Nuh Guh Deh: “Let us seek justice for our young girls”

This is the first in a series of remarks that were made at the launch of the “Nuh Guh Deh” campaign by Eve for Life on November 26. It was a powerful and at times quite emotional morning. You can contact Eve for Life at evejamaica@gmail.com or by telephone at (876) 754-3594. You can also find them on Facebook and on Twitter @EveforLife.

Patricia Watson, Executive Director, Eve for Life

Remarks from Executive Director Patricia Watson:

As we gather here today, I wish first to honour all young girls who have experienced abuse and especially to the young mothers in our programmes in Kingston, St. Ann and St. James who have bravely allowed us to work with them to overcome the many challenges they have to face on a regular basis.

The crime of abuse of young girls is an assault on all Jamaicans. In its wake, we stand as one.

One in pain.

One in our resolve that in our lifetime, effective measures must be put in place to significantly reduce sex with our young girls and that more perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Just over three years ago, EVE for Life piloted a six month project that has now developed into the “I Am Alive!” programme. At the time, most of the 15 clients were aged between 18 years old and 22 years old, all HIV positive and all mothers. Three were just over 16 years old. The data was stark:

• The average age at first sex was 14 years old
• Two were sexually assaulted at first sexual experience
• All except three had multiple children
• 100% were unemployed
• 100% were unable to accurately name three ways HIV is transmitted, although they were HIV positive
• 11 were not using any contraceptive method although they were sexually active
• 11 were not using condoms on a regular basis

As an organisation, EVE for Life worked with these young ladies to deal with their HIV status, pregnancies and the regular abuse. By 2012, an additional 17 young ladies joined in Kingston, 18 in St. Ann and 19 in St. James.  We immediately recognised that not only were the young women younger than we previously worked with, but a significant portion were/are being sexually, physically and emotionally abused.

The youngest child mother in our programme today turned 14 a few months ago. She is living with HIV, neglected by family and in need of care and protection.  One 20 year old is trapped in a relationship with a man who ‘rescued’ her from homelessness six years ago and since then she has had two children with him and we have been able to negotiate the daily beatings/kicks to once or twice per month. She continues to be raped continually as she told us up to last week: “A nuh mi boyfriend u nuh miss. If mi tell him no him still tek it. Mi jus’ caan find a work a das why mi nuh leave yet. Mi would leave if he would tek care of the pikney dem but him sey if mi leave him won’t give me anything.”

Our work with the young ladies made Eve for Life realise, we cannot just sit back and care for those who have already become pregnant, contracted HIV or experienced abuse. We needed to get out of our comfort zone and begin strong advocacy to prevent other young girls from falling victims to the effects of early and forced sex.

The effects of early sex, forced sex among young girls are well documented. That is no cause for dispute. Early/forced sex harms health, halts education, destroys opportunities and puts young girls at risk condemning many of them to a live of poverty and dependency.

As a country, we should not become immune to this scourge affecting the country. It is a problem we must deal with now. Sex with girls under 16 is child rape, it is violence against girls. It is repugnant and defenceless.

EVE for Life condemns it and we are calling on all Jamaicans to condemn it. We know there are persons who will point the finger at these young girls as being promiscuous and would prefer we keep silent. That should however not concern us – let us seek justice for our young girls. Let us allow them to express their sexuality without being preyed on. As adults and caretakers, the message must reverberate and we must tell each other… Nuh Guh Deh!

Related articles

“Nuh Guh Deh!” Sex with young girls fuelling HIV infections in Jamaica (petchary.wordpress.com)

One in 10 women have been forced into sex against their will, Lancet study says (theguardian.com)

14 Year-Old Sex Trafficking Survivor Speaks Out (chicago.cbslocal.com)