More must be done to eliminate violence against women

Nov 24, 2010 News

– three key rally participants share their views

By Latoya Giles

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is tomorrow, and Newspaper columnist Stella Ramsaroop, Former First Lady Varshanie Singh and Women’s advocate Diana Madray, are of the opinion that more should be done to help with the eradication of domestic violence.During a sit down with the trio, Ramsaroop opined that people need to start working together and the “who’s not doing” should stop.
The columnist said that people need to pull together and put their differences aside and try to work it out because domestic violence is a very important issue in the society.
She said so far the work that the team has been doing, and the message is being well received.
Moreover, the women expressed the fact that if domestic violence is to stop the “one-way approach” must end.
Madray explained that we need to have trained professionals working at the relevant agencies. She also opined that the police force’s approach to domestic violence needs to be looked into.
“What gives the police the right to say to a woman that it’s a private matter and she should go home…..that’s not doing the right thing, the professionalism is lacking.”
Ramsaroop added emphatically that Guyana should revamp the law surrounding domestic violence.
“Back in the US, they instituted a new law which states if anofficer is called into a home and there are obvious signs and evidence of domestic violence, the lawman has the right to arrest the man, even if the woman does not want to proceed,” she explained.
She described the law as brilliant and hinted that Guyana should try to institute something close to it. She also said that law enforcement officers should be given training.
“They should have an officer at every station who is trained to handle domestic violence.”
The three women also stressed the need for confidentiality. They opined that if no confidentiality is present the women (victims) will not feel secure. If the confidentiality code is broken, the guilty persons should be sanctioned.
More so, they said persons who are employed at an agency should be screened.
Empowerment
The trio insists that empowerment is a key element in helping to stop domestic violence. Singh explained that a victim of domestic violence usually has low self-esteem, is depressed and just feels like their rights are trampled upon.
“When you empower them you are giving them the tools to get back together and also giving them a sense of worth. Empowerment also helps them to get support from their families since in most cases they were isolated from them.”
Ramsaroop then said that when some people hear “empowerment” they automatically think it’s a negative, feministic approach. However she said that is far from the truth. She explained that empowerment is allowing women not to feel oppressed.
“For a number of years we were told not to do this or that…but we need to feel that self worth.”
Next five years
In the next five years they said they see themselves continuing in the same path, which is to help eradicate domestic violence.
“Women need to live a violence-free life….,”they concurred.
The three women said they also plan to develop a holistic plan to help the victims of domestic violence.
Furthermore they spoke of starting more school programs, which teach the young people how to resolve problems violence-free.
“Sensitization they say is a must, if Guyana will go forward. Better shelters are needed for women where they can develop skills and learning which would help them to get back into the workforce. We look at the economic development for the country, but we need to look at the economic for women” the women stressed.
The ralLY
They along with other organizations will be hosting a rally against domestic violence tomorrow.
The rally will be held at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, starting from 13:00hrs and expected to conclude at 21:00hrs. The main aim of the program is to raise awareness of domestic violence through the arts. A number of art groups will be performing dances, skits, songs and poetry. The public is invited to the event, which will be free.
It is the hope that the rally would start something new, meaning that long term solutions will be achieved, which go way beyond the rally.

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More must be done to eliminate violence against women

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