The system is failing to protect women

Dear Editor,
I felt abhorrence after reading an article entitled, ‘Stabbed thrice then doused with corrosive liquid’ (SN January 13, 2009)
I am horrified to read about these repeated acts of violence against women in Guyana. Not so long ago I read a story of a woman whose throat was slit by her husband/ lover. How many more women have to raped, burned, abused, brutalized and mutilated before the government and relevant authorities decide to implement proper measures that protect women?
Shame on the government, the police and Ministry of Human Services for turning a blind eye to these heinous acts of violence. Hundreds of women continue to be murdered and abused by people they trust and we as a society have failed as well. What has our country come to when a woman calls out to three police officers − not one, but three − repeatedly for help and her cries fall on deaf ears?

When the people vote a government into office its their fundamental duty to protect their citizens, if not as politicians, as human beings who respect the dignity and self worth of their fellow citizens.

How many more innocent women have to die before something is done? The wounds of these poor women can never be healed as they continue to be raped and ravaged by a system that fails to protect its women.
Yours faithfully,
Sindhuja Prashad