WGEC condemns violence against women

The Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) condemned in the strongest terms, the recent acts of barbarism committed against women in Guyana and assured that it remains concerned about the continuing failure of our protective systems to respond appropriately.
In this regard, the WGEC said it is calling on all law-abiding and right-minded Guyanese, regardless of their race, gender, age, religion, or political persuasion to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the heinous and barbaric act committed on a 97-year-old woman of Rose Hall Town, Berbice.
The Commission said that it also condemns the recent assault on a female Venezuelan national, who along with the elderly woman, were allegedly assaulted by men. According to the WGEC, the Guyana Police Force is duty-bound to protect all citizens, especially those who are vulnerable.
“Too many of these atrocities are being committed and are left unsolved. The WGEC takes this opportunity to remind the State, that it must protect women from harm and that violence against women is the worst form of discrimination that violates the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),” the Commission said in a statement.
The WGEC reminded that Guyana signed onto the CEDAW in 1981 which has been further guaranteed under the Constitution of Guyana.
Noting that women’s rights are human rights, the WGEC said, “We call on the Guyana Police Force to act swiftly in bringing the suspects of all crimes of violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence to face the full force of the law and to ensure that no stone is left unturned in its investigations of this assault on the elderly woman and all such crimes.”
“Guyana is facing an epidemic of Violence Against Women and gender-based Violence including rapes of children and femicides.” Moreover, the WGEC said it has noted with dismay that there are 250 sexual offences presently listed for trial in the High Courts in Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo.
“These figures tell a gruesome tale of the violence carried out on our women and children since even one case of violence against women, one case of assault, one rape case against a woman or a child is one too many.”