RIGHTS activists in Guyana have said that the controversial case involving Roberta Browne’s baby has highlighted the fact that there is a high prevalence of poor parenting and absenteeism of fathers in the country, as well as an urgent need for sexual and reproductive health programmes for youths.Activist Nicole Cole in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, said the case clearly showed that the mother of three had been a victim of many social ills and one could assume that she was under post-partum depression when she decided to hand over her baby just days after giving birth to him.
“I think that this case highlights why young girls need to be taught about sexual and reproductive health as it relates to family planning. This case also highlights the epidemic that currently afflicts Guyana, that is, poor parenting and absenteeism of fathers,” Cole said.
She also pointed out that for a 22 year old to have a child who is six years old, also shows clearly that she had been a victim of statutory rape and sexual exploitation.
With that in mind, she said, one is left with a certain answer to a question of whether or not the young mother may have had the opportunity to complete school.
Roberta Browne is a single mother of three, and the fact that the father of the child in the midst of a battle, which attracted national attention did not come forward to give voice, tells a sad story.
It is common though that mothers are the ones upfront in battles for their families, especially children, when indeed it is written that the man is the head of the household. But worst though, is the fact that many households are without a man, which leaves the eldest male child to be the older man in the midst and not strong enough to stand and represent his family.
In this case, Roberta Browne’s father lives in the United Kingdom, and though she is an adult with three children, the eldest male in her home is her son, just one year old.
“Three children at age 22,” Cole said, “is a clear case of sexual exploitation and statutory rape.”
At 15 she was pregnant with her now six-year-old daughter.
“This young mom needs family planning education. Teenage pregnancy is a clear and present danger to many young girls in Guyana! This case clearly highlights that fact,” Cole explained.
She further said: “It also highlights the ‘turmoil’ of single-parenting in Guyana as very young girls are now ‘single mothers.’ It also highlights that paedophilia is a norm in this society, whereby adult men prey upon children with little and no punishment for this abominable behaviour.”
LOW CONVICTION RATE
The activist also expressed concern that for over a decade now, rape has carried the lowest rate of convictions within the criminal justice system here.
Meanwhile, when the Guyana Chronicle visited Roberta Browne’s home last Friday, her family was concerned that her baby might have been taken away because she was poor.
Browne was unaware that she would get her baby back on Monday and had already secured a night-duty job within a security firm, although she had just given birth to the baby less than a month ago.
She had already made up her mind to do all that it took legally to get her child back in hand and to secure her two older ones who were also under the protection of the Child Care and Protection Agency.
After her baby was returned, her aunt Suzette advised her to wait until the child was at least three months old before turning out to work.
Nicole Cole said the fact that Browne was poor did not give someone else the right to her child.
“The fact that she is poor does not make it right to violate her rights and the woman who has the child must return the baby to its biological mother, who will need Social Security to be able to cope with raising the baby.”
When the Guyana Chronicle spoke to Suzette Browne yesterday, she said the child was taken to the health clinic, but Browne was asked to return to the clinic with the baby today, so that he can receive his BCG vaccine.
She said though her niece had planned to breastfeed her baby until six months, he has refused to breastfeed, since he was away from her for over 14 days. The baby, whose name is Anthony Browne, has a chest cold and is on medication. The best option, breastfeeding, is no longer an option.
Browne’s six-year-old daughter is a pupil of the Bagotville Primary, and she has a one-year-old son, who also stays at home with her.

By Shauna Jemmott