TOMORROW, the world will commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which marks the start of 16 days of activism.
Unfortunately, this is a daunting issue that transcends all borders and cultures, and despite the herculean efforts, it remains a major bugbear.
Here in Guyana, we have not been spared the harrowing effects of this global scourge as we have a long history of violence against women.
While lots have been done at the level of the government and by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), both local and international, more needs to be done to protect our women from physical abuse and emotional trauma.

In less than two weeks, violence in the most vile and cruel form has been unleashed on four women under different circumstances and in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, three of those women are dead and the other is hospitalised. There have also been other publicised cases earlier in the year.
Thirty-two-year-old Romona Lall of Corentyne, Berbice was reportedly killed by her husband, Sadesh Appaddu, also known as “Vishal” at the Sunset View Hotel in Kitty, Georgetown. She was found dead on the floor on November 12, with a broken bottle near the body and what appeared to be blood stains on the bed and walls of the room.
Her family subsequently said that she endured years of abuse and was repeatedly advised to end the relationship. The suspect is believed to be hiding out in Suriname.
One week later, 48-year-old Daniele Charles of Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was found naked and lifeless in a clump of bushes at Experiment New Housing Scheme. Her clothing, including her undergarments and a used condom and wrapper were found next to her body which had stab wounds to various parts of her body including the throat and chest. Her killer is still at large.

On Wednesday, around 06:30hrs, 48-year-old Cherriel Fredricks, was brutally chopped, allegedly, by her partner, Michael McClennon, at Parika Backdam. The woman, who lost four of her fingers during the incident, had left the home she shared with McClennon three weeks ago following a disagreement. Neighbours caught him as he tried to flee the scene and handed him over to the police.

Just over an hour later, 38-year-old Chooromanie Tulsie called ‘Anita’ was discovered dead in the lower flat of her Mahaica, East Coast Demerara home with a piece of cloth stuffed inside her mouth and a knife stuck in the centre of her throat. Her five-year-old son was found locked in the upper flat. There were no signs of forced entry and family members are at a loss as to who could have committed the crime and what was the motive.

The brutality of the above mentioned incidents is worrying and is indicative of large scale problems that have been allowed to fester.
Like many parts of the world, the Government of Guyana has been making investments in the interest of all women. Many programmes have been created to empower them, make them independent and allow them to take up a financial role in their family.

Many governments have rolled out similar programmes and have strengthen laws to protect women, but UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed believes greater investment has to be made.

“Investment in prevention is to invest in our collective well-being. It means creating conditions where women and girls can thrive, unburdened by the fear of violence,” she was quoted as saying in a video message.

According to her, investment will address root causes and drivers of violence, challenge discriminatory norms and practices and promote holistic prevention policies and programmes.
While true, this should be coupled with multi-national, multi-sectoral, well-coordinated and well-resourced goals each with a long-term vision. The enforcing of existing laws and robust education campaigns, particularly at the school level, could help put a deep dent in this scourge. For now, the conversation continues.