KINGSTON, 4 May 2015 - In Jamaica, music is a powerful tool to raise awareness, voice protest, lead advocacy and promote social change. It is therefore quite fitting that with current public discussion and growing awareness about the sexual abuse of girls in the island, the “Nuh Guh Deh” campaign to end sex with the girl child has developed a song and video as one of the ways to advance its efforts.Eve for Life, a non-governmental organization and NoMaddz Band, with support of the United Nations in Jamaica, have teamed up to produce a song and video to prevent sexual violence against girls. The song, “Nuh Guh Deh” reflects the theme of the public advocacy campaign that urges Jamaicans to speak up and condemn sexual violence against young girls. It was launched on Saturday May 2 at Emancipation Park, in-front of a large audience consisting of government officials and parliamentarians, International Development Partners, Civil Society representatives and other Jamaicans.
Speaking at the launch, Rushell, a survivor of child sexual abuse, bravely related how she was raped by her stepfather at 9 years old. She explained that in addition to the pain and trauma she experienced as a result of this violation, she was further humiliated by family and community members who sought to blame her instead of the perpetrator.
“People made me, a little primary school child, feel like I had brought shame and disgrace on the family. My own mother avoided talking about what happened and said “she bring disgrace to the family.” “People in the community started to label me a bad influence. They called me names. Everyone thought the worst of me. It was like I was the criminal and not my stepfather. I was discriminated against. After all the hurt my stepfather inflicted on me, I was further hurt, hated and traumatized by family members and the community.”
Rushell appealed to the audience to take strong steps to ensure that no other child experiences what she had. She pleaded with Jamaicans to protect children, report the sexual abuse of minors and send the clear ‘Nuh Guh Deh’ message to rapists, abusers and perpetrators of such a horrific crime.
Patricia Watson, Executive Director, Eve for Life, stressed the important role and responsibility of communities and individuals in ending sexual violence against girls and protecting children. She noted that neighbours and community members should be the first to report these crimes to the police and State agencies instead of waiting until after the fact to voice suspicions.
“Jamaican brothers and sisters for the sake of our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, little sisters, our little primary school and high school girls, to save them from abuse, to save them from early pregnancy, to save them from HIV, to save their very lives and to save their future, PLEASE I am begging you to join us to tell ALL ABUSERS and ALL THOSE WHO ENABLE ABUSE – NUH GUH DEH!, she declared.
Dr. Arun Kashyap UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica congratulated Eve for Life for its drive and determination to help young girls and for its strategic partnerships with the UN and other partners including NoMaddz, to get the message to end sexual abuse of the girl child, all across the island. He said the UN is taking an integrated approach to address sexual violence against children.
“Each agency will bring its comparative advantage, be it in the areas of health, education, governance, human rights, poverty reduction – to reduce the risk of violence to our children. We are committed to eliminating this disgraceful act and will leave no stone unturned to achieve it,” Dr. Kashyap said.
Sheldon Shepherd of NoMaddz says he hopes the song and video will catch on with Jamaican audiences and that they will be motivated to be the change that is so badly needed to bring an end to the pain and suffering of thousands of young girls who are sexually abused.
