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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 4 MARCH, 2018
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – MARCH 8
Gender justice is named as one
of The UWI’s Core
Values. It means more than equality or treating everyone
the same. It refers to equity, recognizing that the world
values, constrains, harms and privileges different kinds
of women and men in narrow and unfair ways. These
are often linked to our beliefs and stereotypes about
womanhood and manhood, gender roles and sexual
freedoms.
Our approaches to Caribbean transformation need
to not be naïve about how these shape the conditions
within which we make choices, aspire, love, resist and
break silences.Thus, gender justice requires true fairness
in process and outcome; true commitment to fearlessly
challenging hierarchies of power, whether in politics,
business, the home or in reproductive rights; and true
understanding that a world without violence against
women, sexual harassment, homophobia, pay inequality
– and more – is ours to envision and make possible.
The Institute for Gender and Development Studies
(IGDS) has long had a commitment to gender justice. In
the late 1990s, Professor Eudine Barriteau, nowPrincipal
of the Cave Hill Campus, began to write about this as a
necessary part of wider social, economic and political
egalitarianism in the region.
Twenty years later, the IGDS is the University’s
flagship response to Caribbean societies and students’
desires for a better understanding of gender relations’
tensions and transformations, and the Institute is often
the hub for mainstreaming gender justice across the
University and wider region. To that end, along with
our partners, we offer three events this week to include
and inspire you.
Monday, March 5
#PressforGenderJustice
The UWI, St. Augustine Campus in collaboration
with the Interclub of Trinidad and Tobago launches a
week of IWD activities with a national public forum
aimed to strengthen sensitization and advocacy. It starts
at 9.30am at the School of Education Auditorium.
In keeping with the United Nation’s theme for
International Women’s Day 2018, “Time is Now: Rural
and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives,” the
forumwill highlight the work of activists and advocates
in the areas of economic justice, peace and security,
sexual justice and ecological justice. Academics will
bring a conceptual overview and community activists
will speak about the work they have been doing to
advance gender justice.
Featured speakers include Mrs. Sharon Rowley,
and panelists Dr. Anne-Marie Mohammed (Lecturer,
Department of Economics), Dr. Levi Gahman (Lecturer,
Department of Geography), Ms. Roberta Clarke
(President, Coalition Against Domestic Violence),
Dr. Angelique Nixon (Lecturer, IGDS), Ms. Jewel
Marshall (St. Barb’s CommunityWomen in Action), Ms.
Yashoda Singh (CashewGardens Community Recycling
Programme), Dr. Catherine Ali (Palmasola Women’s
Group) and Ms. Sharon Mottley (Women’s Caucus).
Renewed Efforts to Advance Gender Justice
B Y G A B R I E L L E H O S E I N
Thursday, March 8
#CaribbeanMenCan
The IGDS, the High Commission of Canada and the
Interclub are hosting a morning event where men will
express their solidarity with the struggle for women’s rights.
From business men to sportsmen, they will be recording
statements like these showing their willingness to be visible
and vocal allies:
• It’s time for women to be 50%of the region’s parliaments.
Caribbean men can endorse women’s leadership
• Women in sports deserve equal pay for equal play.
Caribbean men can change the game
• Ads that sell sex and stereotypes, harmgirls’ self-esteem.
Caribbean men can change the message
• Women are climbing the corporate ladder, but are still
underrepresented at the top. Caribbean men can make
boardroom equality our business
• Children can’t blossom when gangs grow. Caribbean
men can work together to end insecurity
• Sexual harassment remains an everyday issue.
Caribbean men can make our society safe
• Even working women do the majority of house work.
Caribbean men can do better. Share the care
• Sexual relations need consent. Caribbeanmen can end
rape culture
• Gender equality is everyone’s responsibility. Caribbean
men can be allies for women’s rights
These statements will form part of the social media
campaign #CaribbeanMenCan, conceptualized by
the IGDS as a defining theme of now and future IWD
commemorations. All men are welcome to post these
solidarity messages as videos or text on their own Facebook,
WhatsApp and Instagram profiles, to paint or print them
on posters and T-shirts when they march with us in Port of
Spain, and to them implement these commitments in their
families, communities and workplaces.
Saturday, March 10
#SpeakYourTruth
The most public act of solidarity has historically been
the IWD march. This year marks its sixtieth anniversary in
Trinidad and Tobago. In 1958, Christina Lewis was among
leading organisers of the march in San Fernando and, if you
want to be part of continuing this history, you can march
through Port of Spain on March 8. Alternatively, you can
rally with hundreds of other women and men from 3pm on
March 10 opposite White Hall, and around the Savannah.
Paint your own posters and t-shirts with your concerns,
issues and messages, bring your family, and create a safe
space in public to speak out for gender justice.
To watch and upload solidarity statements, and for a
broader and growing list of activities happening this week,
visit the Facebook event page:
/
IWDTrinidadandTobago/.
For example, on Friday 9, IGDS will also be represented
at AMCHAM’s Annual Women’s Leadership Conference,
forging closer links with the private sector. Gender justice
affects all our lives. Let’s gather to strengthen how we
collectively #pressforprogress, now and in the future.
Dr. Gabrielle Hosein is head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, St. Augustine Unit, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus.
Our approaches to Caribbean
transformation need to not be
naïve about how these shape
the conditions within which
we make choices, aspire, love,
resist and break silences.
