–Minister Lawrence urges

MINISTER of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, has called upon all to “break the silence” and make it their business to join the fight against domestic and intimate partners violence by speaking out against these social ills which continue to bedevil society.
She made the call as Guyana joins countries the world over in observing the United Nations dedicated ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ under the theme: “Orange the World: Promoting Equality; Ending Gender-Based Violence.”
Yesterday, orange became the dominant colour in offices and through streets as many consciously participated in lighting up the world ‘in orange’ to symbolise the end of a dark act and a bright future for women and girls.

Investments by individuals and organisations advocating the end of violence have come a long way as today women and girls are more aware of their rights and more seek help in dealing with violence.
Organisations such as the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Red Thread, the Guyana Women Miners Organisation and the religious community have all been at the forefront in tackling the problem.
More women today have access to help than before.
Minister Lawrence called on more individuals and groups countrywide to actively participate in the movement to end violence.

“I want us all to break that silence, to lend all our voices throughout all the regions of our country in unison against domestic and intimate violence, to become involved and demonstrate our commitment to the elimination of this social ill which is so rife in our society… I want us all to make it our business, make it our responsibility to shatter the glass and speak out loudly and strongly against the high incidence of violence that prevails in our villages and communities.”

COLLECTIVE VOICE
With many lives already lost, she maintained that in order to tackle the problem from its root, a collective voice is needed and collaboration of all government ministries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), police, legal practitioners, community leaders, victims, women and men is required.
Amicable resolutions to disputes should also be sought, she said.
“We need to initiate the change from within us and then set about eradicating the prevalence of violence in our society… we ourselves have to free ourselves from the violent acts that are etched in our minds. Violence has become embedded in our daily routine. We are no longer willing to resolve matters amicably; a dispute is settled with a blow or the flash of a weapon,” Minister Lawrence pointed out.

She is concerned that domestic matters escalate into violence even in the midst of children, who tend to copy what they see and hit out violently at each other.
The minister also mentioned that regular manifestations of intolerance and impatience on the roadways put fellow motorists and pedestrians at risk, but these are not all.
“Our women and men folk are sexually harassed; we intimidate and harass those with alternative lifestyles; we are all exhibiting some form of violent action. Yes, in our psyche, violence has become an acceptable way of life and this is perhaps the reason why our responses are not vocal, appear luke-warm, and are sometimes indifferent to the extreme forms of violence that are being perpetrated,” Lawrence stated.

SEEK HELP
Women who are abused should seek support and guidance through education and training from empowerment agencies, the minister said.
“Help stop the perpetration of violence by arming yourself with the requisite skills and knowledge which are available in your community… try to acquire leadership skills, entrepreneurial skills, digital skills, because in this era of globalisation and technological advancement… with the acquisition of these skills, you can begin to shape and fashion your world; you can build bridges and realise your vision for transforming your lives.”
She encouraged such women to end their victimisation, share their stories, connect and engage in empowerment training and let their ingenuity and expertise move them “out of the vicious claws of violence.”

Minister Lawrence also said that men need to understand that they were created by God and assigned the roles of protector, lover and companion, father-figure and breadwinner, among others.
The same God, she said, fashioned woman to complement man and endowed her with the gift of motherhood for the replenishing of the earth.
“… Why then has man become the aggressor, the perpetrator of violence? Why the degrading, the dehumanising of women, when it’s the same women who are responsible for life, for providing you with the opportunity to build your future and establish your niche in society?” she asked.
She also urged men to allow women equal opportunities for development.
“When the woman sets out to improve her well-being through education and training, it’s not to become the boss, but to add to the economic soundness, so that the benefits can filter through to the children, to the community and to the society in general. Woman is there to complement, not control. So why do you attempt to destroy lives, to perpetrate acts of violence that leave the family traumatised?”
Men who are not perpetrators of violence should begin to break the silence and talk to fellow men who are perpetrators, Minister Lawrence urged.