The women’s organisation made the statement in observance of `Day of no Violence against Women’, which is observed on November 23 in recognition of the brutal murder of the three Mirabal sisters in the 1960s by the Trujillo dictatorship of the Dominican Republic.

Tomorrow has been designated International Day Against Violence Against Women.

The following is the text of the WPO’s statement:

“November 23rd has been designated `Day of No Violence Against Women’ in recognition of the brutal murder of the three Mirabal sisters in the 1960s by the Trujillo dictatorship of the Dominican Republic.

“As we reflect on this day, we are ever mindful of the initiatives taken by various global forums and by national governments to ensure a world safe from fear of violence for women and girls and respect of their human rights.

“The WPO is aware of the actions taken by the Government of Guyana at the international level by signing on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination and the Belem Do Para Convention; the passing of the Domestic Violence Legislation and the subsequent establishment of the necessary support systems to give effect to the commitments made by government.

“The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) acknowledges these measures and would like to encourage more inputs by all stakeholders to ensure that all the support services are effective.

“The WPO would like to encourage the resumption of the work o the National Steering Committee for The Eradication of Family Violence that was set up in November, 2002, and urge that a national response to violence in all its forms is the preferred way to go.

“We are faced with enormous challenges and possibilities that demand a genuine commitment to work on behalf of those who are subjected on a daily basis to burdens ranging from poverty, battery and terroristic behaviours.