Students of the University of the West Indies gathered in front Parliament on Friday 15th June 2012 to encourage Members of Parliament to support the proposed National Gender Policy. The students, carrying placards and dressed in red, white and black, were joined by members of the Coalition Advocating for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO), Friends for Life and the Women’s Caucus of Trinidad and Tobago. Their action also gained support from motorists and pedestrians passing by. Their goal was to get MPs to “cast ballots” in a ballot box provided as a sign of support for the Policy. The students also engaged the MPs in small discussions and debated on the topic.
There has been much debate as to the content and purpose of the National Gender Policy, with many groups stating arguments for and against its implementation. Despite opposition from some MPs, such as Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, the Honourable Winston “Gypsy” Peters, spokesperson for the group, Carol Jaggernauth, stated that “No matter who you are, you are a human being first… We welcome the solidarity and support of all those who think it’s time that government budgets, programmes and agendas on gender issues ranging from agriculture to violence be guided by overall holistic policy built on human rights approach.”
Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Senator the Honourable Verna St. Rose Greaves, stated that “This is about a human rights approach, you must respect the rights of others… Getting people to understand each other’s view but being respectful in the middle of it. But we must take care of all our citizens; no citizen is less than another.” Support also came from other MPs who cast their ballots, such as Ramona Ramdial, Dr. Fuad Khan, Jack Warner, Nizam Baksh and Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh.
The draft National Gender Policy is expected to be presented on the 6th or 13th of July, 2012.
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Photos from the HUB
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