President Ramotar announces ‘no nonsense’ approach to domestic abuse PDF Print E-mail
Written by GINA
Thursday, 22 December 2011 02:43
- at Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has vowed not to sit idly by and allow Guyanese women to continue suffering at the hands of violent spouses, and is calling for a reorientation in the way the police approach and address the issue.
[President Donald Ramotar speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre]
President Donald Ramotar speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre
He told staff of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security gathered for a conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) yesterday that the government will ensure the effective functioning of the systems that are put in place to provide a safe refuge for women in Guyana.
"It is a criminal and abhorrent act when any woman is abused, emotionally, mentally or physically, and no woman should be a victim of sexual or domestic violence," President Ramotar said.
The president believes that the police, with whom the responsibility lies to investigate cases of domestic abuse, should know that such issues should be treated with sensitivity; and in this regard called for training for this to be accomplished.
"Too often people take the position that this is a family matter... we see, in many cases, it ends in murder and loss of life. The government, through this ministry, has sought to break the silence on these atrocities and is committed to the sustained rejection of abuse in any form," President Ramotar said.
The role of men as father figures and role models in the home was also part of the call made by President Ramotar, using his own upbringing in a home with 11 siblings as a model example.
He said that a supportive father in the home impacts positively on the short and long-term stability, safety and success of the family unit.
"I wish to urge all fathers to recognise and fulfil their roles and responsibility in the family," President Ramotar said.
The government has been giving special attention to the single parent household with numerous initiatives, one of which is the Women of Worth (WOW) micro credit scheme, and skills training for single parents.
[Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre.]
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
Under the WOW programme, single parents can borrow loans at a scale of up to $250,000, with an interest rate of six percent per annum and a maximum repayment period of 24 months. The loans are geared towards entrepreneurship ventures.
President Ramotar said, given the special needs which this vulnerable group has, government intends to expand the range and benefits available to them and also review options to make the tax regime more family friendly.
He had announced during an interview with the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) that experts have been nominated to a panel that will review the tax system and that the process will begin sometime this week.
The government’s policies and programmes on child care and protection were also highlighted by President Ramotar, as he referred to homes for children in need of refuge, counselling and support for families in crisis, foster care and adoption services, which, he assured, will continue.
“Our work will never be done until each child in need has access to the best possible child care services that we can offer them,” President Ramotar said.
The new Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, who was also part of the conference, spoke of the integral link between the work of her ministry with allied agencies, such as the security forces and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), particularly on the issue of child abuse.
She said it is important to identify, map and promote inter-agency collaboration and consultation to achieve a broader range of dialogue on social issues that lead to the crafting of policies and programme.
In May this year, a $25M head office of the Child Care and Protection Agency was opened in Charlestown, Georgetown, in what was considered another step in efforts to secure the well-being of the nation’s children.
The agency responds to reports of child abuse and provides havens for children at risk of harm and abuse, and psychosocial support.
Support for the homeless and destitute is also part of the government’s human services agenda; and according to President Ramotar, the government will continue its support to the night shelter, and is working on the rehabilitation and re-integration of those groups into society.
The new Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who was also part of the conference, implored staff to maintain good work ethics in their duties and to value service to the public.
He said that several amendments have been made relating to the duties of staff, and that there will be monitoring of systems to ensure effective functioning.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Written by GINA
Thursday, 22 December 2011 02:43
- at Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has vowed not to sit idly by and allow Guyanese women to continue suffering at the hands of violent spouses, and is calling for a reorientation in the way the police approach and address the issue.
[President Donald Ramotar speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre]
President Donald Ramotar speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre
He told staff of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security gathered for a conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) yesterday that the government will ensure the effective functioning of the systems that are put in place to provide a safe refuge for women in Guyana.
"It is a criminal and abhorrent act when any woman is abused, emotionally, mentally or physically, and no woman should be a victim of sexual or domestic violence," President Ramotar said.
The president believes that the police, with whom the responsibility lies to investigate cases of domestic abuse, should know that such issues should be treated with sensitivity; and in this regard called for training for this to be accomplished.
"Too often people take the position that this is a family matter... we see, in many cases, it ends in murder and loss of life. The government, through this ministry, has sought to break the silence on these atrocities and is committed to the sustained rejection of abuse in any form," President Ramotar said.
The role of men as father figures and role models in the home was also part of the call made by President Ramotar, using his own upbringing in a home with 11 siblings as a model example.
He said that a supportive father in the home impacts positively on the short and long-term stability, safety and success of the family unit.
"I wish to urge all fathers to recognise and fulfil their roles and responsibility in the family," President Ramotar said.
The government has been giving special attention to the single parent household with numerous initiatives, one of which is the Women of Worth (WOW) micro credit scheme, and skills training for single parents.
[Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre.]
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster speaking at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security staff conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
Under the WOW programme, single parents can borrow loans at a scale of up to $250,000, with an interest rate of six percent per annum and a maximum repayment period of 24 months. The loans are geared towards entrepreneurship ventures.
President Ramotar said, given the special needs which this vulnerable group has, government intends to expand the range and benefits available to them and also review options to make the tax regime more family friendly.
He had announced during an interview with the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) that experts have been nominated to a panel that will review the tax system and that the process will begin sometime this week.
The government’s policies and programmes on child care and protection were also highlighted by President Ramotar, as he referred to homes for children in need of refuge, counselling and support for families in crisis, foster care and adoption services, which, he assured, will continue.
“Our work will never be done until each child in need has access to the best possible child care services that we can offer them,” President Ramotar said.
The new Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, who was also part of the conference, spoke of the integral link between the work of her ministry with allied agencies, such as the security forces and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), particularly on the issue of child abuse.
She said it is important to identify, map and promote inter-agency collaboration and consultation to achieve a broader range of dialogue on social issues that lead to the crafting of policies and programme.
In May this year, a $25M head office of the Child Care and Protection Agency was opened in Charlestown, Georgetown, in what was considered another step in efforts to secure the well-being of the nation’s children.
The agency responds to reports of child abuse and provides havens for children at risk of harm and abuse, and psychosocial support.
Support for the homeless and destitute is also part of the government’s human services agenda; and according to President Ramotar, the government will continue its support to the night shelter, and is working on the rehabilitation and re-integration of those groups into society.
The new Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, who was also part of the conference, implored staff to maintain good work ethics in their duties and to value service to the public.
He said that several amendments have been made relating to the duties of staff, and that there will be monitoring of systems to ensure effective functioning.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
