As the global women empowerment movement continues to gain weight, local efforts in this regard continue to be marred by the high prevalence of gender-based violence in Guyana, which has risen 14.2 per cent over the past six years.
This societal scourge, according to First Lady Sandra Granger, has become banal in Guyana.
Public Telecommunication Minister Cathy Hughes, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, First Lady Sandra Granger and UN Country Coordinator Mikko Tanaka were given copies of the UK Action plan
“It seems to be not a single day passes without there being a report of someone being raped, brutalised or murdered; usually by an intimate or previous intimate partner,” she stated.
According to the First Lady, reported incidents of domestic violence by an intimate or previous intimate partner rose from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for an upward 80 per cent of the victims. It was noted that three quarter of these gender-based violence cases stem mostly from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
“This leads me to believe that many of our sisters are living in a conflict situation, having access to neither peace nor security, much less stability,” she stated.
First Lady Granger went on to lament on the high rate of domestic violence in Guyana, calling for detailed research to be done to determine the root cause of this societal scourge so that it can be adequately addressed.
The First Lady made this call on Wednesday evening while addressing the gathering at the local launch of the United Kingdom’s (UK) 4th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which outlines that country’s commitment to ensuring that its foreign policy consciously and consistently delivers for women and girls.
Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Press for Progress,” First Lady Granger highlighted the integral role of women in the stabilisation of society. To this end, she posited that gender imparity will remain out of reach unless widespread collaborative efforts are undertaken to educate and empower women and girls.
“Our women and girls do not need hand outs, they need a hand up. This, thankfully, has been accepted and is the basis upon which the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2018-2022 has been developed,” she noted.
The National Action Plan is the UK Government’s five-year strategy, outlining how it will work to empower women and girls, which will in turn improve peace and stability, foster economic growth and reduce poverty.
Unapologetically reinforcing his support for gender equality, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, pointed out that women empowerment is not only the right thing but the smart thing to do.
“No country can truly flourish if half its population is left behind. At current rates it will take 118 years to close the gender pay gap. Globally, one in three women (that’s some 818 million women) is beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime. Beating your wife or girlfriend does not make you a man. It makes you a coward, I dare anymore to tell me any abuse is acceptable,” the British diplomat asserted.
Quinn further noted that while the UK has made headway in improving the lives of women and girls, there is much more to be done particularly on a global scale.
“Each and every one of us here has a role to play in addressing and preventing violence against women, in girls and in perpetuating gender inequality. If you see violence report it, support the victim, see what you can do to help. We can all be advocates for change. It is in our power to do so. Only by standing up to violence, standing up to inequality can we stop it. And to be brutally honest, it is bloody time to stop it,” the British diplomat stated.
The UK Action Plan, which was launched in the UK last month, details how the country will meet its Women, Peace and Security commitment under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution.
On this note, UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikko Tanaka, opined that the document is an important one for the empowerment and protection of women and girls – something which she noted needs the support of everyone.
“Let us be clear that this is not a favour to anyone, gender equality is a human rights issue but it is also in all our interests – men and boys, women and girls. Gender inequality and discrimination against women harms us all, we need both men and women to stand up for gender equality,” the UN representative stated, while commending High Commissioner Quinn for leading the charge in this regard.
