…calls for partnership with religious community
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), described by Minister Priya Manickchand as “the fulfilling of a dream,” was yesterday formally opened by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The building, at the corner of Broad and Charles Streets, Charlestown, formerly housed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was refurbished at a cost of $25M. It will house a programme for preparing children to be productive citizens of Guyana, while providing for their safety and happiness. 

President Jagdeo commended Manickchand and the staff of the Human Services Ministry for the enormous work they have been doing to raise awareness on the issue of child abuse in Guyana.
“It takes special people to work in these agencies. If you come into this job without any heart, then you are not going to succeed. The people who have been working here are people who operate with their heads and hearts. That’s the only way we would be effective in the protection of our children,” the president stated.

QUOTE: “I want to pay tribute to those social workers and others who have been working very hard in delivering help to our children…” – President Jagdeo

“I want to pay tribute to those social workers and others who have been working very hard in delivering help to our children,” he continued.
Jagdeo stressed that there will be no success, even as government puts money into the formal CCPA, unless partnerships are forged with other groups in the country. He referred to religious organisations which have a presence in every community in Guyana and can serve as ‘eyes and ears on the ground.’

“So I expect that our efforts will be supplemented by a dedicated focus on forging partnerships with the religious community of Guyana. We will thus extend our reach tremendously and the resources we have available to us can be multiplied many-fold,” he  observed.

The president said from time to time he has had cause to criticise some of these organizations, not because he did not believe in God, but largely because “the focus is too much on religion and less on services to people.”
“I’m sure every faith has service to humankind as one of their basic tenets; and so I hope that the religious community will continue to work with us in this regard. I plan to meet with them. I think we need more aggression on this. I do not see enough of an effort. 

I don’t see the pastors, the pandits and imams talking about this issue when they do their sermons. They need to focus on this more and more and only then would we have the awareness that would contribute to large scale attention on this issue,” he stated.

Additionally, Mr. Jagdeo noted that oftentimes, the conversations in society are characterised by crudity, loose talk and graphic images. “It happens on the street corners, in the homes, in the schools, on the television, everywhere.”
Government has established a learning channel but the President noted that this was not enough.
“In the society, we have to collectively stand up, every one of us, and say no…we can’t have pedophiles appearing on television and doing talk shows. We can’t have people every day preaching bigotry, racism and exposing our kids to that sort of behaviour when we live in a multi-ethnic society and we want our children to grow up loving each other, recognising that we are Guyanese, regardless of differences.”In brief remarks, Manickchand said the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has delivered on everything it has promised in its 2006 manifesto, including, inter alia, the passage of children’s legislation, the establishment of a foster care programme, improvement in the services provided at the Palms, improvement in efforts to combat trafficking in persons, 
improvement in the old age pension system, and the placement of resident, social services officers in regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

She pointed out that government has also ensured children’s access to a good education and has even arranged for the provision of uniform vouchers. Only one piece of legislation is currently pending before the select committee in the national assembly, she said, adding that service to the poor has been provided on an unprecedented scale.
The minister recalled the death of young Neesa Gopaul and noted that honour is in order for her and the others who suffer abuse quietly.

Director of CCPA, Ann Green, noted that the CCPA was officially established in June 2009 and to date has responded to over 5000 children who were mistreated. It has also found more than 800 places for children that serve to protect them from harm and abuse. 

Furthermore, the CCPA was able to provide ‘psycho-social support’ for over 6,900 children and their families, Green reported.
“Sad to say, in spite of all of our efforts, we were not able to protect all the children that needed protection. The challenges to provide child protection services are numerous. There are large case loads, insufficient staff members, and too many responsibilities that affect overall ability to monitor and perform duties,” she noted.
Additionally, a major challenge is creating community responsibility for child protection. Though there have been increased reports from communities on cases of suspected child abuse, such involvement must be taken to other levels, such as establishing real community partnerships, she said.
Civil society, community groups, faith-based organisations and the media must also come on board.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/05/07/president-jagdeo-opens-childcare-and-protection-head-office

There is a new idea being proposed that could have a significant impact in the struggle against domestic violence. According to an April 17 article entitled, “NY Legislators Propose Domestic Violence Registry” on CBSNewYork.com, “Three New York legislators want the state to register domestic violence offenders just as sex crime offenders are publicly listed.”

One of the legislators, State Senator Eric Adams explained: “We would duplicate the same process and the same type of software, so we already have the wheel invented – we’re just adding a new spoke on the wheel.”
I do not believe Guyana has a way to track sex offenders yet, much less domestic violence offenders, but perhaps it is time to find a way to do both. For example, when I moved to the San Antonio, Texas area five years ago, I was able to type in my zip code on a registry Website for the area I live and find out if any sex offenders lived nearby.
Since I had a young daughter, this was vital information for me. Anyone who has been convicted of a sex crime must register with the local authorities. If the sex offender moves to another location, registration is required again in the new location. They must provide their address to the authorities and this information is made public for the protection of the community.

This is a great way to keep track of those who prey on others and the same concept is being introduced to track domestic violence offenders, which means if a person were convicted of domestic violence, that person would be required to register with the authorities.
The information would then be made public and potential partners could check the registry to see if the person they are dating has a record of domestic violence, which could save many women from abuse and sometimes even save them from death.

In the US, each state has its own sex offender registry that is made available online. In Guyana, it would make more sense to have one registry that tracks both sex offenders and domestic violence offenders, which would gather the information from around the country, including the location of the offender, and make that information available on the Internet.
With the names (and aliases) of offenders being made public, an undertaking such as this could literally save the lives of so many women.
I do not know what kind of return the government has seen on the $15 million it invested into “Domestic Violence 101,” a domestic violence training programme structured primarily for faith-based leaders. Likewise, I am not sure how much the Men’s Affairs Bureau is suiting their intended goal.

However, I do know that any money invested into a program to track sex offenders and domestic violence offenders would see an immediate return. The sex offender registry is a proven method of deterrence and community education. The concept of tracking offenders of domestic violence in the same way is brilliant.
This notion is new in the U.S. and that means Guyana has the opportunity to be on the forefront of this revolutionary concept. Let’s face it; the domestic violence situation in the nation is chilling. The number of women who are terrorised, brutalised and murdered by their partners is simply intolerable, which means it may take some innovative thinking to make some measurable headway on this problem.

I have met with the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, and I know she has the capacity to introduce a project like this, tweak it so that it is compatible with Guyana’s needs and capabilities, and see that it is the first real program of its type on a national level (if there is another country with this registry, I could not find it).
A national registry to track domestic violence offenders would put a spotlight on this horrid crime, which is usually committed behind closed doors. It would make what has long been considered a private matter a very public issue. In other words, those who beat their wives and girlfriends could no longer hide from what they have done.

Source: StellaSays; https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/05/04/keeping-track-of-domestic-violence-offenders/

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security is ensuring that all Guyanese are made aware of government’s social services and programmes aimed at improving their lives, through its awareness programmes.Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and a team of officials from the ministry and the administration of Region Three last week met with hundreds of residents at the Sans Souci Primary School, Wakenaam. 
Minister Nadir, extending good wishes to residents from President Bharrat  Jagdeo and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, told residents that government continues to work tirelessly to ensure that the lives of the vulnerable, including the children, women, disabled and underprivileged, are significantly enhanced through social programmes and safety net interventions. 
“I certainly see a lot of brightness on the faces of people; and clearly Wakenaam, with what I see this morning, has shaken off the image of being forgotten,” Minister Nadir said.    

Social Services 
Minister Nadir told residents that the public assistance programme, according to the laws of the country, has to be approved by the local board of Guardians in the region and reviewed every six months.
He noted that while the public assistance process might be tedious to some, the programme is aimed at helping persons who are in difficult circumstances for a period of time.
“The programme is there for a purpose, for those who are facing some difficult period, and once those persons are back up on their feet and able to manage….. the programme will roll on to someone else who is in need,” Minister Nadir told residents.   
No one is removed from the list by whims and fancies, he explained.
“People have to show up for the half yearly review; and if people don’t get to the review; then their names are removed from the public assistance list,” Minister Nadir said.
Responding to an issue raised by a resident with regard to assisting the incapacitated, Minister Nadir explained that his ministry has put in place a policy whereby social services officers visit such persons at their homes.    
In addition to this, as part of the government’s commitment to further improving the position of single parents, beneficiaries of public assistance and old age pensions, substantial amounts were allocated to the Human Services Ministry to continue delivering its services in 2011 .
With effect from February 1, old age pensioners received a 14 percent increase, moving from $6,600 to $7,500 per month. Public Assistance beneficiaries also benefitted as they have moved from $4,900 to $5,500.
In relation to issues raised about old age pensioners not knowing when to apply, Minister Nadir said that two weeks after attaining the age of 65 persons should apply, since the process takes some time to verify information received.

Health Sector
The minister informed Wakenaam residents about a new programme that will be introduced by the Ministry of Health to promote healthy lifestyles.
“A national education programme on chronic diseases will be launched by the Ministry of Health and I am hopeful that you and your children will learn more about high blood pressure and diabetes,” he said.     
He said that while government expends billions of dollars annually to provide treatment for persons with chronic diseases, “the bigger issue is not about spending money to provide treatment, but rather about prevention, educating people about healthy habits for a longer life.”

Other issues addressed
Other issues such as unregistered births and the lack of proof documents for national registration for the upcoming general elections were also addressed by Minister Nadir. 
The administration, since it has been in office, has placed much emphasis on the protection and well-being of its most vulnerable section of society, and this saw the implementation of several projects and programmes, including the Children Care Protection Agency, training for single parents, establishment of a White Zone, Women and the Men’s Affairs Bureaus, and a foster care system.   
Meanwhile,  Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber informed residents of the developmental plans listed in  the 2011 budget for the island, including the construction of a building to house the Sans Souci Nursery School and putting in revetment on  the embankment, road construction and drainage and irrigation works.  
The new building, he said, is to accommodate the nursery level children now housed at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council office.  

Source: (GINA) https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/04/30/human-services-ministry-takes-outreach-to-wakenaam

EIGHT persons from the Guyana Society for the Blind, on Wednesday, received financial grants from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to start small businesses in poultry, grocery, clothing, and food courts.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Ms. Priya Manickchand related that she is pleased to assist in allowing the eight disabled persons to start a new life, to be empowered and independent of seeking help from family and friends. 
She also wished the upcoming entrepreneurs success in their endeavours.
Minister Manickchand pledged Government’s support in the future to support persons with disabilities.
Those who opted to do poultry farming told the Minister that they would use the money received to purchase chicks and feed, as they have commenced building their pens already.
They pledged to use the profits made to make their businesses larger.
According to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the recipients were overjoyed with the assistance received and expressed profound gratitude to the Government, assuring that the money will be put to appropriate use.
The recipients also invited the Minster to visit within the next six months, to get a firsthand look on the success of their small businesses.

Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/04/22/govt-assists-disabled-to-start-small-businesses

Guyana will soon launch and host the first-ever women’s exhibition aimed at showcasing the talents and achievements of women across the country.

The exposition, titled “Feminition”, is scheduled to be held at the National Stadium from May 27 to 29. It is being held in collaboration with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, founder of the Women of Worth (WoW) loan scheme. The objectives of the expo are to showcase the talents, skills and professions of women; create employment ideas for women looking to start their own businesses; showcase the existing work of women’s groups; and stimulate the drive for women entrepreneurship in Guyana.

At a media launch held at the Convention Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds welcomed the initiative, stating that such events are needed to remind the public that women are a valuable asset to society. Declaring that he has long been a supporter of gender equality, Hinds explained that women and men are indeed equal. He emphasised that men and women must embrace this fact, and unite in order to make a difference in society. “We have a big job ahead of us to make this country unified, and we have a big challenge to develop the country materially. Men and women need to come together and pool their strengths to make society more whole, because there is a significant connection between those two things,” he said.

He went on to state that there are even instances when women excel ahead of men in certain areas, but this is not often admitted, due to the ‘macho’ thinking of males. Nevertheless, he said, the women’s exposition will help to remind people that women have potential and can aid in the development process.

Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand first lauded GBTI for the success of the WoW loans, and the opportunities that the WoW has since created for women who would otherwise have been unable to start their own businesses. She explained that, too often, because of the traditional roles of men and women placed in the minds of people, society is deprived of seeing the ‘beautiful side’ of women outside of those roles.

“Gender equality remains something that we are striving for, and something we have to achieve; and because of that, many bad things happen, particularly to what has been deemed to be the weaker gender – women,” she said. She added that this exhibition will give people a chance to see that beautiful side of women that is so often placed on the backburner. The minister then encouraged all interested women to come on board as soon as possible, so that they could get a chance to showcase their talents.

Head of credit of the GBTI, Shaleeza Shaw, expressed the bank’s contentment at being able to provide a facility such as the WoW loan to women. Since its launch in June 2010, Shaw proudly declared, the bank has received as many as 1111 applications (up to 12 applications daily). Of this amount, she explained, 781 loans, amounting to $154 million, have been approved. She explained that since the bank had allocated $500 million for this initiative, there is room for many more disbursals. Moreso, she said, since this sum is revolving, as customers continue to repay, more women will be able to access loans. Shaw stated that, currently, up to 10 women from the first batch of disbursals are expected to complete repaying their loans shortly.

Source: https://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=6039

– event launched yesterday
THE first ever Women’s Expo scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, during the period May 27 to 29 has already attracted confirmation from 100 women producers and interest continues to grow. This disclosure was made yesterday by Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand at the grand launch of the inaugural event at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC).

Under the theme ‘Feminition’ the expo which, it is hoped, will become an annual event is another on the Minister of Human Services and Social Security’s agenda to promote women’s empowerment through the overarching objective of stimulating women’s entrepreneurship, and showcasing artistic talents, and professional occupations among others.

The three-day exhibition will showcase women producers and their work including agencies in  commerce and other sector offering products and services catering to the needs of women.
On the roster of activities is a concert featuring all female artistes including Allison Hinds from Barbados. Other activities include fashion shows.

A special committee has been set up at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security to administer the successful staging of the Expo which has been in the making since the launch of the Women of Worth (WOW) programme.

WOW was launched in June last year, catering specially to the empowerment of single parent women through the fast tracking of micro finance to women, single parents for the start up of small businesses.
Head of Credit at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Shaliza Shaw, who was also at the launch, reported on the success of the programme and highlighted the overwhelming response of women single parents.
The bank has recorded a proliferation of 1,111 applications to date and has already approved and disbursed over 700 loans with a total value of $154M.

GBTI has committed a total sum of $500M to the WOW programme and communities in Linden, Berbice, Essequibo Coast, Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara and Fort Wellington, Region Five have all benefitted through outreach programmes.

WoW is a partnership effort of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and GBTI, a partnership which Minister Manickchand hailed as exceptional, affording women an opportunity never before offered, to establish and expand their businesses.The minister said that the global struggle for gender equality and challenges of domestic violence languished to some extent.

“We don’t get to see the artistic potential women are capable of and we don’t get to see the various different capacities that women can act in and as a result of that we rob our families of all the things that we can give and we rob countries from developing as far as we can develop,” Minister Manickchand said.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was also at yesterday’s launch, addressed the issue of gender equality expressing the belief that the task of nation building is dependent on both sexes. He also acknowledged the outstanding contributions women make in the field of academics and their influence in traditional, male dominated arenas.
During the launch, success stories of single parent women who are part of the WOW programme were chronicled.
Expert advice on entrepreneurship was also offered by Managing Director of D&J Shipping, Lucia Desir.

Source: (GINA) https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/04/14/100-producers-confirmed-for-first-ever-womens-expo

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Guyana will soon launch and host the first-ever women’s exhibition aimed at showcasing the talents and achievements of women across the country.

The exposition, titled “Feminition”, is scheduled to be held at the National Stadium from May 27 to 29. It is being held in collaboration with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, founder of the Women of Worth (WoW) loan scheme. The objectives of the expo are to showcase the talents, skills and professions of women; create employment ideas for women looking to start their own businesses; showcase the existing work of women’s groups; and stimulate the drive for women entrepreneurship in Guyana.

At a media launch held at the Convention Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds welcomed the initiative, stating that such events are needed to remind the public that women are a valuable asset to society. Declaring that he has long been a supporter of gender equality, Hinds explained that women and men are indeed equal. He emphasised that men and women must embrace this fact, and unite in order to make a difference in society. “We have a big job ahead of us to make this country unified, and we have a big challenge to develop the country materially. Men and women need to come together and pool their strengths to make society more whole, because there is a significant connection between those two things,” he said.

He went on to state that there are even instances when women excel ahead of men in certain areas, but this is not often admitted, due to the ‘macho’ thinking of males. Nevertheless, he said, the women’s exposition will help to remind people that women have potential and can aid in the development process.

Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand first lauded GBTI for the success of the WoW loans, and the opportunities that the WoW has since created for women who would otherwise have been unable to start their own businesses. She explained that, too often, because of the traditional roles of men and women placed in the minds of people, society is deprived of seeing the ‘beautiful side’ of women outside of those roles.

“Gender equality remains something that we are striving for, and something we have to achieve; and because of that, many bad things happen, particularly to what has been deemed to be the weaker gender – women,” she said. She added that this exhibition will give people a chance to see that beautiful side of women that is so often placed on the backburner. The minister then encouraged all interested women to come on board as soon as possible, so that they could get a chance to showcase their talents.

Head of credit of the GBTI, Shaleeza Shaw, expressed the bank’s contentment at being able to provide a facility such as the WoW loan to women. Since its launch in June 2010, Shaw proudly declared, the bank has received as many as 1111 applications (up to 12 applications daily). Of this amount, she explained, 781 loans, amounting to $154 million, have been approved. She explained that since the bank had allocated $500 million for this initiative, there is room for many more disbursals. Moreso, she said, since this sum is revolving, as customers continue to repay, more women will be able to access loans. Shaw stated that, currently, up to 10 women from the first batch of disbursals are expected to complete repaying their loans shortly.

Source: http://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=6039

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–at unveiling of Kowsilla’s portrait

THE portrait of Kowsilla, the third of three to be erected honouring women who have made their mark in Guyana, was on Saturday last unveiled at the Leonora market, West Coast Demerara. The other two are of Winifred Gaskin and Dr. Desrey Fox. Kowsilla was an Executive of the Leonora branch of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and paid the price of her life for her belief in adequate wage for adequate work.
The unveiling is part of activities by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in observance of International Women’s Day (March 8) observed under the theme “Equal Access to Education, Training, Science and Technology, the pathway to decent work for women.”

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Ms. Priya Manickchand told the gathering at Leonora that women have come a far way in Guyana and alluded to the progress many have made.
Guyana ranks at 25 of 186 countries with the percentage of female members of parliament, faring better than many developing countries and its Caribbean counterparts. 

“We appreciate the efforts of women who came before us, like Kowsilla, who, had it not been for their struggles, we would not have been enjoying many of the things we take for granted today, and, we must ensure that their struggles don’t go in vain. We must also resolve to resist oppressors and oppression in any form and teach our children that as well,” she said.
A mother of four and the sole breadwinner of her family, Kowsilla was born in 1920 and was killed on March 6, 1964 when her body was severed in two by an estate scab, Felix Ross, who drove a tractor through her. He was later acquitted. 

Also attending the unveiling ceremony on Saturday were children of neighbouring schools and, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali who congratulated the Ministry of Human Services for the work done in the area of women and children and for bringing their issues to the fore.
Recognition has also been paid last week to two other outstanding women, Winifred Gaskin and Dr. Desrey Fox.
Winifred Ivy Gaskin, has been hailed a phenomenal woman, a woman of many talents and strengths, by Minister Manickchand at the portrait unveiling on Friday last at Public Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
“Who was this lady, Winnie Gaskin that we come today and honour?” she queried. 

She was described as a teacher, journalist, mother, politician, diplomat and Minister of Education. 
“She (Gaskin) along with another set of fantastic women showed us in Guyana, by joining their sisters across the world, just how much more women are capable of. I say on behalf of myself and on behalf of my generation, thank you to Winnie Gaskin and the women who came before us, like her, who paved the way for us…give us space to come and excel and be all that we can be,” Minister Manickchand said. 

The Minister also unveiled a portrait erected between the junction of the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana of the late Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox. 
Dr. Fox was recognised for her accomplishments as an outstanding daughter of the land, icon and for the legacy she has left behind.

Source: (GINA) https://guyanachronicle.com/2011/03/16/ensure-the-struggles-of-women-dont-go-in-vain-minister-manickchand