Dragonfly Centre: Govt Backs NGOs to Fight Violence Against Women

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Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Govt Backs NGOs to Fight Violence Against Women

Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013

Kalifa Clyne

Pastor Joyce Duncan, left, founder of the Nekevah Centre

For Battered Women, accepts an award from Gender

Minister Marlene Coudray at an International Women’s

Day awards ceremony hosted by the ministry at the

Centre of Excellence, Macoya, yesterday.

PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ

The Ministry of Gender Affairs is leading the efforts to ensure “sustainable support and provision” for T&T and the Caribbean’s first sextuplets, says line minister Marlene Coudray. She said so yesterday while speaking at a brunch and award ceremony to commemorate International Women’s Day at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

“Our family services have visited the family and we have been approaching different agencies as well as ministries for support,” Coudray said. However, she said she could not give specifics as to what kind of help would be given. Coudray also pledged Government’s further support to NGOs to fight violence against women and children. “We have a project to be launched soon with United Nations women to train key persons, such as policemen, to deal with women,” Coudray said.

She said whenever women went to report abuse to the police, they were not treated seriously. “Another hotline is being developed so people can have more access to help,” she said. At yesterday’s award ceremony, 11 NGOs, including shelters and halfway houses, received awards. “The recipients of these awards provided a place of shelter for women and girls in abusive situations,” Coudray said.

“Government cannot allow such extraordinary work to go unrecognised.” She said the Government was committed to the eradication of violence against women and girls but could not do it alone. “We need every one of you, whether organisations or individuals to play your part. Ending violence is not an option but a priority to us all.” She said T&T had a major problem with young girls getting pregnant, then being abandoned by the fathers of their children.

“Fathers abandon these girls, refuse to maintain the children and then families have to resort to the legal system to get support. Some of these girls choose to abandon school and their education,” she said. Coudray said the society had a responsibility to change this cycle. “These men impregnate minors. This is a crime and it is abuse. Where is the response of the authorities?

“We must take the lead and make these men responsible for their actions.” She said the ministry had submitted proposals on early marriage to the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2013-03-09/govt-backs-ngos-fight-violence-against-women

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.