What women want in 2011

Guyana Times Sunday Magazine interviewed women about what they want to see being done for women in 2011

Community Youth Facilitator

Marissa Lowden

“It breaks my heart to know that so many women today are suffering from domestic violence at the hands of their husbands and/or partners.  Domestic violence is a startling but prevalent social problem in Guyana, which is often ignored, crossing racial and socioeconomic lines. Any victim of domestic violence experiences a violation of fundamental individual and collective rights. In 2011, I would like to see the enforcement of policies and strategies, together with other measures, to eliminate gender inequality, and to ensure a collective battle by all stakeholders in the fight against domestic violence.  There are a few non-governmental organizations, for instance. Help and Shelter and Red Thread, that are working vigorously to eradicate domestic violence within our country; but the work cannot be done alone, and requires funds for its continuation. It would give me hope if I see more programmes shown on the television to educate people about the Domestic Violence Act, which is a vital instrument to remedy, reduce and eliminate domestic violence in our society. The entertainment industry also needs to do its part, since most of the dancehall songs contain derogatory remarks which support and praise violence and the demeaning of women. Today, music is about gangbanging, violence, the degradation of women and a life of crime. Violence against women has reached its limit and it is time we all take a stand and unite to eliminate the violence that has been affecting so many women for centuries now. Coming 2011, I would like to see more intervention in activities and programmes to combat domestic violence to save and protect the women, not only in Guyana, but worldwide.”

Ravina Charran

“May the year 2011 be one in which more material support and financial funding is given to all those single non-working mothers who struggle to raise a family. Women are more vulnerable than men, and in most cases are the victims of abusive relationships both sexual and verbal. We have institutions which are doing their best at caring for them but I think in our communities these services need to be readily available. If local health centres and even churches can provide this opportunity to individuals who are in need of this kind of attention it could make a big difference in women’s lives; and also the police stations need to be attentive to women’s complaints and issues and avoid disregarding these as petty and as just ‘domestic’ problems.”

Law student Natasha Alana Backer

“I would like to see a significant decline in the number of acts of domestic violence against our women. Although it cannot be denied that educated women also fall victim to such violence, in 2011, I would like to see our women being exposed to greater educational opportunities aimed directly at helping them to realize that such treatment is unacceptable and that they do not have to tolerate it because there are other options available to them.”

Member of the Guyana Girl Guides Association,

 Schemel Patrick

“First and foremost, I would like to see an increase improvement in maternal health care. I wish to see a reduction in ill health and deaths in 2011. Domestic violence continues to be a main cause of death among women and young girls. There is a need for increased public education and immediate response to situations brought to the relevant authorities. I wish to see more women holding managerial positions, more women leading organizations and large companies. Women today are much more different from our grandmothers. I wish that women continue to be the peer of men, and be acknowledged in everything they do. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the works of our pioneering women of 2010, and encourage more women, especially our young girls, to strive to develop their fullest potential in everything they undertake.”

Veteran designer Sonia Noel

“I would really like to see more emphasis played on women empowerment and self-esteem building through government programmes, because not all women can afford private sessions for such development. Women both young and old also need to seize the opportunity to elevate themselves and stop waiting to be given things on a platter. We need to see more female role models in Guyana as inspiration to young women. Especially for those women in the fashion industry – whether they are budding designers or veterans, there is a need for programmes to help develop those talents because not all can afford to pursue such a career.”

Pamela Binda

“As a working woman, and moreso a woman who has several single-parent women friends, I sympathise with them about the trials and pains of trying to balance the unrelenting hours of work with finding a good place to keep their kids. For 2011, it is my hope that more workplaces become child friendly, as well as the present day cares be upgraded so as to keep the child stimulated, while offering some form of relief to these mothers, knowing that their children are well taken care of while at work. The relief of knowing that your child is in a safe, secure and nurturing place compares to nothing else and like the quote says, we women are mysterious creatures with insurmountable strength. Take care of her child and she’s at ease, then she’ll give you production like none other.”

Media personnel Abigail Wade

“I must admit a lot has been done for women this year in terms of making sure they are safe and protected from abuse. Come next year, I think more focus should be placed on single mothers. The Women of Worth initiative fund indeed played a great part in alleviating the burdens of some single mothers, but that isn’t sufficient for all the many single mothers around the country. One major area that should be first on the agenda is implementing harsher punishment for fathers who neglect their responsibilities, leaving the burden on the women. Some men will not play their part unless this is done. Too many single mothers are earning a living by selling on the streets, only to earn enough to just feed their household, while the fathers go free of their responsibilities. Assisting single mothers with jobs is a start, but the extra hand in providing significant financial help can do a whole lot more.”

Mother and wife, Mohinie Khedoo

“As a mother, I want to see other mothers – especially single mothers – being given help financially. There are funds available for those single mothers but it isn’t a significant amount. Those mothers who have husbands who are substance abusers and don’t help financially need to have funds available for them. Even grandmothers who have no help but have to take care of many grandchildren need more financial support too. The relevant authorities need to come up with a plan which would adequately cover all those women.”

Savika Deepan

“For ages, women in general have been suffering from agony, distress, discrimination, apathy. I would like to see, in 2011, women who are suffering from abuse in all its forms at the hands of boyfriends and husbands, being given attention at police stations in their communities that being the immediate place they turn to. And the abusers punished severely so that they would desist from such behaviour. Financial support also for single-parent mothers because many of them have committed suicide due to the fact they have no financial support and cannot provide for their children. I want to see funds or loans beings more readily accessible for them, giving them a hope and reducing the suicide rate in our country.”