Kamla tells women, "Stand up for your rights!"

Excerpts from a Speech by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the occasion of International Women's Day:

"In the past few months, our country has witnessed a political change and the seeds of new hope have been sowed with new hope.

"In this historic period, where mismanagement and improper governance has stolen the soul of our nation, I have been pegged with the task of helping to lead our country out of despair.

"But as I look upon your faces here today, the faces of the mothers, grandmothers aunts and sisters, it is incumbent upon me to confess freely that were it not for your historical and continued contribution to the development of the social, economic and yes, political progress of our beloved country, I would not be standing here before you as the first woman contender for leadership of this country.

"And so I join you and the world in the celebration of women’s unequalled contribution to humanity and our country today, a celebration of your giving to every single aspect of life.

"Throughout the world and indeed our country, women are united in struggle and oppression. We are united in our struggle to get to the top of the corporate world and our efforts to stamp out inequality of treatment in the workplace and in every arena of life in our country.

"We are united as mothers and caretakers of our homes and our efforts to fight against domestic abuse and violence. The leading cause of death amongst women aged 14 to 44 is domestic violence.

"But more than that, we are united in that never-ending need to ensure that our homes, our families, our communities, our schools, our workplaces and our beloved country gets rid of the scourge of violence, crime, corruption, mismanagement and the breakdown of family life that threatens the fabric of our being, the continued progress of our nation and the very future of our children.

"It’s no secret that at this point in our nation’s history, as I’ve said, our societies are suffering from a lack of proper love and leadership.

"I am directly referring to the continued rise in crime, and particularly, domestic abuse cases, murders targeting women and children and sexual abuse against our sisters in various forms, predominantly, rape.

"Day by day, we as mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters are condemned to emotional despair when we see our beloved sons, fathers, daughters, children become the victims of the heinous crime wave, and worse that that, white collar crime of corruption.

"The reality is that the rights of you the people are being encroached on. Indeed, by now, it is even worse than that. By now, the rights of you my sisters are being undermined. You know, on a day like this, I have to wonder if the women of this country and region truly know their rights.

"Sure, you hear us politicians and lawyers talking about the rule of law, but I wonder if you truly know what you are entitled to as citizens of this democracy, and human beings who are children of the universe?

"Let me remind you that you are guaranteed like any other male citizen, human rights. Human rights refer to "the basic rights and freedoms, to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law."

"I want to also remind you, a right is not what someone gives you; it's what no one can take from you. I want to assure you that amid this wasteland of terror and hopelessness, all is not lost.

"Look around you. You powerful sisters who have spent your lives being the voice of the voiceless and fighting for our rights, the rights of all the citizens of this country, the progress of our beloved nation.

"I know that when you see how some in our society and region abuses its women and refuses to uphold the tenets and institutions and spirit of democracy and rule of law, some of you are tempted to despair and give up.

"I have been there myself, for I am one of you. But I am here to tell you today that this must not be so. We must never give up our struggle for equality and a better nation for all.

"Remember people must not be afraid of their Governments but rather, Governments must be afraid of their people.

"And the time has come for us as women to stand up and take what is ours. As you all here know very well, this comes with dedication, a mental commitment to fight for your right to life, liberty and security.

"The time has come for us all to stand up and take charge, speak out, act out, because silence never won rights. Rights are not handed down from above; they are forced by pressures from below.

"So long as we have enough women in this count willing to fight for their rights, we'll be called a democracy. Always remember that democracy is not the law of the majority but the protection of the minority.

"You know, as I entered electoral politics and made a commitment to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, to fight for your fundamental rights, I made a promise to myself.

"I swore never to be silent whenever human beings and women in particular endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

"So today, I want to tell you take the side of your fellow sisters.

"Remember the power to uphold the women's rights that are enshrined in our Constitution, that you are entitled to. The power to uphold the right to life, lies in your hands.

"And let me remind you that it is your duty to never give up and say that the situation is hopeless.

"There is still our conscience, there is still the memory of the victims of crime, there is still our duty to try and prevent further bloodshed and violence. We have to prosecute all the perpetrators of crimes and crimes against humanity.

"Always remember that civil society has not lost the possibility to influence the government and force them to change their policy. That is why you must believe in your voice, your help and your power to make the difference and change the world and our beloved Trinidad and Tobago.