UNC Condemns drunken skits
The depiction of a woman with a bottle of alcohol falling to the ground during the march past by PNM family day should be condemned as a disrespect to women and a poor, sorry example to children, particularly those involved in the event.
As a young woman, it is always of concern to me how women are depicted in our society. Women are mothers who care about us, sisters, daughters and wives. Studies show that the occurrence of violence against women is connected to a society’s attitude towards its women.
The disgraceful portrayal, whether political or not, must be condemned in the strongest, particularly in front of children as shown in the photograph. This matter should be of worry to anyone who is concerned about our nation’s attitude towards women and treatment of our women. The matter is further compounded by PNM Candidate Cuffie who appeared to have endorsed the actions thereby belittling and subjecting to ridicule, every female in this country.
World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. At a time like this several NGO’s must be commended for uniting in the fight against violence against women. Numerous government policies and programs have been instituted to make it easier to treat with such situations and international organisations like United Nations are partnering to educate stakeholders all over the world. The depiction of women cultivated to our children today will influence the attitude towards women by the next generation and the occurrence of incidents of violence against women, both domestic and criminal.
The Social Investigations Division of the ministry of the People and Social Development published a study which indicated that “Violence against Women (VAW) remains a pervasive challenge in the 21st century. It is a major public health problem and violation of women’s human rights. It affects all countries, cultures, ethnicities, ages, races, religions – all women are at risk, no matter where in the world they reside. However, in Trinidad and Tobago domestic violence is endemic. Episodes of gender-based violence are published daily in the local newspapers, prompting the question of ‘Why such hate against women?
At a time when phenomenon such as cyber-bullying, intimidation by social media and other forms of psychological abuse via media and public portrayals are emerging, I urge those who may have already come out in defence of the portrayal due to political affiliation to think twice and put the women of our country first. Similar to Dr. Rowley’s “ah go beat she in sheface, all over she waist and in she Payton place” statement, this is no laughing matter.
I call on the PNM’s Women and Youth Arms, and all right thinking citizens to publically disassociate themselves from this type of despicable behaviour.
The fact that social media is abuzz with condemnation of the portrayal should be of note to all as to what our citizens deem acceptable.
For further information please contact: Khadijah Ameen, Chair (Ag)
Phone: (868) 788-3129 – email: ameen.khadijah@gmail.com