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Foundation Women Government Ministers meeting in
Dhaka, Bangladesh. Many of the handmade mango products
were taken to that meeting and proved to be quite a hit. These
many events afforded NRWPTT the opportunity to continue
its attendance at CSW and therefore provided an avenue for
many of the network’s rural women farmers to attend CSW58
in 2014, which focused on family farming.
Through the years a relationship was also developed
with the Commonwealth Foundation. NRWPTT can boast
a milestone achievement when its member, Nolana Lynch,
emerged as the Commonwealth Youth Officer 2015/16 for
the Caribbean. Nolana was able to meet the Queen and the
Mayor of London. Three members of NRWPTT also partici-
pated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) hosted by the Government of Malta in 2015.
At the meeting at Malta Baroness Scotland, a candidate
for the Commonwealth Secretary General, made a lasting
impression on NRWPTT. The first time we saw her as she
visited the NRWPTT display in Malta, we felt the warmth
of the Caribbean as she smiled with colleagues, friends and
strangers alike. Later that night at the CHOGM Women’s
Forum Banquet hosted by Her Excellency Marie Louise
Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, formal introductions were
made. In November 2015 NRWPTT had the opportunity to be
a part of the dialogue between the Commonwealth Secretary-
General candidates and representatives of civil society in the
parliament of Malta. All candidates – Mmasekgoa Masire-
Mwamba, Sir Ronald Sanders and Baroness Patricia Scotland
– were impressive, but Baroness Scotland left a lasting
impression as the candidates discussed issues such as lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, environmental
sustainability, opportunities and protection of women, and
the future of indigenous people. Baroness Scotland was quite
knowledgeable about each issue and addressed concerns
with facts and personal proposals for moving forward. Some
issues hit home for her as she used herself and her circum-
stances to highlight issues. She highlighted her Carib origins
and drew reference to the socialization of indigenous people
in society. She also highlighted the effects of hurricanes,
one of which recently hit her island, Dominica, and their
impact on environmental sustainability. When asked about
moving forward with LGBT rights she acknowledged that
the Commonwealth cannot force its member countries to
change their laws but that she would work to bring about
awareness and education to the issue. She spoke intelligently
and eloquently but in a way that was simple enough for the
common person to understand. On behalf of NRWPTT we
extend our congratulations and vote of confidence in her
executing her duties effectively and efficiently.
Back at home, NRWPTT foundation member Rose
Rajbansee also championed the cause of the network’s inter-
national image, having served as the President of CANROP
and the Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the
Caribbean for Associated Country Women of the World from
2010 to 2014.
In 1999 the Domestic Violence Act in Trinidad and
Tobago provided legal protection to our women and girls.
Many strong and courageous women across the twin-island
state worked tirelessly to reduce the incidence of domes-
tic violence. The voices of women gained strength through
many organizations such as the National Muslim Women
Organizations, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
the Hindu Women Organization, the Network of NGOs for
the Advancement of Women, Families in Action and our
own NRWPTT. Violence continues to hit at our venerable
women in society in this small twin-island republic and
we are yet to have a gender policy – however, we press
on having joined forces with the UN Women HeForShe
Campaign in raising awareness among schools, the general
public and our national security and municipalities. In our
most recent effort history was created when, through a live
link-up, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force signed
Soaps, creams and lotions made from the mango, on display at the Mango Festival
Images: NRWPTT
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ender
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quality
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omen
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mpowerment