Violence against women and children…Health Minister blasts watchdogs over bureaucracy, little action

Jun 25, 2008 News

Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy yesterday blasted domestic violence watchdogs for too many bureaucratic meetings and too little action.

Ramsammy was speaking at the National Conference on the elimination of violence against women and children, at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

Under the theme, “Break the Cycle, Take Control”, the two-day session is being facilitated by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

“There are too many meetings, too many reports; we talk too much. Too much money is spent on bureaucratic meetings. Let’s spend that money and do something about it…,” Dr Ramsammy said.
Describing violence as a public health issue, Dr Ramsammy said the definition was not aimed at expanding the ambit of his ministry’s manifesto.

“This is not an attempt to expand our jurisdiction but an attempt to help us realize that we cannot achieve physical wellbeing and health if violence continues to pervade our society,” Dr Ramsammy noted.

He remarked that there is no point in saving children from diseases only to see them disabled, injured and killed by violence.

The Health Minister disclosed that this neglected rights issue is not endemic to Guyana alone, but is of global proportions.

He said stakeholders must be aware that a national resolution is therefore tied to global efforts.
Although certain forms of violence are not prevalent in Guyana such as genital mutilation and dowry relationships, the Minister said it must not be excluded from a national strategy.

Quoting global statistics, Dr Ramsammy stressed that over two million people lose their lives to violence annually.

He lamented that one in every four women suffer various episodes of violence within their lifetime.
According to Dr Ramsammy, these figures should inspire, compel and appall every citizen into action.
Although there have not been many achievements to celebrate, the Health Minister stated that Guyana is now “blazing the trail”.

“There has been increasing action to address it globally and each of us must embrace this advocacy; we must have a determination to break the cycle,” Dr Ramsammy said.

He pointed out that several activists have struggled for years to establish the Rights of the Child and Women and Gender Equality Commissions.

However, the Minister said that both Commissions have since been approved by Parliament.
“…But we must make it happen now…They have been approved but we should make them operational,” the Health Minister noted.

Dr Ramsammy said studies have shown that the behaviour of men and boys can be altered.
He urged every stakeholder to be change agents and to become catalysts of new beginnings.

Speaking on the emergence of child killers, Dr Ramsammy said there can be no excuse for using children as soldiers in illegitimate wars.

“These are compelling reasons for us to stand and unite in this country,” the Minister said.
Commenting on corporal punishment, Minister Ramsammy stated that this practice forms the basis for the acceptance of violence.

He said that the Ministry was never in favour of corporal punishment but said it would take time to reshape the intrinsic views and value systems of the populace.

According to him, bullying by youths on youths, abuse of the disabled and mistreatment of the elderly are also forms of violence.

The Minister disclosed that he feels personal shame whenever violence is perpetrated against women and children.

“Violence is a problem that affects everyone; it diminishes us all…so collectively we must accept guilt,” he said.

The Health Minister emphasized that gender-based violence is linked to child mortality, HIV, sexual reproductive health, drug use and suicide.

“How do you see the logic of someone disfiguring a woman’s face with some kind of acid? How do you see the logic of a woman who, because of domestic violence, feeds herself and son poison?” he questioned.

Dr Ramsammy said that Guyana has done a dismal job at documenting sexual abuse against women. He stated that the role of alcohol use in domestic violence must also never be overlooked.

Addressing the issue of road carnage, the Minister said he has made a call for the establishment of an alcohol blood level of .05 percent.

“And too many adolescents have access to alcohol…We will not succeed in eliminating violence if our strategies do not assault these ills,” Dr Ramsammy warned.

The Minister said he envisions a society where women are treated with equity and child rights are observed.

“This would be a perfect world but they say it’s not possible but I believe there is nothing to stop us. This conference challenges us to say, ‘why not such a world,’” Dr Ramsammy stated.