Dear Editor,
Guyanese women – across race, class and age – were gladdened by the inauguration of the new US President and especially by the obvious respect and love he unfailingly demonstrates towards his wife Michelle and their daughters. So, to learn later on that historic day of an account of the psychological abuse meted out by the President of Guyana to his wife was shameful.
As is typical of survivors of domestic violence, she endured her ‘loveless and stressful’ life while putting up a brave face in public. Many have commented on the unaffected and approachable manner in which Ms Varshnie Singh went about carrying out both large and small tasks connected with her Kids First Fund and other work in defence of children in Guyana.
In the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr, just the day before, and in the run-up to the inauguration, much was said about ‘judging men by the content of their character.’ We shall leave judgment of the President’s character to readers, but we wish to commend Varshnie Singh for the strength of character she showed in exposing domestic violence at the highest level of the state and for persevering with her medical and other lifesaving interventions for at-risk children.
This part of her statement carried in Stabroek News, January 21, 2009 resonates with the views and experience of many Guyanese, “To demand excellence in effort and integrity and justice from our elected officials doesn’t make me anti-government or anti-party or pro-opposition. It makes me pro-Guyana. This is my right as a citizen…”
We urge all those persons in direct contact with Ms Singh, and all those with whom and for whom she worked to reach out and offer whatever solace and assistance they can. Fortunately, she seems to have had the support of her family.
The explanations offered by the President are hollow. There can be no excusing or explaining away any form of domestic violence or abuse against women – from men of high or low estate.
Yours faithfully,
Philona Agam, Carol Innis-Baptiste, Olga Bone, Natalya Bobb, Bonita Harris, Karen Gomes,
Julian Haynes, Faith Harding, Rolinda Kirton, Chabela Lord, Carolyn Paul, Nadira Ramdar,
Indera Ramdar, Danuta Radzik, Karen Shaw, Niveta Shivjattan, Elaine Vieira, Marva Williams
