Guyana’s death rate to domestic violence not inconsequential

Nov 26, 2011 News

While the world observed International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women yesterday, Guyana found itself mourning the deaths of more than 20 women for this year and the continued violence against women.
“Our local media is replete with despairing accounts of women who are murdered, maimed physically or mentally by their spouses or men known to them. In 2010, between January and October, 35 women were murdered. In a population which consists of 375,189 women, this is not an insignificant number,” said Yvonne Stephenson, Manager, Document Centre, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Attendees of the opening ceremony for the 16-day period of activism

She was at the time delivering remarks at the opening ceremony for the 16-day period of activism focusing on challenges facing women is violent relationships held at the Ministry.
It was observed under the theme “Youth leadership in preventing and ending violence against women and girls.”
The Ministry has put in place several measures to address gender-based violence, such as the ‘STAMP IT OUT’ Campaign which sensitized a wide cross-section of society to the prevalence and the evils of sexual violence.
Several workshops and seminars by Government and Non-Governmental Organizations were executed to publicize domestic violence.
In addition, there are vital legislations such as the Sexual Offences Act (2010) and the Domestic Violence Act (1996) which have women’s interests at heart.
Referring to specific cases where women were murdered, Stephenson related, “It is very clear that protective legislation alone is not the full answer. Every conceivable strategy must therefore be pursued.” This could be done through education, sports, and mandatory inclusion of the topic in all organizations.
She said that more women are speaking out about domestic violence and actually seeking help. There are too many women who suffer the pain which comes from being helpless to protect their families, and from not being listened to. This affected families members, including children, who are most likely to continue the cycle of violence.
According to Babsie Giddings, UNFPA Programme Officer, in Guyana UNFPA is committed to actively engage men and boys in the cause to end impunity, promote justice and human rights, and end widespread violence against girls and women in our society.
“We believe that whether they are policy makers, community or religious leaders, fathers or husbands, uncles, brothers or young boys, they can all do their part to eliminate all forms of violence against women,” Giddings stated.
She said that violence against women is not inevitable. Families and communities can change social norms and attitudes.

5 thoughts on “Guyana’s death rate to domestic violence not inconsequential”

Lancelot D'Aguiar November 26, 2011 at 3:29 am

Men must learn to have respect for their women, doesn’t these men realize that they came out of a woman’s womb. Their is absolutely no reason for a man to harm any women.
TUTELAGE November 26, 2011 at 9:38 am

The change MUST come from the top and it will on Tuesiday morning.THe president will not kick his wife out of the bedroom or refuse to legalise their mariage.No minister of the government will fire his gun indiscrimately and illegally then gun butt the nephew of his lover.Decencency, morality and respect for ALL WOMEN will return.
seclusive November 26, 2011 at 10:30 am

Our culture is replete without violence, everything is a cuss out, beat up and pay off for the victim…its endemic because nobody pays attention to Family issues, even the so-called Probation Officers beat or cheat on their wives, ask the Minister but not now….she is too busy with getting back into office…
$17866490 November 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm

A SAD EXCUSE FOR A MINISTAH OF HUMAN SERVICES !
Fireman649 November 26, 2011 at 2:47 pm

Mr. Editor, I seek your assistance here, does the Domestic Violence Act (1996) provide for, in cases where the police is notified of a domestic assault by either party and physical injuries are obvious for the case to then become the State VS the offending party thereby removing, as in most cases the abused party begging for no further action to be taken. I personally believe that will be a great start to ridding society of this curse, because the police can then say Sir/Madam it is not me but the law that dictates this course of action and the police armed with photographs of the injuries a medical certificate and the responding officers statements should be enough to secure a conviction.