‘The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.’ — John Philpot Curran (1790). As a nation, we are sliding into a place of great sadness. The economy’s growth engines are shutting down, and there is a collapse of law and order. Daily, it becomes more …
Read More »Jabz: A little pep in our women’s step; why pepper spray should be for ladies only!
The tragic circumstances surrounding Andrea Bharatt’s abduction and murder have shone a light on our society’s sensibilities toward a number of issues. And whilst our attitudes toward the value of women, the pursuit of justice, crime and punishment and scepticism of authority are by no means monolithic, the discourse surrounding …
Read More »Dear Editor: Pepper spray is best short-term safety device for women
“[…] For what it’s worth, [pepper spray] seems to be a best choice self-defence arsenal, particularly in the climate of impunity that prevails and where perpetrators rarely face justice. “[…] Is the approval really T&T solution to this unbearable violence? At a minimum, it is a short-term necessary life-saving guard …
Read More »Vaneisa: Divided we stand… something has to be done T&T
One group: burning tyres, pieces of wood, cardboard—debris really—in protest against the conditions of roads that are impassable or collapsing; or the absence of water via taps or trucks; or maybe it’s a bridge gone, cutting them off; or a fallen tree yet to be cleared; or a downed electricity …
Read More »Demming: No nine-day wonder; Andrea Bharatt’s death must lead to action
February 21 will mark nine days after the burial of Andrea Bharatt, and it is likely that the marching, candlelight vigils and accusations of ‘shedding crocodile tears’ will no longer be at the forefront of our minds. We will retreat to the burglar-proofed boxes we call homes and cautiously peer …
Read More »Dear Editor: T&T’s two-tongued on issue of violence and the women whose lives matter
“[…] Gender-based violence is often separated from the larger problem of violence that has pervaded this society. The violence is symptomatic of a country built and driven by bloodshed, which is then propped up by widespread corruption. “[…] If it is acceptable for the police to unlawfully assume the role …
Read More »Gopeesingh: ‘Time for bipartisan approach to runaway crime’
The following statement calling for bipartisan action against crime comes from former UNC MP for Caroni East Dr Tim Gopeesingh: The brutal attacks and murders of Andrea Bharatt and many other women underscore the horrendous crime reality that has been stalking our nation in recent years. What is needed now …
Read More »Dear editor: ‘Women and children deserve to feel safe!’ Three ways to address gender-based violence
“[…] The reality of Trinidad and Tobago does not allow women and girls to enter into public spaces without experiencing some form of fear and discomfort. “Socialisation of our men and boys must be acknowledged as a significant contributor to violence against women and girls, which must be addressed with …
Read More »Noble: The ‘throw-away’ woman challenge—where our injustice, violence, and sexism intersect
‘When a country is in the grip of a collective passion, it becomes unanimous…the partisan spirit makes people blind, makes them deaf to justice. It dims perception of goodness, merely enables it to mistake this or that means for an absolute good. ‘One must, therefore, endeavour strenuously to protect one’s …
Read More »Cox: ‘Society must own up to huge deficiencies in the socialisation of our males’
The following statement on the death of Andrea Bharatt was submitted by the minister of social development and family services, Senator Donna Cox: On behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, I would like to extend condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Andrea Bharatt and …
Read More »Dear editor: ‘As a mother, I’m paralysed with fear; as a woman, I’m filled with tremendous anxiety’
“[…] As a woman, I am filled with tremendous anxiety. I am fiercely independent, but I feel that independence disappearing—as I constantly have to adjust my movements to try and ensure my safety…” The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to Wired868 by an anonymous contributor, under the pen …
Read More »TTPS: Body of 23-year-old kidnap victim, Andrea Bharatt, found
The following press statement on kidnap victim Andrea Bharatt was released by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS): The search for kidnapped victim, Andrea Bharatt, ended this afternoon after her body was found down a precipice along the Heights of Aripo. According to reports, around 12.20pm today, a motorist …
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