Newallo-Hosein accuses Govt of regressing on women’s issues

She made this statement during the unveiling of an “Orange The World” banner, yesterday, outside City Hall, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, which called for the end of violence against women, a campaign by the United Nations.

The small symbolic ceremony was to bring awareness as to the violence that was taking place against the women and children in Trinidad and Tobago.

Newallo-Hosein said they were concerned that after achieving so much that the present Government had pushed back a number of existing policies and legislative agendas that could have been in place. “TT was on of the very first countries to sign on with CEDAW, which deals with women and gender issues and violence against women. As a result, one of the observations of the UN was that after making such great strides under the People’s Partnership, it has literally gone backwards.

“We are very saddened by this when we have achieved so much from since 2013 to now and to recognise that there a number of existing policies and legislative agendas that have been pushed back by the PNM Government, the removal of the Ministry of Gender was of concern and there seems to be very little happening,” Newallo-Hosein said.

The MP said former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had ensured that there was a ministry specifically set up to deal with women and children’s issues that would deal quite separately and apart because it was so important, but was removed without any consideration.

Newal lo-Hos ein said there has been increased levels of crime against women, many of whom had lost their lives because of a lack of protection.

“There is the issue of the number of cases that have been brought up recently by the Children’s Authority for a number of children who have been sexually or physically abused. You have all this happening within a short period of time. Since we came out of government, these issues have been brought to the forefront,” she claimed