Caribbean 360 is reporting former Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling for a national response to the number of women murdered by domestic partners in the country. In a statement released by the opposition leader, she stated:
“The statistics are not encouraging, and are, in fact, cause for deep concern. A recent report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) shows that one in three women in our country would have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner. In 2017, 43 of the 52 women murder were due to domestic violence. For 2018 so far, 28 women have been murdered,” she said.
The former Prime Minister pointed out that the 2017 National Women’s Health Survey for Trinidad and Tobago showed that one in three women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) remained quiet about their experience and most survivors did not seek or receive assistance for their situation.
“We must do more to protect our girls and women. Women no longer feel safe in their homes, on the streets, at their jobs or while doing everyday activities.”
“We must stand in support of the women who are bravely speaking out against their attackers, and for those who cannot, or who may be reluctant, we need to be their voices and demand action.”
Persad-Bissessar said children should also be taught that violence is not the answer.
“There is an urgent need for greater awareness of this issue, and we should start by guiding our children and instilling in them that violence against women is unacceptable.”
Persad-Bissessar called for legislation to be reviewed and made the call to commemorate the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Read the entire article at Caribbean 360.
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