DOMESTIC violence comes in many forms. It can be physical, sexual, physiological and emotional, and can entail stalking and threatening.

The United Nations has said that an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.

It doesn’t appear as though research has been able to quantify sexual harassment and emotional abuse that women endure probably because most of those go unreported.

According to the UN, 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020, about 47,000 of them (58 per cent) died at the hands of an intimate partner or a family member, which equals to a woman or girl being killed every 11 minutes in their home.

On Wednesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, saw it necessary to put on record his disdain for violence against women.

He and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, took time out of their busy schedules to join their wives and scores of women for a specially put together programme to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Women from a variety of fields and from all walks of life gathered for the event which included dinner, on the lawns of State House.

President Ali, during his remarks, expressed his love for women and emphasised the important roles they play and how they often put themselves second.

He felt that it was fitting to address this issue at this celebratory event probably given the fact that it rivals gender equality and equity when it comes to issues facing women.

Domestic violence has managed to sink its claws into the Guyana society and while efforts have been made over the years to put an end to it, there is still a lot more work to be done.

Recently, a woman lost her life after she was savagely attacked by her partner. She was so fearful of him that she returned to the house they shared with her younger sister.

She wanted to collect her belongings which she had left behind when she fled a few days earlier. Unfortunately, she was knifed to death as her sister watched.

This woman is one of many who have lost their lives at the hands of men, many of whom are now feeling the legal consequences and are probably spending their days reflecting on their actions and the damage it has caused.

President Ali rightfully pointed out that the root cause of this scourge is silence and collective guilt that we all share in not addressing this issue.

Although he recognises that this is a national issue, he believes that the first step should be conversations in the home between parents and their children so that the latter can understand that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and should be frowned upon by everyone.

This position should be widely embraced as there is evidence to show that children who experience violence while growing up have a tendency to become abusers or victims during adulthood.

Children must understand that hitting a peer is not a joke and must never be seen as such. There have been many complaints about children hitting each other during playtime at school. It is an even more serious concern when it involves both genders.

The time is ripe for learners to benefit from regular talks about domestic violence. Both boys and girls must be able to identify the signs of domestic violence and be able to identify the various forms. Our young people need to be educated about what needs to be done in these types of situations, where there can access help and how best they can protect their lives.

President Ali even pointed out that oftentimes, persons turn a blind eye to domestic violence. Many families here in Guyana are guilty of this. Many offer no support or guidance and often encourage women to remain in those abusive relationships for economic reasons and family stability especially when they share children with the abusers. They make excuses for the actions of the perpetrators and often encourage them to continue their barbaric behaviour.

We can beat this sickening scourge only if we work collectively as individuals, as families and as a community. We must stop this abuse from destroying our society. We all have to play our part and bring it to a halt.