Beverly Anderson-Manley
IT IS the best of times for some women. Increasingly, women are getting more opportunities to hone and display their decision-making skills at the top, where it counts most. But it is the worst of times for women and children who are being abused - sexually and otherwise . This is almost at the stage of an epidemic. The female gender is under threat all over the world and Jamaica is no exception. Carnal abuse, rape, gang rape, incest and domestic violence are way out of control in a society that has a population of just over 2.7 million male and female.
What kind of society turns a blind eye to atrocities against children? Have we become so cynical, so resigned that we accept what we see happening around us - instead of recognising that as human beings with the capacity to think and therefore act we can intervene in these issues powerfully, if we choose to do so? It must be possible to create a Jamaica that works for everyone.
MONA HIGH STUDENT
On Thursday evening, there was a TVJ news story about a female Mona High School student who was making her way to school from the hills of Guava Ridge, just below Mavis Bank in St. Andrew. She lives a long way from school, so she leaves her home in the dark at 5.00 a.m. She was attacked by a man with a knife. This brave young lady told how she fought off her attacker. Subsequently, we were told that there were three of them. She told the story from the hospital. She had bandages on her arms, her legs and around her neck. What could not be displayed is her psychological condition, but we know that she will probably be traumatised for the rest of her life. How will she leave her home in the dark at 5.00 a.m. to go to school after this? How will she have healthy relationships with men after this - and I could go on and on. Her only hope is to have counselling and tremendous family and other support on an ongoing basis.
If the men are found guilty, what kind of sentence is considered appropriate for these heinous act? Is counselling available for these sick men? When they come out of prison and move into our neighbourhoods - will we know who they are so we can protect our selves and our children from them, bearing in mind that some sick men never fully recover.
Yes - it is the best of times for some women and the worst of times for others. Our girl children should not be discriminated against because of their sex. We need men to organise to stop it - we need women to organise to stop it. We need self defence classes for our women and children so they can better protect themselves from those who would harm them. Let the men know that when they attack our children, they do so at great risk.
VIOLATED BODIES
Women and girl children were not placed on this earth to be taken advantage of. Women know what it is like to have their bodies violated in one way or another. Females, because of their biology - experience the psychological damage that arises from abuse. In the case of children, this becomes even more so.
Women often know who the men are who carry out these criminal acts - they are our husbands, our sons, our nephews, our cousins, our neighbours. Women must stop being silent on these issues. We must stop being collusive. Our silence has an ever-deteriorating impact on all aspects of our society. These are not 'women's issues' but societal issues. All sectors of society must play a role in dealing with this problem.
Let us renew our commitment to our 'bundles of joy'. Let us open our minds to the possibility of a Jamaica where once again we recognise the truism of the African adage that "it takes a village to raise a child".
Beverley Anderson-Manley is a political scientist, broadcaster and coach. Email address: BManley@kasnet.com
