Dear Editor,

The Women’s Studies Unit of the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus joined with the rest of the world in observing International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8.  The Unit extends congratulations to all the women of the world and especially those in Guyana, who survived to see this day.  International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

Although it is a great achievement for women to be recognised on this day, it is sad to report that many women and girls are still missing from global population figures.  This is largely because of decades of gender-specific abuses, neglect, abortions, and in some instances, infanticide.  It appears that more females have been killed in the last fifty years, precisely because they were women/girls.

The paramount moral challenge of this new century therefore is for men and women to be treated equally, with specific focus on gender-based violence.  As a matter of fact, the very observance of this day came as a direct result of the many injustices faced by women all over the world.  Since the 1900s this day has been observed in many countries of the world, and is set aside for women to be treated with love and respect for the many hidden contributions that they have made and are continuing to make to general human and world development.

On the occasion of 2010 International Women’s Day the Women’s Studies Unit drew attention to the increase in domestic violence in Guyana by hosting a workshop in Berbice. Although the issue may seem overdone, the rate of domestic violence is steadily increasing.  And by the way, this is not an issue for women only because its effects are far-reaching and touch everyone in a host of ways.  It also puts undue strain on Guyana’s financial and human resources, from the individual who is experiencing it to the prison officers who have to deal with the perpetrators.

Time and space would not permit me to fill the gap in relation to the host of other people who are affected by this scourge.  It also impedes national development. It affects everyone.

It is not all gloom though, for far from being helpless victims in domestic violence situations, many women are also being resourceful, resilient and courageous in the face of hardship.  The Unit salutes all women!

Yours faithfully,
Audrey Benn
Programme
Officer/Lecturer
Women’s Studies Unit
University of Guyana