HJ raises awareness against domestic violence

As Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating Father’s Day 2017, Hits and Jams Entertainment on Sunday hosted a walk against domestic violence.
The event, titled “The Walkout”, was a male-led march against the actions of abusers while advocating for the rights of both male and female victims.
The walk commenced at the junction near the Bank of Guyana and saw scores of marchers leading down Main Street before making their way to the National Park.
During the event, Guyana Times caught up with the Director of the entertainment network, Kerwin Bollers who explained his organisation’s objectives in staging such an event.

Participants of Sunday’s walk against domestic violence

“One of our presenters…he lost his sister a couple months ago to domestic violence and that really hit home to the organisation, seeing him trying to cope with that,” relayed Bollers. The H&J director went on to say, “We thought that we should do our part in raising the awareness of what’s happening in Guyana and how we can eradicate [domestic violence].” As such, the men against domestic violence walk was birthed.

Men against domestic violence partnering in the awareness campaign20

Also speaking to this publication on Sunday was Senior Gender Affairs Officer Diego Alfonso attached to the Social Protection Ministry, who commended Hits and Jams for its efforts to address the matter of domestic violence and pointed out the Ministry’s undertakings in assisting victims of this pressing social issue.
“We will work together to eradicate this scourge of domestic violence in our nation especially; there is a new focus now on partnering with men in this whole battle against domestic violence.”
Meanwhile, participating in the march also was Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, who highlighted the need for such collaborative efforts in staging events which align with the interests of the nation.
“I think every person in any society should come out once an activity like this is had to lend support and raise their voice in the awareness of violence against women and of course, where the scourge is found, we should start to root it out and root it out condignly,” posited Jones.
The men against domestic violence march was aimed at highlighting the role of men both as victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. As such, Hits and Jams Entertainment maximised on the opportune occasion of Father’s Day to initiate its campaign against the social ill.
In Guyana, a high number of domestic violence cases have been recorded, while a large number remain unreported. The issue has claimed quite a number of lives, while other victims were left nursing various levels of injuries. Women are the primary victims of domestic violence, but attention has been directed towards men as victims of abuse, especially in recent years.