Further Support from the Government & People of Canada

Press Release :CANADA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS INVOLVED IN MITIGATING EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, H.E. Charles Court today signed contribution agreements with two local NGOs that are addressing the challenging issue of domestic violence in Guyana. The agreements will pave the way to provide necessary support to the project initiatives of Help and Shelter and Airy Hall Development Group through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) Specifically, Help and Shelter will receive G$1,436,000 to acquire four computers and electronic equipment that will be used for its hotline programme, by its face-to-face and court-support counsellors, and also to facilitate research and efficient data compilation. The Airy Hall Development Group will be given G$1,970,000 for a 12 month project, to train facilitators to work with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence; host seminars, lectures and counselling sessions for students and teachers; and develop and distribute information pamphlets and posters on the Essequibo coast. The recently released multiple cluster survey (MICS) indicates that domestic violence is a challenge. Violence against women and children is a widespread problem in the Guyanese society, and is three times as prevalent among rural women as among urban women. Canada is delighted to support two civil society groups that have been working to mitigate the effects of this problem across Guyana. CONTACT: Carol Anne Persaud Canadian High Commission Young & High Streets, Georgetown Tel:  227 2081-5 Ext.  3403