Questions for Gender and Child Affairs Unit

Further, too many of these crimes involve heinous acts against women and children.

Gender is not usually a popular topic, but I believe if we get serious with these issues nationally, we can begin the process of alleviating some of the causes and symptoms of our current predicament.

With this in mind I have some questions for the Gender and Child Affairs Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister:
1. What are the numbers of both State-sponsored and/ or NGO-run safe houses for women and children?
2. Are there any corresponding places for men who may be in rehabilitation?
3. Will any consideration be given to increasing the provisions for working mothers in the Maternity Act?
4. Why is there no Act or policy on paternity leave? When will this be considered?
5. Is the unit collaborating with the police to make sure the officers assigned to the Child Protection Unit have adequate training?
6. Is there any collaboration with the Family Court in producing data on the level of access to children given to both parents after separation or divorce? Or any public data at all?
7. Does the unit only exist because of the outcry of civil society after the main ministry was closed in 2015? For my last question I turn to the realm of mysticism.

There is an “ancient” document, rumoured to be over 25 years old, which has been seen by only a few although it has been sought after by many. It seems to be shelved somewhere, rather than being in the public domain. Where is the gender policy for TT ? I hope that some answers to these questions are forthcoming.

Marlon Bascombe via email