National discourse on domestic violence to begin next month

The Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Monday announced that it will be launching a National Conversation on Domestic Violence on June 27, with the aim of forming a strategic plan of action to address the scourge.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster in announcing this to the media said the discourse is a partnership between government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and faith-based organisations locally.
It is our intention to roll out in all 10 administrative regions from July to November, 2012,” Webster said. Among the areas which the conversation will be hosted initially are Matthews Ridge, Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Anna Regina, Zeelugt, Canal Number Two Polder, Diamond, Golden Grove, Georgetown, Leitchfield, New Amsterdam, Skeldon, Bartica, Mahdia, Kwakwani, Lethem, and Linden. Given the recent upsurge of domestic violence in society, the primary objective of the initiative is to further sensitise the public on preventative mechanisms to address the adverse effects on the nation’s human capital.
According to her, recent research on the incidents and drivers of gender-based violence in Guyana reveals that four in five women in several communities experience some form of physical violence in their lifetime. Many of these women have indicated the abuse is frequent. In addition, three in five women experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Gender-based violence adversely impacts on communities.
To reduce and prevent domestic violence, an informed strategic planning mechanism must build upon past experiences and focused implementation. The government envisages that the national discourse will lead to a shared national vision and consensus by all to develop a strategic plan of action.
This will be accompanied by a comprehensive communication strategy and a monitoring and evaluation framework, used for monitoring domestic violence cases. The initiative will also be used as a follow-up to previous efforts, especially the training in 2010 of more than 600 faith-based leaders in the areas of counselling and conflict resolution. This was done to strengthen the ministry’s community support framework to address the issue of domestic violence and violence on a whole in communities.