The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) yesterday announced the three winners of their video competition, ‘Speak Out, Stand Up against GBV’ – part of the organisation’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Youth project which is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.
The competition was geared towards giving students the opportunity to use their knowledge, to empower and support each other and to speak out against violence in society. GRPA in the future plans on strengthening its work with youth in order to enable youth leadership and advocacy for the prevention of Gender-Based Violence.
Participants were tasked to prepare a one-minute video message on one of three topics given: Sexual Abuse, Verbal/Physical Abuse or Bullying. They had to identify the type of abuse, describe and explain it and offer advice to their peers on support services offered to victims; they were also encouraged to send a message against abuse to perpetrators.
Video entries were received by GRPA from St. Joseph High School, the Bishops’ High School, and North Georgetown Secondary School. Videos were screened by a panel of judges and tallied out of thirty points in total: 10 points were awarded for comprehension of the content, 10 points for the clarity and quality of the message and another 10 points for creativity.
St. Joseph High School emerged victorious, winning the First and Second Place Prizes.
Tashana Ramnarine, a Grade Eight student of the Saint Joseph High won the competition with a total of 89 points. Tashana’s presentation was on Physical Abuse in the homes. Tashana encouraged her peers to speak up against violence, build their self-esteem and report cases of abuse to their teachers or the Childcare and Protection Agency. She also advised viewers to be vigilant and look out for the children around them who may bare signs of violence and abuse.
Tashana will be awarded with a book voucher worth $25,000 from Austin’s Bookstore.
Athalia Wrong, of the same grade and school came in at Second Place with 84 points, winning a book voucher of $15,000 for her inspiring presentation on Bullying and harassment, encouraging her peers to be majestic, “You are a lion” she said, “People will want to hear you roar.”
The Bishops’ High School submitted a group presentation which gained third place at 70 points, they were awarded with a $10,000 book voucher. Their presentation, done by Beyonce Clarke, Ronald Kissoon, Destiny Woodman, and Quanisha Patterson was on bullying in schools. They emphasised the importance of counsellors in schools to give students support services for this and other forms of violence.
Videos were posted on the organisation’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/grpagy. GRPA and associated partners hold the right to screen and share these videos for advocacy and education purposes.