NGO wants justice to ‘speed up’ for women and girls

2026-03-08 - 01:57

Senior Reporter anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt As the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) today with the theme of “Give To Gain”, the Network of NGOs of T&T says it will not give up the fight to ensure the rights of women and girls are preserved. Speaking with the Sunday Guardian at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, following a walk to commemorate the global celebration, Coordinator Jackie Burgess insisted the wheels of justice needed to “speed up.” According to UN Women, the 2026 observance of IWD, “Comes at a time when justice systems are under strain.” With conflict, repression and political tensions weakening the rule of law, UN Women claimed this had resulted in just 64 per cent of women and girls having the same legal rights as men. In a statement on its website, it posted, “Women are turned away, not believed, revictimised, or priced out of legal support. Equality never arrives.” Referring to this, Burgess said one had to look at how justice was served. “How does it feel when you have to wait 20 years for something like a rape case to be resolved? A home invasion...you can’t find the person.” “People do not feel safe. We have come to realise that the country is at a higher stage of violence, and if that violence continues, we will be in a worse off position, and then if you cannot apprehend the people who do it...and if you do apprehend, you not sure in terms of if this is the person and then when it comes to bringing the case to...it takes forever. So people suffer time and time again over one issue, so we want to have that where people’s rights must be observed,” she said. Also attending the march were activist Marsha Walker and Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. PM’s message for Intl Women’s Day Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a message to women and girls for International Women’s Day 2026. In a statement released yesterday, she said that while progress has been made, equality must be protected through decisive action. “In Trinidad and Tobago, women have secured equal legal access to education, professional advancement, and public participation. At the same time, we must confront other tangible threats to the safety and dignity of women and girls. “Across our region, criminal networks involved in narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, and organised gang violence prey on the vulnerable. Where authoritarianism rises, women’s freedoms are often the first curtailed. Where democratic governance and human rights prevail, women and girls are empowered to learn, lead, and live without fear.” The Prime Minister added that T&T stands with its international partners in supporting democratic governance. She said advancing democracy ultimately advances justice and opportunity for women everywhere. She called for a renewed commitment to protect rights, strengthen justice, and take decisive action, at home and abroad, especially for women and girls.