– as MoSP launches ‘16 days of Activism’ campaign

By Vanessa Braithwaite

BE it sexual, physical, emotional or financial, violence against women and girls continues to be a major problem plaguing our society.

And in its effort to eradicate this scourge, the Ministry of Social Protection on Monday launched a ‘16 days of activism’ campaign in Linden so as to raise awareness on the need for everyone to play a role and get on board. The event was held under the theme, ‘Orange the World, Generation Equality Stands against Rape’.

Giving the feature address to an audience consisting of regional officials, students, women and other stakeholders was Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally. She brought to the fore the reality that gender-based violence is a global problem affecting many women in Guyana. This violence, she explained, has no boundaries, and poses a threat to individuals as well as communities, and the progression of a nation as a whole. “This scourge continues to pose a serious threat to human rights, public health, citizen security and physical, political and economic autonomy of women in Guyana. The level of violence against women in Guyana is unacceptable,” Minister Ally posited.

CULTURAL NORMS
According to the experts, some blame must be placed on our cultural norms which continue to harbour attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. These include beliefs that women belong in the home and should not be present a certain decision-making tables. This is coupled by the unequal distribution of opportunities and even wealth.
This has also resulted in violence going beyond intimate partner violence, and Minister Ally related that 20% of the women in Guyana have experienced non-partner sexual abuse in their lifetime. “There needs to be a paradigm shift,” she said, adding: “That means ensuring that women have access to education, decent work and equal pay. It means removing the structural barriers, the discriminatory institutions, and gender stereotypes… It means getting more women into political office, and ensuring that women have a voice in the decision which affects their lives, in households, in communities, in government, in the private sector and other entities.”

ROOTING IT OUT
In highlighting the progress made in rooting out gender-based violence, the Social Protection Minister related that in 2017, Guyana established the first court to strictly deal with sexual offences cases, and this is now available in three counties. A National Plan of Action for domestic and sexual violence has also been finalised. “This Plan of Action,” Minister Ally said, “focuses on the protection of victims, prevention of gender-based violence, prosecution, rehabilitation of victims among others, and will soon be approved for implementation… Ending violence against women, is one of the government’s key priorities, and a critical part of our mission is to achieve gender quality and women’s empowerment.”

Another significant stride the government would have made is to partner with New Horizon to ensure Linden gets its first women’s home. In her address, Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell related that the Home will be fully furnished and functional by January 2020. This Home will not only function as a safe haven for abused women, but as an empowerment facility to make them financially independent. Mayor Arrindell listed gender-based violence as a serious issue facing our women, and said more needs to be done to tackle the issue.
“It has become deeply rooted in our society,” she said, “and many times we hear about it. Some of us have lived through it; some of us saw our parents go through it; some of us watched our sisters, daughters and friends endure it. Today, we are thankful. We are thankful that under this government the Ministry of Social Protection has chosen to be with us today and to give us 16 days to eradicate, to make sure our entire country knows and understands the importance of keeping our women and our children safe.”

‘START THE CONVERTSATION’
While we wait for the Women’s Home to be opened, she urged Lindeners to start the conversation in their homes and communities. “It is the responsibility of mothers and our fathers… And as we say, it takes a community to raise a child; to ensure our girls and boys are taught good morals and values; that they are taught the importance of women, and that those women should be protected,” the mayor said.

Religious leaders gave the charge to particularly men to take up their responsibility as fathers, and urge their fellow men not to partake in these cruel acts of violence.
The event also saw several cultural performances from students who, through dance, song, spoken word and drama sought to send a strong message on how impacting violence is on the victims.

The launch also included an exhibition and a candlelight vigil. Deputy Director of Social Services Abike Samuels said that the intent of the 16 days of activism is to focus on eliminating sexual harassment, assault, violence and rape, committed against women and girls.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute back in 1991. Over the next 16 days, beginning today and up until Human Rights Day on December 10, Guyana will join the rest of the world in calling for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.