[UPDATED] Webster-Roy at entrepreneur expo: 'Empowering women will benefit society'

MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy says research has shown that many victims of domestic abuse stay with their perpetrators for financial reasons.

She made the statement on April 30 while addressing exhibitors at a Women’s Entrepreneurial Development and Product Expo on the Scarborough Esplanade, Tobago.

The expo, which featured more than 50 exhibitors, was hosted by the Gender Affairs Division, Tobago House of Assembly and Central Administrative Services – Tobago. A similar initiative was held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, in March.

Webster-Roy, who is responsible for gender and child affairs, said the initiative was conceptualised as a platform for women to showcase their businesses and services as well as network with various agencies to get support.

“But at the core of this initiative is highlighting a very fundamental issue – women’s empowerment. and seeing the linkages between women’s empowerment (and) economic empowerment as it pertains to domestic violence as to why some women return to their perpetrators,” she said.

“We would have had experiences where some women, after they transition out of our domestic violence shelter, even though they may not have returned to our shelter they might her re-entered into a different shelter or would have become clients of another shelter.

“And when we did our research, we realised that some of those women were dependent on the perpetrators. So we wanted to create an opportunity for them to develop and nurture themselves.”

Webster-Roy said during this year’s International Women’s Day observance in March, the ministry hosted several programmes to commemorate the occasion, one of which was the Survivors Transformation and Empowerment Programme (STEP).

The programme gives civil society and faith-based organisations an opportunity to get grant funding for survivors of gender-based violence.

“But we didn’t just peg victims to female but also men, giving them the opportunity to provide training so that they can learn a skill and ultimately develop a business.”

She said STEP also offers a scholarship for survivors so that they can either further their education, start a business or expand one.

“One of the key messages I want today to be about is how important it is for us to invest in women to ensure that our society thrives. When women are empowered, society becomes more stable. When women are empowered, societies become safer. When women are empowered, economies grow. And that has been proven.

“So it is always important for us as a government to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership for citizens and especially the most vulnerable.”

Webster-Roy thanked the THA for partnering with the gender affairs division on the initiative.

She said representatives from the division met recently with administrators and other key people from the THA to highlight its work on child abuse and gender-based violence.

“Coming out of that is a commitment for further collaboration and partnership with the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection.”

Secretary for Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development Nathisha Charles-Pantin, who also spoke, applauded the initiative.

“By uplifting women in business, we not only support individual families but also pave the way for generations to come, addressing disparities and inequalities that still persist,” she said.

Saying women have traditionally juggled several roles, Charles-Pantin said she was thrilled to see the diverse array of products and services on display.

She thanked the women for their effort and dedication.

“I know for many of you being here today was no small feat….who feels it knows it.”

Kaydi Eastman-Mc Kenzie, owner of Rub That Flavors, told Newsday she started her business three years ago.

She sells packaged seasoning blends, teas made from indigenous plants and local herbs like bayleaf. The business also carries keepsakes such as swizzle sticks and graters.

Eastman-Mc Kenzie said her business “has its ups and downs. But the most important thing is that I love what I do.”

The Signal Hill resident said she has social media pages on Instagram and Facebook to market her business.

“But word of mouth has been the best form of advertising.”

This story was originally published with the title "Webster-Roy: Victims of domestic abuse stay for financial reasons" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy says research has shown that many victims of domestic abuse stay with their perpetrators for financial reasons.

She made the statement on April 30 while addressing exhibitors at a Women’s Entrepreneurial Development and Product Expo on the Scarborough Esplanade, Tobago.

The expo, which featured more than 50 exhibitors, was hosted by the Gender Affairs Division, Tobago House of Assembly and Central Administrative Services – Tobago. A similar initiative was held at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, in March.

Webster-Roy, who is responsible for gender and child affairs, said the initiative was conceptualised as a platform for women to showcase their businesses and services as well as network with various agencies to get support.

“But at the core of this initiative is highlighting a very fundamental issue – women’s empowerment. and seeing the linkages between women’s empowerment (and) economic empowerment as it pertains to domestic violence as to why some women return to their perpetrators,” she said.

“We would have had experiences where some women, after they transition out of our domestic violence shelter, even though they may not have returned to our shelter they might her re-entered into a different shelter or would have become clients of another shelter.

“And when we did our research, we realised that some of those women were dependent on the perpetrators. So we wanted to create an opportunity for them to develop and nurture themselves.”