Baptiste-Primus hits Opposition on temporary senators

“Where are the women of these organisations? Is it that these organisations do not have women. It is only the men who are the talking point? That must be of concern to all of us,” she said during the debate yesterday to amend the country’s marriage laws.

Nevertheless, she thanked the many religious leaders “who are out there trying to end child marriage” noting that changing stubborn behaviour was immensely challenging. Referring to contributions made by two United National Congress temporary senators at the start of the debate last week, Baptiste- Primus said the Senate was subjected to “some of the most unthinkable, unbelievable, mind-boggling and deceptive submissions from the Opposition.” Speaking not only as a Government minister, but as a mother and grandmother, she said, “Me belly boiling over some of what I have heard.” What baffled her, she claimed, was that the Temporary Senators and “some not so temporary” have been deliberately planted in the Senate to oppose the amendments being sought by Government.

“It is the most disingenuous grandstand of insincerity that I have witnessed in years,” she said asking when will the Opposition “cease playing with the minds of people.” On the statement made by Temporary UNC Senator Pundit Bhadase Seetahal that marriage was “a strategy”, she opposed it and quoted instead from a document coming from President of the the Hindu Women’s Organisation Brenda Gopeesingh, which said marriage was a sacrament, a contract for personal protection and comfort, and a lawful custom to bring stability to the home.

Baptiste-Primus acknowledged the presence of Gopeesingh and other women’s leaders, who were in the visitors’ gallery listening to debate, for their years of yeoman service for the protection of women and girls.

Attempting to clear the air on the Muslim and Hindu religious leaders making their contributions through the Opposition benches as temporary senators, UNC Senator Khadija Ameen said that the Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad- Bissessar must be commended for allowing the voices of other interest groups to be heard.

“Their views have been criticised but they are real. They are part of our multicultural society and we must give an ear to those views,” she said.