Sixty percent of women suffer some form of abuse- Help and Shelter

Dec 02, 2018 News

Women in Guyana currently exist in a society where more than half of them are faced with abuse, with most of this abuse being perpetrated by men. This is according to representative of Help and Shelter, Danuta Radzik at a recent EU panel discussion.
However, it should also be noted that globally, it was estimated that 35 percent of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives.
Women were identified as the gender that is most disproportionately affected by violence within the home. The female demographic of Guyana currently stands at over 380,000 with a total populace of 782,225.
The abuse of women has for years acted as debilitating factor in the social, economical and cultural atmosphere within Guyana as well as the global Diaspora. It has proven to not just damage the lives of its victims but to also inflict crippling effects on a country’s social and economic development.
Radzik, in presenting alluded to a statistical representation for the number of women being subjected to abuse, with sixty percent of the female demographic within Guyana experiencing some form of abuse on a daily basis.
Radzik attributed these alarming statistics to the normalization of unequal power dynamics between men and women in the country and global community. Inequalities between men and women were identified as the most persistent pattern in power distribution within the home and the wider community.
With all this being said, whilst many persons within society might consider domestic violence to be a random act, it is widely characterized by its systematic and structural format. In fact, the ill that is domestic violence, is built on the edifice of male superiority and female inferiority, geared in the patriarchal control of women, socially ascribed gender roles, and political dominance of men.
Radzik said that these forms of violence, whether they are emotional, sexual, psychological or physical, deny women of their constitutionally granted rights.
Radzik added that violence against women in any form infringes and violates human rights, wreaking havoc in the lives of so many of its victims. According to global reports, violence perpetrated against women in the home had significant impact on children and teens that grew up in environments charged with tension and fear.
Psychological and emotional trauma in children has been linked to abusive home environments or constant exposure to abuse. Children who were exposed to these kinds of behavioral patterns were seen as most likely to experience some sort of domestic violence in adulthood or perpetuate the act themselves.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) in an analysis report of domestic violence recognized low economic opportunities and educational opportunities for women as major risk factors for perpetrated violence.
The report identified women and children as the most vulnerable groups for the act. WHO asserted that children who grow up seeing their mother threatened, demeaned or physically and sexually assaulted are more likely to perpetuate that very behaviour.
Whilst domestic violence cannot be attributed to one single factor, relationship quality and community context all play major roles. Nonetheless, the most consistent marker was shown to be marital conflict or discord within the family; economic conditions also play a major role.
It was noted that persons of low economic standing account for the public health burden of violence in most societies. The impact of domestic violence has a reach that extends in a country’s social and economic standing with women.
Women may suffer from isolation, inability to work, lack of participation, and limited ability to care for themselves and children.
WHO recommends as a deterrent to domestic violence within the region, that certain strategies such as advocacy and non-discriminatory laws in countries like Guyana be implemented.
The pervasiveness of domestic violence affects all tiers of society, suppressing the voice of women in a rapidly evolving society.

Latest News

Sixty percent of women suffer some form of abuse- Help and Shelter

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Imlach masterclass 126, Alimohamed 66-ball 77, give Harpy Eagles life...

Fraser rebounds well, as Arjoon keeps perfect...

Guyana to host historic 3×3 Quest Tournament

Quarter-Finals in Mashramani Street Football...

Vurlon Mills Football Academy launches KFC...

DEMLIFE Golf Tournament tees off today at LGC

Features/Columnists

Due diligence on investments must become a priority

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Awestruck and starstruck with a twist

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Sixty percent of women suffer some form of abuse- Help and Shelter

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]