Dear Editor,
The village leaders of Baramita have a daunting task as they contemplate a ban on rum drinking in the village. There are no models in Guyana of reversing the trend of destruction caused by alcohol. Prohibition is complex though, as enforcement could be difficult and there could be an increase in illegal sales/smuggling.
There are lessons around the world though. The Zapatistas ((Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional, EZLN) of Chiapas, Mexico have banned alcohol in their communities. The stories are told in Compañeras:Zapatista Women’s Stories compiled by Hilary Klein. Women marched in 1985 against alcohol and tried to get a dry law passed. They were not successful. Some men beat their wives who had participated in the march. The discussions against alcohol were discussed in different communities. Women spoke up. In 1992, a ban was made. However, many men continued drinking. The 1994 uprising saw more attention on the ban. Alcohol was also seen as tool used to oppress the indigenous people. The women had to continue to advocate. In 1996, 11 years after, the ban was effected. Women noted a reduction in violence, happier families more money. From all accounts, there is still a ban. Enforcement included pouring the alcohol out at checkpoints.
In India, women have called for bans on alcohol. It is complex as poor people are also involved in the production of illegal alcohol. The New York times reported on 15 April 2017 (Alcohol Ban Succeeds as Women Warn, ‘Behave, or We’ll Get Tough’) that in Bandol village in Bihar , India, women had to take on enforcement – taking the alcohol sellers to the police. They also had to go to the homes of heavy drinkers and shame them into stopping.
There are no models, no easy ways. There will be no help from Government or the alcohol industry. There might be other ways of changing the culture, of talking about what to do, why people are drinking. The village leaders in Baramita are doing what so many other leaders are afraid to do and all support must be given to them as they try to deal with the problems which involve rum (and other forms of alcohol?) It might take 11 years, or it might need groups of women going around to do the enforcement.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon
