"It happening with the children" Notes from the conversation about lessons from the GWHLES


 The 14th conversation about domestic violence in Guyana explored the lessons learned from the Guyana Women's Health and Life Experiences Survey (2018) (GWHLES)

The conversation was held on 28 October, 2021 and it was led by Carlotta Boodie-Walcott and facilitated by Vidyaratha Kissoon.

The survey

The Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey examines the nature and prevalence of violence against women and girls in Guyana (particularly intimate-partner violence). The conclusions of the survey include (quoting from the report) :-

  • 55% of the women surveyed who had ever had a male partner have experienced some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime The global average is 1 in 3.  38% of the survey respondents experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
  • Only half of those who have experienced IPV have ever sought help.
  • Barriers to help seeking include 
    • lack of knowledge of available help
    • being blamed or stigmatized by their situation becoming known throughout the community 
    • inadequate support structures to ensure victim safety after reporting violence to the police inconsistent or harmful institutional responses 
    • a lack of coordination between sectors.

Points raised in the conversation

Participants joined from different parts of Guyana and North America. Some of the participants are survivors. The key points came up during the conversation.

  • Many survivors do not realise that abuse is happening , especially if there is no physical violence. It takes awhile. Then they feel alone when having to deal with family, especially if the perpetrator is 'good' to the family and to the society. 
  • There is strong culture to preserve the family and to stay in the relationship no matter what. That culture has to change
  • Many persons recognised that the incidence of IPV in Guyana could be higher because of under reporting. 
  • People talked about ways of doing public education.. including use drama and creative ways on the radio and other media.  
  • Many survivors are speaking out and sharing their stories. Survivors should be included in the design of policies and other activities to deal with IPV and other forms of gbv.
  • Places like the pre-natal and ante-natal clinics are good places to have conversations about violence, including IPV 
  • There is a need to do community level projects which look at different sectors and work on the education and awareness. And then to repeat this work across other communities.
  • The health sector should have the skills to recognise when IPV is happening to make referrals.
  • There is a high tolerance for violence, including intimate partner violence in the society. One person who used to work in the education sector noted that "Education system need to pressure gov to remove corporal punishment" We talked about this legacy and history of violence and how it keeps continuing.
  • There was a discussion about breaking the cycle with young people and doing education in schools.

 "It happening with the children"

One of the participants who lives near a school shared that "There is boyfriend/girlfriend violence among the school children already. It is starting very young and seems to be accepted among that group.  Name calling and Physical violence is real for that group."  

We talked about how the cycle continues and that there is serious need for work to be done in schools through the Health and Family Life Education curriculum and other programmes. Some NGOs do work in some schools. The group recommended that the participant reach out to the Headteacher of the school to see if sessions can be arranged with the help of the School Welfare Dept in the Ministry of Education or with NGOs who are doing work in schools. 

The group recognised that it was important to keep the education and conversations going in different places and with different people.

 

Previous conversations in the series include

Feature Image by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

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