Guyana is joining the rest of the world in observing World Population Day (WPD) 2016 with the theme “Investing in Teenage Girls”.
Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence speaking at a symposium today said the theme “brings into focus all the issues pertinent to teenagers, the family, Gender issues, Social issues – teenage pregnancy, teenage abuse, use of drugs, the critical issue of education – early dropouts, poor performance, peer pressure, bullying and of course the inescapable reality of poverty.”
She believes these issues should be addressed with a focus on resolution pointing to the existence of the Gender Unit at her ministry which is responsible for sensitizing persons about gender issues and for providing a forum whereby boys and girls can access guidance and counseling if they encounter gender-related problems.
Lawrence reminded that “the Ministry of Social Protection, by its very name and nature bears responsibility for providing the socio-financial nets to cushion the vulnerable families in our society and by extension the teenagers who are part of these families. The investment in families comes in several forms – Social Assistance, vouchers and more importantly the POWER loan agreements and grants instituted to help single parents.”
Initiatives in progress geared at addressing concerns related to teenagers include a Teenage Pregnancy prevention Pilot Programme and the Ministry is about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with WAD to conduct a field study and run a programme for Teenage mothers and fathers this year in the Soesdyke/ Linden area and Wismar.
