DeSouza calls for greater enforcement of domestic violence laws

Award-winning women rights activist Karen DeSouza is calling on the authorities to strengthen the enforcement of domestic violence laws, aimed at reducing the maiming and killing of women.

DeSouza said the current legislative framework offered enough protection for women in Guyana, but enforcement was lacking miserably at all levels.

The head of Red Thread told Guyana Times if the country got serious about implementing the laws and acquiring the expertise and capacity, that alone would help to bear successful results.

“First of all, we need to recognise that women are human beings, children are human beings and they have rights like everybody else. And we need to recognise and respect those rights, and if they are breached, then there must be some penalties,” she stated.

DeSouza believes that Guyana has some of the most forward-thinking laws in the Caribbean when it comes to women rights, but it lacks the willpower to effectively implement those laws.

“The dominant male view in the society is not very open to calling their friend. To dealing with their friends and peers that are guilty of this behaviour that victimises women,” she added.

The women rights activist made reference to several cases where persons in authority used their office to stymie the progress of cases involving women being abused and threatened.

She stressed, therefore, that it must be something that the Government is willing to do in order for the issue to be addressed holistically and becomes less prevalent in society.

DeSouza has long criticised the Police Force’s handling of domestic violence matters.

Although the Force offers training for its members, particularly new recruits in the area of domestic violence, DeSouza said more education was required. She added that her organisation continued to advocate and fight for the Police to treat domestic violence more seriously, and for more effective measures to be put in place to curb domestic violence.

The head of Red Thread has long highlighted that the Police response really was a matter of luck, noting that it depended on “which officer is on duty and how they will respond to a particular matter”.

Last year, DeSouza said the Social Protection Ministry had been extremely disappointing in dealing with protection of women and children. She said little has been done to implement and ensure the adequate implementation of protective laws for domestic violence, sexual offences and child protection issues.

Hundreds of women in Guyana have been and continue to be victims of domestic violence. While some have sought protective care, others have not managed to get the protection they need. Others eventually end up being maimed or killed by their spouse, lover or relative.

On Sunday, a 34-year-old mother of three from Corentyne, Berbice succumbed to injuries she sustained from an alleged beating with a metal rod by her reputed husband. Gomatie Ramsingh, also called “Fazila”, of Number 58 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Before her demise, she reportedly told her relatives that her 29-year-old spouse, Adesh Malu, also called “Curry Cow”, had brutalised her. Her last words were recorded on video, detailing that she had been beaten with an iron rod and dragged by her hair down the stairs and around the yard. She had also alleged that her reputed husband kicked and stamped on her stomach as she lay helpless on the ground.

Earlier in May, another woman was brutally killed at the hands of her spouse. Shaneka Elliot, 38, of Linden, was stabbed to death after threatening to end the relationship with her husband, who had allegedly abused her for years. She was stabbed multiple times about her body and left for dead.