Dr. Vishalya Sharma has broken her silence over the disparaging remarks made by Alliance For Change member, Charrandass Persaud about her weight saying it was not just an attack on her but on all women.
At an appreciation ceremony held by the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), in observance of International Women’s Day, Dr. Sharma said: “What everyone perceived as an attack on me was seen as an attack on us as a united body; women.”
She said too, “I am extremely humbled by the statements and the support given by everyone, including the Regional Health Authority, the RDC, the Arya Samaj Movement, the Domestic Violence Counseling Centre, the Women’s Progressive Organization and various youth groups and women’s groups across the country.”
Persaud, a lawyer, had made comments about Dr. Sharma’s weight while representing the cause of another woman; Tirtawattie Shoandeo, 47, of Whim Village, Corentyne, who died following a blackout on January 20 at the New Amsterdam Hospital. At the time of the blackout she was undergoing surgery. She died hours later.
Persaud has since apologised for being “out of line” and said he “intended to focus on the administration of the New Amsterdam Hospital…”
He said he “inadvertently compared her duty at the hospital with her size. My intention was not to defame her because of her size. I have a lot of oversized friends.”
Without dwelling much on the issue, Dr. Sharma said she was surprised at the support she got and that it “further strengthened her love and commitment to our beautiful country.”
She mentioned the silent supporters and activists and also singled out members of the hospital staff for publicly condemning the remarks on television.
She said it was not easy to see the issue raised in the media every day, especially during the period in her life when she was mourning the death of her father.
“To my fellow women, I would proudly say that we all stand united to support each other… As the events unfolded, I can now say I am proud because of what everyone close to me as a united group, has achieved.”
According to Dr. Sharma, “History has taught us that nothing is unachievable” and remarked on the achievements of international women, including those who fought in wars.
She said they were all simple women who made their mark and also remembered contributions from local women including Desiree Bernard and Janet Jagan.
“The laws of Guyana, thanks to our constitution, give women the rights that they deserve. We demand the respect that is due to us as citizens of this beautiful land.”
“Our leaders have brought us a far way and women are now recognized as leaders… I feel proud to say these words; I am a woman because it conveys a strong message…”
Dr. Sharma said she belongs to the Himalayan tradition that taught her to live her life “according to the teachings of my religion and my family traditions.”
She said proudly that she has learnt to love and take pride in “serving humanity and would continue to do so with all my love dedication and the noblest intention despite what happened around me.”
In his address, Chief Executive Officer of the BRHA Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo also lauded the contributions that women have made.
He mentioned that his “mother did not go to school because she had to work to send her siblings to school. But you know what? I am what I am because of my mother.”
He said when he was attending school she used to walk five and a half miles to toil in the backdam and still had time to see that he studied.
He also boasted that women head most of the departments of the BRHA, including the nursing, health centres, the psychiatric hospital, medical department of the NA hospital, special projects, human resources and the laboratory.
He lamented that “any form of violence is bad, in particular violence against women, whether it is physical or verbal it has to be condemned. And I want to say that Dr. Sharma has been strong, she has been brave and she has withstood all that has happened…”
He told her that the BRHA “would not allow you to stand alone. We believe and we do condemn, criticize, chastise and penalize our staff when they do something wrong.”
In fact, he said, just before the event there was a thorough investigation into a maternal death that occurred a few weeks ago and into a claim that a patient visited the hospital and was sent away.
According to him, “We are taking the necessary steps… But we would not allow anyone, and I mean anyone to abuse our staff. I am sure that the individuals who started it never expected the response, the backlash that would come…”
Regional Chairman, David Armogan commended the BRHA for arranging such an occasion for the ninth year, in recognition of the “role women play in the Guyanese society and their importance to the society of the world.”
He said “sometimes it only takes one single act of defiance to start a change which is unstoppable.
Also making remarks and condemning acts of abuse were head of the Women Progressive Organization, Bijuli Motie and chairman of the board of the NA hospital, Anil Beharry.
Meanwhile, special appreciation plaques were presented to some women including, Dr. Sharma, Dr. Maria Isabella, Jeanette Crandon; former matron, Jaya Mangal; head of the laboratory, Lucille Ayana of the WPO, Sandra Palroo; drainage and irrigation foreman.
