OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles is committed to championing a society where mothers are protected, supported and given opportunities to thrive.

In her first message to the nation as opposition leader on Sunday, Beckles told mothers, “Be assured that the parliamentary arm of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and our party, remain committed to you, to honouring your fundamental rights, and to ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago grows, heals, and thrives.”

She said mothers were the backbone of Trinidad and Tobago, the source of endless love, courage and resilience, the cradle of humanity.

Beckles said for over 70 years, the PNM has dedicated itself to improving the lives of mothers and families, building healthcare systems, expanding access to education and creating opportunities for economic empowerment so that no mother had to face her struggles alone.

“From the days of Dr Eric Williams and his “Kitchen Cabinet” to today, we have upheld the belief that when we support and empower mothers, we strengthen the nation. We know that when our nation’s mothers thrive, our entire nation stands a better chance of flourishing,” she stated.

This year, Beckles said there was the  reminder of the ongoing work to safeguard the health and future of mothers and children through the Pan American Health Organization’s 2025 project to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in the Caribbean.

It was an initiative that served as a powerful example of the kind of long-term investment that the country must continue to make if to truly support mothers at every stage of life.

Beckles ended her message with, “Beautiful mothers, you are seen, your sacrifices are seen, your strength appreciated and your hopes for your children and country are shared by all of us. On behalf of a grateful Opposition and, certainly, a grateful nation, thank you for the love, the tenacity, the patriotism. You are the lights along our path to great nationhood.”