RESPECTING WOMEN

Oct 20, 2016 Editorial

In the United States, based on several polls, most people believe that the Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump is a despicable human being who is not worthy to be a presidential candidate of the most powerful country on earth. He is an embarrassment to the Republican Party and to the entire United States.
Trump is a billionaire who believes that one can achieve power with money and that both money and power can make a person, not his/her good character. His vision for America is warped and his knowledge and understanding of politics are extremely poor.
In the presidential debate before last night’s final exchanges with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump spent more time defending his sexist statements about women which he dismissed as “locker room banter.” Rather than accepting responsibility for his actions, he accused former President Bill Clinton of sexually abusing women during his tenure at the White house. Most Americans are in disbelief after hearing such outrageous and dangerous statements from someone who is seeking to become the President of the United States. It is disgraceful.
It is now very clear to the American electorate that Trump’s chances of defeating Hillary Clinton on November 8, 2016 are slim. His verbal abuse of women more than fifteen years ago has come back to haunt him and perhaps destroy his political career. The sexual scandals have basically ended his political ambitions to become president. But it is mind-boggling that his frantic and die-hard supporters believe that he could win the election.
Most of Donald Trump’s problems originated from his assumption that as a billionaire, he has the power to do what he wants, including flouting the laws by not paying income taxes and making offensive and degrading statements to women of his acquaintance. That false belief is the reason for his lewd and wanton behaviour which is inexcusable. But as much as we may deplore Trump’s vulgar behaviour, his attitude and his actions, we will be dishonest if we do not admit they are not out of the ordinary in Guyana.
Women from all walks of life in Guyana often find themselves the objects of ridicule, insulting and lascivious comments by men on the streets, in passing cars, in the workplace and in social settings. At times, the ridiculing of women is also practiced by some very young boys who think it is funny to denigrate females. Such awful behaviour is considered outright bullying and abusive.
While it may boost the egos of men and young boys, it is resented by most if not all women who have a sense of their worth. Women hate to be made the indiscriminate targets of such crass and crude harassment. The fact that women have not been able to retaliate in a meaningful way is a clear indication that they are powerless in contrast to the powerful male.
In order to inhibit such thinking, it is important and perhaps imperative that every institution in the country teach men to recognise and respect the rights and dignity of women, regardless of their gender, class or societal status. It should start with the family in the home, at the schools, churches, organisations, work places, and every other institution where people interact. Any society that disrespects its female population is on a sure path to self-destruction.
No society can succeed without women. Their importance to the progress and development of the country and the well-being of the masses is undeniable. Women occupy every sphere in society. They fulfill all the vital roles as wives, mothers, teachers, educators, social workers, gardeners, lawyers, judges, engineers etc. therefore, they must be treated with the respect they deserve. It goes without saying that the values that are consistent with dignity and integrity must be upheld by all in society. Having power should not be an exercise in dominance or abuse of women or anyone else. Instead, power should be used to uplift people by moulding their minds and shaping their hearts to appreciate every human being. We must respect women.

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