Women's group sets agenda against violence
Stabroek News
January 30, 2003
Women Against Violence Everywhere (WAVE), the women's group protesting the culture of violence in Guyanese society says it will be working on the causes of such behaviour.
"Our work will be of different kinds. We want to work on the cause of violence and the effects of violence. We will use the media and public demonstrations to fight against the growing numbness of violence, including our own. We will be present and active not only in Georgetown but everywhere. We will be in touch with families who are victims of violence of all kinds, and will try to respond to their requests for support, both emotional and practical. Whatever capacity we lack now, we will build," a WAVE press release stated yesterday.
This followed Tuesday's meeting at the Hotel Tower where more than 130 women of every race, class and age convened and decided to work towards building a non-party movement of Guyanese women.
They affirmed that what unites them is that they are caregivers who refuse to accept the abstract notions of justice which destroy children. The women welcomed the support of men who are in solidarity with their determination to organise autonomously against violence.
The group said that it would organise itself into teams. Each woman at the meeting, the release continued, indicated in which area she wanted to work. Plans are afoot to raise funds, organise demonstrations, coordinate petitions, coordinate overseas support, organise counselling and concrete practical help among other activities. Proposals for these ventures will be examined at the group's next meeting scheduled for February 4.
The group's action has already begun to attract several different kinds of support, in particular, the signing of a statement by 80 artistes and academics overseas.
WAVE has promised to return to the Cenotaph tomorrow in even larger numbers and in greater diversity to raise the cry, "Stop all the killings now." The group is imploring citizens to come out in support and to wear white, the international colour of peace.(
