Gov’t to open first domestic violence `white zone’ Nov. 29

-Skeldon declaration to be signed at No.68 Village

The Ministry of Human Services is launching a year-long campaign against domestic violence which will see the opening of the first `White Zone’ where victims of violence can go for help.

GINA last night said that Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand during a panel discussion on the National Communications Network (NCN)  disclosed that the campaign starts with the signing of the Skeldon Declaration in Number 68 Village, Corentyne on November 29.

The panel discussion yesterday was part of the activities in observance of the International Day against Violence against Women which will be marked internationally on November 25, 2010.
The Declaration, according to Manickchand, aims to encourage men to pledge their commitment to end violence against women. On this day also, the first White Zone will be officially opened offering a place where victims of violence can go to get help if they are threatened or abused in their homes.
GINA reported Manickchand as saying that she is optimistic about the countrywide awareness strategy as it is practical.
She said that the newly formed Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) headed by Patrick Findley will be collaborating with the Men’s Empowerment Network to reach every community over the next year and raise a white flag declaring open a white zone in each community.
GINA said the Minister also cautioned young women about the use of the internet as a means of engaging in abuse. She said that there have been several reported incidents involving young girls who were victims of abuse by their former partners who published explicit photographs taken during the relationship.
She advised the young women to retain possession of such photographs if they are taken and not to share them with their partners as this can make them vulnerable to abuse via the internet.
This issue, she said, will also be included in the Ministry’s campaign on violence against women.
Head of the Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Abass Mancey who was also a panelist emphasised that collaboration among various agencies and organisations is important in addressing the challenges to combating domestic violence, GINA reported.
Mancey said that males also have challenges as they too are abused. He added that efforts will be made by the members of the unit to approach various male dominated workplaces and other institutions to interact with the male staff, the release added.
Hymwattie Lagan, Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) noted that there has been a tremendous response by women to the campaigns against domestic violence as they are coming forward to report abuse.
She said this is indicative that the campaigns to raise awareness against such acts that were initiated by Government, NGOs and various faith based organizations have proven to be successful.
Findley of the MAB stated that men want to tell their side of the story and the MAB will create the opportunity for them to share their feelings.
He noted that over the next year the MAB will meet men across the country in their own comfort zone and listen to their concerns, GINA said.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand (centre), Head of the Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Abass Mancey (right), Hymwattie Lagan of the Women’s Affairs Bureau (second from right) and Patrick Findley of the Men Affairs Bureau (second from left) at the panel discussion. (GINA photo)
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand (centre), Head of the Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Abass Mancey (right), Hymwattie Lagan of the Women’s Affairs Bureau (second from right) and Patrick Findley of the Men Affairs Bureau (second from left) at the panel discussion. (GINA photo)