‘MEN’ joins fight against domestic violence

Calling on men to stand up in opposition against all forms of violence, especially the rampant plague of violence against women, the Men Empowering Network (MEN) yesterday launched an ambitious agenda to tackle the problem through direct engagements across the country.

On the platform of “a different approach,” MEN has proposed to uproot the scourge of the problem by insisting that domestic violence never be treated in isolation as simply a woman’s issue, but rather a threat to the civil liberties of the entire populace. By addressing what it says is a culture of abuse in the country and focusing on how young men are socialized in the society, MEN proposes a strategy of examining the causative and contributive factors to the problem.

The issues of power and control and how they translate in the man/woman relationship were prominent in the discussions at the International Convention Centre yesterday, where MEN outlined what it intends to do within the next few months under the theme, ‘Confronting Domestic Violence’.

It is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

MEN’s Chairman Reverend Kwame Gilbert explained that there is a crucial need to arrest and change the culture of abuse and not simply to stop the violence that is, “sometimes overlooked as a private matter between a man and his woman.” He spoke of the difficulties in relationships, saying that violence is often minimized and justified because there is no clear definition of what constitutes abuse and the difference between what is harmful and harmless. In the context of such a relationship, he said, violence is also reframed to protect the positive aspects of the union.

But he stressed that there can be no compromise. “I wish to insist that the compromise of one’s safety and dignity for the security and/or pleasure of a body in bed is a foolish and dangerous trade-off,” Gilbert declared.

He underscored the issue of domestic violence being tied to the general nature of how people interact with each other in the society, noting that people have lost the ability to resolve their differences in a non-violent, humane and civilized manner and that acrimony and contention seem to be the first response to almost every issue.

MEN intends to offer alternative forms of conflict resolution and promote a culture of non-violence as it engages young boys and men at the community level and within faith-based organisations.

Minister Priya Manickchand endorsed the comments made by Gilbert, pointing to crucial need for an organization like MEN. She noted that prior to the launch of the group there had been no major and sustained movement by men to tackle the issue.

She lamented the recent murders of women in the country and the increased reports of abuse being perpetrated against women and children, noting that legislation would be introduced shortly to support existing initiatives.

Manickchand made the link between men’s involvement and the success of programmes implemented to address the issue of domestic violence saying that she had hoped for an earlier intervention.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sam hinds reiterated what Manickchand said on the issue of men getting involved. He also called for a compassionate approach by men in an effort to change attitudes in the society.

British High Commissioner to Guyana Fraser Wheeler also commented to the media after the session that domestic violence is “a real constraint” on the development of the country, but noted that the administration has been making commendable strides, with Manickchand at the helm.

He said too that the partnership between men and government is important while noting that it is also very important that the new legislation is implemented fully.