Senator: Society judges men and women differently

INDEPENDENT Senator Dr Varma Deyalsingh says society judges men and women very differently, and that very often, men attack women who share their views in efforts to silence and discredit them.

He was speaking at a virtual town meeting on child and gender affairs on Wednesday morning. The meeting was titled Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and its impact on Mental Health.

Deyalsingh, a psychiatrist, said the effects of online gender-based violence are "just as real" when compared to offline.

He said its anonymous nature, explosive dissemination and permanency have "brought some new factors into the equation...

..."But the mental fall out is just as devastating," he said.

He said that while social media can be a beautiful tool for the purpose of education, among other things, it's regularly used to "shackle, shame and sexualise women.

"It can destroy one's mental and emotional well being."

Some of the effects, he said, include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, PTSD and panic attacks.

He also spoke of people who verbally attack women online or attempt to expose private/explicit photos and videos, adding that journalists, politicians, athletes and academics are usually targeted.

He said this can be caused by boredom, entertainment, power, annoyance, jealousy and revenge.

In saying that men and women are judged differently, he said men are praised by society for having multiple sexual partners but women are considered "promiscuous.

"Men attack independent, strong women who give their views. They are targeted in an effort to silence them (or make) threats to discredit them professionally. "

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for child and gender affairs, Ayanna Webster-Roy, said while technology has "propelled us forward by leaps and bounds," it has created new avenues for violence against women and girls.

"The impact on mental health cannot be overstated," she said.

"It fosters an atmosphere of fear and anxiety, undermining the sense of security and freedom that every individual deserves."

The psychological scars caused by this, she said, can have long-lasting effects on not just the victims but their families and relationships.