Resident Representative of the United Nations in Guyana Khadija Musa today issued a call for Guyana’s religious leaders to play a key role in the education of boys regarding their responsibilities towards women.
Musa during her presentation at the Symposium to observe International Women’s Day in Guyana delivered her own message to Guyana on the theme for the day “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”.
The UN Resident Representative expressed her hurt at opening the local papers daily to see reports on crimes against women in Guyana.
“We all have to get together to do something about this, and I believe our religious leaders have a very strong role to make sure women are treated well. So I will say, let’s hold hands and join together, whether you’re are a priest, whether you are a teacher, whether you are a mother to ensure that both boys and girls are respected and that they grow up knowing that violence is absolutely a ‘no-no.” she challenged.
“I believe that women can change the situation,” she said. “Character and behaviour begin at home. When we have young boys amidst our families, we must educate them to know respect for women and girls and respect themselves. Because if they don’t respect women themselves…so each family can make a huge step with respect to the crime read every day.”
United Nations Resident Representative to Guyana Khadija Musa delivers her challenge to Guyanese on International Women’s Day 2013.
Musa also delivered the message from the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), Michelle Bachelet, who welcomed the progress countries have made in the past years to eliminate violence against women, but stressed much more needs to done.
“I have hope because awareness and action are rising for women’s rights. A belief is growing that enough is enough,” Ms. Bachelet said in her message. “But I am outraged because women and girls continue to suffer high levels of discrimination, violence, and exclusion. They are routinely blamed and made to feel shame for the violence committed against them, and they too often search in vain for justice.”
She called on governments to keep their promises and protect human rights in line with international agreements and promote a change in attitudes that encourages equal participation and decision-making in their societies.
“Women’s issues are global issues that deserve urgent priority. There can be no peace, no progress as long as women live under the fear of violence,” she added.