‘Grandma was a child bride’

“I recall that she stated she had a dream of becoming a teacher. She never got that chance to realise her ambition.” Expressing confidence that her grandmother would have been a great teacher, Mrs Carmona continued, “Her husband fulfilled his personal ambition...she did not. She was forced to stifle her dreams and was unable to truly fulfil her personal aspirations because of her child marriage.” She further stated, “I do not want this to ever happen again to an innocent child of 13 years.” Mrs Carmona declared, “We must do what is right and what is fair to the innocent child. As adults, we live in boundless hope.

Why can’t we allow a 12-year-old to do likewise?” Stating the human spirit needs to have that capacity to evolve and grow, Mrs Carmona said this country’s parliamentarians can help, “by their guidance through affirmative legislative action.” Her statement came a day before debate resumes today in the Senate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016.

The bill requires a three-fifths majority for passage in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the case of the Senate, the Government will need to get four votes from either the Opposition or Independent benches to add to its 15 votes to pass the legislation.

Newsday was told yesterday that the Senate may vote on the bill today.

When the bill was debated last Tuesday, temporary Opposition senator Dr Maulana Waffie Mohammed said there should be no changes to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Ordinance Chapter 45.02 because Muslims believe the marriageable age of a female begins with the onset of puberty.

The objective of the bill is to amend the Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, Hindu Marriage Act; Orisa Marriage Act and the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act. United National Congress (UNC) chairman David Lee has subsequently distanced the Opposition from Mohammed’s remarks, stating this did not reflect the Opposition’s official position. In the House, 25 votes are needed to pass the bill.

The Government has 23 MPs in the House and will therefore need two of the 18 Opposition MPs to support the bill.

Mrs Carmona, in her statement, further indicated, “I agree with the firm resolve of the United Nations that child marriage must be a feature of the past.

The desire through advocacy to correct the wrongs of the past by way of necessary legislative amendment in the Parliament of the Republic of TT, is a just, compassionate and honourable fight.” She also said girls should be provided with the same opportunities as boys to go to school and pursue a career and excel in whatever field they desire.