Govt needs to do something quickly about the alleged abuse of women at the Local Government Commission

Jan 12, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Please permit me space to highlight a rather troubling encounter I had this week.

As I sat alone waiting for my colleague to join me at a popular cafe in downtown Georgetown, the conversation between two female employees of The Local Government Commission startled me though they were trying to be discreet , the silent an enclosed cafe afforded me the opportunity to hear the plight both young ladies shared- with one contemplating suicide as she is ” fed up of the harrassment and afraid that it will be swept under the rug , like all the other complaints “.

One young lady was literally in tears, describing how she is called worthless and other demeaning names by a particular male manager and right after told “that is a joke man you too soft” .She further went on to state that once she was told that she was operating slow because she lacked (intimacy) not her exact words and that he could provide it.

Although her colleague was saying that they should approach their Chairman, she was adamant that she couldn’t since being a single mom (her job seemed to be her everything) wasn’t easy and sometimes with the burdens of her personal life coupled with what she was experiencing at work, she felt that a strong doze of pills would put an end to it. Mr. Editor I couldn’t contain my own tears , within me were emotions of pain and anger , in a day of so much advancement, of policies that support human rights and women rights , why are persons still victimized in the work place ?

Who can women reach out to if no one seems to listen? The other young lady mentioned that the abuse was not just contained to vulnerable females within the organisation she said it also included the female security guard who is also quite young. There was also dialogue of this particular individual boasting to them that education means nothing and connections means everything and they should be ashamed by that with their degree- they are still beneath him a man who just has connections.

Editor, I promised myself to use my keypad , as the voice for those two unknown women, not because I am idle and want to bring their plight to the public domain but simply because I believe that with this simple piece, someone will highlight to the relevant authorities that there is something wrong within the Institution and a robust investigation needs to be launched into the ” allegation “.

Secondly, to appeal to support groups that there are vulnerable people in offices who need support and may be ashamed to speak out in an attempt to see proactive measures put in place to ensure that persons feel comfortable and are not hesitant to reach out.

In closing I ask that my letter be published and I do hope that it reaches the eyes and ears of whoever is responsible for the Institution before the particular young lady chooses death as an escape of harassment in the workplace. I pray she doesn’t. Today I write for every woman who has been victimized or feel victimized. I encourage you to stand up and speak out, no person has the authority to make you feel inferior, no one has the authority to disrespect your worth. Even among the silent forest of absent people a fallen tree still makes a sound, still has an impact.

Yours respectfully.

Name provided

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employees, Georgetown, harrassment, Name provided, The Local Government Commission

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