NOW leader ponders state of women as she leaves post

A number of troubling issues affecting women in Barbados remain to be challenged, said outgoing President of the National Organisation of Women (NOW) Marsha Hinds as she spoke on this International Women’s Day which was observed under the theme Choose to Challenge.

This, she said, despite the leading roles played by women in the state, government and the law.

In her last public duties after two years in the post, Hinds facilitated an honours ceremony for the subcommittee of women on the Blind and Deaf Association of Barbados.

She told Barbados TODAY it was not only a fitting way to end her tenure but was a clear reminder that the island must not fall behind on addressing issues facing women and girls.

Hinds said: “The women of the subcommittee of the Blind and Deaf Association are the epitome of Choose to Challenge. They are women who have been told that they cannot, that they should not, that perhaps it is better if they do not and they have persisted.

“Not only do they have all the barriers that women usually have but they have the added barrier of being differently able and so fellowshipping with them put me in a reflective place.”

Hinds said while many people use the day to celebrate the progress of women she chose “to use the day to ask for things still left undone”.

She told Barbados TODAY: “I remain concerned that there are too many women in Barbados affected by the scourge that is intimate partner violence. I am concerned that our government does not have a programme at the national level to treat to intimate partner violence, I am concerned with the level of services that women get when they go to the judiciary, to the lesser extent that the judiciary remains in need of training to be able to offer services where there are instances of intimate partner violence.

“I remain concerned about the treatment of girl children in conflict with the laws in Barbados, we are not adhering to the convention on the Rights of the Child in the first instance and we are not adhering to the Convention on the Rights of Children deprived of their liberty.”

Hinds was adamant that Barbados can and must do more to correct such challenges.

She warned that unless action was taken, the country could very well lose favour in the eyes of a watching international community that frowns on injustices that girls and women endure.

Hinds suggested that some may describe her comments as extreme, given the fact that women were in leading roles in the country – the offices of the Prime Minister, Governor General and Director of Public Prosecutions.

“What could Marsha possibly be talking about? Marsha is talking about the experience of the average women, in the average household, in the average community in Barbados,” the NOW president said.

“There is a lot of work left to be done, there is too much disparity and on this International Day of Women 2021, this is what I continue to choose to challenge.”

Hinds is confident that NOW can rise to the challenge but urged the organization to seek out vibrant, young members and pursue opportunities for capacity building and continue to make the space one that all women can feel safe in.

“Our subvention from Government is $1,000 a year for the work done and with Government not providing many services NOW handles, the financial model has to be reevaluated as well, “ she said. (SD)