April 2019


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In celebration of International Women’s Day, commemorated globally on March 8, The UWI’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) joined a coalition of organisations to host the third successful Women’s Rights Rally and March at the Queen’s Park Savannah (Opposite Whitehall) under the theme “Demand Better – March for Gender Justice!” On Saturday, March 9, right after Carnival, all were invited to “Bring Yuh Message and Come”.

We built upon the daring coalition speaking out against violence and injustice that began with the “Life in Leggings Solidarity Regional March” in 2017. In 2018, we continued this coalition calling everyone to “Speak Your Truth” for empowerment of women and girls and to be fearless in pushing for progress. In 2019, we demanded better for gender equity and equality, for women’s rights, for sexual rights, for human rights, and justice for all. We came out to celebrate women.

The event started with an Information Fair, including counselling services (wholeness and wellness counselling), legal advice, resources from community organisations, and more. Hundreds of people joined, some wearing mas’ costumes and bringing messages of gender justice. We marched around the Savannah with empowering music, chants led by Womantra and a tassa band. Organisations and individuals raised their concerns through messages of defiance and empowerment on placards, t-shirts, banners, and flags.

The one hour rally, hosted by Gerelle Forbes, showcased a variety of voices and perspectives through short remarks and performances including T&T Sweet Tassa International; a spoken word poetry group from St Georges College; songs by Georgia McIntyre, Morisha Ransome, and Zachery Montrose; excerpts from the play Gene Miles by Cecilia Salazar; and poetry by Arielle John. Remarks were given by Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh (General Manager, Coalition Against Domestic Violence), Her Excellency High Commissioner Carla Hogan-Rufelds (Canadian High Commission), Cassandra Tommy-Dabreo (General Secretary, Amalgamated Workers Union), Jacquie Burgess (Coordinator, Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women), and Dr Gabrielle Hosein (Head of The UWI IGDS).

A number of partners and organisations supported the event, namely the Breastfeeding Association, CAFRA T&T, The Equal Opportunity Commission, Girl Guides Association, Mamatoto Resource and Birth Centre, Midwives Association, Ministry of Social Development, National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, National Union of Government and Federated Workers, Network of Rural Women, Single Mother’s Association, Soroptimist International, T&T Unified Teachers' Association, and The UWI Guild of Students, among many others.

The working group included members of CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice, CEDAW Committee of T&T, Fire Circle TT, UWI IGDS, Network of NGOs of TT for the Advancement of Women, Womantra, and Women Working for Social Progress. The IGDS offices acted as a base and secretariat, coordinating the event with key staff members Angelique Nixon, Renuka Anandjit and Kathryn Chan working closely with Dr Hosein and the rest of the IGDS Staff.

The event was made possible with financial support and resources from the Canadian High Commission, British High Commission, Blue Waters, Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action T&T (CAFRA TT), Cocoa in the Sun Marketing, Express, Family Planning Association of T&T (FPATT), First Citizens, Guardian Media, The UWI IGDS, Ministry of Gender and Child Affairs - Office of Prime Minster, UN Women, and Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD).

We want to recognise and offer gratitude to all the partnering organisations and sponsors for showing up and bringing out their groups, families, and friends. We offer thanks to all for raising their voices and joining forces for women's rights and all the intersecting issues related to gender and sexual justice – from workers rights to reproductive justice to disability rights to economic and ecological justice to LGBTI+ rights. We spoke out against injustice and discrimination, against gender based violence, against sexual harassment, against sexism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and classism. We demonstrated unity and power in coming together to Demand Better and March for Gender Justice. The UWI IGDS looks forward to working again in the coalition for next year’s rally and march.

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Dr Angelique V Nixon is Core Organiser of Women’s Rights Rally and March and a UWI IGDS Lecturer.