IT seems that the never-ending,  bloody orgy of domestic violence in all forms continues unabated in Guyana, and elsewhere, as if there is no end to this definite threat to the fairer sex category.
Despite the many programmes and efforts at heightening awareness of this social scourge, women are being murdered by their male partners for varied reasons.
At this time of writing, there have been two cases of this daily slaughter, executed in brutal fashion. As seems to be the trend, both alleged male perpetrators, committed suicide, rather than face the bar of justice.
What is interesting, but significant, is the manner in which physical violence is now exacted on our women folk, as highlighted by a media report recently under the bold caption: ‘East Coast woman beaten by partner in village street.’
The account of this spousal assault can only be summed up as akin to that of a caveman, subduing a woman by any and all means. In those primordial days women were treated as an extension of their males, without any rights. This, as is so well known, has been an unenlightened culture that has succeeded in its continuity throughout the ages, with the most significant changes on the social condition of women, only beginning in the last century. Yet, despite the many strides and successes of women, even locally, there are still disturbing corps of males, who perceive even their wives/companions as voiceless, that, are to be treated as inferior persons.
Such can be inferenced from the media account of a woman being assaulted in that East Coast village street, when the male attacker is reported to have said that she is the mother of his child and such gives him the right to do “whatever he wanted to her.”
This is the second media-reported incident of a female being publicly beaten, with the first one taking place in the Charlestown area, and the victim thrown into a canal by her attacker. Again, this is a reflection of the typical chauvinist and backward mentality that still inhabits the psyche of the general male, who believes that women must be “disciplined”.
Even young males are imbued with this distorted and tragic view of women, as evidenced by many of them receiving court sanctions for all forms of spousal assault.
It is a very sad commentary that this kind of male, masquerading as father/husband/companion exists. And this is despite the numerous national strategies that have been done to highlight the inherent wrongs of this male action that has very serious social consequences, since when a woman is killed, for example, she often leaves young children, who experience personal emotional trauma, often aggravated by ill-treatment from sometimes uncaring and indifferent relatives.
One accepts that the mix of issues that leads towards the deterioration of relations between a couple are many times highly complex and emotionally explosive, as often portrayed in the many cases publicised. Yet, there are men, naturally pre-disposed to violence, who batter their women for little or no reason, but for the fact that they seek refuge in the primitive belief that their manhood ascribes to them such a right.
No enlightened man, or those with even the most basic of intelligence, will subject his wife/companion to the degrading treatment of physical abuse, much less a public beating.
This is appallingly inhuman and humiliating to not only the victim, but to every other woman.
There has to be a continuation of all interventions, both government and non-government, in the national, on-going efforts to educate the public as to the seriousness of this deadly assault on the nation’s women.
Apart from outreaches and such forms, the battle has to be expanded to include the workplaces, social organisations, and even sporting clubs, since these catchment areas collectively have significant numbers.
Even the church, all faiths and religions included, must be more direct in addressing this epidemic, as there are many incidents among couples, and even individual members, who are being abused.
As a further boost to the armoury against this wanton assault on our women, the nation’s social workers, other similarly-trained professionals must be deployed to the above places for awareness discussions. Even medical personnel must become a part of this public campaign, as they are best placed to inform and educate about the horrific injuries and their long- term consequences, which severely diminishes the woman’s vital role in the family.
But these efforts have to be buttressed by the investigative arm that must be proactive. They must treat every report brought to their attention with urgency, and not be dismissive, or wait for a murder to occur, as is still the case. Finally, the judicial system must continue to deal condignly with cases of such nature, with appropriate sentencing that reflects the nature of the offence.
The time has come for the denial; the not wanting to know; and mind-your-own-business, attitudes to end; for, the truth is: Domestic Violence is a threat to the social bedrock of this nation – Women!