DEAR EDITOR,
Guyana has now celebrated 45 years of independence, a celebration for all patriotic Guyanese, as the accomplishments and developments are applauded and visions and plans for the future, so vividly outlined in the President’s address to the nation, are embraced by those with lifelong dreams and optimism of a new and better tomorrow.
A tomorrow when the serious implementations of the law can be enacted with more professionalism, dedication and commitment – a much desired and determined approach that will help to put a brake on the domestic violence issue that has escalated to frightening heights; protection for young children from sex predators, in and out of the home; professional care to halt maternal deaths and give these young mothers a chance to live and not condemn their bodies to the cold earth – life is priceless.
If these hopes are not realised in the very near future, then life for women in this country will continue to be not of great worth, brutally interrupted, dreams shattered.
The unending brutal murders of women by their spouses, sexual abuse of children and young girls and maternal deaths are solid proof of how ‘shallow’ legal protection and care in this country are for women.
The President’s speech at the Feminition Exposition that lauded women’s achievements, their successes from hard work and determination; that highlights their immeasurable worth and valued contributions in the home, business, education and the careers and vocations they embark on, was truly appreciated and welcomed.
But tell me, how many women will succeed and how many will fail as the abuse, the harassment, the disdain and violence continue to unfold in their lives, in the home, on the streets, at work, in school?
The roles played by the law, society, church and educators to arrest this grave problem, has left much to be desired. For everything they plan to achieve in the future, it is supposed to be for the men and women of this country, is it not?
But, how many women and girls will survive the abuse and be given a chance to live, to develop, to strive towards their goals and ambitions where there is no harassment, no tears and pain, that they too can celebrate a country’s success?
It’s sad and disturbing that law enforcers, seem not to see that need to act decisively and with true purpose in cases of abuse, as though it’s an accepted norm in everyday life for a woman to be beaten and brutalized by her partner.
Perpetrators in rape and incest cases are not always brought to justice or penalized for their crimes, sending a potentially dangerous message to society. The minds of the young are so scarred.
They can make so many valuable contributions to life, but when they should have been given love, care and support; their young, helpless bodies were ravaged, and stolen from them was that precious sense of worth.
What great future is this nation striving for?
It’s not only a sad situation, it’s a horrifying situation and as the clock ticks, the female population continues to decrease.
How effective the ‘dependence’ of the law would be in protection and care is left to be seen as chances are affected in the days of the lives of women of this country.
Maureen Singh