U.S. Embassy sponsoring local participants to attend forum on gender-based violence in Miami

Members interacting with the Witness Programme’s representatives

United States Ambassador D Brent Hardt said the U.S. will continue to support efforts worldwide to combat violence against women. He made the pronouncement during his address at the opening of the Women’s Entrepreneur Expo at the Tower Hotel on Monday.
The expo aims to achieve gender equality and empower women, while highlighting their work and sensitising them about domestic violence.
“This year, I am pleased to announce that our embassy will sponsor participants from Guyana to attend the Caribbean Rule of Law Dialogue on preventing and responding to gender-based violence, which will take place December 11 to 13 at Florida International University’s College of  Law in Miami. Margaret Kertzious from Help and Shelter, Simone Morris-Ramlall from legal aid, and Tiffany Jackson from Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organisation are among those who will participate in the forum,” he said.
Canadian Ambassador David Devine also pledged his country’s support to Guyanese women and the effort to eliminate gender inequality. “It is my hope that we can come together to contribute to the achievement of the millennium goal number three. It is commonly recognised throughout the world that human rights is a precondition for successful, equitable and sustainable development for societies,” he said.
He noted that both Canada and Guyana share deep respect for the rights of women, and said “When women prosper, whole communities benefit.”
“In order for any economy to be transformed, the success is measured not by your ability to have the highest gross national product; rather it is about transforming people. It is outmost important that women’s rights be respected, promoted and protected at all times,” Devine stated.
He added that the promotion of gender equality and women’s development is essential to all the other millennium development goals.
In his remarks, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Clinton Urling, said women are agents of development and investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity, efficiency and sustained economic growth.
“This exposition is timely because it encourages and inspires the next generation of female entrepreneurs to contribute to the economic development of their country, it also aims to provide the tools and opportunities that are available for women to increase productivity and become successful professionals.  It also aims to acknowledge the contributions of unpaid work by women and its impact on the stability and development of Guyana,” Urling told the expo.

He said the exposition keeps the spotlight on domestic violence, noting that domestic violence has enormous effects that are “too salient” for the private sector to ignore.