Reach out to the male victims of domestic violence

Mar 10, 2014 News

– Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau

“His problems may persist until one day it explodes and result in the tragedies, which we see documented in the daily news.”

While women remain constant victims of domestic crimes and violence, the current data indicates that more action can be taken to reach out and provide rehabilitation services to the males.
This was the assertion of Administrator of the Women Affairs Bureau (WAB) within the Ministry Of Human Services and Social Security, Hemwattie Lagan.

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Ms Lagan was among several prominent females who attended a conference organized by the Women Gender and Equality Commission to mark the IWD observance, last Friday.
The Human Services Administrator noted that the department has taken into consideration the statistics and daily reports of gender based crimes.
“We recognize from the many reports that there is a constant struggle for women to maintain equal rights and opportunities in their domestic relationships, communities and workplaces but that the males are suffering a significant amount of neglect also. This is not merely owing to a deficiency in the system to cater to their psychological needs but because traditional has taught men to swallow their pain and man up! Therefore it is unlikely for a man with domestic problems or other issues to reach out for help even if services are available and thus his problems may persist until one day it explodes and result in the tragedies, which we see documented in the daily news.
The WAB administrator says that the efforts are underway to incorporate a more proactive approach to tackling the issue of gender based violence.
“We have to remember that men have problems too, and we must reach them at their point of need, we should look to adapt methods to meet the psychological needs of men at all cost, instead of waiting on them to come to us for assistance, we will have to create networks and come up with fresh ideas to reach men on their time, in their space … at the bars and even liquor shops and host short discussion to show them better ways of handling their situations for more positive outcomes, we may need to work together, mobilize a few men to help the females…the task may be a difficult but we must achieve a balance, where both genders can gain equal opportunities which will help them work side by side for the development of the nation,” Lagan explained.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Judge Roxanne George- Wiltshire emphasized the need for adequate legislation and implementation of such principles for women to become equal participants and beneficiaries of Guyana’s justice system.
“Guyana has a number of laws that provide a good basis for women’s rights but a legal foundation must have proper implementation…UN Secretary General’ Ban Ki Moon in UN women report 2011— 2012 said that justice is essential in the effort to help women become equal partners in decision making and development. Without justice women are disenfranchised, disempowered and denied their rightful place but with a sound legal and justice system women can flourish and contribute to the advancement of society.”
While the strides of women around the globe were highlighted and applauded at the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD), on Saturday, the struggle to achieve equal opportunities and justice for both sexes has been drawn into the spotlight.
“In today‘s society, there is need for networks and mechanism which will promote development in women as well as their male counterparts… therefore even as Guyana joins the rest of world to salute women locally and internationally for their courage, determination achievement in every sphere of modern society, we cannot ignore the challenges that confront us everyday especially in regards to domestic crimes,” the Women Affairs Bureau (WAB) Administrator said.