T&T: Is Pepper Spray is enough to save woman’s life and dignity?

Trinidad and Tobago: The government of Trinidad and Tobago approves Pepper spray as a device of safety for women in the nation.

But, the question arises is pepper spray is enough to save the lives and dignity of women in Trinidad and Tobago?

Raising men in the right way, teaching self-defense to young girls, proper education to every gender, and allowance to raise a question against all the odds are these points considered by the government or not?

According to the government, a double-edged weapon, ‘pepper spray,’ can give women a fighting chance in challenging conditions.

Fighting chance is not enough for the women of Trinidad and Tobago. Rather they need someone who can listen to their cries and understands their suffering.

UNC leader Kamla Persad, Prime Minister Keith Rowley were in favor of approving pepper spray. But the women of the nation wanted something else.

The lives of girls like Andrea Bharatt and Ashanti Riley were taken by the brutal minds whose purpose to demolish someone’s life just because they are female.

However, political parties like PNM, UNC are fulfilling their own agendas. People went to the candle march, which was organized for Andrea Bharatt. The population showed their support to the victim and expressed their mourn.

But the life of Andrea can not be substituted by the approval of pepper spray in Trinidad and Tobago. It seems like it is just a consolation that was not needed at all.

If the government is ready to ask what is the demand of women, then the answer is ‘Justice.’

Amisha Irwin, a Trinidad resident, says, we don’t feel safe on the streets, sometimes it seems like someone is following her, and even she suffered unwanted comments from the boys in her locality.  

We can’t blame only the administration, but the patriotic society is also responsible for Trinidad and Tobago’s current situation.

According to Rape statistics, South Africa holding 500,000 rapes per year, China reports 31,833 rapes a year, Egypt confirms more than 200,000 rapes a year, and the United Kingdom reports 85,000 rapes a year.

The report says,” In 2015, rape rate for T&T was 13.2 cases per 100,000 population. Though Trinidad and Tobago rape rate shifted extensively in recent years, it led to a decline through 2006 – 2015, whereas it increased from 2017 to till now.

There is of 5% increase in crime rates in the country. According to the survey, cases of crimes related to sexual assault and domestic violence incremented to 757 in 2018 from 531 in 2017, and 491 were recorded in 2016.

Bullying women over cyber is something young girls reported recently, which must be rectified by cyber authorities in the country.

Women in Trinidad and Tobago are not feeling safe and secure, and the solutions provided by the government are not enough.

Click here for more news