(Trinidad Express) More than 20 per cent of the population are living below the poverty line in Trinidad and Tobago while eight to 11 per cent are reported to be undernourished—despite this country’s high-income status.
This is revealed in the “National Report for Trinidad and Tobago Civil Society’s Review of the Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)”.
Hazel Brown, founding member of the Network of NGOs (non-governmental organisations), made a presentation of the report at a media conference, at the Professional Centre, Fitzblackman Drive, Port of Spain, on Tuesday.
The report included the goals, civil society assessment of progress, Government’s assessment of progress, civil society’s perspectives on challenges of eight major issues— eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; universal primary education; the promotion of gender equality and empowering women; child mortality reduction; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.
The research for the report was conducted by the Civil Society Organisation (CSO), along with the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development, and engaged the national Youth Council of Trinidad and Tobago, church groups, academia, women’s community groups, and secondary and tertiary students.
“Poverty and hunger is the main and continuing concern in Trinidad and Tobago,” Brown said.
The goal set was to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including young people, by 2015. Government’s assessment of progress so far is that it is on track and the target is likely to be met by 2015, however, Brown said the CSOs consulted questioned the appropriateness of the current level of the poverty line and measures of poverty.”
With regard to child mortality reduction, the goal set was a reduction of the mortality rate by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 for children under five. While the rate decreased from 32 to 24, Brown said it was still unfavourable, especially when one considers most countries in the Caribbean, with the exception of Guyana and Haiti, have lower rates in child mortality.
“This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention,” she said.
On the issue of promoting gender equality and empowering women, Brown said one of the challenges in the country remains the issue of the gender wage gap.
