APNU on Violence Against Women

On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly, passed Resolution 54/134 which designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

A Partnership for National Unity (A.P.N.U) continues its efforts to raise public awareness of this problem that is plaguing Guyanese society on this and every day. Far too often in the media, we hear of women in Guyana and around the world who are victims of rape, domestic violence and many other forms of violence. The scale and true nature of the violence against women is often hidden or not given the prominence it deserves.

A.P.N.U and the Presidential Candidate, Brig. (ret) David Granger, wish to denounce categorically the continuing perpetration of violence against women in Guyana. A.P.N.U is committed to ensure that our women are recognized and embraced as equals in Guyana, with equal access to education, jobs, advancement, and complete freedom to take decisions which are advantageous to themselves and their families.

A.P.N.U recognizes that women must be protected by a more empathetic, better trained law enforcement system, supported by a stronger judicial system and national culture that recognises the worth of women beyond the basic objectification which results in the sexual exploitation of girls and women.

A.P.N.U pledges to ensure that women who choose to work in the home are recognized for the tremendous contributions they make to the lives of their families. A.P.N.U will ensure that equality laws passed by Parliament are enforced stringently. A.P.N.U will insist that incidents of violence against women are taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of the class, income or race of the perpetrator. A.P.N.U recognises the need for more support systems for women and girls in crisis, and an increase of the number of safe homes for battered, abused and sexually exploited women.

Consistent with Brig. (ret) David Granger’s emphasis on education, A.P.N.U will insist that the early education curricula for boys and girls, beginning with the primary schools, include sensitivity education to eradicate the negative effects of the abuse of girls and women.

A.P.N.U encourages all citizens of Guyana to join with us today as we seek to raise public awareness of the need for the elimination of violence against women.  We stand together with all civil society groups and NGOs today to say, "No more!" Let us all work together for the complete eradication of violence against women in Guyana. We will be a better people, and Guyana will be a greater nation as we move forward rapidly and resolutely to attain the goals envisaged by Resolution 54/134.