register with the CPA under the provisions of the legislation.

The bill provides for the minister to make regulations for giving effect to and carrying out the provisions of the bill.

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/news/guyana/06/21/bill-regulating-childcare-services-passed/

In observation of Father’s Day tomorrow the Minister of Human Services and Services in collaboration with the Men’s Affair Bureau held an event captioned “Magnificent Man” at the Theater Guild, Parade Street, Kingston last evening.
Many fathers attended the evening that saw the raw reasoning of a father’s role in a Guyanese society.
The play featured issues that are pertinent to fatherhood. It also highlighted how aspects of manhood are stereotyped.
The play also dealt with men usage of violence as a way of resolving disagreements by fathers whom are out of control and angry.
In attendance were members of the Cabinet and other prominent individuals.
Minister Priya Manickchand said that the event is to celebrate Father’s Day, and since so many negatives things are heard of men in general of which not all is untrue, there is need to recognise the good fathers of society.
She said that there are many good fathers in Guyana whose stories go untold, even some who may have ended their relationship with their partners and remained good fathers.
Noting that with the advent of the Men’s Affair Bureau, Manickchand said many good things are being done for the men and fathers of Guyana.
The head of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB), Patrick Findley, said the concept for the event was the lack of good fathers in society. However, there are good fathers who live up to their responsibilities and fatherhood.

DEAR EDITOR,

Guyana has now celebrated 45 years of independence, a celebration for all patriotic Guyanese, as the accomplishments and developments are applauded and visions and plans for the future, so vividly outlined in the President’s address to the nation, are embraced by those with lifelong dreams and optimism of a new and better tomorrow.

A tomorrow when the serious implementations of the law can be enacted with more professionalism, dedication and commitment – a much desired and determined approach that will help to put a brake on the domestic violence issue that has escalated to frightening heights; protection for young children from sex predators, in and out of the home; professional care to halt maternal deaths and give these young mothers a chance to live and not condemn their bodies to the cold earth – life is priceless.
If these hopes are not realised in the very near future, then life for women in this country will continue to be not of great worth, brutally interrupted, dreams shattered.

The unending brutal murders of women by their spouses, sexual abuse of children and young girls and maternal deaths are solid proof of how ‘shallow’ legal protection and care in this country are for women.
The President’s speech at the Feminition Exposition that lauded women’s achievements, their successes from hard work and determination; that highlights their immeasurable worth and valued contributions in the home, business, education and the careers and vocations they embark on, was truly appreciated and welcomed.
But tell me, how many women will succeed and how many will fail as the abuse, the harassment, the disdain and violence continue to unfold in their lives, in the home, on the streets, at work, in school?
The roles played by the law, society, church and educators to arrest this grave problem, has left much to be desired. For everything they plan to achieve in the future, it is supposed to be for the men and women of this country, is it not?

But, how many women and girls will survive the abuse and be given a chance to live, to develop, to strive towards their goals and ambitions where there is no harassment, no tears and pain, that they too can celebrate a country’s success?

It’s sad and disturbing that law enforcers, seem not to see that need to act decisively and with true purpose in cases of abuse, as though it’s an accepted norm in everyday life for a woman to be beaten and brutalized by her partner.
Perpetrators in rape and incest cases are not always brought to justice or penalized for their crimes, sending a potentially dangerous message to society. The minds of the young are so scarred.
They can make so many valuable contributions to life, but when they should have been given love, care and support; their young, helpless bodies were ravaged, and stolen from them was that precious sense of worth.
What great future is this nation striving for?

It’s not only a sad situation, it’s a horrifying situation and as the clock ticks, the female population continues to decrease.

How effective the ‘dependence’ of the law would be in protection and care is left to be seen as chances are affected in the days of the lives of women of this country.

Maureen Singh

Women with Power (WWP) organization was one of the many that benefited from the recently concluded Feminition exhibition.

Lauding the initiative was Ediclia Bastardo de Persaud, Principal of the Venezuela Institute of Culture and Cooperation (IVCC) at 106 New Garden Street, Georgetown, where the organization is based. She said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, “I loved Feminition. I am very satisfied; it was a good step for women’s development. I am excited about Feminition”. 

Her husband, Kawal Persaud, an administrator at the IVCC, also expressed satisfaction as he noted that the exhibition provided exposure for the women’s produce. He posits that the next time around, the event be hosted in different regions, so as to better accommodate women from around the country.
The booths occupied by the Venezuelans and the WWP displayed a wide variety of tempting Guyanese and Venezuelan dishes and craft, such as sewing, tibisiri work and dolls produced at the institute.
Women with Power was the brainchild of the couple who were involved in community work in Venezuela, and they began to reach out to women through their students.

The compassionate pair encouraged students to invite their female relatives to come together at the institute.
One woman had special skills in tie-dying. The woman, Asha James-Forde, began to teach the institute’s first tie-dying class. Other women began to come forward and share their skills, and the batch of graduates, numbering 18, came together to form Women with Power (Mujeres con Poder) and share their skills throughout the country.
The first of its kind in Guyana, Feminition showcased the work of skillful women who work in the commercial, industrial and domestic fraternities, and provided a wide array of services, including arts and craft, health consultations, seminars and training in various areas, entrepreneurship and business advice, local fashion and beauty care.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/06/03/women-with-power-lauds-feminition-expo

Feminition, the women’s exposition, sought to recognise, highlight and promote the skills and capabilities of Guyanese women, Human Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand said during the opening of the event on Friday last. The event was held at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

“The beauty, the creativity, the capacity, the capability of our women (are) oftentimes lost, hidden, stifled, underdeveloped, unutilised, underutilized because of the apathy and sometimes downright refusal to recognise women as capable in every sphere of life,” she said.

Feminition, Minister Manickchand said, was conceived during 2009. “Women across the country told us they wanted the expo, they wanted their own platform. They felt intimidated by the large organisations and forums,” Manickchand said.

She continued that the government felt an exposition exclusively for women producers was a fantastic investment, and directed Gy$15 million towards the realisation of the project. Government, she said, recognised that, even in an unequal world, given the right venue, women can reach great heights in all areas. She applauded several of the great women in Guyana, and made notable mention of the fact that Guyana has had a female President in Mrs Janet Jagan and a female Chief Justice and Chancellor in Justice Desiree Bernard – the first female Chief Justice and Chancellor in the Caribbean.

“We have seen an increasing number of women assuming leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. We have seen more women speaking out about domestic violence, and more women exiting violent relationships. We have seen more women developing skills and taking up their places of choice in the homes and the work places.”

Dancers in action during the cultural presentation at ‘Feminition’

She listed some of the other initiatives conducted, such as the awareness campaign about violence against women, the provision of universal access to primary education, the construction of the family court, the re- establishment of constitutionally prescribed gender and equality laws, the training for single-parent women, the microcredit for single-parent women, and the provision of property through the Ministry of Housing to women.

Under the Legal Aid initiative, thousands of cases have been seen coming from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, 10, and mostly women have accessed this service. She said the microcredit scheme has assisted hundreds of single-parents to develop a skill of their choice. A total of 920 single-parent women have received in excess of Gy$167 million under this programme in less than one year. Feminition and the other government initiatives represent the tangible difference government is making in the lives of Guyanese women.

SOURCE: http://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=7318

…as government considers many requests from exhibitors, patrons

THE possibility of making ‘Feminition’ an annual event is being considered by government, following ‘hundreds of requests’ from exhibitors and patrons.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand said so Tuesday in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle. She deemed the event very successful. ‘Feminition’ has been conceived as another intervention in the empowerment of women and was intended to recognise, highlight and promote their skills, talents, capacities and capabilities.

“I expect that this exposition shall inspire women who exhibit, as well as women who visit the exposition, to greater heights, by encouraging women to take up their place in society as equals, by allowing the necessary networking in groups and services, and by educating about rights and available services,” Manickchand had said of the exposition.
According to her, gender equality would not just benefit women, but also men and children, and that all would develop at a much faster pace.

The three-day expo was held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, with the aim of providing focus on ways of improving one’s self image and enjoying a healthier lifestyle.
Art, craft, jewellery, clothing, sweet meats and a variety of other foods were on sale at the event. Entry to the event was free and small manufacturers featured prominently among the exhibitors who took up booths at the expo.
Corporate sponsors, partnering with the Government of Guyana, had done much to subsidise the entire cost of the event, so that many of the booths did not have to be paid for. Meanwhile, government had invested $15M in the project.

The event was declared opened Friday by President Bharrat Jagdeo following an entertaining show. Saturday featured a mega concert with only female artistes, some of whom were international performers and a grand fashion show, featuring popular, local designers, was staged on Sunday.

Minister Manickchand had said that it was “pleasing and extremely encouraging” to see the response of the corporate community. Sponsors included Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), ANSA McAl Trading, Banks DIH Limited, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Impressions, Gem Magazine and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).
The expo included a symposium on women’s issues, an award ceremony for young business women, makeovers, horticulture, hair care, home decorating, and legal aid.

Feminition was designed to showcase the progress achieved by women in Guyana, highlight clearly defined career choices, showcase women’s leadership, create and stimulate employment ideas for some unemployed, and stimulate a drive for women’s entrepreneurship.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/06/02/feminition-might-be-an-annual-event