A call for improved education for young girls was among a number of improvements mentioned when over 40 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) joined the international cry opposing violence against women at the One Billion Rising event yesterday.
One Billion Rising, which was first held on February 14, 2013, saw one billion persons in 207 countries joining together to support women’s rights. Guyana’s involvement in the event was organised by the Stella’s Sisterhood of Support and Service (S4) and was backed
by a number of NGOs in solidarity, including Food for the Poor Inc, the Peace Corps, and ChildLink.
At yesterday’s event at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara, Melinda Janki, of the Justice Institute of Guyana, said justice demands that every woman in the land gets the chance to be the best she can be. Education, she said, plays a central role in girls achieving their full potential.
“How many women are living a life of fear, of poverty, when they have the magic to be poets and philosophers? Budding scientists, musicians, artists, educators….how many never get the chance to be? Our girls have a right to education,” Janki said.
She added that when these young girls achieve their full potential, they are capable of taking control of their lives when they become women.
Janki also revealed that 29 women were murdered last year in Guyana by their husbands and partners. These men, she said, need to realize that women are important and deserve justice.
“My dear brothers, I hope you will never forget that the first person to cherish you was a woman… We are your mothers, your sisters, and your daughters; your role is to love us, your duty is to respect us.” she emphasised.
Though men and women have equal dignity, Janki noted that rights were not equal.
Janki used the forum to note a number of shortcomings in the administration of Guyana, not only in the criminal justice system but also from social organisations such as churches. She stressed that there is need for more safe havens to provide abused women with a place of refuge. Though there are some havens such as the Help and Shelter these are not enough, she said. “We women have to demand that the government sets up enough safe houses,” she said. “If they don’t, let them give us back our taxes and we will do it for our sisters!”
She also called on the moral leaders of Guyana to do more when it comes to violence against women by offering protection to the abused.
Imarah Radix, Executive Director of the S4 Foundation, revealed a number of planned initiatives to be embarked on by the organisation later this year.
These plans include building a shelter for abused women with an attached farm. This farm, she said, will provide women with a source of income and meaningful skills that will improve their lives.
S4 will also be advocating for a missing persons’ legislation that outlines the necessary procedures so that justice can prevail.
Radix, who is also a Youth Ambassador, plans to climb Mount Roraima in August with several counterparts to generate awareness on gender equality. S4 will be a collaborative partner in the project.
