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Guyana needs action plan to counter violence against women – APNU

Nov 27, 2013 News

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is demanding that Government disseminate a serious action plan to counter the increasing frequency of violence against women.
The coalition in a press statement yesterday said, “Crimes such as Trafficking In Persons, murders, rapes and domestic violence are still rampant. It is evident that current enforcement measures are not adequate to protect women.”
For years, Guyana has been battling with the plague of violence against women, but to no avail.
Then Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, in June 2008, launched the National Domestic Violence Policy (DVP) under the theme ‘Break the cycle – take control.’
The launch was the realization of a document that was in formulation for just about a year prior, and the National Domestic Violence Oversight Committee was tasked with its implementation.
According to Manickchand, the National Policy should be seen as a milestone in the long battle, and a significant achievement, given that in the past there has only been a lot of talk, despite the fact that Guyana passed the Domestic Violence Bill 1996, which has since been assented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
However, in May 2009 Manickchand found herself praising an initiative by a male group, Men of Purpose (MOP) for publicly condemning domestic violence. The group along with the Youth Advocacy Movement had joined hands in their effort to highlight the message denouncing domestic violence which was rampant at that juncture.
The Ministry was working to get more civil society on board its ‘Stamp it Out’ bandwagon, “particularly more men.”
Manickchand had said that in order to end the scourge, all of civil society, private sector, religious bodies and NGOs must adopt a proactive approach.
Unfortunately, violence against women is still a prevalent issue in society, and this is widely reported in the media.
Thankfully, organizations such as the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization have been proactive in their agenda to eliminate discrimination against women in the mining sector. The body, which started operation in 2012, has rescued several women and teenage girls from sexual enslavement in Guyana’s hinterland.
In addition, almost daily instances of domestic violence, sometimes fatal, are reported in the press. Last Saturday, a Garnett Street businessman killed his wife and committed suicide purportedly ending a turbulent relationship.
There was a similar incident on November 11 when 21-year-old Kenroy Crandon slit his lover Bibi Sharriza’s throat, before taking his own life.
Another horrifying incident occurred in August where a man killed his two children and disfigured his wife. One month after the man was found hanging.
According to APNU, violence against women is a human rights violation. It was noted that despite the passage of legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act, violence against women continues to be a national epidemic.
“This is so largely because of weak enforcement and the absence of a coherent national plan,” APNU said.

APNU called for an end to all types of inter-personal violence as the nation observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The coalition believes that violence against women and girls can be prevented and eliminated.
APNU wants a national action plan on violence and the introduction of educational and enforcement initiatives to eliminate this scourge.

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