THE term ‘Gender-Based Violence (GBV)’ conjures up several possible interpretations. Does it mean violence against people of an unknown gender? Could it mean men beating up men, and women beating up women? Although the mind boggles, the definition is straightforward. GBV is any type of violence excessively perpetrated against a particular person or groups of people because of their gender. Domestic violence is a type of Gender-Based Violence, because the majority of cases involve men being violent to women.

The violence is committed against the woman purely because she is physically weaker than her assailant. He is unlikely to instigate the same actions towards an equal opponent, a neighbour or friend; and if he did, he would be punished. But when aggression is directed at women and girls, it is usually unchallenged, especially within family circles. The violence can be physical, sexual or psychological; including rape, threats, deprivation, oppression and bullying. When young girls are forced to marry grown men; when they are trafficked and sexually exploited, this, too, is Gender-Based Violence.
When women and girls are treated less than equals, it is a violation of their human rights. Yet this is the least recognised violation in the world, and is not defined by religion, culture, race or social standing. Children are negatively impacted by Gender-Based Violence, but girls are more vulnerable. They might grow believing that women are inferior to men, and are meant to be mistreated, bullied, threatened, beaten and forced to do as they are told. Boys may grow to believe they are meant to enforce their will or desires on their wives and daughters, and they must be submissive or forced into submission.
When a mother’s well-being is compromised through Gender-Based Violence, it affects the holistic development of her family; her physical and mental health can be affected or neglected as she struggles to maintain some balance in an insecure environment. She may suffer from low self-esteem, chronic pain, high blood pressure, drug or alcohol dependency, depression, unwanted pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections. This will take a toll on how she manages her household, and the type of morals and values her children will embrace.
Young women and girls are subjected to harassment as they go about their daily lives by boys and men who feel they have a God-given duty to call after them; to chirrups them, and make sexual remarks as they walk by. This behaviour is totally profane and disrespectful; it can be embarrassing and demeaning for a young woman to be treated like a sexual object by anyone, let alone by strangers. Young men believe that girls enjoy their banter, and they say, “I just troubling she”, as if no harm has occurred. Little do they know the pain and anguish they cause by their thoughtless behaviour. Harassment is yet another example of Gender-Based Violence.

The first national survey in Guyana, based on Gender-Based Violence, was carried out last year (2019); it revealed that more than half of all women experience at least one form of violence. Children who witnessed violence against their mothers in childhood, or who have a partner who did the same, are at a higher risk of continuing the cycle of exposure and passing on the same experiences to their children. Most women or girls who experienced violence did not report it to the police or any other authority.
Under the Domestic Violence Act (1966), a person can seek a protective order from a Magistrate against someone who perpetuates violence towards them; it prohibits abuse, and excludes the abusive person from the home or workplace. However, one (1) in three (3) women or girls will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime. Violence should never be accepted as normal, and adults need to set good examples for children on how to combat Gender-Based Violence, wherever it occurs; whether in schools or other establishments.
Teachers and parents can encourage girls to stand up for themselves in a realistic way, without being rude or confrontational. Empowering them with guidance and support, while ensuring that they understand what is Gender-Based Violence as well as the human rights, to which they are entitled. Boys should be taught to be equally respectful to everyone they encounter, and to treat girls as partners rather than second-class citizens. This lesson is more effective when men exhibit courteous, respectful behaviour towards their wives, families and others on the whole, as children learn from example. They should learn about Gender-Based Violence, so they can combat rather than embrace the damaging effect it can have on lives if it is left to fester.
It makes no sense for a father to say, “Son, you must never knock a woman,” when that father has a reputation for doing just that, after a drink or two. And it’s not just about the physical act of raising one’s hand to strike another person; there are further connotations, such as the feeling of superiority and subordination that go along with the threats, the verbal abuse, the assault, the sexual harassment, the rape, the forced child marriage, the trafficking, the child exploitation, and the blatant inequality entrenched in Gender-Based violence. To root it out, we must educate our children about the severe long-term effects caused by GBV, and work to eliminate it from society.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on: 227-0979, or write to us at: childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY