The President’s Pledge

Sep 09, 2025 Editorial

Kaieteur News – At his inauguration on Sunday, President Irfaan Ali pledged to “kill” the scourge of domestic violence. It was a bold promise, one that resonated with a weary nation that has seen far too many headlines about women murdered at the hands of their partners.

But words, however passionate, cannot heal broken lives. They must be followed by decisive action. Domestic violence is not new to Guyana. It is an old, stubborn evil that festers in our homes, our communities, and tragically, even in the corridors of power. Over the years, too many women have lost their lives to the hands of men who once professed to love them. In one of articles on Monday we reported that from January to late August 13, women lost their lives in domestic violent encounters.

When these incidents occur families are shattered, children left traumatized, and society weakened. This cannot go on and as such the president’s pledge must be transformed into policy, practice, and most importantly, protection for the vulnerable.

The first step is the full enforcement of the law. Guyana has laws on the books meant to protect victims of domestic abuse. But laws are meaningless if they exist only on paper. Time and again, citizens complain that when they seek help, their cries fall on deaf ears. Too often, the Guyana Police Force is unresponsive, dismissive, or slow to act. Women in danger are told to “work it out” with their abuser or are made to feel that their suffering is a private matter rather than a crime. This culture of negligence cannot continue. A responsive and responsible police force is non-negotiable if we are to stem the tide of killings.

Beyond policing, we must address prevention. Teaching our young men to love, cherish, and respect women is critical. Too many are raised with distorted notions of masculinity that equate control with love and violence with strength. We must tell them—and show them—that real strength is walking away, that respect means backing off, and that love cannot coexist with abuse. Schools, community organizations, and faith-based groups must become partners in this national re-education. But leadership must also set the tone. If those in high office are accused of rape or misconduct and such matters are swept under the rug, what message is sent to ordinary men? Covering up allegations against officials is not just immoral; it is counterproductive to any campaign against domestic violence. Our leaders must exemplify the values they preach.

Equally urgent is the establishment of adequate safety shelters for battered and abused women. At present, the facilities available are woefully inadequate. Many victims remain trapped in abusive homes simply because they have nowhere else to go. A woman who flees with her children should not be left homeless or penniless; she should find refuge, counselling, and support services readily available. This requires state investment, private sector partnership, and community involvement. Shelters are not luxuries; they are lifelines.

There is also a need for sustained public education campaigns. Violence thrives in silence. Too often, neighbours hear screams but turn a blind eye. Families hush up abuse for fear of shame. Communities close ranks around the abuser instead of the victim. We must break the silence. Let it be known, loudly and repeatedly, that domestic violence is a crime, not a “family problem.” Let every citizen understand their duty to intervene, to report, and to protect.

But none of this will happen unless the President’s pledge is backed by measurable targets and timelines. We must ask: how many new shelters will be built? How many police officers will be trained and deployed in domestic violence units? How many public education campaigns will be launched? Vague promises will not save lives. Only clear, accountable action will.

We, the people of Guyana, must also play our part. The President alone cannot kill the scourge of domestic violence. It is a fight that belongs to all of us: government, civil society, the private sector, and every household. Yet, as citizens, we must insist that the Head of State lead by example. He has been emphatic in his words; we will hold him to account in his deeds.

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Domestic violence, Editorial, inauguration, President’s Pledge, women murdered

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