Society remains unconvinced Government is serious in the fight against Violence Against Women

There are various types of violence that are constantly being committed against women and the five main ones are physical violence, verbal violence (including hate speech), psychological violence, sexual violence and socio-economic violence. Regrettably, Guyana continuously shines in all the areas without any signs of change or any proper mechanism being implemented to properly address this embarrassing sore. Repeatedly, I’ve said that there are many organizations in Guyana that are running around collecting grants/loans under the guise of combating this plague, but my opinion is that they are not producing any tangible results that are convincing for them to keep getting loans/grants. If one checks, they miraculously pop up when loans/grants are being offered and disappear after receiving them. Noticeably also is the absence of religious bodies’ roles in assisting in this battle, and without any fear, say that they contribute towards this dilemma. These bodies would miraculously emerge from their conclave at a time that benefits them, either to gain fame when the issue is in the limelight or to conveniently be the recipient of some sort of finance that benefits them alone.

Editor, I repudiate that there’s any hope of relying on Government’s intervention for help/solution to eradicate this plague. It is no secret that the former president (now Vice President) Jagdeo does not have a clean slate. The media was very busy at one time publishing the cries of former First Lady Varshnie, his ex-wife. Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran was on camera threatening violence against a woman, and only recently a recording of Charrandass [Persaud] surfaced of him abusing a national in her own country, which is more developed than Guyana, whilst he was there representing Guyana. To date, no action has been taken to convince society that Government is serious in the fight against Violence Against Women.

It’s time society stop looking for government intervention. There are many techniques that could be implemented to assist, but our culture is to announce and forget about consistency. There are many areas that need revisiting such as implementing of rules, providing training, giving adequate powers to execute the law if we are serious. Many jump to the opportunity to get their names on a certificate and after accomplishing that, the passion dies. Finally Editor, there are lots of men battling some sort of depression, and whilst some are not fearful of announcing that, some are hiding it. It’s no secret that depression stems from financial issues or from some sort of domestic situation and I would reiterate that workshops and funding should be established in each community/village to train people to notice signs of depression and how to address it.

The Guyana Police Force’s actions toward domestic violence is embarrassing and there should be a separate body established to deal with it. Presently, the law is conveniently suited that the rich, powerful, and connected escape justice, and the hapless pay the price. There are many areas that need improvement, but the pace Guyana moving at, is a national embarrassment.