In its message on the occasion of International Women’s Day being observed today, the local branch of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (Cafra T&T) said that the draft policy was laid as a Green Paper in parliament last September after ’tweaking’ and ’further review and editing.’
Women will not reap the benefits of solutions to issues such as the global economic crisis, climate change, poverty and conflict without their participation, the organisation said adding that these issues, which require urgent attention, are challenges to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Noting that the women’s movement lost four women’s rights activists in the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, the organisation said that the women had a long history of service and commitment to human rights, gender and social justice and exemplified courage, fortitude and optimism that make so many women the bedrock of their families and Caribbean societies.
The organisation said that ’The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile remind us all too clearly of the increased vulnerability of women and girls in post-disaster situations. More susceptible to threats of violence, including sexual violence, they are also more likely to fall through the gaps of emergency relief and reconstruction processes.’
Equipped with valuable skills and knowledge in areas such as community mobilisation, coping strategies and local resources, women have a vital role to play in reconstruction, a statement said.
Cafra T&T also noted as causes for celebration the recent appointment of Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the country’s first female Opposition Leader and the appointment of social activist Verna St Rose-Greaves as a United National Congress senator.
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