Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday urged more women to become actively involved in the politics of Trinidad and Tobago.
She was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of a documentary produced by the Women's Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) on the effect of armed violence on women and their sons.
"There is a need for more women to become politically active and contribute to policies and decisions which shape the society and the future," she said, adding that now is the time for women to rise from "the periphery of the society" and "come forward as they have never done before".
The country's first female Prime Minister said she is disappointed what what she said is a lack of enthusiasm by some women to act in positions of leadership offered to them by her government.
"I was really disappointed in that several women we asked to chair the State boards...declined...They said I don't mind being a member of the board but I do not wish to be the chairman," she said.
The Government has appointed 198 women to serve on State boards appointed so far. That's 31 per cent of the total number of board members appointed to date.
The Prime Minister said she cannot accept that women only want to be "a part of" and not the one in charge. "Maybe next rounds ...more women will come forward," she said, hopefully.
The documentary, which was funded by the European Union, highlights the pains women experience after losing a male relative or child to armed violence. Its aim is to raise awareness and help "potential victims" cope with losing loved ones to armed violence.
The Prime Minister commended WINAD for its efforts, which she said is in sync "with our government's new thrust to ensure gender equality in all forms in our society".
She was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of a documentary produced by the Women's Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) on the effect of armed violence on women and their sons.
"There is a need for more women to become politically active and contribute to policies and decisions which shape the society and the future," she said, adding that now is the time for women to rise from "the periphery of the society" and "come forward as they have never done before".
The country's first female Prime Minister said she is disappointed what what she said is a lack of enthusiasm by some women to act in positions of leadership offered to them by her government.
"I was really disappointed in that several women we asked to chair the State boards...declined...They said I don't mind being a member of the board but I do not wish to be the chairman," she said.
The Government has appointed 198 women to serve on State boards appointed so far. That's 31 per cent of the total number of board members appointed to date.
The Prime Minister said she cannot accept that women only want to be "a part of" and not the one in charge. "Maybe next rounds ...more women will come forward," she said, hopefully.
The documentary, which was funded by the European Union, highlights the pains women experience after losing a male relative or child to armed violence. Its aim is to raise awareness and help "potential victims" cope with losing loved ones to armed violence.
The Prime Minister commended WINAD for its efforts, which she said is in sync "with our government's new thrust to ensure gender equality in all forms in our society".
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