Dear Editor
Over the years, Toshaos and village councils have come and gone. Good leaders have left their mark on history and in the minds of their peoples as legends. However, for the most part, village councils have generally failed their people, especially their women and children.
Let me first make it quite clear that village councils have shown a strong stance on land rights for their villages, cultural revival and development of their agriculture sector. While this should be lauded, my concern is, why have they not shown any significant interest in the welfare of their people?
In the Rupununi, inequality remains rampant among residents especially women and children. In a small economy where there are very limited opportunities for employment, men are typically viewed as breadwinners, since our society is generally a patriarchal one. Years ago, our society was an agricultural one designed by the patriarchal system. In this system, labour was divided between men and women, with men being the ones to plant farms, harvest and provide food for the family, while women were solely responsible for domestic work.
In this 21st century, men still behave as patriarchs in society and with rampant alcohol abuse, women are forced to live with domestic violence since they have no place to report it, and the cycle continues. The children too, suffer a lot due to negligence, and abuse ‒ physical, verbal, emotional and sexual ‒ at home, in school and in the environment in general.
Our women and children need to have protection from these evils. But where can they go for help? Is there any institution available to deal with such issues? So far, there is nowhere to turn to for help.
Take, for example, just recently two children were brutally whipped by teachers in front of an entire class, and in another case children were admitted to the local hospital owing to injuries to the head caused by the head teacher. In another incident, a father wanted to take away his children from their mother, for whatever reason I am not quite clear. However, I am reliably informed that the woman was worried sick about the safety of her children and herself since she was subject to continued harassment from her husband. There are children who have been sexually molested but are fearful of victimization and in many cases, the blame is placed on them. These children are forced to live in a society where the predators walk free.
What have the village councils done to address these issues? Why are the village councils failing their people? Why is there little to no concern about these issues?
The answer is apparent: Village councils for too long have being placing their individual interests and the interest of a select few over the interest of the people. Village councillors have not been sufficiently representing their people’s issues in respect of their welfare. Instead, they have allowed various organizations and politicians to dictate their village affairs without question. Understandably land issues are important, but does this mean social issues and well-being of the people should be ignored especially when it comes to the affairs of women and children?
Unemployment and school dropouts are also major issues that village councils must address, and drug abuse among youths is also becoming a major problem.
To the village councils I say this: Are issues given to you by the government and other organizations, more important than the real concerns of the people? Do you really believe that these organizations and the government will fix all your issues? The answer is, No. It is your responsibility to address the needs of your village, your people, be it by creating jobs, ensuring that the children attend school, curbing the abuse of drugs or seeking justice for your children and women.
Village councils should stop depending on others to make choices and decisions for them. They should start putting their finances to good use. Amerindians have a unique culture, and therein lies the opportunity to meaningfully occupy and engage the people. They should create opportunities for youths to be involved in village affairs, allow traditional skills to be taught, and listen to the voices of the children, youths and women. The people have elected Toshaos and councillors as leaders and thus have entrusted them with authority and responsibility. They should stop failing the people and either step up or step down.
Yours faithfully,
Vaughn Duncan
Rupununi Youth
