According to the Commission “men in society, who hold positions of power should be held to account for their actions especially those that lead to the oppression and victimisation of women and young girls, in particular those who come from less privileged circumstances. Women, especially girls, should not be treated in a way that denies their humanity and violates their rights.
“Every citizen has the right to defend [his or her self] against any type of violation. The advent of social media and technology empowers any victim to expose within minutes any violation of their rights.
“Patriarchy and its offensive and violent consequences in Guyana have been addressed in our laws, not least the Sexual Offences Act and our Inheritance laws that are on the books to give voice to victims of these brutish and unlawful practices.
“Therefore, persons in society especially in the social, economic and political sphere who use their privileges to exploit or oppress those who they see as below their real or perceived authority must take warning.”
Whilst noting patriarchy exists in all forms of social structures – in families, in schools, in workplaces, in financial institutions and exists in all positions of power that are male dominated, the commission shared “much work has been done by decision makers at all levels, in government, in civil society and Community Based Organisations, women’s organisations and groups across the country to empower women to speak up for their rights and to report when there is an infraction against their rights.”
Calling for an end to the culture that allows for the violation of women’s human rights, the body made known it is not business as usual; that “Enough is enough!”
