European Union hosts Civil Society Forum on Gender Based Violence

Georgetown: The Delegation of the EU in Guyana hosted a civil society forum on Gender Based Violence [GBV] at the Georgetown Marriott. The event was attended by a wide cross section of civil society stakeholders working in areas of human and gender rights.

The event took the form of a skit performance on domestic abuse by Merundoi Incorporated called Leave Before It's Too Late, and an excerpt from a documentary film called Six Days, which deals with the work of women's rights activists in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

 Addressing the gathering Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana, Ambassador, Jernej Videtič highlighted that, ''the EU has supported a number of initiatives in Guyana to tackle gender-based violence in recent years, including providing financial support to organisations dealing with domestic abuse such as Help & Shelter, Merundoi, ChildLink, the Child Care and Protection Agency, and others.'' He further pointed out that, ''violence against women and girls is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and systemic gender-based discrimination. The right of women and children to live free of violence depends on the protection of their human and legal rights. In this year, the fiftieth year of Guyana's independence, it is time to finally remove the scourge of gender-based violence.''

 Representing the Ministry of Social Protection, Gender Specialist, Mr Adel Lilly pointed out that, ''awareness-raising campaigns are critical to prevent Gender Based Violence, not only by raising awareness of what constitutes violence and its unacceptability, but also to challenge the underlying attitudes and behaviours which support it.

Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world, one of the least prosecuted crimes, and one of the greatest threats to lasting peace and development. This violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, nations and societies. If left unaddressed, these human rights violations pose serious consequences for current and future generations and for efforts to ensure peace and security, to achieve long-term development. The effects of violence can remain with women and children for a lifetime, and can pass from one generation to another. Studies show that children who have witnessed, or been subjected to, violence are more likely to become victims or abusers themselves.