12 gender related murders recorded this year- Dr Persaud

As of October 2024, a total of 12 gender-based related murders were recorded and majority of the attackers were men.

“I can say to you, compared to last year, over the same period of January to October we have less murders from gender-based violence.

“Every life is important and we shouldn’t have any at all,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud recently said.

Dr Persaud said 73 per cent of the perpetrators are males.

To eliminate the scourge, Dr Persaud said the Ministry will be rolling out a serious of additional programmes so that much- needed services are more accessible.

Those programmes and initiatives include the 914 hotline, the Community Advocate Network (CAN), the CopSquad initiative and the Survivors’ Advocate programme.

Additionally, a series of legislation was introduced including the Family Violence Bill and the Protection from Harassment Bill, which will be tabled in the National Assembly soon.’

“Work is ongoing and work will continue to ensure that we have a robust, transparent, accountable system that can see us move forward,” Dr Persaud said.

Altogether, these initiatives are expected to help address the scourge.

“I urge you come with us…support us, get on board…so together can eradicate and eliminate violence against women and girls and violence in all its forms,” Dr Persaud said.