First Lady calls for end to “scourge” of domestic violence

Jul 03, 2016 News

Immediate Past President Cherri Peters-Grant (left) hands over a token of gratitude to First Lady Sandra Granger.

First Lady Sandra Ganger has called for more action to be taken against the scourge of domestic violence across all communities in Guyana. The First Lady stated her position during her feature address at the 32nd Installation Ceremony of the Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown Central, at the Georgetown Club.
Among attendees were the Inner Wheel Club’s Immediate Past President Cherri Peters-Grant, Vice President Cheryl Douglas, Current President Sheron Fraser and other members as well as special invitees.
Speaking as the first sitting First Lady to participate in such a ceremony for the Club, Granger told the audience that it was of profound importance that women unite against the adversities of domestic violence.
“We as women must not ignore or miniaturise the damage domestic violence has done and continues to do to us, our families, our children and our communities,” said First Lady Granger. She emphasised that voices against domestic violence must be heard in all sectors of society, including schools, workplaces, places of worship, social gatherings as well as in the media.
The First Lady said that Guyana was ranked among the third highest in the region for reported domestic violence rates. This was despite the country experiencing a decrease in such reported incidents between January 2012 and June 2015. According to the First Lady, more work still needs to continue so as to end the dark mark that domestic violence has left on Guyanese citizens.
Mrs. Granger said that Guyana has made strong strides in combating domestic violence as a nation with the passage of the 1996 Domestic Violence Act. She further told the gathering that more steps must be made to uphold the integrity and law of the Act.
During the Club’s Installation Ceremony, Immediate Past President Peters-Grant shared that the organisation had managed to raise $1M through fundraising initiatives in the past year. She said that those funds would go toward the Club’s various community service projects.
Peters-Grant said that she fully embraced the objectives of the Inner Wheel organisation during her tenure. She shared a quote from the late Mohammed Ali, “To serve others is the rent you pay for your time here on earth”, as a template to which she approached her time as the Club’s President.
For over three decades the Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown Central has ventured into service projects which included the provision of books and other literary materials to its library in West Ruimveldt. The organisation also supported the St. Pius Feeding Programme through the procurement of an industrial stove and oven.
It is assisting the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre with renovations to its boys’ dormitory.
Along with the installation of Sheron Fraser as President, the ceremony featured the induction of the Club’s new executive body for the fiscal year 2016/2017. Fraser will be supported by Germaine Jacques as Vice President, Patricia Merriman as Secretary, Nalini Hakh as Treasurer, Isha Hussain-Sigh as Assistant Secretary/Treasuer, Tionna October as Social Convenor and Cheryl Douglas as Community Service Organiser.

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