Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court yesterday signed contribution agreements with two local NGOs that are addressing domestic violence.

According to a press release from the Canadian High Commission, the agreements will pave the way to provide support to the project initiatives of Help and Shelter and the Airy Hall Development Group through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Help and Shelter will receive $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.

High Commissioner Charles Court (second from right) , Head of Development (CIDA) Raymond Drouin (right) and Chairman of Airy Hall Development Group Bidiawatie Persaud look on as Project Coordinator Kumarie Mohamed signs the agreement.

Meanwhile the Airy Hall group will be given $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 along the Essequibo Coast.

The statement said the recently released multiple cluster survey found that violence against women and children is a widespread problem in the Guyanese society. It is also three times more prevalent among rural women than urban women.

The High Commission said it is pleased to support the two groups in stemming the effects of domestic violence.  Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court yesterday signed contribution agreements with two local NGOs that are addressing domestic violence. According to a press release from the Canadian High Commission, the agreements will pave the way to provide support to the project initiatives of Help and Shelter and the Airy Hall Development Group through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Help and Shelter will receive $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. Meanwhile the Airy Hall group will be given $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 along the Essequibo Coast. The statement said the recently released multiple cluster survey found that violence against women and children is a widespread problem in the Guyanese society. It is also three times more prevalent among rural women than urban women. The High Commission said it is pleased to support the two groups in stemming the effects of domestic violence.