She was delivering the feature address at a regional colloquim for on women as the agents of change.
The Prime Minister noted that historically women and girls have endured discrimination in most societies and despite significant gains in the last 100 years many societies still deprive women of their most basic rights.
She suggested that one explanation might be the lack of active participation in politics and government by women and said that is about to change.
“Today we are laying the groundwork for an era which will witness far greater participation of Caribbean women in the politics, governance and decision-making processes in our countries across the Region.
“Today we position Caribbean women as the transformational leaders who will bring not only unprecedented political and socio-economic changes but will seek to change all aspects of National Life.
“Across the world women are joining hands in solidarity and support, in a global women’s movement, sharing knowledge and experience and empowering themselves to build a peaceful and fairer world and today, at this colloquium, we say that the women of the Caribbean join in this important global effort.”
Persad-Bissessar said that the goal of the Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership (CIWIL), a key partner in the colloquium, is to increase the number of women in politics, leadership and decision-making in the Caribbean to 50% by 2015.
“This is a goal I readily and strongly support and an outcome which should now be more feasible in light of this conference,” she said.
Noting that she was addressing the delegates as the first female prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Persad-Bissessar also paid tribute to other Caribbean women who were leaders in their respective countries.
“We need only to recall the esteemed legacy of Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica who was the first woman to be elected Prime Minister in the Caribbean – a position she held for 15 years from 1980 and in the process earned the nickname “The Iron Lady of the Caribbean”. Dame Eugenia led an extraordinary life as a pioneer among women and a leader of men and women,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said if women across the world have made rapid strides in yet “we remain marginalised from political leadership and decision-making and still command lower incomes than our male colleagues.”
She said there is a dire need “to hear our voices where policies are made and resources allocated, particularly with regard to women’s reproductive rights, equal work for equal pay and issues of gender-based violence.”
The Prime Minister noted that while Caribbean nations hold democracy and gender equality as fundamental principles “we, as women, have not ensured that in our respective countries our leaders have walked the talk.”
She added, “Now more than ever we must advocate for women’s full participation in democracy in recognition of the fact that women’s involvement in the democratic process and in governance is crucial for the achievement of sustainable development and the realization of the true potential of our Nations…
“Here in Trinidad and Tobago, I am proud to state that we have begun to infuse the concept of gender mainstreaming in the strategic plans of all Government Ministries.
“For the first time in this country we now have a Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development.
“The creation of this Ministry is no ad hoc decision, but indeed a deliberate move and in full recognition of the need to ensure that the issues of gender and the needs of our children remain at the forefront of the National Agenda.”
Persad-Bissessar noted that in Trinidad and Tobago women constitute 27 per cent of the Senate and 26 per cent of the House of Representatives.
“What we now need to do is to build on our successes and enhance the capacity of our women in the skills and knowledge that are crucial to effective leadership, to ensure that we take our place as members of parliament, occupy increased ministerial positions and seats in public and private sector boardrooms and in trade unions, thereby increasing our representation at the highest levels of decision-making.
She said, however, that if the Caribbean wants women’s perspectives to be included in decision-making, then women must articulate those views and make them heard loud and clear.
She suggested that women should establish networks and strategic alliances regionally and internationally to communicate mutual interests and work together in a more collaborative manner so that knowledge and experience can lead to genuine advancement.
“In doing so we must work and collaborate with progressive men who are not intimidated by our power and potential. We deserve respect, fairness and equality.
“Together with our male colleagues let us transform our world into a more equitable, safe and peaceful space for women and girls as well as our boys and men.
“And in so doing, I guarantee you that sooner rather than later, the day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only in the workplace or the home, but in the leadership councils of nations.
“Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the human race."
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