Dear Editor,
We the undersigned write to register our concern upon news of the recording of Dr Bheri Ramsaran, Minister of Health, threatening to “slap and strip” Ms Sherlina Nageer and that he would have “his” women supporters do such an act. Ms Nageer is a public health specialist and an advocate for better health services in Guyana. As a concerned citizen and advocate she sought to question the Minister on his record in addressing issues of maternal deaths and the quality of health services in Guyana. The Minister’s response displayed contempt for Ms Nageer and exposes his misogynistic attitude towards women. We are concerned that the Minister who holds such high public office in Guyana would himself perpetuate attitudes and
behaviour that reinforces a culture of violence towards women. The media has published the Minister’s “apology”. The apology itself seeks to blame Ms Nageer for his threats and misogyny. However, we believe this is not an apology since the Minister claims he was provoked into this despicable sexist and vile rant.
We as concerned citizens and social activists have marked April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month to bring greater public awareness to the alarming rates of sexual violence in Guyana and to call for an end to sexual violence in Guyana. The level of physical and sexual violence perpetrated, especially against women in Guyana, is especially high and demands urgent attention. It is time to end rape culture in Guyana where rape is prevalent, sexual violence is normalized and excused in our society.
We firmly believe that permitting Dr Bheri Ramsaran to continue serving as the Minister of Health would be to show great disregard to the office he holds to address such issues of physical and sexual violence. We wish to register our call for the immediate resignation of the Dr Bheri Ramsaran as Minister of Health. The Minister as a matter of respect ought to voluntarily resign his post and if he refuses to do we repeat the call that President Donald Ramotar must remove him from serving in public office.
Yours faithfully,
Individuals:
Andaiye Ayana McCalman
Dr. Alissa Trotz Dr. Mellissa Ifill
Norwell Hinds Vidyaratha Kissoon
Organisations:
AGAPE Network Salima Hinds
Royston Alkins Paula Sampson
Citizens Against Rape
Dr. Raquel Thomas –Caesar Nicole Cole
Nicolette Roach
Help and Shelter
Danuta Radzik
Partners for Peace and Development
Walter J. Alexander Roxanne Myers
Jonelle Christian
Rainbow House
Namela Baynes-Henry
Red Thread
Karen DeSouza SASOD
Joel Simpson Chelauna Providence
John Quelch Schemel Patrick
Ulelli Verbeke
Women Across Differences
Clonel Samuels- Boston
