‘Alissa Trotz is absolutely correct that more needs to be done regarding domestic violence. It would be helpful, however, if we get more dispassionate analysis, rather than the customary, diatribe.’
ALISSA Trotz had a great opportunity to address the issue of domestic violence without muddying it with the usual political vilifications.

In her article “Stop the Slaughter” Trotz concentrates on a whole much of irrelevant matter or far-fetched theorizing, rather than the substantive issue of domestic violence. By doing so, she herself participates in sidelining an issue that is indeed urgent and that is indeed being addressed by the Government of Guyana.

I am disappointed with Trotz’s piece for two reasons.

Firstly, rather than stick to the important aspects of this issue, Trotz becomes sidetracked with the lives of President Jagdeo and Varshnie Singh. When will Guyanese writers stop this kind of cheap personal attacks and deal with public policy issues in ways that are constructive?

In Trotz’s case, it is all the more shocking because she rails against the rise of selfishness, individualism, and the like. But why not deal with the domestic violence per se, rather than just use the issue to score political points.

Secondly, Trotz makes some far reaching claims about the relationship between neoliberalism and domestic violence. Trotz claims that GOG is only providing band-aid support to stop a gaping wound. Nobody in government that I know would object to more resources to fight domestic violence.

But Trotz must realize that there are broader cultural issues at hand. Thus, instead of concentrating on hegemonic patriarchy in the Caribbean, she is content to attack the development strategy of Guyana. She claims that organizations such as Help and Shelter “…are swimming against the riptide of a development approach that is not people or community-centered, that is based on sacrificing the vulnerable among us-the poor, women, children, the aged, the disabled.” Can you see the way in which narrow, self-interested politics get inserted into this issue? Sacrificing?

Trotz ought to know that the Jagdeo administration economic policies are not built on neoliberalism.

Yes, there is liberalization and privatization. But there are also significant measures to counter a purely market-based framework. The mortgage industry in Guyana is a perfect example of this.

Your interest rate is basically calculated on the amount you borrow, not on your credit-rating. People who build the regular two or three bedroom house can get a loan for less than 5%. The rates are higher for larger loans – a method that is patently anti-neoliberal. Indeed, the mortgage market in Guyana has strong elements of Human Security.

Readers should know that only last month the New Building Society (alone) approved 257 loans from one to ten million dollars. This is no small issue because, just as in Canada, home ownership is the surest way of building long term economic equity.

It is regrettable that Trotz takes such a purely ideological stance on Guyana’s economic strategy and then attempt to relate this to domestic violence. It does not work, because in point of fact, the situation is not so much one of ideology, as it is one of culture.

Alissa Trotz is absolutely correct that more needs to be done regarding domestic violence. It would be helpful, however, if we get more dispassionate analysis, rather than the customary, diatribe.