Largest march held to end domestic violence against women in Guyana
As concerns continue to rise over the upsurge of domestic violence cases in Guyana for the year thus far, the largest march in support of raising awareness on the issue was yesterday held.
Hosted by the Guyana Stop Violence organisation under the theme “Break your silence, let’s stop the violence”, the march commenced before Parliament Buildings on Brickdam at 15:00hrs. Clothed in white and purple, the marchers then proceeded south into Avenue of the Republic, east into Durban Street, south into George Street, east into Norton Street, north into Creen Street, east into Durban Street, north into Louisa Row, then Cummings Street, east into Church Street, south into Albert Street, Into Sandeman Place, east into Brickdam, and concluded at the Square of the Revolution, where a rally was held.
Live entertainment and moving tributes were all part of the event, as the organisation worked to end the crisis.
According to the organisation’s president, Bonita Montague, “We need everyone
A section of the participants in Sunday’s march
out here because too many women are dying, too many children are suffering, and too many families are in pain.”
Montague noted that the march is not against men, but against domestic violence, which affects everyone.
“We need to activate the button of action. The impact this has on our youths, everyone needs to get involved. This is not action against the man, but all Guyanese, because domestic violence affects everyone. It’s important that we change the trend of violence in Guyana,” she declared.
Also lending support and marching in solidarity with the hundreds of attendees, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence called for an end to women being brutalised.
“We will not allow our women to continue to be brutalised. We need to let our men know that we will not continue to let our women be mistreated,” the minister declared.
She further called for parents to teach their children to show love and respect at a young age.
Lawrence said, “We need parents to teach their children to show love, so we are asking all to come out and let’s march together, this has to stop”.
Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, voiced similar sentiments in calling for both men and women to show love. She said, “Stop the violence! Love each other! We need both our men and women to show each other love…show support, we need to put an end to violence”.
