Help AG pass Marriage Bill

Brown issued this call when she spoke at the opening of a workshop being held by the Network, Gender and Child Affairs Division of the Office of the Prime Minister, Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and other groups at Cabildo Chambers in Port-of-Spain.

Telling her audience that there will be, “very opportune moments that will arise shortly,” Brown said, “The latest opportunity comes from the AG’s office.

Apparently he is having a consultation next Thursday with women’s organisations to talk about the Marriage Act.” The bill was passed with amendments in the Senate on January 17 and is currently before the House of Representatives.

The House began debate on the bill on January 18. The last debate on the bill took place on March 3, with Al-Rawi, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and Barataria/ San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan being amongst the MPs who participated in the debate.

Brown said while the consultation may be a little late, “we need to say, better late than never.” She declared, “This time we must get that Marriage Act approved in the Parliament and it must be done with the recommendations for the exceptions that we in the Network have recommended.” Those exceptions are for persons between 16 and 18 years to be married in certain circumstances.

“Let’s tell him how to do, since he asked. You know he didn’t have to ask,” Brown added.

Brown also disclosed that the Network has received a memo from Finance Minister Colm Imbert, “asking for our proposals for the (2017/2018) Budget.” She explained, “That is a very important opportunity for us to put forward the recommendations of CDAW (Convention in the Discrimination of All Forns of Discrimination Against Women) as things we want to be budgeted for.