INSPIRING CHANGE: WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP


ways to advance women’s political participation. From this we made a tough call for increasing women’s political participation and decision- making across the world. As women leaders we:


• Re-affirmed the human rights of women to take part in the govern- ments of their countries, directly or through freely chosen representa- tives, on an equal basis with men, and that all States should take positive steps to respect and promote women’s equal right to participate in all areas of political life; • Stressed the critical importance of women’s political participation in all contexts, including in times of peace, conflict and in all stages of political transition; • Re-affirmed our commitment to the equal rights and inherent human dignity of women enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international human rights instruments; • Called upon all States to ratify and fulfill their obligations under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and to fully imple- ment Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security and other relevant UN resolutions; and • Called upon all States, includ- ing those emerging from conflict or undergoing political transitions, to eliminate all discriminatory barriers faced by women, particularly margin- alized women, and we encouraged all States to take proactive measures to address the factors preventing women from participating in politics, such as violence, poverty, lack of ac- cess to quality education and health care, the double burden of paid and unpaid work, and to actively promote women’s political participation, includ- ing through affirmative measures.


Even as we stood united in


defense and support of women worldwide, we acknowledged that to a large extent discrimination continues and women in many parts


of the world remain significantly marginalized from decision-making, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, and attitudes, and due to poverty disproportionately affecting women.


Further perspectives from Trinidad and Tobago In this regard I continue to make every effort to ensure that in Trinidad and Tobago our girls and boys are given equal opportunities from the outset placing particular focus on education. Intense efforts are underway to


expand and deliver universal access to pre-school education, even as Trinidad & Tobago now has universal primary education as well as universal secondary education. Successful efforts are also ongoing to increase the amount of persons accessing tertiary education. I must highlight that while our girls


and young women are surpassing their male counterparts academically at all levels, this is still not yet translating into a stronger presence into the political arena. I believe that in Trinidad and


Tobago that “crisis of confidence,” noted before, may be at play. Questioning of self, perhaps a reluctance to be in the glare of public scrutiny and that all too present “burden of care” remain major disincentives to taking that step into politics. This reluctance was particularly


evident when I assumed office. Several women were approached but were reluctant to join State and Statutory Boards, despite their clear capabilities and skills in specific areas. I know only too well that for a


woman a career in politics is not an easy choice to make. I entered the political arena in


1987, some 27 years ago, as an Alderman in the local government system and it has been a long, often grueling journey but one which has now afforded me the privilege to serve my country as Prime Minister. With that background


and experience, in our recent consultations on local government reform, we asked our citizens to


consider, among other reforms, the election (or appointment) of three special representatives in each local region – namely male and female youth representatives and a representative for women and children. Such an initiative is directly linked


to our aim of increasing women’s political participation. We want to start to get our women-especially young women- involved from the community level, so they may gain a better understanding of democratic processes, while honing their skills and leadership qualities, in preparation for higher leadership roles. Save for one of 14 Municipalities,


the 2013 Local Government Elections saw women achieve just about the 30 per cent representation suggested by the Regional Colloquium. My government will therefore


continue to support the mentorship and leadership programmes offered by local and regional NGOs and institutions, working to advance the conversation on women in leadership and empower potential women leaders with the tools for success. I strongly affirm that the voices of


our women must be heard to ensure that our policies and programmes are meeting the needs of all our citizens. Even as I urge our women and


girls to step out of their comfort zones to embrace greater leadership roles, I also understand that human need for appreciation of effort and indeed the universal principle of expressing gratitude. To this end, in 2011, I introduced


another category to our country’s National Awards. The Medal for the Development of Women became another accolade in our Nation’s list of honours to deserving citizens. Since the inception of this new


award, eight respected women have been honoured with the Medal for the Development of Women, in areas such as law, higher education, religion and community service. I have also appointed two of


these women, well-known women’s rights activists Ms Hazel Brown


and Ms Brenda Gopeesingh, to serve as special envoys to look at women’s and children’s issues in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Without a doubt it is absolutely


necessary for more women to take up the challenge of becoming leaders – inspired, transformational leaders who value equality, equity, and social justice. By transformational leader I refer


to those “women with a vision of social justice, individually and collectively transforming themselves to use their power, resources and skills in non- oppressive, inclusive structures and processes to mobilize others around a shared agenda of social, cultural, economic and political transformation for equality and the realization of human rights for all”.


Conclusion In Trinidad and Tobago, I have sought to challenge our women and girls to take on the responsibility of becoming transformational leaders in their communities, in the workplace, and ultimately at the national level. I believe that such leadership


would have an exponentially positive effect on the development of our young nation and our region. Further motivated by the honour


of the International Association of Political Consultants Democracy Award 2013, which I shared with fellow CARICOM Head of Government, Mrs Portia Simpson- Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica, I strongly believe that we are doing something right – not just in the Trinidad and Tobago but in the region. Despite the challenges which


we face, it is essential that women around the world continue to emerge as leaders to contribute to the eradication of poverty, hunger and disease; the promotion of sustainable development; the full realization of human rights and the achievement and maintenance of international peace and security. We must grasp the reins of power


with confidence, trusting in our ability to succeed and to create a better world for our women and girls as well as our boys and men.


The Parliamentarian | 2014: Issue One | 17


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