… many still victims of domestic violenceIn observance of last week’s International Women’s Day and the twentieth Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in collaboration with other Non-Governmental Organisations,
Wholesale NFL China Jerseys, Religious Groups and Government Agencies, yesterday held a round-table discussion addressing issues related to Women’s Rights.The discussion, which was held in a conference room at Cara Lodge’s 294 Quamina Street, Georgetown location, saw UNFPA’s Assistant Representative Ms. Patrice La Fleur and speakers, Ms. Bhagwandai Persaud-Giddings (UNFPA Programme Officer) and Commissioner of Women and Gender Equality Commission Ms. Vanda Radzik interacting with representatives from the medical and health sector, Government ministries, women and youth activists, members of the religious community, private sector, Guyana Teacher’s Union and other organisations and NGOs.The activity focused on assessing the promises made under the 1995 Beijing Declaration, and whether or not they have been effectively implemented 10 years later in 2015. Among the promises made, 12 were up for examination, some of them include; the burden of poverty on women, violence against women, insufficient mechanisms to promote advancement of women, lack of respect for the protection of human rights of women, and inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision making levels.Radzik, in her assessment of the progress made from 1995 to now under the Beijing Declaration, said, “There is not a lot to celebrate in 2015.”She added that this year was supposed to be a milestone for human rights of women with the fulfilment of commitments made, however we have failed. She stated that we, as part of the world,
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MLB Jerseys China Authentic, are far away from the requirements that were set.“We have to do so much better…We have not had a successful analysis of the Millennium Development Goals.”She reminisced on the days of the former People’s National Congress (PNC) and early People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Governments in Guyana, when the efforts of the women’s rights movement were flourishing under the influence of the likes of Magda Pollard.She recalled that an excellent Guyanese delegation from civil society went to Beijing in ’95, and they stood out and shone for their initiatives during the negotiations of the declaration.Radzik went on to challenge the representatives present to examine the promises made under the Beijing Declaration, and to discuss it with both their in life and work experiences in mind. They were asked to assess whether or not they honestly believed that great achievements were made, especially in Guyanese society. The response from the representatives, were of a great magnitude.The first points made were in relation to the way that legislation and developmental strategies are being implemented in Guyana. Some of the representatives present felt that policies are being introduced in an ad hoc manner, without projections and analysis as to how they will affect the women, and the long term consequences involved.Reference was made to the fact that most single parent homes are managed by women, and the fact that there is now a large population of women working as security guards. This some saw as troubling,
wholeslae cheap nfl jerseys china, since the nature of the job would see women working odd hours, which affects the family dynamics, coupled with the minimum income attached to the job.Most importantly, the issue of violence against women was raised. One representative pointed out that statistics show that Guyana is at the bottom of the ladder. Suggestions were made as to how the nation can reduce the instances of domestic violence in the society by building the self-esteem of women, and teaching men and boys the appreciation for gender equality.In addressing cases or reoccurring domestic violence, one representative said, “We have educated women, but not the men. So what we find are cases where we educated the woman,??? and she returns to the home with the uneducated man.”La Fleur reflected on a new age Domestic Violence Act, Prevention of Sexual Discrimination Act, and Gender Equality Act which she feels had not been able to achieve their full or intended purposes.“I have been in this line of work for many, many years, and I feel as if we have been addressing the same issues for years and years, and I am becoming impatient… I feel pressured when I look back at where we came from and where we are today,” La Fleur stressed.She made reference to the popular Guyanese saying “one-one dutty does build dam”, and implored the audience to commit thei
