Region 2 anti-violence, sexual harassment campaign launched

The Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) last week, launched a campaign to eliminate family violence and sexual harassment in the workplace in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). The campaign was launched in observance of International Day Against the Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls which was observed on November 25.
Chairperson of the Commission, Indra Chandarpal, reminded that International Day Against the Elimination of all Forms of Violence is observed yearly by the United Nations on November 25.

She explained that the focus of the commission this year is to present visible messages to the public through posters and billboards to workers from various work places.
Suggestion boxes also will be available so that persons who face various forms of abuse can ink their feelings and drop it into the box.
The WGEC is advocating for an end to family violence and sexual harassment, which has long-term effects on victims’ lives.
Posters were presented to the Region’s Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson and also to officers from various departments within the Regional system.
Chandarpal explained that sexual harassment is an unwelcome act, comment, gesture or physical contact of a sexual nature, and advised that anyone faced with such can contact the commission.
Participants included women from the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee along with Nandranie Coonjah, Haliema Khan and Nicole Cole.
The Women and Gender Equality Commission operates under the mission of promoting gender mainstreaming in all policies and programmes as well as to educate everyone on the benefits of gender equality and ending gender-based violence.
The WGEC is one of four commissions for the promotion and enhancement of fundamental rights and the rule of law that was established under Section 212G of the Constitution. Members were appointed in the National Assembly on 21 May, 2009.