Society should protect women, girls : Kaieteur News

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?Elimination of Violence against Women?

- Govt.

As Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women yesterday, statistics show over 60 percent of women involved in a relationship or union,?? reported physical abuse, in addition to verbal abuse and sexual violence.
Under the theme, ?Eliminating Discrimination Against Women in Order to end Gender-Based Violence?, Government says the escalating culture of violence in general and the widespread epidemic of Gender-Based Violence in particular demands intensive and extensive strategic action by society.? Thus, women and young girls need to be protected by society.
A Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Bureau of Statistics revealed that domestic violence and abuse remain a challenge in Guyana.
Studies in both developing and developed countries indicate that between 20 and 67 percent of women globally experience violence in relationships.
Domestic violence is a behaviour that causes one partner to be afraid of the other. It can also take the form of physical and sexual abuse and force social isolation from family and friends and it is a violation of the person?s right and should be treated as a crime.
According to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, 125 countries around the world have enacted legislation to ensure that there are penalties in place for perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence.? This is a significant step forward as compared to many years ago.
?We can see the results of our cumulative efforts today.? Guyana has a strong and robust legislative and policy framework for the protection of women.? This includes our National Constitution, which enshrines the rights of women, several international treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and national legislation for example, more recently progressive pieces of legislation ? The Domestic Violence Act (1996) and the Sexual Offences Act (2010).?
She explained that there are many ways that men can indicate that they are supportive of women. Change begins with men of honour speaking out, to let perpetrators know that violent attitudes and negative behaviour against women are unacceptable in any circumstance.
Adding that violence in whatever form it takes is repugnant to human life and freedom, she said the rights to life and liberty are enshrined within the Constitution and have the characteristics of being inalienable and fundamental.
?A life free of violence is a logical extension of these rights. There is nothing remotely excusable about violence against women. There is absolutely no justification for this.? At the level of the Government of Guyana we have already clearly articulated a ?zero tolerance? policy against Gender-Based Violence.? The Minister noted ?I wish to commend all those who have reached out to victims of abuse. I wish to recognize the leadership of all those non-governmental organizations that have played an active role in advancing women?s rights.? We value your contributions and initiatives, which have no doubt saved countless lives, and have transformed the way we address these all too pervasive crimes.? To our corporate and donor partners, and friends in the media, we urge you to continue supporting initiatives towards the ?Elimination of Violence Against Women?.
The Vienna Declaration (also known as VDPA, is a human rights declaration adopted by consensus at the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993) explicitly links domestic violence to sexual harassment, exploitation and trafficking in women; gender bias in the administration of justice; and the harmful effects of traditional or customary practices, cultural prejudices and religious extremism.
UNICEF is now urging the Government to learn from the successes achieved over the past years, so as to ensure that progress is made even further in the years ahead to ensure that all children, irrespective of their geographic location or socio-economic status, enjoy their rights and are protected from abuse and harm.

Source: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/11/26/society-should-protect-women-girls/

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