THE Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on the government to redouble efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV).
It appealed for measures to change discriminatory socio-cultural patterns that normalise violence against women, especially in the domestic and intimate partner contexts.
The call, issued in a media release on November 7, came following four domestic violence-related murders in October and several reports of attacks on women in recent weeks.
“These acts were perpetrated by partners or ex-partners of the victims. In some cases, the victims would have been beneficiaries of protection measures that were not implemented. These are not isolated cases but are part of a broader context of violence against women and impunity related to this type of crime.
“According to data from UN Women, 44 per cent of women in Trinidad and Tobago who have ever been in a relationship have suffered violence, whether physical, sexual, emotional and/or economic. Official data said between January and August 21, 2024, at least 1,227 cases of domestic violence in the form of physical violence and 117 cases in the form of sexual abuse were reported, of which only five persons were charged in total. In addition, for the same period, 111 breaches of protection orders were registered, of which less than half resulted in charges.”
The release said within the framework of the Convention of Belém Do Pará, the State has the duty to guarantee that all women have access to effective protection measures and judicial guarantees. It said the effectiveness of these measures is essential to prevent violence from escalating to femicide.
“The IACHR urges the State of Trinidad and Tobago to take concrete measures to ensure that any victim or potential victim of GBV has access to timely and effective protection measures, which integrate differentiated approaches to gender and intersectionality. It must also ensure its proper implementation through monitoring, supervision, and accountability mechanisms.
“In addition, the commission urges the state to conduct diligent investigations that lead to the identification and punishment of those responsible, in addition to ensuring victims' access to comprehensive care services and reparation.”
The commission said it recognised the government’s efforts to combat violence against women, such as the National Strategic Plan of Action on GBV and Sexual Violence and the High Court decision which recognised the State's obligation to protect victims of domestic violence from the actions of non-State actors.
Other plans being put in place by the government include a men’s bureau, a women, peace and protection national action plan and the survivors transformation and empowerment programme (STEP), among others.
Conflict Women head Asiya Mohammed, in a cellphone interview with Newsday on November 9, said the statement meant that Trinidad and Tobago, as a Caricom member state, was being spotlighted across the region based on the rising rate of femicides. Conflict Women is
