The government is preparing to roll out a major technology-driven initiative aimed at tackling violence against women, a persistent and deeply rooted issue in the country.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali made the announcement during his keynote address at the third graduation ceremony of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which was held on Monday at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.
Speaking directly to the graduates, many of whom were women, the President said, “In the coming days, I will be launching a new programme for women. As I’ve told the country before, we will be using technology to its fullest. This initiative will help us aggressively address violence against women, it’s a massive technology programme.”
President Ali highlighted that over 70 per cent of GOAL graduates are women, a milestone he acknowledged by asking the female graduates to stand and be recognised. He described their success as essential to the nation’s development.
The announcement comes as the country continues to grapple with troubling incidents of gender-based violence. Just last month, 30-year-old Felecia Dharamgeet was stabbed multiple times by her husband at their Bladen Hall home. Though discharged from the hospital, she remains in fear for her life. Her husband has not yet been arrested, and her 11-year-old son was also injured during the attack.
In another case, Cuban national Dabelis Miranda Morales lost her life, and her mother was critically injured after being allegedly stabbed by the mother’s partner on May 23.
In February, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud also called for stronger action against gender-based violence. She acknowledged that some reports are not being taken seriously by law enforcement and urged the Guyana Police Force to fulfil its duty to protect victims.
She also noted the continued issues with the ministry’s 914 emergency hotline, which has not been functioning reliably.
