By Sue-Ann Wayow
SHOULD the Government bring the law to legalise pepper spray in Trinidad and Tobago so that women could better protect themselves against violence.
And the Opposition will support such law.
On Monday night, during the United National Congress (UNC) virtual meeting, UNC’s political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar pledged the party’s support for the law that will enable women to have better safety and security.
In a renewed call to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Persad-Bissessar said, “Legalise the pepper spray now. You want to bring law for everything. Bring the pepper spray law now to the Parliament, bring it forward we will support it.”
Monday night’s meeting was in commemoration of International Women’s Day and the UNC had an all female line-up of speakers.
The topics of safety and security for women, educational opportunities, equality of salary and respect for women were the main topics discussed at the meeting.
And the UNC directed a message to Rowley to lead by example and be more respectful to the women of the country.
Persad-Bissessar’s call for the pepper spray legislation was also mentioned by Member of Parliament for St Augustine Khadija Ameen and Senator Jearlean John.
Persad-Bissessar in delivering the feature address hailed the women in top positions including President Paula-Mae Weekes, Speaker of the House of Representatives Brigette Annisette-George and Speaker of the Senate Christine Kangaloo.
The Opposition Leader spoke about her struggles as a young girl growing up especially in the area of education and that she was testimony to a female being able to have a proper education, a career in politics and still maintain a family life as she and her husband Dr Gregory Bissessar will be celebrating 50 years of marriage this year.
She advised women, “Get up and get. Don’t wait for handouts. If you get a handout, thank you Lord but don’t wait for that get up, get yourself busy, get things done. And the second piece of advice – education.”
On the topic of respect, she said mutual respect was needed to be taught to both boys and girls to have respect for each other.
Ameen and John also knocked Dr Rowley for the manner in which he speaks about women saying he was a poor example to the nation’s youth and children.
Ameen said, “I call on Keith Rowley to show more respect.”
The theme for this year is Choosing the Challenge.
John said the challenge was the People’s National Movement (PNM) led by Dr Rowley and that women should unite to vote out, “ abuse, hopelessness and joblessness.”
Other speakers included MPs Michelle Benjamin, Vandana Mohit and Anita Haynes. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Karlene Sookoo and Shanty Boodram.
All women on the platform hailed Persad-Bissessar as an exemplary female leader who was genuinely concerned about the development of women in T&T.
