Dear Editor
Recently, four of our sisters were brutally attacked by their spouses resulting in their hospitalization and desperate fights for their lives. A fifth sister mercilessly killed by a stalker who refused to take “No!” Yet another sister was brutally attached by her partner while accompanying a rural constable to serve what is described as “a restraining order”.
Given that everyone is aware of root causes of the problem and the requirements to address it, expounding in front of microphones and cameras should urgently give way to proactive measures to reduce the incidences of gender based violence. Replace talk by solutions NOW!.

Over the years The Caribbean Voice has partnered with over 200 different entities to raise awareness, hosts workshops and outreaches, engage in advocacy and information dissemination and offer counseling and other assistance. During the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence, held annually from November 25th to December 10th, Voices Against Violence, comprising about 50 entities, activists and advocated, focused on speak outs to raise awareness and provide motivation to victims to find ways out of their victimization. Imagine this process extended nationally across Guyana in an all-encompassing effort. We hope that this year observance of Sixteen Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence, could see this become a reality!

Indeed collaboration is the definitive framework to tackle this plague that is claiming the lives of so many almost on a daily basis. In effect we agree with a recent editorial in a local newspaper that called for, “a multi-sector and cross-ministerial approach” that would result in community level activism to prevent this scourge. Policy makers and leaders are the ones with the capacity and wherewithal to institutionalize this collaboration that everyone continually demand. Government must reach out to NGOS, FBOs, CBOs, activists, advocates and community leaders, across all divides, in a concerted and continuous effort to bring about needed change. All of this has been repeatedly expressed across various platforms over time.

Meanwhile The Caribbean Voice is extending a hand for collaboration to anyone willing to fight against this rapidly growing epidemic that is taking the lives of our brothers, sisters and children. We are in the process of formulating a plan in collaboration with the Center on Crime and Resilience at Northeastern University in the US under a USAID funded Building Evidence on Security and Community Resilience in the Caribbean project.

Abuse prevention needs actions not words. So we are appealing to NGOs, Faith Based Organizations, Community Based Organizations and other stakeholders to reach out to us so together we can build a network across Guyana to ensure the implementation of the upcoming plan in every community. We would provide training and necessary support to realize this effort and we fervently hope that relevant government ministries and agencies would join in the critical endeavor.

For further information or expressions of interest please call Bibi at 621-6111 or send email to bahamad.ba@gmail.com or call Dr Sixtus Edwards at 657-6397 or send email to sixtusedwards@yahoo.com. Diaspora entities please send email to caribvoice@aol.com or call Annan at 646-461-0574.

Meanwhile we urge everyone to check out our Facebook Media Page at https://www.facebook.com/The-Caribbean-Voice-Media-1064208657095507/?modal=admin_todo_tour for videos of our weekly program ‘The Mind Body Connection’. One of the program focuses on Gender Based Violence.
Regards

Indi Ram, The Caribbean Voice