The event, which marked International Women’s Day (IWD), was chaired by a student of Bush Lot Secondary School, Akeela Jameer.
Regional Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo lauded the women for their dynamic roles. He said the struggles and sacrifices they made brought about positive changes such as the Domestic Violence Act and child protection legislation.
However, he said “with the backward civilization” women are not being treated as they should and have continued to suffer abuse.
He lauded women in Region Five who are engaged in professions such as councillors in the region and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, teachers, journalists and doctors.
Regional Vice Chairman, KP Deokarran acknowledged also that women are the first to wake up and the last to go to bed and are not appreciated for their effort. He said he has seen “advantage being taken on women for petty matters.” He added though that the world is changing and women are now securing their rightful place.
In her remarks, Regional Education Officer Urlene Crandon said IWD marks an occasion where all women should celebrate their achievements.
She said they need to let men know that “they [men] are not superior; they are not our bosses and from women came men. We are not to be ill-treated… We are going to stand firm and come what may we will fight for our rights.”
Also making brief remarks were Regional Executive Officer Floyd France, chairperson of the RWAC Sandra Mc Lean and a member Juliet Dukhi.
Meanwhile, Senior Probation & Welfare Officer, Dollette Nicholson told this newspaper that every day men appear before the courts with charges of domestic violence.
She is happy that more women are coming out now to seek help and said she has also received complaints from a few abused men, adding that both are given the same attention. Her tasks, she said, take her out to the community daily, to the police stations and to the hospital.
Another officer who works with her, Mr Rudder is currently on leave, she said, but because of the workload he had to be called out to assist her. She commented that for the cases to be dealt with effectively and expeditiously, more officers need to be placed in the region.
Nicholson said though that many times when abuse cases end up at the court the women would beg the magistrate for their abusive partners to be spared. Some women are also reluctant to give evidence against their partners and if the abuse continues the police would not want to take their complaints.
She pointed out that “women do not have to stay in abusive situations; there are places where they can go and said the doors of the probation department are always open. Although we are small in staff we still make a difference. We work beyond the call of duty.”
