Teach men how to treat women

She made the comment yesterday while speaking to the media at the PNM Women’s League prayer and worship event “When Women Pray” held at Balisier House, Port-of- Spain. Robinson-Regis, also Planning and Development Minister, was asked about the rise in the number of cases of violence against women.

She responded that “there has certainly been an increase but violence against women has been taking place for quite some time not only in Trinidad and Tobago but across the world.

And we feel strongly that as a political party and as the Women’s League of the party that we have to stand in solidarity with those women and those groups that feel that something must be done seriously about that situation.” She added: “We believe prayer is one of the answers but we also feel that our men need to be educated with regard to how they treat women and our women need to be educated with how they value themselves as women.” She said they have expressed their concern before “but we do no know there has been a problem with domestic violence existing for some time.” Last month Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley received both praise and criticism for his statements that women have a responsibility to choose who they associate with wisely and should know when to get out of a relationship.

On yesterday’s event, Robinson-Regis said the Women’s League decided to give thanks to God for their 61st year of existence, to commemorate International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, and also to pray for the nation.

“We believe strongly that prayer is an important part of any nation’s existence,” she said.

Asked how the country stands in terms of equality for women and girls, Robinson-Regis responded, “We feel we are leaders in that regard.” “If you look at the statistics we are certainly ahead of many developed countries in terms of the number of women in leadership positions and particularly in the Parliament. We have a very high number of women in the Parliament and also at local government level and we have had a significant number for quite some time. Additionally the Cabinet is...populated by quite a number of women also.” She said in the region TT has one of the highest number of female participation in politics and in other areas such as the financial sector and educational opportunities “has also shown that we are leading in that regard”.

“So we do not feel that necessarily we are lagging behind anyone including the developed nations in terms of women’s participation.” She said one area the league feels strongly about is the marriage of minors and noting the continued debate on the Marriage Bill 2016 in the House of Representatives on Friday.

“Because over the last 10 years there have been over 3,000 marriages of minors particularly young girls under the age of 18 and we feel that it is time there be a legislative solution to that issue.” She said there is also a problem with teenage pregnancies and the league is looking at that “very seriously”.

In terms of other initiatives she reported that in January the league held a session informing people about social services that are available and plan to have an Up Market in May or June where women producing craft and other products will put on a display at Balisier House. She said this is to assist people to become entrepreneurial.

They also plan to have a series of meetings across Trinidad and also in Tobago.

She pointed out the league has not only invited PNM women but women from other institutions including the Network of NGOs.

“And we feel that we should stand together ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago keeps on the right path.” In her welcome remarks, she said her priorities are always God, family, country and party and spoke about the faith handed down by her mother and grandmothers.

“Praying women have carried our great party and our great country in their hearts and in their hands.” She said on any given day hundreds of women pray that wickedness would be removed from the streets and homes.