In a move to significantly address gender-based violence, a state-of-the-art Hope and Justice Hub has been inaugurated at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara on Friday in an initiative that is part of Government’s dedicated endeavours to combat such offences.
Its inauguration has received collaborative support from the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Human Services under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-backed Support for the Criminal Justice System programme.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, delivered a compelling address during the commissioning ceremony, in which he lauded the centre as a distinctive element in the collective battle against gender-based offences.
The Hope and Justice Hub at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara
He emphasised the immediate provision of services to victims based on their specific allegations when he said, “When the victim comes here, depending on the allegation, you have a number of services that they will immediately receive. And most importantly, there is a facility here that will allow for that person to be accommodated for periodic intervals.”
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC (DPI photo)
Acknowledging the persistent challenges posed by gender-based violence, Minister Nandlall highlighted the upcoming Family Violence Bill which is slated for presentation to the National Assembly shortly. That bill, a meticulously crafted piece of legislation that has benefited from extensive consultations with civil society groups and stakeholders, will overhaul the existing Domestic Violence Act.
He remarked, “We cannot give up, because this can very well consume all of us. We therefore have to continue to battle, and pursue traditional methods while we explore new opportunities and new innovations as we continue to march in our efforts to overcome this beast that resides right across the length and breadth of our country.”
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud (DPI Photo)
Meanwhile, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud emphasised the timely nature of the center’s intervention as she considered the global and national prevalence of gender-based violence.
She unveiled plans for a distinctive orange colour scheme and design for similar centres across the country, thereby ensuring their easy recognition by those in need.
“The distinctive colour of this building: orange, is one that speaks to the recognition of violence. So, it (the building) has all been meticulously crafted and constructed, taking into account all of the nuances and the details that deal with gender-based violence,” she explained.
Dr Persaud also announced a forthcoming programme at the Human Services and Social Security Ministry that would be aimed at rehabilitating perpetrators of gender-based violence. That programme would be aligned with the ongoing Restorative Justice initiative.
Inside of the Hope and Justice Hub
“It is an important thing when we can have the kind of harmonising in the services that we offer towards the common goal of reducing and eradicating gender-based violence, which continues to wreak havoc globally and nationally,” Dr Persaud has said.
This commissioning ceremony was attended by key figures, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Madame Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus; Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliott; IDB Country Representative for Guyana, Lorena Solorzano Salazar; SCJS Programme Manager Indira Anandjit, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished officials. (G9)
