Coil: The Party or the Children First?

by Vidyaratha Kissoon

(Images of picket from Red Thread/Sherlina Nageer)

Headlines like “Lawrence bats for LGBT” and ”Minister Lawrence calls for gender equality, acceptance of LGBT community” are normally exciting. Caribbean Ministers talking support for LGBT equality are rare. In a time when Guyana had Local Government Elections, all indications of good governance should be encouraging. The remarks were not made in the official International Women’s Day 2016 message but reportedly at a cocktail hosted by the British High Commission.

In June 2009, the then Minister of Human Services ventured into the SASOD Film Festival. LGBT rights were now making their way into the priorities of the American British Canadian agencies, and Ms Manickchand’s venture into sodom and gomorrah was a bold step for a Caribbean minister.

In September 2009, the LGBT friendly Minister of Human Services sidestepped   the allegations of child sexual abuse about her nominee to the Rights of the Child Commission. The PPP was in majority, and the claims could have been resolved through the mechanism of the Presidential Tribunal on request from the Speaker of the National Assembly.  The then opposition PNC/R  noted the work of the Shadow Minister for Human Services Ms Lawrence in “exposing Mr McCoy” and the problems she faced.

The National Assembly and the Speaker did not trouble the President with dealing with the issue.

The Shadow Minister is now Minister.  While Minister Lawrence was ‘batting for LGBT” at the cocktail, she and APNU were aware of the complaints of child sexual abuse being made against one of their candidates for the local government elections.  Her responses seem to indicate a preference for dismissing the allegations

History it seems, repeating itself. Bold Ministers willing to go against the homophobic, but also it seems dismissing allegations of child sexual abuse made against their party comrades.

Sharon Harding has been vocal about her the complaints to Minister Lawrence.

APNU subsequently indicated that they would ‘withdraw support” from their candidate. The withdrawal of support seemed not to have an impact on the loyal supporters.   Demerara Waves reports that the candidate has won the seat in Georgetown.

APNU+AFC put flyers in my letter box showing me how to vote for their candidate AND the party. President Granger and APNU+AFC-ThoseWhoSupportIndependents went on the campaign trail. One young cynic remarked – Granger for Mayor. I can imagine the supporters voting for Granger and Jagdeo.

Was APNU prepared seriously to give up the constituency seat in light of their concern about the allegations?

The work against gender based violence and child abuse has included listening to revelations of abuse against prominent party people – all parties. Many survivors of abuse are often told to bear up, stay away from the abuser or shut up. There is a weighing up of the contribution versus the “lil bad behaviour.” One woman in one party said she was warned, stay far from the big man. Don’t be in a room alone with him.

Like families and faith based organisations, it seems that Party is paramount to the welfare of those who are violated by the loyal supporters.

A woman who supports  APNU+AFC and who is dealing with gender based violence said ‘How can I go to her Ministry now to deal with my case?” The man who is abusing this woman is an active supporter and hard worker for the Coalition. One of the things he tells her is ‘who gun believe you?”.

The claims of child sexual abuse were never resolved against Mr McCoy who remains an active member of the PPP. The PPP fired slap-and-strip-bheri but made him an MP. The people who condemned his behaviour huddle with him on the Opposition benches. Another man who was accused of abuse is a candidate on their local Government list.

Guyana’s democracy seems to be evolving as one in which unresolved allegations of abuse would not make a difference to voter support.

“Volda must go”

Red Thread held a picket on Friday 18 March, 2016. Red Thread has made it clear that Volda must go.  I joined the picket, unsure of my own position on the Minister.

Minister Simona Broomes held the public captive with her walks on Regent Street and her unannounced visits to employers to clean up their acts.

I had visions of Minister Lawrence doing the same thing – walking into police stations where police were holding children without due diligence, checking in on how reports of sexual assault and domestic violence were being dealt with, in visiting schools to check on teachers who were beating children.

Guyana needs a Ministry which is headed by someone who does not hold the party paramount to the interests of people who need its services. The PPP and now the APNU have shown that those who believe that the party is paramount impede the transformation which is need for “social protection”.

The Stabroek News has indicated that the Childcare and Protection Agency is aware of one of the cases involving Mr Harding. The CPA is under no obligation to report to the media about any case.
It was interesting that the Director referred the reporter to another case worker who did not give any feedback. The Director of the CPA is accountable for all cases.

Section 11 of the Childcare and Protection Agency Act of 2009 does state that “The Minister may give the Agency directions of a general nature relating to the performance of its functions and may direct the Agency on any matter which, in the opinion of the Minister, affects Government policy and the Agency shall be bound to carry out the directions.”

Did the Minister give any directions to the CPA in this matter?  If so, what were the directions?

There should be an independent inquiry into how the CPA has had to deal with this case. It has been reported that the child’s statement has been lost in the justice system.

There are other mechanisms which should be in place to improve child protection in Guyana.
President Granger has reportedly asked for an explanation of how Mr Harding became a candidate.
President Granger should convene the National Task Force for Prevention of Sexual Offences in accordance with Section 87 (quoted here)
“(1) There shall be established an inter-agency task force to be known as the National Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Violence which shall have the duty to develop and implement a national plan for the prevention of sexual violence.
(2) The President shall appoint the members of the Task Force, which shall include the Ministers of Legal Affairs, Home Affairs, Human Services and Social Security, Amerindian Affairs, Education, Health, Local Government, Youth, Sport and Culture, senior public officers with responsibility for law enforcement, health and human and social services and persons from non-governmental organisations.

(3) The Task Force shall carry out the following activities either directly or by one or more of the constituent ministries as appropriate –
(a) develop and publish within a reasonable time of the coming into force of this Act, a National Plan for the Prevention of Sexual Offences, which shall include the necessary steps to eradicate sexual violence in Guyana;
(b) develop initiatives for prevention of sexual violence;
(c) co-ordinate the implementation of the National Plan;
(d) commission and co-ordinate the collection, publication and sharing of data among government agencies;
(e) establish policies to enable the Government to work with non- governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and other elements of civil society to prevent sexual violence and provide assistance to victims of sexual violence;
(f) provide guidance to the Sexual Violence Unit;
(g) develop national policy guidelines and protocols for victims of sexual violence and address matters relating to police services, prosecution, medical services, social service, probation service and prison service;
(h) monitor the implementation of this Act, the National Plan and the National Policy Guidelines and protocols;
(i) co-ordinate national education and awareness programmes;
(j) focus special attention on the issues of sexual violence in remote areas, including access to police support and medical attention, court services;
(k) determine the effectiveness of public awareness exercises and measures to be taken to ensure effectiveness;
(l) provide guidance on the development of training programmes specified under section 91;”

The Protection of Children Act of 2009 asks that the Minister and Director of the CPA should keep a list of individuals who have been convicted for offences against children.
Section 57 of the Protection of Children Act requires that a Child Protection Board should be formed.
This Board was not convened during the PPP administration and has not been convened as yet by this one.

There are innovative measures needed to strengthen child protection mechanisms, outside of Georgetown. The reports remain of under funding and under resourcing. The inter-agency collaborations  do not seem to work as they should.
I know other people who are not from the Party who have found Minister Lawrence a helpful and nice person.
I believe that Minister Lawrence could better serve her Party and Guyana in a place other than the Ministry of Social Protection. I also believe that public officials should also have space to redeem themselves, though when child abuse is downplayed, it is impossible to immediately think of redemption.
Beyond the issue of Ministerial responsibility, there is serious work which needs to be done to ensure that Guyana is safe for children.
All political parties and organisations who are interested in child protection should think about child protection policies so that their members understand appropriate behaviour towards children. Help & Shelter has a good model which could be adapted.