Stop the violence against women now!

Jul 16, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Today, domestic violence is becoming more public; and relates to women, men and children; however, mostly women are victims.
Guyana recently experienced an upsurge in domestic violence, in May, Gertrude Edwards was slashed to death at Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice; in April, Beverly Mangru was stabbed to death at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara; in March, Savitri Arjune was stabbed to death at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, and in February, Latoya Woolford was stabbed to death at her home in Ruimveldt.
Domestic violence does not discriminate since victims are from any race and creed; and it is also interesting to note that many women who suffer from domestic violence choose to stay in their abusive relationships, because of economic dependence, low self-esteem, fear, poverty, etc.
To effectively tackle domestic violence, both parties involved in the relationship must admit that a problem exists and requires support from family, friends, the police, counseling agencies, the church, government and legislation.

Women who suffer from domestic violence are normally intimidated by their abuser as a result of dependency and fear. Because of the patriarchal nature of society, people see domestic violence as something normal to experience and should be solved within the confines of the home. This type of thinking has led to the escalation of domestic violence, leading to the deaths of women and ignoring the one opportunity to save the victim’s life.
Our society needs to focus more on women empowerment, so that women who are victims of domestic abuse can have the courage to leave the abusive relationship before it is too late. Domestic violence victims suffer from physical abuse, sexual abuse and rape in intimate relationships, psychological and emotional abuse, femicide, etc.

The role of a woman in society was seen as being the ideal housewife, however, today, the role of a woman is multi-facetted; women have retained their traditional roles and are more career oriented, becoming managers, providers, and attaining a status of independence.
For too long, women suffered because of patriarchal beliefs, and functioned under cultural expectations, the belief that men are superior, the appropriate sex role of a woman, gender specific socialisation, economic dependence on men, tactless treatment of women by the police, the legal status of women in society, and the view that domestic violence is a family issues and not a state issue.
Women do not deserve this kind of treatment and should be treated with the due respect they deserve. Stop the violence against women now!
Elizabeth Daly

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Stop the violence against women now!

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