The Ministry of Education has partnered with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to raise awareness among secondary school students about “Street Harassment against Women” to promote the notion of Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls.
Throughout this week, students from selected secondary schools will be participating in discussions around the negative impact that street harassment could have on women. Information will also be shared during school assemblies and as part of the curriculum delivery, under the Health and Family Life Education classes.
The “It’s all about respect!” initiative seeks to contribute to the reduction of street harassment, elimination of gender inequality and fulfilment of women’s rights and autonomy in Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative is led by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in partnership with the British High Commission, High Commission for Canada and Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The key message for the campaign is “Let women and girls walk the streets in peace Comments on their bodies can make them feel unsafe. It’s all about respect!”
This initiative forms part of a “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign”, promoted by the United Nations. This campaign begins on 25th November as the world observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on World Human Rights Day (10th December).