International Women's Day
A Message from Help & Shelter On International Women's Day 2007
Stabroek News
March 8, 2007
International Women's Day 2007 is today being celebrated in a Guyana in which the use of violence has further escalated, especially violence between people who know each other.
IWD 2007 activities worldwide are focusing on the theme "Ending impunity for violence against women and girls". Help & Shelter would like to use this IWD not only to yet again call for an end to impunity for all violence but to highlight the sad fact that violence against women and girls is continuing to increase because all efforts to reduce it are constantly undermined by a prevailing culture that glorifies violence rather than condemns it
The recent endorsements by leading private sector entities of music groups whose lyrics advocate sexism and violence signal a growing trend in which commercial interests pander to attitudes that promote violence, rather than act with social responsibility as good corporate citizens.
The most pervasive form of violence in Guyana in which women are involved is that committed against them simply because of their gender.
The Domestic Violence Act must be effectively and consistently implemented in all parts of Guyana to send a clear message that domestic violence is not a private matter and that under no circumstances do men have any right or excuse to abuse women.
The work that has been started on reforming sexual offences legislation must be expedited: the ongoing denial of justice to victims of rape and other sexual offences is unacceptable and inexcusable. Help & Shelter also notes with concern that retrograde attitudes of some persons charged with the administration of justice continue to adversely affect women, especially those who are poor and marginalised, who attempt to obtain legal redress
Help & Shelter salutes all those women - mothers, teachers and caregivers - who do not believe in corporal punishment as a form of child discipline, and who reject all claims - whether based on religion, culture or otherwise - that physical chastisement of children is a necessary and god-given right.
Help & Shelter is also deeply concerned about the increase in the number of forced marriages of young girls who should be in school, often with the consent of parents. Faith-based organisations must issue clear statements that promote the equal rights of girls to an education and independent lives, and take steps to ensure that their priests do not perform marriage ceremonies that are cover-ups for acts of statutory rape. Rapists must be brought to justice and victims of rape should not be condemned to lives which include early marriage and pregnancy.
International Women's Day has been traditionally used to celebrate the achievements of women and to commemorate the successes made in advancing gender equality in the world. It is with deep sadness that Help & Shelter notes that the significance of these achievements in Guyana is constantly diminished by the escalation of violence against women.
Changing attitudes to the use of violence in Guyana requires the involvement of all. Help & Shelter salutes those men who have actively taken a stand against gender-based and other forms of violence and calls on those who still - so mistakenly - believe that ending gender-based violence is entirely women's work to themselves stand up and be counted. Let us all, women and men, work for a society in which all have equal opportunity to develop their full potential free from any fears of violence.