BY Michael Younge

Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster on Thursday expressed concern over what appears to be an upsurge in the instances of domestic violence and child abuse which have occurred over the past few months.
During an interview with the Guyana Times, Webster said that “all forms of abuse committed against women and children” are unacceptable. She explained that her ministry had done a lot so far to ensure that there are adequate legislative reforms and laws in place to deal condignly with abusers.

“I want to publicly condemn all acts of domestic violence which have taken place…I have taken note that 2012 has just begun and already three women have lost their lives as a result of domestic abuse…this is unacceptable and intolerable,” Webster explained.
She said that many times it is menfolk who are responsible for the violence perpetrated against women. The human services minister argued that men must respect women and the important role that they play in shaping the developmental aspirations of Guyana and the family as a whole.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be expanding and continuing many of the successful programmes that were achieved as a result of prudent and responsible management by the People’s Progressive Party Civic Administration, including the Women of Worth (WOW) programme, Old Age pension and Public Assistance. Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the WOW programme launched in 2010 has achieved much success, and has transformed the lives of over 2300 single parent women. The programme, she said has improved the financial status of many beneficiaries who tapped into the facility provided by the Government through the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). The scheme provides single women access to loans, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 to establish and expand small businesses, with a maximum repayment period of 24 months.

THE issue of domestic abuse and violence is becoming increasingly problematic in many societies across the world. Consequently, there is need to address it with a greater sense of urgency as it has already caused so much suffering and agony.
The first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) study on domestic violence reveals that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in women’s lives - much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances.

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.
He told staff of the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security gathered for a conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) today 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 saw 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 beckoned 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 fulfill their roles and responsibility in the family," President Ramotar said.

The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), a division of the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry has found work for over 2500 job seekers in 2011, but the new Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul warned that too many persons were graduating in the social sciences when the country was in need of geologists, economists and engineers. Dr Gopaul told Guyana Times in an interview on Tuesday that the CRMA had handled over 3000 vacancies from a variety of employers last year, but was only able to fill 2500 based upon the skills that were as available to it. The CRMA provides a free service to persons in search of employment, their second objectives is to showcase as many vacancies as possible and assist in matching persons to jobs that suit their skill levels.
Dr Gopaul told Guyana Times that the agency over the years has created a database which tracks unemployed persons in Guyana looking for work. While it may not be a fully comprehensive list, the CRMA is providing a service that Dr Gopaul hopes will gain greater attention in 2012. Dr Gopaul stated that, “Employers have an opportunity with the CRMA; they have access to a resource that can only assist in the development of employment strategies within Guyana”.  Only last year, CRMA launched an Interactive online programme at its Camp Street office.  The website www.crma-gy.com will enable employers to register their business, and employers to access vacancies online without the hassle of going directly to an organisation.
Meanwhile, Dr Gopaul said he hopes for more collaboration, not only with the public sector, but also with the private sector and the University of Guyana in the training and job placement for citizens.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster says she is planning to make the issues of the elderly and domestic violence priority areas in her new portfolio.

Speaking to Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) on Monday during a visit to the Sophia Care Center, the former Minister within the Ministry of Finance said improving the efficiency of the old age pension system is on the cards.

“I intend to look at some aspects of pension reform so that we can have our database computerised and a better system, a more efficient system for how we provide services to our senior citizens in terms of the pension payments et cetera,” she said.

Webster added that she would also be pursuing partnerships with civil society groups to come up with initiatives that would improve the quality of life for senior citizens.

Additionally, she said she is “contemplating” as a long term goal, the establishment of home for senior citizens, and “one that is friendlier to our elderly and disabled persons.”

Also on her agenda is the fight against a burgeoning domestic violence situation which has seen the police this year reporting that a significant number of murders recorded stemmed from domestic quarrels turning fatal.