Women’s groups should speak out for Varshnie Singh

Dear Editor,

I am appalled that none of the women’s rights and child rights groups has condemned President Bharrat Jagdeo for withdrawing the vehicle of his former wife, Ms Varshnie Singh, and discriminating against children.

May I take this opportunity to remind him that the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women that was held in September 1995 included “psychological harm or suffering to women.”

This is exactly what the President has been doing, whether privately or publicly, by withdrawing a vehicle that she had previously used for her charitable work. Has she retained her diplomatic passport?

This action will also discriminate against children by hampering the work of the Kids First Fund.

I, therefore, call on organisations like Red Thread, Women’s Affairs Bureau, Rights of the Child, Guyana Human Rights Association, the women’s arms of all political parties and other interested groups to come out strongly in condemnation of the President’s actions against Ms. Singh.

Yours faithfully,

Mustapha Alphonso