From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Gender-Based Violence!

Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Guyana joins the global community in observing 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) from 25 November to 10 December 2014.  Gender-based violence is any form of violence against a person because of their gender or gender identity. According to the Guyana Police Force Criminal Record Office, almost 5000 cases of GBV were reported in 2009 and 2010. However, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) report that most GBV cases are either not reported or accepted by the authorities.  What’s more, UN agencies also report that women who are victims of GBV have up to three times higher risk for HIV than those who are not.  The consequences of gender based violence are clear, and taking action to end it has never been more needed.


In Guyana, Government has taken significant steps by passing the Domestic Violence Act in 1996, the Domestic Violence Policy in 2008 and the Sexual Offences Bill in May 2010, and recently a Domestic Violence Policy Unit was established within the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Services to address violence against women were also put in place— a crisis centre and shelter, training for the police, and raised the awareness of ministers, the judiciary, the magistracy and parliamentarians.  And in May 2013, Parliament unanimously condemned all forms of interpersonal violence, and announced “That the members of the National Assembly commit to actively supporting existing programmes in Ministries, agencies and civil society bodies such as religious, women, youth and community organizations, that address violence and interpersonal violence in particular, such as, the Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence programme”


Despite their efforts, Government is struggling to address the fundamental question of how to bring about societal change to reduce gender-based violence.  But there’s no easy answer.  The challenge to change social customs to reduce violence and the spread of HIV infection remain central to building a healthy Guyana and need the support of our citizens, communities and development partners.

APC Guyana, with support from USAID, is working to strengthen NGOs and governmental agencies capacities to respond more effectively to gender-based violence as part of the HIV response.  NGOs are supported with new tools and procedures for uncovering GBV and linking survivors with care and protection.  They are also being supported to facilitate improved responses from law enforcement, justice, health and social service agencies.


Overall, the Government of Guyana and its developmental partners are committed to ending gender based violence. Less GBV makes it possible for everyone to have the the freedom to achieve new heights. 

Let’s re-write stories of gender violence

Today marks Day 2 of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. (November 26 to December 10) This year’s theme focuses on the link between militarism and violence against women.  Over the next 15 days, the Advancing Partners & Communities Project in Guyana will be doing a series of blogs to highlight different aspects of gender-based violence (GBV).

In this blog series, you will see a lot of statistics. Some will convey the gravity of injuries. Some will convey the urgency of taking action in our homes and in our communities to address GBV.  This type of violence reflects distorted notions of masculinity —a masculinity that obliterates childhood, turns homes into battlefields and friendships into covert operations.

Gender-based violence affects everyone. Here are some of our stories.

                                                                         

                                                                                 Daisy

Her small plait got caught in the bed springs. The pain she felt as her hair was ripped from their roots was a perplexing as the weight of the body atop her small frame. She disengaged   her mind from her body. Too shocked to scream. Already aware that calling attention to her predicament was to risk being called ‘wutless’ ‘dangles’ and labelled a liar for life.  Her 11 year old mind had already understood the pecking order: male over female, adult over child.

Easter girl by Karen Wilson. 2013.

   Dulcemania

There was no pretence of love or being wanted. She was abandoned behind the veil of respectability, taken from the mother who could not provide for her materially and inserted into the marital home of the father who would not provide for her emotionally. She was a constant reminder of her father’s assertion of manhood —unbridled control over her mother, his wife and the maids who waxed the cool cement tiles.

Friends by Mzacha

Howie

He could have been called “Thin Slice” –a tall, sliver of mocha that you wanted to enjoy.  He was a Lionel Ritchie Casanova, the type that Caribbean girls could not resist. Howie was sweet sexiness in the homophobic hurricane of the Caribbean.  He came of age in a fraternity of friends who teased about not wanting to be too close lest they be mistaken for “batty man” or “anti-man.”  He got married in an unforgettable wedding. When his wife left home abruptly and wanted an annulment, we were all confused. Within the year, those of us who shared his room, his smile and his quiet terror of being “outed,” said goodbye to what         remained of Thin Slice.

Business Man Black Silhouette by Karen Arnold

These 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence are about rewriting these stories to create safety for all the Daisies, Dulcemenias and Howies in our homes and communities. Join us and share your thought about what we can do to end gender-based violence.