Published: Friday, November 8, 2013
 |
A
cross-section of students from Holy Faith Convent, Couva, ASJA
Girls’
College, Charlieville, and Saraswatie Hindu College at the
Parliamentary
Outreach Programme at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning
Resource Centre,
Couva, on Thursday.
|
Former
independent senator Diana Mahabir-Wyatt says women must now stand up
for each other as the Domestic Violence Act was not working. She said so
yesterday as she addressed students of ASJA Girls’ College, Saraswati
Girls Hindu College and Holy Faith Convent during a Parliament outreach
programme with Speaker of the House of Representatives Wade Mark at the
Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre, Couva.
Mahabir-Wyatt, head of the T&T Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Rape Crisis Centre, said that even though there was legislation to protect them, women were still abused and “that is not going to stop.” In fact, she said, violence against women was increasing and the Domestic Violence Act was not working because abusers were finding ways around the provisions of the act and protection orders.
“You cannot put a police officer in everybody’s house because domestic violence by and large takes place in the house,” she said. Mahabir-Wyatt, who was responding to question from a student, said citizens needed to recognise that the environment was changing and it was becoming “more and more violent societally, sociologically and physically.” She said women needed to be more vocal and stand up for their rights.
“One of the things that we have to do as women, and I say this to every single one of you here, is not to sit back and wait for government to pass laws to protect you. We have to organise ourselves and each other and we have to help each other,” she added. Mahabir-Wyatt told the students to help fellow women when they asked for help because someday they may find themselves in a position where they also would need help.
She said women could help and support each other, start organisations in their communities and help in the battle to end domestic violence. “We have to be strong enough and brave enough and honest enough to organise and help each other in order to protect our children, to protect our family,” she said. She said men also were subjected to abuse, since “women are not angels,” and could be “just as vicious with their tongues as men can be with their fists.”
Ramona Ramdial, Couva South MP and junior Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, suggested there was a lack of reporting of abuse. “I urge young women, do not be afraid to speak out, to help a friend or family member,” she said. The minister made a faux pas when she called on the students also to report abuse to the Children’s Authority hotline. Mahabir-Wyatt reminded her the Children’s Authority was still not ready for operation as it was in the process of recruiting staff.
Mark said education played a critical role in gender equality. He suggested that male and female citizens from the kindergarten level to tertiary level must be educated and have an appreciation for women’s rights.
Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-11-08/former-independent-senator-mahabir-wyatt-act-against-domestic-violence-not-working
Mahabir-Wyatt, head of the T&T Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Rape Crisis Centre, said that even though there was legislation to protect them, women were still abused and “that is not going to stop.” In fact, she said, violence against women was increasing and the Domestic Violence Act was not working because abusers were finding ways around the provisions of the act and protection orders.
“You cannot put a police officer in everybody’s house because domestic violence by and large takes place in the house,” she said. Mahabir-Wyatt, who was responding to question from a student, said citizens needed to recognise that the environment was changing and it was becoming “more and more violent societally, sociologically and physically.” She said women needed to be more vocal and stand up for their rights.
“One of the things that we have to do as women, and I say this to every single one of you here, is not to sit back and wait for government to pass laws to protect you. We have to organise ourselves and each other and we have to help each other,” she added. Mahabir-Wyatt told the students to help fellow women when they asked for help because someday they may find themselves in a position where they also would need help.
She said women could help and support each other, start organisations in their communities and help in the battle to end domestic violence. “We have to be strong enough and brave enough and honest enough to organise and help each other in order to protect our children, to protect our family,” she said. She said men also were subjected to abuse, since “women are not angels,” and could be “just as vicious with their tongues as men can be with their fists.”
Ramona Ramdial, Couva South MP and junior Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, suggested there was a lack of reporting of abuse. “I urge young women, do not be afraid to speak out, to help a friend or family member,” she said. The minister made a faux pas when she called on the students also to report abuse to the Children’s Authority hotline. Mahabir-Wyatt reminded her the Children’s Authority was still not ready for operation as it was in the process of recruiting staff.
Mark said education played a critical role in gender equality. He suggested that male and female citizens from the kindergarten level to tertiary level must be educated and have an appreciation for women’s rights.
Source: http://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-11-08/former-independent-senator-mahabir-wyatt-act-against-domestic-violence-not-working
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