The recent  announcement by Minister of Human Services, Jennifer Webster, while addressing the inaugural meeting of the Guyana Women Miners’
Organisation, of the  re-launch of the Ministry’s Domestic Violence Campaign in the first quarter of this year, is a clear indicator that the Government is gravely concerned, as must be the  entire  nation, with the continuous  violent abuse and murder of the nation’s women.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been several recorded cases of women being slaughtered by their spouses/companions.
Sadly, domestic violence and its all too well known outcome of tragic murder  is a fact of social life, and the  continuation of a pattern that  has now become a  daily occurrence.
This inhuman and monstrous act  has always been a fact  in the social milieu of this country, cutting across ethnic  and social lines. But because of the traditional mould of  social status, and especially of community pride, the battered woman was always expected to put on a brave face, lest her attempts at making known her daily ordeal, disgraced herself and  family in the process. Then, few of these cases were reported; few warranted the court’s attention with the appropriate sanctions. And there were murders too, with many of the condemned  men keeping their date with the hangman.
So, instances of domestic violence that were perceived as a trickle up to about 15 years ago have within very recent times become a deluge, with the national woman now becoming an endangered species.
That there are now daily, numerous media reports can be ascribed to  the following: the advent of television and the proliferation of  foreign programmes and documentaries aired from around the globe that discussed women who have suffered similar battering, and as to how the justice systems in those countries have dealt with such a serious social crisis, as it has now become globally.

There is no doubt that these types of programmes inclusive of their graphic illustrations, coupled with the individual victim’s frank discussion of her ordeal must have been a tremendous source of inspiration  and encouragement to their local counterparts  in similar situations. But there have also been  similar  strategies and interventions on the part of the current administration since its assumption of office.
Under its aegis, the Ministry of Human Services has been hosting  numerous  awareness workshops and programmes, with the aim of not only sensitising women to this cruel threat to their physical wellbeing, but also programmes with a skills training content, since it is felt that   economic empowerment is a tool that the underprivileged woman, particularly, can use in the battle against the threat of domestic violence.
Now, more than before, Guyanese women  are  more open  and bold in publicising their  ordeals from the scourge of domestic violence. In both  the print and electronic media, battered women openly tell their stories. These accounts are often horrendous, and one cannot  help but feel a great sense of sadness and revulsion as these women narrate their years of unspeakable cruelty. Regardless as to what provocative causes, if any, may be  proffered by the perpetrators, such beastly and bloody physical attacks on their victims are unwarranted and must be resoundingly condemned.
The Honourable Minister Webster, like her predecessor Priya Manickchand did on numerous occasions in the past, further referred to  the “problematic issues of  enforcement and prosecution”. This definitely points in the direction of  mainly the role of the police.
There have been consistent criticisms of the local  law enforcement agency as to their entire approach  in responding to reports of domestic violence. These range from insensitivity  to victims who approach for help, to downright  tardiness in their response. There is definitely a greater awareness among police officers of the clear and present dangers of domestic violence, as relevant courses have been held for  a better  understanding of the problem among these protectors of the citizens.
There is even a log book for the recording of reported domestic violence cases at every police station. These implementations have seen some improvements along the way of more reports being taken, offenders charged, and a number of  these violators being  jailed. However, there is still the instance, not so many these days, of victims refusing to offer evidence against their male companions, for reasons that are well known.
But there is a weakness in the investigative arm that must be urgently examined.
Far too many of the domestic violence cases that have ended in violent deaths for the helpless victims were often preceded by numerous reports that were  merely recorded, a basic detention done, and a  warning given  to the abuser, despite in  instances where the victims have visual marks of violence.
The authorities must be able to assess when such reports have reached crisis level and discharge the law accordingly without delay. For once the violence factor commences, tragedy inevitably does follow. In so doing, they must have the support of a social worker whose numbers and skills can be employed  more beneficially in this area.
The relevant authorities need to up the ante against this cruel scourge, in terms of instant action against  persons who commit  this particular felony.  Only condign action, inclusive of heavy penalties, will suffice as a measure against  spousal abusers.
Finally, there is no doubt, that Minister Webster’s recent disclosure  will see a renewed resolve and effort from  her ministry and its ancillary services, in combating this bloody threat against the nation’s womenfolk.
This ministry must be lauded for its herculean efforts in the battle against domestic abuse. But such efforts must, as a rule, be unambiguously  supported by a strong and unequivocally   prompt  response from  the police force.
Our women must be saved.