A step in the right direction

Feb 17, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Kaieteur News – First, I would like to commend the government for presenting a great budget. I listened to most of the presentation and I was able to check off some of the promises made in their 2020 election manifesto. I am impressed.
I noted with great appreciation that a $50 million subvention was allotted for support to survivors of domestic violence, about 400 percent increased or thereof. This is a step in the right direction. It is the first time such amounts has been allotted to domestic violence, however I still believe more could have been considered, but it’s a start.
This increase in subvention and the 24 hours hotline service are just the beginnings of more that is needed to help survivors of domestic violence.
I remain optimistic that the amount allotted may be increased during the debates and consideration of the estimates. I call on all parliamentarians to make this happen.
In December I penned a missive where I called for “the conversation on violence to be intensified, more public awareness sessions using survivors, more hand holding for victims, more resources such as safe houses for victims, economic empowerment, trauma informed counselling, stricter penalties for perpetrators, development of an emergency response action plan on gender-based violence”. Today I still stand by this call.

Regards,
Shaundell Shipley

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