The Rights of Children (ROC) group held a ‘Roc-A-Thon’ on Sunday to share ideas to commemorate ‘International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women’.
In a press release the group said despite the rainy weather about 400-500 people, predominantly secondary school students, attended the session. ROC members Geran Collymore of School of the Nations and Larry Carryl of Queen’s College chaired the programme. In his address, Carryl told the audience, “Schools have to start looking at how to guide students to form and maintain meaningful relationships and that aggression, obsession and intimidation of any sort should not happen and should not be tolerated.” In addition, Collymore noted that teachers, parents and administrations need to be trained in recognising when boundaries have breached by sexual harassment.
In addition, in her presentation ROC Co-Coordinator Teshanna Cox noted that “Women and girls spend a good part of the day listening to stupid remarks from men” whether they are in offices, stores or schools. She then told the audience that it is hardly surprising that many situations end violently, adding that “there is a lack of awareness by parents and society of what young people are really facing and often girls who are victims of sexual and other forms of abuse.” Cox noted that while persons who are experiencing abuse or are threatened should tell a confidant, “it is often more complicated than it seems.
“Society should start by helping both boys and girls understand masculinity better, acknowledge that the sexist culture saturating society thoroughly penetrates our schools and promotes all kinds of unacceptable behaviour from boys.”
Cox also advised the audience that children should be educated about healthy relationships and inappropriate behaviour. Echoing this comment Carolyn Munroe, Head Teacher of Achievers Academy noted that education level, status and race did not determine who would become an abuser. She too urged persons with knowledge of abusive situations to “find an association and get help for that person. Don’t wait until it is too late.”
The release noted that the packed audience included students from city secondary schools such as St Stanislaus College, St John’s College, Kingston Secondary, Marian Academy, Queenstown Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, Christ Church Secondary and Central high School. Students from the University of Guyana also attended the meeting along with relations and friends of slain Demerara Bank employee Sheema Mangar. Mangar’s mother Radica Thakoor and reigning Miss Guyana Universe Tamika Henry also made presentations.
ROC also sold over 400 wristbands and about 200 headbands made specifically for this event.
