Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is implementing a promise she made one year ago, months before she was elected to this country's highest political office-establishment of a National Commission on the Status of Women to address socio-economic issues affecting women in this country. Persad-Bissessar first mentioned the initiative in March 2010 when, as Leader of the Opposition, she addressed an International Women's Day function hosted by the Inter Club of Trinidad and Tobago. At that time, she promised the Commission would be on the agenda of her administration if she ever became Prime Minister.
On Thursday evening, as she hosted a tea in celebration of International Women's Day at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's, Persad-Bissessar announced that the Commission would be a permanent part of the governance landscape "to tackle key obstacles to women in our country, with a special focus on poverty and crime and violence." She said the Commission will ensure that women in this country have equal access to employment, health, education, training technology and housing. Persad-Bissessar told the large group of women at the event: "Today, I want to tell you that we are indeed well underway to establishing this National Women's Commission and very soon with your help, we will launch this Commission.
"But before we do this, in my ongoing commitment to national consultation, I will like to let you know that within three weeks, Cabinet will be asked to approve a consultation for women regarding the establishment of this Commission." The Prime Minister also announced the appointment of two special envoys on women and children's issues to the Commonwealth Caribbean. They are social and women's rights activist Hazel Brown, and Brenda Gopeesingh, a community activist and founding member of the Hindu Women's Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago. The special envoys will, among other things, promote the values and principles of the Commonwealth on women's and children's affairs to local and regional NGOs and other stakeholders; liaise with the Commonwealth Secretariat to promote women's and children's affairs at various conferences and seminars in the Caribbean; and assist government and stakeholders in sourcing funding from various regional and international sources to promote gender equality and children's rights.
Persad-Bissessar said in less than one year in office, her government had made an equal place for women and girls a major priority. She said women now fill more than 60 per cent of classroom space at tertiary level in T&T; 28 per cent of the country's Parliamentarians and 25 per cent of local government practitioners are women. "Government remains committed to the goal of greater gender equity and gender mainstreaming," she said. "We will continue to champion the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women by promoting gender equity enforced by strong legislation and policies.
"We will work toward combating sexual harassment in the workplace and ensuring equal pay for equal work." The Prime Minister declared that 2011 is a year of transformation and positive change for women and for the country.