Latest update January 22nd, 2021 12:59 AM
Jun 29, 2012 Letters
Dear Sir,
Concerned Caribbean feminists are making public across the region our dismay at the dismissal of Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Verna St Rose Greaves, from the Trinidad and Tobago Government.
Many outside of Trinidad and Tobago have been admiring her stellar advocacy work which has benefited many different groups in the country and was doing much to give real meaning to the concept of democracy.
In these circumstances, we strongly urge Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Government to ensure the continuation of the current work done on the National Gender Policy in the spirit and vision of Verna St.Rose Greaves.
Ms St. Rose Greaves’s work in widening the scope of concerns and pushing recent children’s legislation through successfully despite severe opposition was highly commendable.
Her passion for gender justice is what is needed among Government Ministers in an era when Caribbean countries are deservingly being severely criticized for human trafficking and for the high levels of incest that mar the lives of Caribbean children, women and men.
We recognize that forces exist that are inimical to the meaningful extension of human rights in all their fullness, including reproductive autonomy for women in Trinidad and Tobago and full citizenship rights for gays and lesbians throughout the region.
We are equally sure that Caribbean governments are installed to protect all citizens and enable each the fullest expression of our humanity.
Verna St. Rose Greaves’s public life demonstrated a philosophy of caring and engagement.
That is what we want of Caribbean politicians; therefore, we are dismayed at what her dismissal says of the Trinidad and Tobago Government.
That dismay extends to the decline of female participation in the Parliament.
Out of a deep concern for the fragility of human rights gains made to date, we implore the Trinidad and Tobago Government to accept our call to continue the work done so far on the National Gender Policy and hold it accountable to real values of justice and democracy.
Margaret D. Gill,
Barbados and
Concerned Caribbean
Feminists for Gender
Justice
Jan 22, 2021
Kaieteur News – The National Community Basketball League (NCBL) which is a non-profit organisation, launched its initiative that encompasses the promotion and development of basketball in...Kaieteur News – It was too daunting a task to research my archives of articles to find the column in which I noted... more
Kaieteur News – Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper and proprietor of Kaieteur Radio, has been the most outstanding... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – As they are preparing to exit the White House and the State Department on January... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]