The United States Ambassador to T&T Candace Bond has hailed the notable level of female representation present in major offices in this country.
Bond was the keynote speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T’s Women’s Leadership Conference 2023 at the Hyatt Regency yesterday.
“One of my first observations at my first meeting with you all was the fact that there were so much women on the board of directors, on the committees and in its memberships as reflected in this room,” said Bond.
“I just left DC, I have to tell you that it is very notable that Trinidad has a woman president, a woman speaker of the house of representatives, a woman leader of the opposition, and recently appointed its first female commissioner of police. I have to applaud you on that, that’s fabulous.”
She said while this was significant, men are still required to assist in promoting inclusion.
“Everyone has a role to play in fostering inclusion. For the inclusion of women to be real, as everyone has said before me, men must be our allies. But when they refuse, you got to know how to don those heels, move right along and smile and keep it moving,” said the ambassador, who stressed there were several economic benefits attached to equity.
“We know equity for women helps to strengthen communities, promote peace and security of women and build resilient growing economies both for the United States and our allies and partners like T&T,” said Bond.
“Gender equality and equity enable us to address global challenges much more effectively such as the climate crisis, forced displacement, COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic and social disruptions,” she said.
