Resolution for Women’s Arm of The United National Congress:

Whereas the Women’s Arm of the United National Congress met at its Regional Meeting on Wednesday, 20th March 2013,at the premises of the UNC Couva South Constituency Office,

And whereas, this Regional meeting was attended by Women from the Central Constituencies of Couva North, Couva South, Chaguanas East, Chaguanas West, Caroni Central, Caroni East, Tabaquite and Point a Pierre,

And whereas, this Regional Meeting demonstrated the continuing activity of the Women’s Arm of the UNC, and its contribution to the United National Congress as a major political party in Trinidad and Tobago,

And whereas, the Regional Meeting discussed a wide ranging number of issues relating to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, and particularly the role and responsibilities of Women in national advancement,

And whereas, delegates at the Regional Meeting noted that the issue of Crime continued to be a serious deterrent especially for women, who as mothers and grandmothers, identify with the pain and suffering of the women in our society who feel helpless and defenseless in protecting our family and ourselves against criminal elements

And whereas, the women noted that the Partnership Government had achieved significant success in its thirty three (33) months of office, reducing the high incidence of crime in the country which had grown exponentially over several years of failure and lack of effectiveness by the previous PNM regime, but recognized that the level of serious crime, particularly murders, continued to be unacceptable,

And whereas, the women of the UNC noted that one of the far reaching and creative initiatives proposed by the Partnership Government was the effective deployment of personnel of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force to assist the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in the national fight against crime,

And whereas, the regional meeting reviewed the salient points made by members of Government why the use of Defence force personnel was valid, right, constitutionally acceptable and downright sensible in using valuable national resources, otherwise not effectively maximized,

And whereas, members at the meeting recognized that the Government had consciously introduced additional measures, meaningful safeguards and controls to assuage expressed concerns of possible misdirection enunciated by civil society groups,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional Meeting of the Women’s Arm of the United National Congress, unanimously agree to express its fullest support to the Partnership Government for the introduction of the critical Defence Amendment Bill which seeks to provide the legal mechanisms through which members of the Defence Force, namely the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the National Air Guard, will contribute to further addressing the levels of crime in the country,

Be it further resolved that, the UNC Regional Meeting of Women urges members of the Trinidad and Tobago Senate to listen carefully and consider the arguments made by thinking members of civil society including the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce, and to vote in favour to pass the Bill.