Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted a reception Thursday at the Diplomatic centre to mark International Women's day, which was celebrated earlier this month.
"I salute all the individuals and organizations in Trinidad and Tobago which, through their actions, have recognized the vital importance of women to the development of community, workplace and country.
"Last week the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD) was commemorated under the United Nations theme of “Empowering Rural Women – End Poverty and Hunger”.
"But against what backdrop did we celebrate International Women’s Day 2012?
"Worldwide, we continue to valiantly stave off the effects of global financial crises, climate change, civilian uprisings against oppressive ruling regimes, as well as treat with the on-going issues of gender/wage gaps, gender biased access to essential services, domestic violence and significant inconsistencies in the opportunities available to urban and rural women.
"Yet do we as women passively sit back and cower in the face of continued violence, inequality and discriminatory laws and cultural practices?
"Certainly not! Not after a century of strife, struggle and sacrifice.
"We have taken many positive steps forward in legal rights, educational achievements, participation in public life, and more women are surviving childbirth and can plan for their families.
"My dear friends, the 2012 commemoration of International Women’s Day asks us to close ranks around our rural sisters, who are often most negatively impacted by natural environmental upheavals and social disparities.
"In several instances it is our rural women and girls who work long hours, longer than their urban sisters, with little or no pay and still produce a large proportion of the food grown, especially in subsistence agriculture.
"Worldwide, including right here in Trinidad and Tobago, it is our rural sisters who play a critical role in enhancing agricultural and rural development and improving food security, thereby helping to reduce poverty levels in their communities.
"As a woman who grew up in the rural precincts of our country, I can fully appreciate the daily efforts of rural women to be treated as equals and given similar rights and recognition as their male counterparts.
"My Government recognises the important contribution of rural women to the development of our communities and country, and we will continue to improve women's access to financial and productive resources and services, expand their opportunities to diversify their production, increase their productivity through labour-saving technologies, and facilitate their access to high-value productive markets.
"At this commemoration of International Women’s Day, I especially applaud the work of the Network of Rural Producers of Trinidad and Tobago which has become instrumental in opening up economic opportunities for women, particularly rural women.
"I believe that many of my sisters here this afternoon, are either individually or as part of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), closely affiliated with the Network of Rural Producers and I congratulate you on your achievements.
"Today I challenge my Ministers of Gender, Youth and Child Development; Community Development; Labour and Small and Micro-Enterprise Development; the Minister of the People and Social Development and the Minister of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs to put in place or expand on their programmes targeted to our Nation’s women and girls and our rural women in particular.
"I know that Senator the Honourable Verna St Rose-Greaves, Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development already has, through her Gender Affairs Division, several programmes that target women in rural areas.
"But Verna is a powerhouse in her own right and I know I can expect more from her Ministry in the not too distant future, as my Government continues to empower our Nation’s women and girls.
"It is not by chance that last year Trinidad and Tobago was named the third best country in the Commonwealth to be born and grow up a girl; but through solid and focused work among our women and girls and we will continue to strengthen our policies and programmes in this area. Criteria had to do with education and as I recall in my last incarnation we were able to offer primary education to all.
"At the National level we are steadily moving towards more Gender Responsive Budgeting, which requires an understanding of the different needs of women and men, as strategic plans are drawn for national policies and programmes.
"I am proud to note that last week, on International Women’s Day, the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development co-hosted with the Commonwealth Secretariat a very successful breakfast seminar on “Gender Responsive Budgets and its Impact on Rural Women”.
"Prior to the breakfast seminar, the Ministry had also hosted a 3-day workshop for local government officials on Gender Responsive Budgeting.
"It is our aim to ensure that at the heart of our communities there is an understanding of the importance of gender perspectives in all policies, projects and programmes.
"My Government also understands that our girls...our children must be protected. Our systems cannot and will not be allowed to further fail our children.
"In this regard we have recently appointed a new Children’s Authority Board which is chaired by Ms Stephanie Daly, SC and the Children Bill was read in the House of Representatives for a second time last Friday. Championed by Minister St rose Greaves , this bill will go back to parliament for debate again this Friday.
"As a women leader, I also believe it to be of extreme importance to continue to mentor our young girls and women to play a more significant role in political leadership and I will continue to be a vocal advocate of Women Leaders as Agents of Change.
"From the ground up... in communities, in local Government, at National and Regional fora; our voices must be heard in decision-making processes at all levels.
"In rural communities, in urban centres across our Nation, our Region and the World; women must be recognised as being central to national development...
"I believe our purpose is to mentor, guide and inspire our girls and women to demand better futures for themselves and their families.
"As we near the deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, most of which encourage a focus on women, let us as a global community, seek to lessen not worsen the inequalities faced by the half of the world’s population.
"Let me share one of my favourite chinese proverbs "women hold up half the sky" and the men the other so we must work together as equal partners.
"Let us collectively determine to narrow the separation between policy, decisions and practise which so often characterises issues related to women.
"To my sisters in Trinidad and Tobago and my sisters of the World, let us unite on this International Women’s Day, confident that we are treading the path of progress...trusting that our brothers will one day understand that we seek not power over them; but rather to be accepted and respected by them as equal partners in a shared destiny of prosperity, security and peace."
In an address, she presented a snapshot of the role of women in society, both at home and globally, with special reference to the role of rural women in development.
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| PMKamla Persad-Bissessar with Janelle Penny-Commissiong (Miss Universe 1977) and Giselle L-Ronde West (Miss World 1986) at afternoon tea, Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's yesterday. (NEWSDAYphoto) |
JYOTI has published below edited highlights of the PM's speech.
"I salute all the individuals and organizations in Trinidad and Tobago which, through their actions, have recognized the vital importance of women to the development of community, workplace and country.
"Last week the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD) was commemorated under the United Nations theme of “Empowering Rural Women – End Poverty and Hunger”.
"But against what backdrop did we celebrate International Women’s Day 2012?
"Worldwide, we continue to valiantly stave off the effects of global financial crises, climate change, civilian uprisings against oppressive ruling regimes, as well as treat with the on-going issues of gender/wage gaps, gender biased access to essential services, domestic violence and significant inconsistencies in the opportunities available to urban and rural women.
"Yet do we as women passively sit back and cower in the face of continued violence, inequality and discriminatory laws and cultural practices?
"Certainly not! Not after a century of strife, struggle and sacrifice.
"We have taken many positive steps forward in legal rights, educational achievements, participation in public life, and more women are surviving childbirth and can plan for their families.
"My dear friends, the 2012 commemoration of International Women’s Day asks us to close ranks around our rural sisters, who are often most negatively impacted by natural environmental upheavals and social disparities.
"In several instances it is our rural women and girls who work long hours, longer than their urban sisters, with little or no pay and still produce a large proportion of the food grown, especially in subsistence agriculture.
"Worldwide, including right here in Trinidad and Tobago, it is our rural sisters who play a critical role in enhancing agricultural and rural development and improving food security, thereby helping to reduce poverty levels in their communities.
"As a woman who grew up in the rural precincts of our country, I can fully appreciate the daily efforts of rural women to be treated as equals and given similar rights and recognition as their male counterparts.
"My Government recognises the important contribution of rural women to the development of our communities and country, and we will continue to improve women's access to financial and productive resources and services, expand their opportunities to diversify their production, increase their productivity through labour-saving technologies, and facilitate their access to high-value productive markets.
"At this commemoration of International Women’s Day, I especially applaud the work of the Network of Rural Producers of Trinidad and Tobago which has become instrumental in opening up economic opportunities for women, particularly rural women.
"I believe that many of my sisters here this afternoon, are either individually or as part of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), closely affiliated with the Network of Rural Producers and I congratulate you on your achievements.
"Today I challenge my Ministers of Gender, Youth and Child Development; Community Development; Labour and Small and Micro-Enterprise Development; the Minister of the People and Social Development and the Minister of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs to put in place or expand on their programmes targeted to our Nation’s women and girls and our rural women in particular.
"I know that Senator the Honourable Verna St Rose-Greaves, Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development already has, through her Gender Affairs Division, several programmes that target women in rural areas.
"But Verna is a powerhouse in her own right and I know I can expect more from her Ministry in the not too distant future, as my Government continues to empower our Nation’s women and girls.
"It is not by chance that last year Trinidad and Tobago was named the third best country in the Commonwealth to be born and grow up a girl; but through solid and focused work among our women and girls and we will continue to strengthen our policies and programmes in this area. Criteria had to do with education and as I recall in my last incarnation we were able to offer primary education to all.
"At the National level we are steadily moving towards more Gender Responsive Budgeting, which requires an understanding of the different needs of women and men, as strategic plans are drawn for national policies and programmes.
"I am proud to note that last week, on International Women’s Day, the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development co-hosted with the Commonwealth Secretariat a very successful breakfast seminar on “Gender Responsive Budgets and its Impact on Rural Women”.
"Prior to the breakfast seminar, the Ministry had also hosted a 3-day workshop for local government officials on Gender Responsive Budgeting.
"It is our aim to ensure that at the heart of our communities there is an understanding of the importance of gender perspectives in all policies, projects and programmes.
"My Government also understands that our girls...our children must be protected. Our systems cannot and will not be allowed to further fail our children.
"In this regard we have recently appointed a new Children’s Authority Board which is chaired by Ms Stephanie Daly, SC and the Children Bill was read in the House of Representatives for a second time last Friday. Championed by Minister St rose Greaves , this bill will go back to parliament for debate again this Friday.
"As a women leader, I also believe it to be of extreme importance to continue to mentor our young girls and women to play a more significant role in political leadership and I will continue to be a vocal advocate of Women Leaders as Agents of Change.
"From the ground up... in communities, in local Government, at National and Regional fora; our voices must be heard in decision-making processes at all levels.
"In rural communities, in urban centres across our Nation, our Region and the World; women must be recognised as being central to national development...
"I believe our purpose is to mentor, guide and inspire our girls and women to demand better futures for themselves and their families.
"As we near the deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, most of which encourage a focus on women, let us as a global community, seek to lessen not worsen the inequalities faced by the half of the world’s population.
"Let me share one of my favourite chinese proverbs "women hold up half the sky" and the men the other so we must work together as equal partners.
"Let us collectively determine to narrow the separation between policy, decisions and practise which so often characterises issues related to women.
"To my sisters in Trinidad and Tobago and my sisters of the World, let us unite on this International Women’s Day, confident that we are treading the path of progress...trusting that our brothers will one day understand that we seek not power over them; but rather to be accepted and respected by them as equal partners in a shared destiny of prosperity, security and peace."
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