GEF Holds Second Annual Sunday Fun Day for International Day of Peace

    U.N. Resident Coordinator, and Director of Youth spoke of national importance to foster peace and development

The Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) on Sunday last commemorated International Day of Peace with their second annual “Peace Day Sunday Fun Day” in which five teams from various civil society and youth groups competed in eighteen activities, including novelty games and sports. 

International Day of Peace was celebrated under the theme “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace” which supports the GEF's mandate of human rights and equality for all Guyanese since gender equality, quality education, good health, reduced inequalities, peace and justice are all sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

Peace and Equality 

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the event, the new United Nations Resident Coordinator for Guyana, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka expressed that peace is created in synergy with all the SDGs. Numerous studies, she said, have pointed out that poverty, hunger, unemployment, competition over natural resources such as land and water are factors that contribute to conflict. “Education and wellbeing, including living in balance with our natural environment and mitigating risks from disasters, are important drivers to sustainable development and peace.” Speaking of equality, she said that “peace can only be appreciated if we are all equal, despite our gender, race, sexual orientation, spoken language, religion or which part of the country we are from.” 

Advocates Brief Minister Norton on Key Issues for HIV Meeting at the UN this Week

On the evening of Monday, June 6, representatives from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), on behalf of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), met with the Minister of Public Health, Hon. Dr. George Norton, M.P. ahead of the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV (HLM), that is set to take place at the UN Headquarters in New York, from Wednesday June 8 to Friday 10, 2016.

The GEF representatives attending the HHLM are Miriam Edwards of the Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC) and the Caribbean Sex Workers Coalition (CSWC), Devanand Milton of Guyana Trans United (GTU) and John Quelch of SASOD. The three local groups led by key populations are also members of the regional Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC).

SASOD’s Managing Director, Joel Simpson, Projects Coordinator, John Quelch and Advocacy and Communications Officer Schemel Patrick,  attended the meeting with the Minister Norton to discuss the important opportunities the HLM presents for both government and civil society in the global AIDS response, particularly as it relates to setting bold new targets for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, human rights and the legal framework, young people, women and girls, key populations, financing and investment.

GEF Delegation Lobbies Minister Greenidge on Human Rights Concerns

On Friday, April 8, a delegation representing the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Carl Greenidge along with Foreign Service Officers, Jason Fields and Vonetta Victor, to follow up on the thematic hearing between the GEF and Guyana at the 154th period of sessions before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held a year ago in March 2015.

Sabine McIntosh, President of the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) along with Managing Director, Joel Simpson, and Advocacy and Communications Office, Schemel Patrick of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) attended the meeting with the Minister to call attention to Guyana’s international commitments and remind the state of its obligations to address discrimination in the enjoyment of social, economic and cultural rights in Guyana.

Civil Society Groups Charge the Media to be Sensitive and Responsible when Reporting on Suicide

The Guyana Equality Forum and collaborating partners, Global Shapers Community – Georgetown Hub, Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) - Guyana and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), charge the local media to be careful and responsible when reporting in Guyana.

The alarming rise in suicide and attempted suicide has propelled the issue of the state of mental health in Guyana to the forefront of public discourse. The media has been steadfast in its coverage of this issue, and must be commended for keeping the issue prominent in an effort to find solutions. While we recognize that suicide affects us all, and will continue to be a subject of news, media coverage should be done in a manner that is responsible and supports the national effort to curb suicide in Guyana.

The groups have observed that in the reporting of suicide stories, the age, means, identity, suspected reasons and other factors are expressed in detail in reports published by the local media. Added to this, the use of sensational headlines and the fanfare of media broadcast on suicide as “breaking news” provides unintended glorifications of these acts to persons who are already contemplating suicide. Not only is such reporting irresponsible, but it can contribute to the phenomenon known as “Copycat Suicides.” Anecdotal evidence suggests that this may also be happening in Guyana.

GEF, SASOD Host Sunday Fun Day to Mark International Day of Peace

On Sunday, September 20, the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) and partners hosted “Sunday Fun Day: Peace Day Novelty Sports and Health Fair” at the Eve Leary Sports Ground, on the eve of the International Day of Peace, celebrated globally on September 21.

The GEF has recognized the importance of partnering with other key stakeholders as a means of collectively promoting the rights of marginalized groups in Guyana. “Sunday Fun Day: Peace Day Novelty Sports and Health Fair” capitalized on a HIV prevention activity under SASOD’s sexual health  project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) project. Deliberately held on September 20, 2015, the eve of the International Day for Peace (IDP) - the United Nations observance dedicated to strengthening the ideas of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples - the event was held to promote peace, human rights, general health and well-being for all Guyanese.. This year’s IDP theme is “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” which fits squarely with the GEF's mandate of human rights and equality for all Guyanese. The Sunday Fun Day also aimed to promote positive health and well-being, foster youth participation and civic engagement and uphold human rights and equality for all Guyanese.

(l - r) Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Khadija Musa; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Youth, Culture and Sport, Nicolette Henry and USAID - Advancing Partners and Communities

BRIEF REMARKS by Raphael Trotman, Hon. Minister of Governance

BRIEF REMARKS 

by Raphael Trotman, Hon. Minister of Governance

Official Opening of the Civil Society Policy Policy Advocacy Training

Greetings, and congratulations to SASOD and GEF for recognising the need for training to enhance the engagement among stakeholders on matters that affect everyone.  The Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacities Strengthening Project funded by the EU recognises the importance of Civil Society organisations specifically targeting those with the most need, those who may be forgotten in our haste to achieve development targets and increase the economic wealth of our country and those existing on the fringe of society, unsure of their way in. 

An active, vibrant, well informed populace is critical to ensuring that its interests are addressed by its leaders and civil society’s advocacy is the vehicle through which this goal can be achieved.  Advocacy should not be seen however as an excuse for the trampling of the rights of others in an effort to achieve group goals but rather must be exercised with the intention of building relationships and strengthening democracy.  Civil society organisations that actively work with the most vulnerable are best positioned to inform and guide the process towards the creation of public policies that are inclusive and effective.

The Government of Guyana is one for all peoples in this land and embraces active, respectful engagements with representatives of civil society in the creation of policies and in their implementation.  The right to access to information and participation in the formulation of policies and programmes is enshrined in a number of our critical laws including the Access to Information Act and are being upheld by this new administration. 

The development of Guyana depends largely on the ability of its diverse groups to collaborate and make decisions that move the country forward.  As such, I call on each of you participating in this capacity building exercise to envision over the next two days how you can positively influence and impact the creation of a better Guyana, a more informed and cohesive Guyana. 

We look forward to future engagements that will see public policy advocacy that result in Guyana achieving the greatest good for its people. 

Best wishes for fruitful discussions and tangible outcomes. 

Feature Remarks by Mr. Benedikt Madl, Head, Bilateral Cooperation

Feature Remarks 

delivered by Mr. Benedikt Madl, Head, Bilateral Cooperation
Public Policy Advocacy Training 

for the Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacity Strengthening Project

September 16, 2015 at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown

Madam Chairperson
Members of the Head Table

Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Representatives of Civil Society Organisations

Mr. Benedikt Madl, Head, Bilateral Cooperation

Good morning.

It is my honour that I today represent the European Union to deliver the feature remarks at this opening session of the Public Policy Advocacy Training.  This training forms an integral part of the European Union funded Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacities Strengthening Project which is being executed by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

First, I would like to congratulate and applaud Joel Simpson and the team at SASOD for this initiative which aims to strengthen and further empower the many civil society organisations present here in their approach and engagement with the decision and policy makers in Guyana.  Coming on the heels of the baseline and mapping studies earlier undertaken in the project, this Public Policy Advocacy Training having been informed of the needs of your organisations, will provide you with the principles and practices of effective public policy and for effective public consultations with the policy makers in Guyana.   

Guyana Vulnerable Capacities Strengthening Project Overview

By: John Quelch

at the Opening of the Civil Society Public Policy Advocacy Training 

John Quelch, Projects Coordinator

Head of Bilateral Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Mr. Benedikt Madl, other members of the head table, members of the media, colleagues, good morning to you all. It’s my distinct honour to share with you a brief overview of the Guyana Vulnerable Capacities Strengthening Project.

The EU-funded Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacities Strengthening Project was designed to contribute towards the equitable treatment of all peoples in Guyana by supporting efforts to strengthen the participation of vulnerable persons and their representative organisations in decision-making processes of the state. This is continuously being achieved through strengthening the capacities of marginalized groups in Guyana, with the strong alliances of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), and other Civil Society Organisations and partners, to effect key social, legal and policy changes in the country which advance full equality and citizenship for the vulnerable people in Guyana.

Marginalised Groups Prepare to Engage Next Government on Rights Policy Issues

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, on Thursday April 16, 2015 hosted the Civil Society Stakeholders Consultation for the Guyanese Vulnerable Communities Capacities Strengthening Project, funded by the delegation of the European Union to Guyana, which aims to build civil society capacity to better engage policy decision-makers at all levels of government. The two-day conference, held at the Grand Coastal Hotel at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, marked the end of the first phase of the project. Chaired by SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator, Chelauna Providence, the conference’s opening was attended by representatives of civil society groups working with marginalised communities, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations and other special invitees.

John Quelch, Project Coordinator, opened the ceremony highlighting the objectives of the project and the intended outcomes that will benefit the work and advocacy of civil society organisations (CSOs) representing marginalised communities. Quelch outlined the three phases of the project and the relevance of each to its eventual success. The first phase concludes with this consultation with members of civil society, on the findings of Baseline and Mapping Studies, conducted by the three consultants drawn from the Commonwealth, Gordon Floyd; Caribbean, Deborah Nurse; and Guyana, Kesaundra Alves. The Baseline Study measures the current level of capacity among Guyanese civil society to engage in public policy advocacy on behalf of vulnerable groups. The Mapping Study describes the processes by which policy decisions are made in the Guyanese context and highlights key opportunities for civil society to intervene and participate. Quelch related that the project is timely in light of upcoming elections. “Guyanese civil society will now be more equipped to engage the engage the next government and twelfth parliament on behalf of the marginalized groups we serve. We are preparing to take collective and pro-active action to have human rights issues addressed now – both during the campaign and when the next government and parliament takes office after the May 11 polls. We are no longer waiting. Our issues must be addressed now,” Quelch said.

Local Civil Society Groups Plug Equality at Youth Rally

A number of youth organisations and groups took part in the Human Rights Day Youth Rally on Wednesday, December 10 to demonstrate that “Youth Voices Matter.” The Youth Rally was held in  observance  of World  Human  Rights  Day  and the goal of  the  event  was  to  educate,  engage  and  empower  young people  about basic human rights. The idea was to highlight that human rights belong to everyone, everywhere and that youth voices matter; and  most importantly, that youth should be involved – educated, engaged and empowered - to address rights issues affecting their communities.

Individuals painting their Human Rights Day Messages at the Mural

Even with some rainfall the event was able to engage patrons through cultural presentations, which saw a number of talented youth addressing human rights through song, dance, poetry, and musical renditions. Local artistes who performed included Chelsie France, Francis Bailey, Katina Benn, Anesa Slater, Elsie Harry, Music Unlimited and the Deaf Association of Guyana’s drumming group. 

Representatives from the Deaf Association of Guyana preforming at the cultural concert

There was mural painting which provided an engaging platform for persons of all ages and walks of life to express their thoughts and feelings about human rights through art. The information station served to provide youth-focused and rights-based organisations with an opportunity to share information about their organization, the work they do and how other young people can become involved. It also served to educate visitors about the services that exist and how they can become involved in addressing various rights issues.

The photo booth provided an opportunity for persons to support various visual advocacy campaigns. The Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM), which is the youth arm of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), ran a photo-framing and message-painting campaign to promote young people’s expression and advocacy for their sexual and reproductive rights, while SASOD launched its Instagram page coinciding with World Human Rights Day to promote equality for all Guyanese every day, adopting the United Nations’ hashtag for the global campaign, #rights365. Human  Rights  Day,  observed  globally  on  December  10,  provides the opportunity  to  celebrate human rights, highlight challenges, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights, for everyone, everywhere. Human Rights Day is aimed at bringing awareness to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through this event, focus was also placed on the Convention on the Rights of a Child to encourage young people to promote the rights of children in Guyana as well, as abuses against children are far too common in our society. 

Participants at Human Rights Day Express Yourself Photo Booth

The Human Rights Day Youth Rally was hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), a network of civil society organisations working for equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. GEF members who participated in the event include the Guyana Trans United (GTU), Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People (GOIP), S4 Foundation, Blue CAPS, Help and Shelter, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) – Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) and the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG). Other partners also included are the Volunteerism Support Platform, Caribbean Youth Environmental Network,   Global Sharpers – Georgetown Hub, REDbandaid Foundation, Guyana National Youth Council and the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS (GBCHA). The GEF thanks everyone who took part in the Youth Rally or supported the event.

Over 300 Strong Walk for Equality to End All Violence in Guyana

Over 300 persons from all walks of life took part in the Walk for Equality on Sunday, February 9, to say “No to violence”. Despite heavy rain at the start of the event, people came from as far away as New Amsterdam, Moraikabai, Linden and Parika. There was an impressive turnout from the Catholic and Anglican churches, youth groups, and members of the diplomatic corps. Participants included His Lordship Bishop Alleyne, OSB, leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, MP, and Stabroek News’ columnist, Iana Seales.

His Excellency Francisco Olguin, Ambassador of Mexico (left), His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB (middle) and Khemraj Ramjattan, MP (right) participating in the Walk for Equality.

The purpose of the walk was to bring people together and to celebrate our common humanity and dignity by saying no to violence. Melinda Janki of the Justice Institute Guyana, and Joel Simpson of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), led the walkers as they chanted “No More silence! No to Violence!!” with banners and placards.

Melinda Janki (far right) from the Justice Institute Guyana and Joel Simpson (far left) leading the Walk.

At the closing rally at the Parade Ground, Vanda Radzik speaking in an individual capacity gave some stirring remarks about the influences of culture on gender and society. Ms. Radzik is also a Commissioner on the Women and Gender Equality Commission.
Melinda Janki stated, “We have to respect people even if they do things we do not like. We can condemn the behaviour but not the person.”
Melinda Janki called for justice for Colwyn Harding and other victims of police brutality, but she also asked the crowd to remember the police officers who had been killed while on duty.
“Lance Corporal Sherwin Panlitz: shot and killed close to here on Middle Street. Lance Corporal Michael Forde also shot and killed in the same incident. Corporal Romain Cleto: gunned down. We also have to say NO to violence against our police officers.”

Justice Institute Guyana's Melinda Janki making her remarks at the closing rally.

Wintress White, a survivor of gender-based violence and member of Red Thread, read out the names of 29 persons who were killed by their intimate partners in 2013. She referred to Guyana's $35,000. minimum wage as a form of economic violence which often leads to domestic abuse. She reiterated the message on Red Thread's banner, “The first step to ending all violence is to end state violence.” “If we want to end violence, we have to stop beating our children – end corporal punishment now! If we want to the end violence, then police must stop brutalising and raping our youths; our young men and boys, and our women and girls,” White said.

Red Thread's Wintress White speaking at the closing rally.

Also speaking at the rally was Paula Niles, aunt of Wesley Holder, also known as Tiffany – a transgender teen who was murdered in January 2012. Ms. Niles showed photos as she spoke of her undying love for Tiffany. She was followed by Seon Clarke of the Guyana Trans United, also known as Falatama or Angel, who recounted the violence she experienced by the police during the February 2009 crackdown against cross-dressing in Georgetown.
Concluding the speeches was Dr. Philbert London of Archbishop of Beacon Ministries who urged the gathering to say no to violence and yes to love. His charge was one asking persons to be more loving and forgiving towards each other.

Dr. Philbert London, Archbishop of Beacon Ministries, delivering closing remarks

The Walk for Equality is an event of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), a group of civil society organisations working for equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. GEF members who marched include Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness, Guyana Trans United, Red Thread, Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People, Guyana Sex Work Coalition, Youths For Guyana, Artistes In Direct Support, Justice Institute Guyana, S4 Foundation, Help and Shelter, among others, along with SASOD, which serves as the GEF's secretariat.

                                                                                                                                                                           

           Red Thread and Guyana Trans United banners on display at Parade Ground.

His Excellency Francisco Olguin, Ambassador of Mexico, and Ms. Olguin, Mr Derek Lambe of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, and Ms. Lambe, and Ms. Kadija Mousa, Resident Representative of UNDP, were present on the Walk. There were walks in solidarity, including at Hopetown in Berbice, and at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

The GEF thanks everyone who took part in the Walk or supported the event. We thank the musicians for giving us their time and wonderful music. We thank Pegasus Hotel – Guyana, Mr. and Ms. Bernie Fernandes and an anonymous donor for providing water for the walkers. We thank the police officers who took us safely through the city traffic. Special thanks also to the nurses from the Guyana Nurses Association who were on call at the Walk for Equality to provide first-aid assistance, in the event of a medical emergency. Thanks too to Vic Insanally for donating some of the printed banners for this Walk. We also acknowledge with sincere gratitude the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana which enabled the GEF to give participants tee-shirts stating “Equal Rights and Justice for All / No to Violence.”

Civil Society Experts Urge More Men to Help End Gender-Based Violence

Civil society experts are calling for more men to become involved in the response to the escalating pandemic of gender-based violence in Guyana. The call was made at a film screening and panel discussion hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), and its partners, on Monday, November 25, 2013 in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The film screening and panel discussion, which was held at Moray House in Georgetown, was the kick-off awareness-raising event for the 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence which culminates on December 10, 2013 - Human Rights Day.  Two films were screened to stimulate the panel discussion about gender-based violence. The first, “Audre Lorde - The Berlin Years: 1984 - 1992,”produced and donated by Dr. Dagmar Schultz, chronicles the years the acclaimed black, feminist, lesbian poet and activist, Audre Lorde, spent in Berlin, and her contributions to the Afro-German women's movement and her contributions to the German discourse on racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, classism, and homophobia within the black movement, and the black and white women’s movement. The second film, “Voices of Survivors” is a short documentary produced by Red Thread which shares the heart-wrenching stories of Guyanese women who have suffered domestic violence.

                                                                   Event Flyer

Both films proved very insightful and catalyzed discussions on respecting differences and the influence of religion on the socio-cultural norms which lead to gender-based violence. Much of the discussion centered on how some faith-based organisations perpetuate this violence; and conversely, the role of religious institutions as safe spaces and places of solace for victims of gender-based violence. Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Executive Director of GRPA, pointed out that the church is breaking its silence and speaking up against domestic violence.

Also speaking on the panel, Eric Phillips, Executive Director of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), lead the call for more men to be involved in the movement to end gender-based violence but also contended that women's leadership, especially political leadership, is very important to this issue. 

Mr. Eric Phillips of ACDA speaking at the panel discussion

The other panelists were Karen De Souza from Red Thread, and Daunta Radzik representing Help and Shelter. They all noted that the level of violence within the family is alarming and that more has to be done to discourage others from being passive onlookers whenever abuse is occurring. Karen De Souza pointed out that  religious organisations need to be part of a comprehensive national plan to end gender-based violence and that the message has to come from them that “as important as the family is, it cannot be erected as more important than the safety of the women and children of the family.” Danuta Radzik commented that violence exists because of inequalities in relationships between men and women and that, to some degree, it is perpetuated by fear. “The fears and prejudices that suppress women are similar in nature to those that lead to discrimination against homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders,” Radzik added. 

(From left to right) Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth of GRPA and Ms. Karen De Souza of Red Thread participating in the panel discussion

Other recommendations from the panel and the audience include the need to address violence against children, and expanding the Health and Family Life Education curriculum to include topics about sexuality and violence. There was also a call for the strengthening of institutional frameworks created to protect victims of  gender-based violence, and for material resources to be provided to support persons to leave abusive relationships. The discussions were moderated by SASOD's Co-Chair, Joel Simpson. 

(From left to right) GRPA's Rev. Patricia Sherrattan-Bisnauth, SASOD's Joel Simpson and Help and Shelter's Danuta Radzik after the panel discussion

Partnering with the GEF to host the event were GRPA, Red Thread, Help and Shelter, The Mothers' Union of the Anglican Church, Guyana Rainbow Foundation and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD). The GEF is a network of civil society groups working cohesively to achieve equality and realise human rights for all Guyanese. The GEF is currently chaired by Red Thread while SASOD serves as its administrative secretariat. The event was funded by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice through SASOD.

Please see more photos on our website - http://sasod.org.gy/photos-idevaw-film-screening-and-panel-discussion