Dear Editor,
Responses to domestic violence have not been as comprehensive as they should because each one is busy blaming the other for not doing enough, or doing the same things over and over again. I think I should ask the question of each individual what they are doing to ensure that their mother, sister, daughter, husband, brother, son, the extended family or neighbour is not suffering abuse.
While the world, including Guyana, observes the day set aside for the elimination of all forms of violence against women, paradoxically the world also watches while Guyana’s most valuable resource, in the form of its human capital is wasted through violence. Violence has plagued our society for quite some time now, so much so that it has become a part of our culture as well as embedded in the Guyanese psyche. This is true especially in the case of domestic violence committed against women and children with impunity. How is this allowed to happen in the face of an act that has been in existence for about a decade and a half?
Is the act actually working as far as those who implement it are concerned? In an attempt to have these questions answered, the Women’s Studies Unit of the University of Guyana provided forums for legal and security professionals in order to provide a clearer understanding of what is expected of individuals who engage those systems. This is because from time to time there are conflicting stories in relation to same. Individuals need to know how to interact with the various systems in terms of getting justice against perpetrators of domestic violence. May I hasten to say, if they (especially women) want justice. For there have been many cases where judicial intervention has been stalled or stopped by a forgiving victim. Such a move puts severe pressure on law enforcement, especially if the victim turns up dead eventually. But, forgiving as we are, as a people we cannot continue like this, because we may be left without anyone to forgive. Every sector and stratum of society needs to become involved in turning the situation around.
Parenting programmes must be planned and executed so that families can be taught how to rear their children so that both boys and girls will grow up with a sense destiny and self worth, as well as with mutual respect for each other. Gone are the days when girls were seen as liabilities and boys were revered. Human lives are sacred whether boy or girl, therefore no one should be disregarded.
Just under a month ago, the Women’s Studies Unit held a Domestic Violence and Parenting workshop at Patentia, West Bank Demerara. Education programmes are also important in the fight against domestic violence. These are not only necessary at the tertiary level, but also at other levels. The health and family life curriculum should have a component addressing domestic violence in schools across the education sector. As a matter of fact, education programmes should be conducted across sectors, as is exemplified in agencies such as the Audit Office, Youth Challenge (Guyana) and the Guyana Police Force. Exposing individuals in the work environment to information on domestic violence makes it easier for managers to manage, since there will be a reduction in complaints of harassment on the job. This will also translate into reduced spending on health and legal costs.
Time and space do not allow for discussion on the health, legal, security, private and public systems that can all create responses to domestic violence with the aim of reducing the incidence in our country. No one can afford to take the moral high ground and indict one section of society or the other. While I do not deny that individuals tend to debate about who should do what, how and at what time, it is necessary that we move on from this point. Furthermore I wish to remind us that every one of us should become involved in this fight. It is not enough to say that every year on November 25; we are hearing the same thing. That may be so because persons might just not be doing their part in joining in the fight against domestic violence in order for us to stop doing what we are doing.
The silence surrounding domestic violence still needs to be broken, hence no amount of ‘talking’ is too much, but action should naturally follow. Educational sessions should be strategically planned with an aim of getting persons to reflect on their own involvement and response to the phenomenon. The Women’s Studies Unit, University of Guyana will not be discouraged in the face of critics but will use the time and limited resources available to constructively intensify our efforts to see the situation change, one life at a time. We will not become weary in the fight.
Yours faithfully,
Audrey Benn
Lecturer/Programme Officer
Women’s Studies Unit
University of Guyana
