Motorcade against gender-based violence

THE Coalition of Anti-Gender-Based Violence Initiatives held a national motorcade on Sunday under the theme Drive Gender-Based Violence Out. Organisers said it was being done in honour of International Women’s Day and that the message needs to be sent out, especially in TT’s current social climate.

The motorcade began at South Park, San Fernando and ended at the Queen’s Park Savannah – around which they made two laps.

Supporting groups included the White Ribbon Movement, TogetherWI, DoBeTTer and Drive Against Crime TT, among others.

One of the event organisers Seema Suruj told Newsday she wanted to make a stand and to do so in a safe way amid the covid19 pandemic.

She said, “We thought it was important to do something to show support and also still have our voices heard because obviously, we are not happy with everything that is happening in the country.”

She also distributed stickers to motorists with the theme written on them. Others stuck placards to their windows with phrases like, “Women’s lives matter,” “Leave she alone,” and “Protect our women.” Over 100 vehicles were gathered at the meeting point by 10 am.

Fashion designer and director of TogetherWI Anya Ayoung-Chee told Newsday she felt the motorcade would help make the initiative more of a national one.

“We are just trying to find innovative ways to make sure people continue to come out, continue to make noise about the issue of gender-based violence and do it in a way that allows more and more people to participate.”

Asked how she feels about recent news of crimes against women such as the murder of Andrea Bharatt and more recently, Karen Karim, she said, “It’s a mess and I think that we just have to continue to stand up as citizens against it until there’s some sort of traction on the issue.”

She said it’s more than talking the talk but also ensuring corrective steps and actions are being seen. “(We will keep doing this) until we see more active and proactive attempts by the authorities to change things.”