The global Spotlight Initiative, led by the United Nations, will persist in Guyana under the management of the government through the Ministry of Human Services.
Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud affirmed this commitment, ensuring the continuity of efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.
After three years of dedicated work, the Spotlight Initiative marked its conclusion with a closing reception at Herdmanston Lodge.
The initiative focused on addressing various forms of violence against women and girls, with a specific emphasis on domestic, family, sexual and gender-based violence, harmful practices, femicide, human trafficking, and sexual and labor exploitation.
UN Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc acknowledged the progress made during the initiative’s tenure, highlighting the significant work by UNICEF, UN Women, and national authorities in fortifying the legal framework to sustain these efforts.
During her address, Minister Persaud emphasized the solid foundation laid by the initiative, indicating a transition through the implementation of policy frameworks.
She highlighted the completion of the final draft of the Family Violence Bill, a crucial piece of legislation intended for parliamentary consideration, and the ongoing work on a Harassment Bill.
Acknowledging the contributions of various partnerships in the country’s efforts against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) over the past three years, Minister Persaud recognized organizations such as Child Link, Youth Challenge Guyana, The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), and Merundoi, among others.
Guyana became a part of the Spotlight Initiative in October 2020, leading on numerous projects that aim to serve as a regional model for other countries seeking to combat the deeply ingrained culture of GBV.
Delicia Janneire, NCN News