An official in Port Kaituma, Region One has raised an alarm about recent under-age pregnancies, but Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand says there is little that can be done if the cases are not reported to the police.
Priya Manickchand
Vice-Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Port Kaituma Richard Allen recently told Stabroek News that he has a list of seven teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 who are either pregnant or have recently given birth. He said while there are reports of others, he acquired the names of those who were still in school at the time of their pregnancies.
Allen said he became concerned after seeing many teenagers pregnant and he approached the ministry’s welfare officer who informed him that there is nothing much he could do if the children did not want to report the matter. “But I don’t understand this; we are leaving our children just to be damaged? There must be something we can do. Can they not even charge the parents? Something has to be done,” Allen told Stabroek News in a recent interview.
However, when contacted Minister Manickchand said while there is no doubt when a child becomes pregnant before the age of 16 it is a case of statutory rape, there is nothing her ministry or the police can do if the child or her parents does not want to report the matter. While counselling can be provided, the minister noted that everything is told in confidence and even if the welfare officer might be tempted to report the matter, she questioned who would stand in the witness box and identify the perpetrator. “It is going to impossible for us to do something because there is no complaint or complainant,” the minister said. She said if the matter is reported to the police without the support of the child or her parents then the police officer would have difficulty in deciding what charges to be laid and against whom. “If people don’t come forward there is nothing we can do,” the minister reiterated.
She recalled that teenage pregnancy was one of the issues raised during her consultation for the ‘Stamp it Out’ document in the Port Kaituma area but none of the persons wanted to come forward and make reports.
Meanwhile, according to Allen, four of the seven teenagers are from Port Kaituma, two from Arakaka and one from Matthews Ridge. He said he is very concerned about the development and while he is aware that it is an issue that is facing many communities in the country he wants something to be done to save the teenage girls from men he described as predators.
The neighbourhood democratic council official also said that there is the worrying issue of children being used in the backdams as prostitutes. He said this is being done with the approval of their parents and no amount of talking to the businessmen who are encouraging such actions has seen them removing these girls from their premises.
While he plans to make a visit to the areas, he is uncertain how much he could achieve if the parents of the children and the business persons are working to ensure that the situation continues.
The official also complained about several children who are now without fathers. These children were fathered by Chinese nationals who worked with a timber company in the area but have since returned to their homeland. And approaches made to the company in an effort to solicit some assistance for the fatherless children have been futile. “I know there is nothing really they can do, but I feel very sorry for the children they don’t have any fathers really,” he said.
Children are being solicited by predators in high government offices and TORTURED in Guyana, yet this woman’s focus is on teenage pregnancy.
Bismattie, teenage pregnancy along with torturing are two of the social concerns that all of us Guyanese should be focused on as these are indications of a failed society, especially if those teenagers are of school age. Everything should be done to ensure that those who are most vonurable are protected not victimized. I believe this is one of the basic responsibility of an elected government.
This is true MACK. Both crises are equally as alarming.
A lot can be done about this. Where there is a will a way can always be found. This minister should assemble a legal team to work out new laws for starters! Let’s see who will have the courage to kill those proposals in parliament! Educating these children and parents are not enough.
You sure right. Until now I’m still wondering why the cops thought the 14 yr old child was involved in the killing of Mr.Bisram. All indication suggest that he opened the door inviting the person who killed him into his home. If it was the 14 yr old then the question would be what on earth was a child doing at Mr. Bisram’s home at that hour in the night not forgetting that he was found naked. Something is not right and those officers who brutalized that child should have asked themselves the same question first. Just disgusted with the whole thing.
There are a lot to be done/can be do. I guess no-one heard of the phrase “prevention is better than cure”. What about educating the mass and the public and the most important question remains – who are the culprits impregnating these underage children…they need to fight this epedemic and be more aggressive in bringing education to these poorer villages.
You have a good point, but education does not help them and here is why: Every single government around the world has programs to educate people about the long term effects of early pregnancies and condoms are free in every single area (I saw them even at Maggies when I went there to get some pastries). The clinics are all equipped with reading material and free condoms; the depart of health is trying but the teenagers and even those in their forties continue to have unprotected sex, and the result is children they cannot afford. How could human services do anything about that? They are not with these teens when they are out and about at night doing their own thing. I spoke with several teens who looked me straight in the eye and said “no way, my man would not use that thing” besides, I want to feel the real thing. When I asked if they knew what the results of their actions can be, they all agree that thier mother or grandmother is going to raise the children (silly answer, isn’t it) because they seem to think that AIDS could never hit them. Oh did I mention that I spoked with 14 year olds who are on their second baby with the second man? No one can help these people but themselves. It is truly sad, because I see the result of such carlessness. This has nothing to do with the police, when the teens choose to do as they please, seems like some parents have no control over their children in our homeland today. The children end up being another burden on the taxpayers.
The Minister is quite right and SN should be complimented for reporting her views, apparently accurately.
The police cannot be going house to house invading family privacy and to see who is virgin etc. What the Ministry should however continue doing is its family education, including to the parents of the teenage daughters, on the need to be more sensible and think about continuing studies and getting a trade and so on.
Folks, its Sat,no need to huff and puff today. Me is wearing my poppy and me so glad Guyana continues to be good and caring hands with this government and that the Opposition has all the freedoms and I just feeling good and enjoying the the good life in Barbados (just say that to good naturedely needle the one or twoers who urging people to come back to Guyana to experience what they see as bad things there…….Peace
dubaiciti:
Thanks for the lower case. I’ll now be able to read your comments.
Just read your comments and I agree with all so eloquently expressed. I regret not reading your earlier postings but your “upper case” presentation was jarring to my old eyes. Looking forward to the reading of more of your comments.
Well said Borapork in reference to Dubaiciti.
You are right Faria, there is no crisis in Guyana, no torture, no underage pregnancy, no crime. The place is in good hands so go ahead and enjoy the good life. But be careful, you know what’s exposed when you keep your head in the sand like that.
Nothing else to do so make more children and become single parents…very lucrative venture.
this is the development randy persaud was referring to…
Indeed, especially with blackout every single day and night and if the majority of young women in Guyana today have no self esteem, then the taxpayers will forever be burdened Whatever to when I grow up I want to be a ……………… Somehow none of them ever say they want to have 4 children (without fathers) by their 21st birthday, yet I see so many of that everytime I go home and it is truly disturbing because they just don’t care about their future. No government is responsible for our future, either we have ambition, or we don’t. It cannot be purchased from any store and I often wish the teens in my homeland would realize that by having a ton of children (they are all aware of birth control but simply refuse to use it), they are destroying their own future, no one else’s. Sure I can understand one is a mistake, but 2 and 3 would have to be habit.
This is a most callous statement by the Minister. It seems intellect has been replaced by a radiant smile. An underage pregnant girl is evidence of statutory rape. You don’t need a report. You start an investigation and charge the pervert. Many of these cases are the result of incestuous relations not seen as taboo because of cultural beliefs.
It’s time for a new law that will allow the police to prosecute without having the parents reporting the matter. If the police observe that statutory rape has been committed then it shouldn’t be that they have to wait for someone to report it. Change the law NOW!
No new law is needed. A parent who fails to cooperate should be charged with aiding and abetting in the corruption of the morals of a minor. That law exists and should be applied.
Priya and her government should make laws to prevent this from happening or charge the parents,or let the companies pay compensation for their kids.
Let me understand what i am reading if the matter is not reported ref teenage pregnancy to the police,nothing cannot be done, but this suppose to be statutory rape if this was happening in GT at that rate something would have surely been done by the various organisations, but because Port Kaituma is an hinterland community like a lot of other, hinterland communities where these pregnancy goes unchecked Mr vice chairman you have a hard task ahead if the ministry of human services and the various bodies is not on board to assist good luck in your quest.
What has become of our beloved country? POVERTY is the MAIN CAUSE of such situation.These DIRTY GEEZERS must be dealt with along with the SICK PARENTS. Ms. Manickchand is absolutely right in her statement.
ps.
every time I look at Ms.Manickchand she reminds me of my two daughters.Priya you are a very pretty young WOMAN,you are like a strale of sun-light.You do not need the WHOLE STICK on your beautiful LIPS
BEAUTY ADVISE from TRENDY WENDY:- there is DAY and NIGHT make up;just the way one dresses to suit an occasion thats exactly how you make-up your face….U haff tante tellin she self “no wanda me kan fine dat coula lig-stick; AL DEA PON Priya LIP” Colourless gloss,light pink or an orangish-brown, in gloss or stick best suited for every-day work….save the sexy colours for PARTY-TIME
Teenagers all over the world are getting pregnant and are not reporting any sort of statutory rape because teenage pregnancies has always around in the past and will continue in the future.Educational systems can be put in place but will not stop it.One way of easing the amount of teenage pregnancies is by teaching safe sex which in turn would make these young girls more aware of the dangers of STDs and thus would avoid unprotected sex which in turn will help curb pregnancies.
We need to populate Guyana some more, with only 3\4 million people Guyana cannot economically sustain itself with no employees to employ. The government needs to implement a programme that encourages Guyanese women to make more children. For example, for very infant under the age of 16, the parent should receive a BABY BONUS cheque of 1500 dollars a month for each child, providing that the parent files an income tax yearly.
Guyana is not Canada with a reliable tax base to afford that kind of social programme.