…says Manager of Gender-Affairs Bureau

By Rehana Ahamad
THE Gender Affairs Bureau (GAB) is convinced that targeting the school system is the most effective way to reduce instances of violence against women, and create an environment for men to express themselves in a healthy manner.
The Bureau’s Manager, Adel Lilly, says that even though GAB has several programmes targeting secondary schools, it is not enough to cultivate a country that thrives on equality and respect for all genders.
“We have to really look at a strong health and family life programme in the schools,” Lily posited. Should such a programme materialise, Lily believes that self-awareness ought to be a major component.
“Part of it would have to be teaching boys and girls who they are, about appreciating differences…about self-respect, what is good touch, bad touch…we have to teach them about domestic violence, sexual violence…about empowerment,” Lilly stressed.
He noted that while his recommended programme would entail comprehensive sex education, its contents would have to be disseminated in a manner that is age appropriate and culturally relevant.
“For instance, discussions of good touch and bad touch should start from as early as nursery school, so that our children grow up knowing these things,” Lilly noted.
The GAB manager believes that this would even result in children becoming more vocal in highlighting sexual violations.
As it relates to the GAB’s secondary school programme, Lilly noted that this targets both boys and girls.
“For our boys, our outreaches focus on the use of drugs, anger management, understanding their roles as boys, and understanding what it means to be a man, understanding gender roles and so on,” Lilly posited.
He said that the emphasis of the programmes is to redefine masculinity.
“Manhood in my mind is someone who is responsible, accountable, someone who is driven by a particular goal…someone who is concerned about the people in his square of influence,” Lilly said.
The programmes, Lilly noted, also teaches boys how to accept and express their emotions in a healthy manner.
“Part of our conversation with men and boys is that it is okay to cry, it is okay to talk, it is okay to express your emotions, because at the end of the day, we are all human, and if men are bottling up their emotions, eventually they will explode,” Lilly posited.
Asked about programmes that are in place to tackle the elimination of stereotyping that prevents men from embracing their emotions, Lilly highlighted that girls too are schooled on masculinity.
“Most of our sessions are with boys and girls…we address some topics together, and some we deal with separately,” Lilly noted.
He believes that eliminating the stereotypes attached to the expression of male emotions will go a far way in cultivating a generation of emotionally mature men and women.
“Our objective at the GAB is to start that conversation. It is an important one,” Lilly asserted.
He is hopeful that the programmes being offered by both the government and various non-governmental organisations would also inspire more abused men to come forward and tell their stories.
Earlier this year, several countries across the world reported an increase in intimate partner violence and abuse. The increase has been mainly due to the various lockdowns and stay-at-home orders issued in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Lilly had previously told this newspaper that isolation, along with economic anxiety and joblessness had become stressors for many potentially aggressive and violent people.
“I really believe that our programmes at the GAB are effective, and can make a big difference if replicated as part of our school curriculum,” Lilly maintained.
Lilly’s call comes as Guyana continues its participating in the global 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.