The National Coordinating Coalition on Gender-Based Violence team continued their outreach in Barima Waini (Region One), stopping at Kaiarie & Islands on the Moruca River today. Nearly 50 community members, including 11 men, gathered to learn about GBV prevention and ways to combat it in their community.
GBV Specialist Ms. Buedeen Williams led the engagement, supported by Community Support Officer Ms. Jemima Franci who introduced the NCC’s services. The team’s Councillor Ms Griffith took some time to educate the gathering on the different types of abuse that occur, and how to detect and respond as a survivor or concerned person. She underscored the fact that men can also be survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence which was affirmed by some of the men and women gathered.
A highlight was an interactive demonstration of the GBV Digital platform by ICT Specialist Mr. Ishaka Jackman, with a male participant simulating use of the platform.
Senior Village Councilor of Kaiarie & Islands who facilitated the outreach, Mr. James Thomas commented on how gender-based violence and domestic abuse cases are currently handled locally. He shared that his approach is typically to first offer mediation between the survivor and perpetrator to resolve conflicts. However, law enforcement is brought in for more serious incidents.
One villager lamented the difficulty in getting survivors to come forward officially after other concerned community members initially report abuse. This highlights the importance of the NCC’s awareness and outreach efforts to break down stigmas.
At the conclusion, the team distributed care packages with essential items to families and individuals in the community. The GBV’s ability to bring services directly to remote areas like Kaiarie & Islands is vital for reaching and supporting those most in need particularly amongst the migrant population in this region.
The outreach continues with more village stops in Barima Waini planned over the coming days. The goal is to expand access to NGO NCC’s free of cost services of legal, psychosocial counseling, case management and other resources for gender-based violence survivors in Guyana’s hinterland regions with support from IDB Lab and Local Engagement and Action Fund – LEAF and High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname .