Domestic Violence in Guyana

Map of Guyana

Situated on the northern coast of South America sits Guyana, a country whose society faces a strong presence of gender discrimination and inequity especially towards women.  Interestingly, women constitute over half of Guyana’s population and that reason alone is what makes the issue of gender inequity so important.

Perhaps one plausible reason why there is such a widespread acceptance of gender inequity in Guyana has something to do with its history.  Guyana was under British control until 1966.  Even though Guyana had gained its independence, the country was scarred by a gender ideology that the British had left behind. This ideology defined men as superior breadwinners and women as submissive sexual beings and housewives (Das 2000).  So, it is the attitude implemented by Guyana’s colonial leaders that has lead to an overall tolerance to feminine inferiority. 

In almost every situation, an imbalance of power can be detrimental to the well-being of those being affected.  In Guyanese culture, the superiority of men has become the root of what could be one of the hottest topics in Guyana—Domestic violence.  This issue is becoming more and more prevalent and women are experiencing it on a daily basis whether it be through physical, verbal, or sexual assaults.  However, one Guyanese newspaper article offers in detail accounts of how domestic violence can quickly take a turn for the worst as women have been brutally murdered as a result of a lack of female autonomy. To continue reading click here stabroeknews.com

That same newspaper article describes domestic violence as a “ power play among persons in a relationship” where “the root of domestic violence is perceived inequality and subordination of women which extends beyond the individual to the wider society” (stabroeknews.com).  This really revalidates the point that Guyanese culture is marked by a preconceived notion that women are the less powerful part of a relationship and because so many people have accepted that, society as a whole sees it as a social norm.  The issue with this, however, is that society has formed a tolerance to abuse.  Law enforcement officials fail to pursue the incrimination of abusers and society actually sees no wrongfulness in domestic violence.  

One survey has been polling thousands of Guyanese citizens for years and it has concluded that there is an overall general acceptance of domestic violence.  In fact, 10.2% approved of it, 25.4% did not approve, but understood why it would be used as correctional behavior against women and children, and 64.4% had no opinion either way (kaieteurnewsonline.com).  As compared to other countries in the America’s, Guyana ranked third for acceptance of domestic violence.  The coordinator of the Guyana Help and Center, Margaret Kertzious spoke out about these striking results.  She deemed the Guyanese society as abusive where people were seen fighting on the streets.  Even further, domestic violence is becoming inherent to households and how children are being raised because it is so common for them to watch their parents interact in a violent way or experience it for themselves. Through these startling statistics, it is obvious that Guyana, in a sense, supports brutality in their society, but I think there is something much deeper.  There must be some sort of disconnect in society where people think violence is the way to exert power and control over others or maybe just a widespread ignorance in which women are not offered any alternatives to being beaten. 

One survey, done by an advocacy group called Red Thread offers evidence to that claim.  Apparently, in a survey conducted with three hundred fifty Guyanese women, more than 65% had no knowledge of the Domestic Violence Act but 41.9% experienced physical violence, 32.2 experienced verbal abuse, and 12.2% experienced sexual abuse in previous relationships.  Again, this goes to show that domestic violence is a common practice, but women are not supported or educated enough to know that they are protected by the Domestic Violence Act 1996 (hands.org.gy).  The act was designed to protect any person suffering from domestic abuse including physical, mental, verbal, or sexual assaults (hands.org.gy).

Though women everywhere seem to be experiencing the harsh hand of domestic violence, most women agreed in the above survey that domestic violence is worse in certain communities in Guyana.  In fact, more than 40% agree that women are treated worse in poor urban areas and Afro-Guyanese communities.  In addition, over 60% of women in these communities agreed that they felt the need to take precautions against being raped, followed, or assaulted (hands.org.gy).  In conclusion, women in every part of Guyana experience discrimination but the poor and Afro-Guyanese are even worse off.

President Granger at
the Conference, 2015

Though women continue to face many challenges, there are some positive attributes up and coming in Guyana.  The government is becoming more active in gender equality and that is evident through the first National Conference on Gender and Development Policy, which took place in 2015.  During that conference, the president of Guyana, David Granger asserted that the government will be focusing on brining Guyana true gender equality, which is necessary to “create opportunities, promote empowerment, and provide protection for women” (guyanachronicle.com).  His administration has also claimed to make efforts on reducing poverty rates and offering more educational opportunities for women.  This would prove useful in the fight against domestic violence in Guyana because if women are educated on ways to protect themselves and the laws and services in place, they would have other alternatives to dealing with violence other than just accepting it.  In addition, decreasing the poverty rate for women would allow them to be financially independent and not need to focus on being with an abusive man in order to be fiscally stable.  The government has been promoting change and suggesting legislature to combat inequity, but nothing has actually been implemented. 

Karen de Souza, Founder
of Red Thread

On an even more positive note, many NGO advocacy groups have formed in order to continue the fight against violence and discrimination against women.  One of the most influential groups is Red Thread, which was created by seven strong women in 1986 in order to fight for rights.  They have conducted many surveys to fully understand the implications of domestic violence all throughout Guyana.  They also believe that one of the best ways to end discrimination is through education for children, men, and women alike.  To view an interview with a Red Thread about education click here: Red Thread Interview.  Red Thread educates women through their many positive outreach programs like a drop-in/outreach center where women come to talk about exploitations they endure.  Red Thread also plans to continue lobbying for domestic violence and sexual offenses legislation (carribbean-beat.com).  

Another up and coming support group is Merundoi Inc. a radio station talk show which seeks to educate the public on accurate information, encouraging healthier behavior, offering a supportive environment to fight discrimination, and apply information and make better decisions.  The corporation has created a Street Theatre Outreach Program in which people can come to talk in a safe and supportive environment (merundoi.org.gy). 

Merundoi Inc. Logo

In conclusion, Guyana is indeed marked by a gender ideology put in place by the British years ago.  Men truly do hold the power in Guyanese culture while women suffer from abuse.  The Guyanese society as a whole has accepted domestic violence as a common practice and violence in general has proven to be very prevalent in Guyanese communities.  While the government is making efforts to better the situation for women through legislature and programs, they actually need to be implemented to be successful.  What has been successful, however, are the local NGO’s that have dedicated themselves to advocating for women.

Works Cited

Das, Maitreyi. “Women's Autonomy and Politics of Gender in Guyana”. Economic and Political Weekly 35.23 (2000):               1944–1948. Web.

Lisa Allen-Agostini. "Karen De Souza and (Red) Threads That Bind - Caribbean Beat Magazine." Caribbean Beat                     Magazine. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

"President Calls for Comprehensive Approach to Gender Equality." Guyana Chronicle. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

"Domestic Violence Act 1996." Help And Shelter. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

KNews. "Survey Shows Guyanese Generally Accept Domestic Violence." Kaieteur News Online. N.p., 9 Mar. 2015. Web.         23 Apr. 2016.

"Services - Merundoi Incorporated." Merundoi Incorporated. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.

"Waging War on Women: Domestic Violence in Guyana - Stabroek News." Stabroek News. N.p., 2009.    Web. 23 Apr.             2016.

"Women Researching Women." Women Researching Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.