| Excerpts from Laventille Women’s Forum Report, May 2004
In Trinidad and Tobago, as with the rest of the Caribbean, the upsurge in gun violence is threatening the personal sense of security and order in the society. In Trinidad and Tobago police statistics reveal that guns have been used increasingly to commit murder, robberies and for wounding. A similar trend is reported in Jamaica. Between 1999 and 2003 eighty thousand one hundred and eighty (80,180) serious crimes were recorded in Trinidad and Tobago. The illegal use of guns and drugs is wreaking havoc in some communities leaving residents virtual prisoners in their own homes. Throughout the region, the reality is the same. Communities are under siege.
The Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) has been active in addressing this issue of gun violence in the Caribbean. WINAD is a women's organisation with a focus on building women's leadership. WINAD has been involved in research projects on small arms in the Caribbean in partnership with the Small Arms Survey, and contributes frequently to discussions on gender dimensions of the small arms problem.
From 1 – 2 November 2003, the Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD), East Port of Spain Council of Community Organisations, Success Laventille Networking Committee, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) collaborated on the Laventille Women’s Forum.
The aim of the project was to encourage women to seek ways in which they can act individually and collectively to end the scourge of gun violence in their community and work with the perpetrators and victims to develop survival strategies for an improved quality of life for all.
On Day Two, Folade Mutota presented information and statistics about gun violence globally then engaged participants in a very intimate discussion about the situation in Laventille. In discussions, a number of issues were identified as the causes of the proliferation of guns in the community and the resulting violence. Many of the women went beyond the solely economic reasons, citing psychological and social problems.
The main problems cited were:
- Discrimination in employment which qualified and unqualified women and men of Laventille face because of the stigma attached to living in the area
- Lack of employment opportunities generally except for “ 10 days’ in Unemployment Relief Programme
- Men and male youth see themselves as the providers even if women are self sufficient and they sometimes resort to illegal activities to provide for women
- Trafficking in drugs and guns is a way of making quick money for some men
- Lack of positive leadership within the community and from politicians
- Increased violence against women, physical and psychological linked to the increase in criminal activity in the area
- Women’s movements are curtailed and controlled by fear of perpetrators
- The financial /economic burdens placed on women, especially mothers whose sons are imprisoned or killed lead to cut backs in family spending on essential items
- Illiteracy among young men seems more acute than in young women which can be a cause of male delinquency and less access to employment
- Lack of parenting skills and an absence of love and trust within the home, resulting in little supervision and verbal abuse
- Gun violence and the proliferation of small arms is a national problem and not limited to Laventille
- Political patronage and involvement of big business and politicians in drugs and the small arms trade is resulting in the problems in the community
- There is a network in operation between gangs in Laventille and those from outside in which information is traded about how, when and where to get guns
- Because of the high crime rate and stigmatisation, business people are wary of venturing into Laventille to invest and provide employment.
The following solutions/recommendations were provided by participants:
- Introduce youth programmes with a counselling element
- Increase and/or introduce Parenting programmes which will help with effective communication, spiritual growth and self-esteem
- Encourage the development of trust and respect between mothers and sons especially
- Provide financial and social support for mothers and all women
- Demand that the media highlight the positive aspects of Laventille and not only the negatives. This will help remove the stigma
- Strengthen and/or introduce literacy and vocational training programmes, especially for young males
- Provide jobs, apart from unemployment relief
- Demand confidentiality from the police when information is shared with them about crime
- Encourage consultations and collaboration between younger males and older males based on trust and mutual respect and around providing solutions to the problems
- Provide males with alternatives to guns and crime which will satisfy their needs
The discussions also pointed to the fact that women suffered direct and indirect abuse as a result of the gun violence plaguing the community. Problems associated with this ranged from physical violence and severe curtailing and controlling of women’s movements to psychological trauma due to the unexpected but constant gunshots that can be heard day or night, and living in a state of fear of the potential loss of one’s son, partner, brother, or husband. There is also the additional financial burden associated with the loss of a principal income earner and also the need to divert funds from investment, saving and home maintenance to legal or burial fees.
A gender analysis of some of the issues raised revealed that the traditionally accepted gender roles were leading causes for young and older men venturing into trafficking in narcotics and other crime as viable means of economic activity. The gendered notion of the male provider is so pervasive that young men embrace the ‘responsibility’ of providing for their families and other significant others such as girlfriends. With limited means, they sometimes resort to crime.
The discussions also revealed how women’s agency can be stymied by the threat of violence. Resulting in a heightened sense of insecurity with the potential for social paralysis.
In Laventille however, the passion with which the women are approaching solving the problems associated with gun violence will not allow social paralysis to overcome them neither will it allow the erosion of women’s agency in this community.
For more information on gun violence in the Caribbean, see:
Please write to The Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) at folademutota@yahoo.com for more information.
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