Women’s Issues Take Centre Stage at Breakfast Meeting

A wide cross-section of women representing several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) throughout Trinidad and Tobago gathered at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s to celebrate International Women’s Day today (Friday 09 March, 2018).

The breakfast meeting was hosted by Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley and Mrs. Sharon Rowley.

Prime Minister Rowley in his welcome address indicated that women in Trinidad and Tobago continue to progress despite the challenges facing the nation and that women’s issues are indeed national issues as they impact everyone. Dr Rowley also assured that his Government will continue to implement policies aimed at uplifting women and by extension the wider community and nation.

Executive Director of Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD), Folade Mutota thanked the Prime Minister for providing an opportunity for female activists to sit with members of his Government to identify and analyse the options available to treat with the issues.

The format of the event allowed women to be seated at round tables with the Minister whose portfolio has overarching responsibility for their particular area of interest.

The Ministers who were present to engage in discourse were : Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister holding the portfolios of Gender and Child Affairs, the Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of Trade and Industry, the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, the Honourable Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Major General (Ret’d) Edmund Dillon, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Stuart Young and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Senator the Honourable Allyson West.

Girls from a number of secondary schools also attended and participated.