Gender and Child Affairs Strengthens National Gender-Based Violence Response.
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“We must defiantly reject any belief system that excuses, allows or fosters any act of Gender-Based Violence.”
This was the message from the Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister – Central Administrative Services Tobago, Gender and Child Affairs, and the National AIDS Coordinating Committee, to the appointees of the National Joint Steering Committee and Technical Working Group to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at the Appointment Ceremony hosted in partnership with UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) - Caribbean at The Brix, Autograph Collection on Monday 9th December 2024.
Focused and Engaged: Tonni Brodber, Representative of UN Women MCO - Caribbean, and Vijay Gangapersad, Permanent Secretary of Gender and Child Affairs, listen attentively to one of the presenters during the opening ceremony. Photo compliments Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs
In 2023 Cabinet approved the National Strategic Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence (NSAP-GBV & SV 2023-2027) and all through 2024, Gender and Child Affairs hosted a series of sensitisation sessions with Trinidad and Tobago officials. To ensure the NSAP’s effective implementation, Cabinet approved a National Joint Steering Committee on Gender-based Violence to oversee the national efforts to reduce gender-based violence and improve outcomes for survivors. This Committee will be supported by a Technical Working Group.
The Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister - Central Administrative Services Tobago, Gender and Child Affairs, and the National AIDS Coordinating Committee, presents the official appointment letter to the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of National Security, as her co-chair of the National Steering Committee on Gender Based Violence at the Cabildo Building, Parliamentary Complex, on Monday 9th December, 2024
In her address, Ms. Tonni Brodber, Representative, UN Women MCO - Caribbean, indicated that: "The establishment of this Committee signals a decisive step in Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to eliminate violence against women and girls, as well as all forms of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. This moment sets a powerful precedent for collective accountability and action. The participation of a cross section of key stakeholders is critical for a comprehensive approach to effectively addressing the issue. UN Women commends Gender and Child Affairs, for its visionary leadership in fostering an inclusive, multi-sectoral approach to tackle one of the most pressing human rights issues of our time.”
Bringing remarks on behalf of the Honourable Reginald Amour SC, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Ms. Trudy Lewis, Deputy Permanent Secretary addressed the need for the provision of a continuum of care for both survivor and perpetrator, inclusive of safe spaces, psychological care, and behavioural interventions.
Ms. Brodber presents instruments of appointment to Shelley-Ann Hart, Director, Gender and Child Affairs
In sharing Minister Webster-Roy’s message to the appointees, Mr. Vijay Gangapersad, Permanent Secretary (Ag.)., OPM GCA, echoed the importance of collaboration in uniting voices and resources to create a powerful force for change. The collective efforts must be directed to building awareness, providing support for survivors, and tackle the root cause of GBV. The promotion of empathy and collaboration were highlighted as critical to create the cultural shift necessary to end violence.
The Government continues to encourage ‘all of society’ to do their part to break the cycle of abuse, and ensure that every citizen, regardless of gender, can live free from fear and violence.