Kudos Minister Ramsammy !

Jun 07, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I am relieved that Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy has now spoken publicly about the connection between domestic violence, health and the economy. I would like to draw attention to two (of several) other connections he needs to make:

1. Laws criminalizing prostitutes weaken the fight against HIV and contribute to one type of violence in the community which is not being addressed as a public health issue;

2. Laws criminalizing homosexual relationships feed stigma and discrimination against the gay and lesbian community and this may be contributing to increased stress and even suicide among young people, and weakening the national HIV campaign.

These are connections that have been researched and made in other societies, and while there is no absolute causality in either case, we would lose nothing and might gain much by acting to remove the dangers they pose.

An observer of Guyana might be excused for thinking that our leaders only act on certain social concerns when Guyana accedes to the leadership of international bodies.

Hopefully such an observer would be incorrect, and we can look forward to expeditious reforms aimed at removing discriminatory laws and enacting outstanding protective legislation.
Karen de Souza