Head of the Network of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) of T&T for The Advancement of Women, Hazel Brown, says the current state of emergency has the potential to increase the nation's domestic violence statistics. Brown said the view that family life would be improved as a result of the Government-imposed 11 pm to 4 am curfew was flawed as the home had now become the "most unsafe place" for many families in T&T. Brown, a recipient of the Medal for the Development of Women, was speaking at Sunday's Celebratory Tea, when she was honoured, along with four of the NGOs' National Award recipients, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain.
Brown, a women's and children's rights' activist, said she was "not feeling any more safe" as a result of the state of emergency and stated that the time had come for the society to make a greater effort to help "protect and save our children." She added: "I am telling you that there will be a backlash in relation to women and children as a result of forcing men to stay in the home without any other kind of intervention that allows for conflict resolution."I believe there are other ways that we could have dealt with this thing. It is because our communities are not organised that people can come in and do what they want. "The police and army cannot save us until we decide that we are going to save our children."
Meanwhile, Zalayhar Hassanali, who received the nation's highest award, The Order of the Republic of T&T, said she was "overwhelmed by all the love" and added she was grateful to the Government for recognising her long-standing service to the people of T&T. "Everybody is saying 'at long last,'" she joked.
Sharing similar sentiments was Assistant Police Commissioner Margaret Sampson Browne, recipient of the Public Service Medal of Merit, who told the small crowd that her most challenging moment came in 1972 when she was sent home "because I dared to be pregnant." Browne, who now manages the Victims and Witness Support Unit of the T&T Police Service, said women continued to overcome many hurdles and to make great strides in the professional world.
Also recognised for their contributions were children's rights activist, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, who said she was happy her tireless work was being highlighted, and Brenda Gopeesingh, of the Hindu Women's Organisation, who said Hindu women were still working to gain "a more equitable space" in the landscape of T&T. Both women also copped the Medals for The Development of Women.