SUNDAY, November 25, marked the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women, which has been observed since 1981. However, it received its international approval in 2000 through Resolution 34/134 as the United Nations (UN) gave signal recognition and its adoption.

Arising from this very important observation is the commencement of 16 days of activism, during which time gender-based violence against women and girls in all its forms will be highlighted. This has been an annual phase since this seminal observation began; it centres on four key signposts, commencing with the titular date of November 25: Human Rights Defenders Day, November 29; World Aids Day, December 1; and Human Rights Day, December 16, on which date the activism ends.

Significantly in 2008, the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls was further advanced: then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon launched UNITE to End Violence against Women and Girls – all forms of violence.

A sample of some of the latest statistics from the WHO/PAHO illustrates the perilous threat that violence poses to the extant well-being and existence of women and girls; it highlights too, the need for continuous strategies in all forms and inclusive of every social agency in every region, and in every country to combat and halt this social scourge – a scourge that has become a dangerous and almost uncontrollable international monster.

* Some national studies have shown that 70% of women have experienced both physical and sexual violence in their lifetime.

*Victims of either type of violence are twice likely to have an abortion, depression, HIV, or other STDs, compared to women who have not suffered such an experience.
*35 per cent of women world-wide have been the victims of either physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by either an intimate partner or non-intimate partner.
*Globally, it is estimated that of all the women who were victims of homicide in 2012, one half were killed by intimate partners or family members.

*Adult women account for 51 per cent of all trafficking cases; women and girls account for 71 per cent, while girls represent three out of every four victims.

* 200 million women and girls have undergone female genitalia mutilation and other horrible nightmare experiences that have been taking place in every region of the world. Instructively, it must be noted that there are a reported 49 countries in which there are no laws that protect women from domestic violence that is now a pandemic.

Guyana is no stranger to the brutal scourge of violence against women and girls; it has grown to monstrous proportions with a sustained constancy that continues to make sensational headlines. The experiences are unchanging: of women being mercilessly brutalised and eventually killed by partners; of women sexually harassed and sexually violated, and even killed. The same horrific tranche of cruelty is meted out to girls of all ages, even as young as three years old. This is illustrated by the recent case of the ex-policeman who is now serving a life sentence for penetrative sex with a child of such tender age.

If there is any social ill that has been constantly highlighted on a daily basis in Guyana, whether by way of the media in all forms; through social outreaches; social media; youth groups; religious evangelicals; or dissemination by other means, it has been the scourge of gender-based violence in all its forms. In fact, more social organisations in creative ways, inclusive of social media, the arts including drama and public service announcements, have been taking discourses to even the streets, in further attempts to highlight the grim threat that this beastly and inhuman behaviour poses to the well- being of women and girls.

It has always been advocated in this column that the battle against gender-based violence must not only be the business of the parties concerned, or the individual victim; it must also be the concern of every Guyanese; every socio-cultural organisation and even organs of the state. This is because of its pervasiveness, that is indifferent to race and ethnicity, social class and professional status.

It is very re-assuring to learn of a very prominent religious denomination that is continuing its contribution to the awareness of this cruelty, via the 16 days of activism. Its programme includes the holding of a candlelight gathering during which the names of victims will be mentioned and a lit candle raised to their memory. Family members and friends of victims are invited to be a part of this occasion. It is hoped that, irrespective of cultural-religio backgrounds, citizens will participate in this and other awareness events which seek among other goals to build solid partnerships in the battle against gender-based violence.

Additionally, other religious houses, because of their very strong cultural influence, should plan similar gatherings within their respective communities as a means of highlighting this social cruelty. It is precisely during events such as these that we must all stand together, which will give real substance and meaning to this year’s UNITE Campaign global theme – Orange the World; #HearMeToo