An alarming situation has developed in Guyana where young teenage girls who are not involved in sports are seeking entertainment in sexual activities.
They are absent from school and found in company with young men; they hang around nightclubs with the hope of being picked up by older men. They sneak from their homes while their parents sleep. They give their sexual favours in return for a good plate of food.
Sunday Stabroek on February 14 alerted its readers to the fact that nearly a decade after the completion of the constitution reform process, none of the four constitutional rights commissions was functioning.
Half a year ago, nominees to two of them − the Rights of the Child Commission in May and the Women and Gender Equality Commission in August − were sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo after they were approved by the National Assembly. It seems that the commissions are ‘stillborn’ in the absence of an administrative secretariat. As a result neither commission has met to choose their respective chairperson and deputy chairperson.
Under article 21-20, the Commission for Women and Gender Equality is tasked with the promotion of the national recognition and acceptance that women’s rights are human rights; respect for gender equality; and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.
Search the Sports section of any daily newspaper for news of women in sports. You will be amazed to find that there is very little reference to women. A short news item relating to cricket will be seen once in a blue moon and then total silence. There is reference to hockey, but hockey is a game for those with extra cash; table tennis and boxing may make the news but many people do not regard boxing as a sport.
A headline in a newspaper which states “Under 19” gives hope that girls will be included, but this is a misnomer. It should be written as Under 19 boys; girls are not included.
In the Stabroek News of Wednesday, February 17 there is a headline, ‘Budget will benefit youths, Anthony says,’ but he did not signify that this related only to boys.
In Stabroek News of Thursday, February 18, there is another headline ‘NCN/BCB team up to stage U15 tourney.’ Again there is a misnomer; it should read U15 boys.
What will occupy the thoughts of a teenager as she prepares for life in the adult world? There are no games to occupy her and no hope of being selected for overseas travel. In many regions there is no institution for domestic science. She falls back on sexual activities under the impression that 16 is the age for full sexual activities and adulthood. She informs her parents that when she is 16 they will not be able to control her; she does not realize that 18 is the age for adulthood.
The teenage girls who are found near the popular night spots should be picked up and taken to homes which should be provided to teach them the need for physical, mental and spiritual development.
Outdoor games should be available for their physical development.
The situation that has now developed seemed to have been on the cards since the 1970s when the male sports advisers informed the Minister that cricket was not for Guyanese women, although women in other territories were participating in the game.
In fact even in the Guyana Public Service Trade Union there was no acceptance that women could be given equal rights in the public service. When we were agitating for equality they admonished us stating that, “They loved us as we were.”
Sir Frank McDavid claimed that women should rise no higher than record clerks in the public service.
