EU/UN Spotlight Initiative fills significant gaps in national response to gender-based violence in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - As the benefits of strong partnerships continue to show merit in executing the strategic goals of the Spotlight Initiative (SI) in Guyana, seven of the programme’s Implementing Partners (IPs) have lauded the programme for filling major gaps as it relates to gender-based issues in Guyana since its establishment, including creating increased access, reach and referral of gender-based violence (GBV) services to persons in need. 

These sentiments were shared during two live Facebook dialogues, held on December 1 and 6, where discussions focused on the impact of the Spotlight Initiative in Guyana to date. Under the Spotlight Initiative, key programme partnerships were established with the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) as well as partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) that are instrumental in implementing the programme in communities. 

CSOs have conducted awareness and sensitisation efforts with community members, and worked with community leaders and residents on intervention and prevention programmes. Psychosocial services were provided to over 2217 beneficiaries, including survivors of GBV in regions  1, 4, 5, and 7. This included counselling and forensic interviews for survivors of GBV as well as referrals for other supportive services, community-based awareness and advocacy initiatives. 

Through this service provision came the operationalisation of the first Child Advocacy Centres in Region 6, realised through a collaboration between the Child Protection Agency of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and ChildLink Inc. (a local NGO). The one-stop centres for child survivors of sexual assault provide child-safe and child-friendly spaces for abused children and their families. At the centres, children share their stories and get help to overcome the trauma suffered, including support for access to justice. So far, over 125 forensic interviews conducted and more than 136 cases of child sexual abuse have been supported through interventions at the centers.

In the communities of Matthew’s Ridge, Region 1 and in Batavia and Waramadong, in Region 7, gatekeeper groups were established to provide safe spaces for women and children. Residents trained to administer various GBV support services conduct awareness and sensitisation outreaches to empower women and youths in their communities. To date, there are a combined total of 66 members.

Over 300 persons including Government officers, community leaders, community small businesses, civil society organisations, faith-based leaders, and the leadership of spotlight target communities were trained in varying aspects of GBV support services as part of capacity building exercises. 

These organisations have all lauded the Spotlight Initiative’s ability to bring greater visibility to all the matters surrounding GBV and create the opportunity to work with people in remote territories that were previously unreachable as two of the programme's greatest strengths. In the new year, the collaborative work with the IPs will aim to continue the positive trajectory that has thus far been seen in the fight against gender-based violence in Guyana. 

The dialogues were hosted as part of the observances of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.  The participating Implementing Partners were Child Link Inc.,  Blossom Inc., Youth Challenge Guyana, Merundoi Inc., the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Help and Shelter and the St Francis Community Developers.

Spotlight Initiative Programme Coordinator, Ms Adele Clarke was also in attendance at both events and welcomed the support of the IPs, stating that through partnerships with all stakeholders, the SI has been able to meet with community leaders and other persons who would have previously been inaccessible.