In a recent media interview, the interviewee was asked this very direct question: ‘Have you ever accepted a bribe for a firearm?’ Gary Griffith, former commissioner of police, former government minister, former senator, former captain in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force who is now husband, father and private citizen, …
Read More »Noble: A long way to go! T&T women clearly ‘still in the clutches of misogynistic men’
There was an advertising slogan, ‘You’ve come a long way, Baby!’, in the late 60s that reflected the rising empowerment of women. By the early 80s, a board including two men, inspired by Radhica Saith, ran the first local Halfway House for Battered Women. Thirty years ago, this week, our …
Read More »Deconstructing monogamy: Why Wired868’s ‘Outside Woman’ is ahead of the game—like the Greek Hetairae
First, the disclaimer. Disabuse yourself of the assumption I am against marriage and monogamy. You could not be further from the truth. I’m not only a veteran in the practice, I shared some supportive insight on how to do monogamy successfully; with eyes wide open, realistic expectations and cost/benefit ratio …
Read More »Demming: Gov’t must act on sexual harrassment and gender-based violence
Womantra and 2Cents movement have both survived firestorms of social media criticism that they allegedly mishandled accusations of either sexual harassment, gender-based violence or sexual grooming perpetrated by persons in positions of leadership. Ironically, both organisations are engaged in much-needed work that can fundamentally change our cultural landscape, but they …
Read More »Dear Editor: Women must point the way to sustainable progress
“[…] Demand, by collective action, radical, positive, permanent change. And that change is not just around gender-based violence, but in every community and institution in the land, be it the legal, political or social system … “[…] Who must decide what is progress and the sustainable road to such? I …
Read More »PLOTT: ‘More aggressive and holistic approach’ needed to address violence against women and children
“[…] While we recognise the gains made with amendments to The Domestic Violence Act and the establishment of a Gender-based Violence Unit in the TTPS, the continuing scourge of violence against women and children requires a more aggressive and holistic approach from those in authority. “We are reminded that the …
Read More »Sex education, gender policy and pepper spray; Womantra’s wish-list to address gender-based violence
“[…] Amend, implement, and budget for the National Gender Policy. A formalised multi-sectoral approach to awareness raising, prevention and accountability must be applied to all aspects of gender-equality, including gender-based violence. “These interventions should include private and state actors, communities, etc…” The following is a press statement from Womantra, which …
Read More »Noble: What is the man’s responsibility for fear that stalks our women in public places?
How can our women become more careful when they do not know whether or not an approaching man would rape or kill her? She, by just being in the public, is at risk. Take for example, Juliet Tam, who in 1985, left her Arima home to exercise and just disappeared. …
Read More »What should women with dodgy transport options do? Rowley: ‘Just be careful’
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said there are still ‘monsters’ around us, when asked to comment on the rape and murder of 18-year-old Ashanti Riley, who was abducted sometime after she left home in a ‘PH’ taxi on Sunday 29 November. Rowley noted too, at a press conference this afternoon, …
Read More »Gender-based violence ‘increased by 500%’ during Covid lockdown, but the T&T public can help…
“[…] In all the instances that we have dealt with as an organisation, they go back home to the situation. It is a cycle. It goes round and round…” In the following guest column, Groots T&T founder Delores Robinson speaks to journalist Robert Clarke: Delores Robinson took a late-night call. …
Read More »Noble: Our young men can change, if we try—addressing domestic violence
The police commissioner, in April 2020, estimated that domestic violence reports would double this year (232 in 2019 to 558 in 2020). This is consistent with what the UN calls the ‘shadow pandemic’—a global increase in domestic violence amid the Covid-19 health crisis. ‘How do you reach out for help …
Read More »Dear editor: Gender-based violence is a ‘shadow pandemic’ in T&T; we need attitudinal change
“[…] Attitudinal and behavioural changes won’t happen by vaps. We have serious work to do. For example, we must address the need for values/conscience formation and citizenship programmes—at home, in our educational institutions, in our faith communities, in our workplaces etc…” The following is a press statement from the Catholic …
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