A multi-stakeholders seminar organized by the Judiciary and UNICEF was held on Friday, January 31, 2020 in the East Berbice-Corentyne region.
Among the representatives from the Judiciary were Chief Justice (ag) Justice Roxanne George, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Hon. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. Other participants included magistrates within the Berbice District, members of the Joint Services, NGO’s, faith-based organisations and the Ministry of Social Protection among others.
Chief Justice Roxane George in her presentation reminded that everyone has an equal role to play and that we bear responsibility for those around us.
“I want to re-emphasise that when we leave here and we return home, we will say in my community I will be the person who will call the police, I will be the person who will go to Social Protection….. We are our brother’s keepers and that is what we would like emphasise.”
The Chief Justice mentioned the changing of social norms that support violence to ensure the culture of violence is not passed down to children. One of the measure was suggested was is to reduce the availability and misuse of intoxicants.
Deputy UNICEF Representative Irfan Akhtar applauded the Judiciary for “being on the ground with the other stakeholders” to have a meaningful discussion on the way forward. Noting the lifelong impact domestic violence has on children who are witnesses or victims.
