标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a vibrant display of activism, Soroptimist International Esperance has launched the Cedros Mural Activism Project, marking the commencement of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The initiative, situated near Beaulieu Recreation Grounds and Cedros Secondary School, directly aligns with this year’s UN Women theme combating digital violence against women and girls.

The striking orange mural serves as both artistic statement and practical resource, featuring six bilingual messages that address various dimensions of gender-based violence. These messages highlight non-physical abuse patterns, confront human trafficking realities, warn about online predators, advocate for victim support, and provide essential contact information for assistance services. This project extends the club’s previous efforts, including the installation of awareness benches addressing human trafficking in July.

The launch event garnered significant governmental support, with Minister of People Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit declaring the initiative “a national symbol of resistance against abuse, exploitation and digital violence.” Minister Mohit emphasized national responsibility in breaking digital gender-based violence walls through policy measures, counseling services, grant support, and community interventions.

Notably, the Soroptimists’ ‘Think Before You Click’ initiative previously received the Delegates Choice Best Practice Award at the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Conference. The program, developed in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), educates secondary school girls about cybercrime protection and gender-based violence prevention.

Director of The Counter Trafficking Unit Allan Meiguel endorsed the campaign while highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated service office in the vulnerable coastal community of Cedros. This sentiment was reinforced by Energy Minister and local MP Ernesto Kesar, who emphasized that gender-based violence constitutes a societal issue requiring collective condemnation and action.

The event culminated in a powerful appeal urging legislative action against digital violence, increased investment in women’s organizations, and community commitment to challenging harmful online norms while supporting survivors.

A contentious meeting between Special Reserve Police (SRP) officers and Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) management has exposed significant challenges in implementing Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander’s directive to integrate 800 reserve officers into the regular force.

The December 3 gathering descended into chaos when senior TTPS officials cut microphone access following controversial comments from an SRP representative. The tension escalated particularly around the requirement for incoming officers to possess a CSEC pass in English Language, revealing deep divisions between the groups.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Curt Simon attempted to restore order, emphatically stating that “The TTPS is not a market or a parlour,” emphasizing that selection for regular service constitutes a privilege rather than an entitlement. This declaration prompted several SRP members to exit the meeting in protest.

This confrontation represents the latest development in a long-standing struggle for improved status among reserve officers. Only in July, following a judicial ruling by Justice Frank Seepersad, were SRPs and municipal police granted voting rights in police association elections.

The current integration initiative, designed to address a staffing shortfall of 1,154 officers, marks the most substantial proposed change in SRP status since 2019. That year, authorities targeted integrating 500 reserve officers into full police roles.

Deputy Commissioner Junior Benjamin subsequently assured media outlets of the service’s commitment to fulfilling the cabinet directive. However, this assurance comes with the recognition that elevating potentially unqualified or unprepared officers to full TTPS duty could significantly impact both police operations and public safety.

The resistance to basic academic requirements suggests that SRP recruitment standards may have been considerably more flexible than those applied to regular officers. While Minister Alexander may personally know qualified SRPs who could transition effectively, identifying 800 such candidates presents a considerable challenge.

Police leadership appropriately maintains that any integration process must include rigorous, transparent assessment protocols alongside provisions for remedial training where necessary. Experts suggest that reserve officers indicating interest in regular service should receive preparation from their initial deployment, ensuring they meet the functional standards required of all officers performing full police duties.

As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women concludes, the grim reality of ongoing gender-based violence persists unabated. Hazel Thompson-Ahye, a seasoned legal professional, reflects on the tragic pattern of domestic fatalities that continue to plague society, questioning how many more women must perish before substantive change occurs.

The recent murder of Councillor Romona Teeneal Victor represents the latest chapter in a devastating narrative that Thompson-Ahye first witnessed four decades ago with the death of client June Edwards. Despite court-issued injunctions and legal interventions, the system failed to prevent Edwards’ husband from stabbing her before ending his own life. The haunting memory of Edwards’ young children at their mother’s funeral remains etched in Thompson-Ahye’s consciousness, symbolizing the profound collateral damage of domestic violence.

Through her extensive career, Thompson-Ahye has adopted a survival-first approach, advising clients to immediately flee dangerous situations regardless of material sacrifices. However, she acknowledges the complex barriers that prevent many from leaving, including homelessness and paralyzing fear. Her practice has evolved to include counseling male clients, encouraging emotional maturity and acceptance when relationships end. One transformative success story involved a formerly troublesome client who reformed his behavior and maintained positive communication years later.

The legal profession bears significant responsibility in preventing violence, Thompson-Ahye emphasizes. She recalls a catastrophic instance where a lawyer’s negligence resulted in a client fracturing his wife’s skull with a hammer. This incident underscores the critical need for legal professionals to exercise diligent protection measures.

Educational reform represents another crucial frontier. Thompson-Ahye advocates for comprehensive training from preschool onward to help both girls and boys recognize abusive patterns and understand gender equality. The University of the West Indies Laboratory Pre-School’s model of teaching equality through difference provides a replicable framework for nationwide implementation.

While legislative improvements have been made to the Domestic Violence Act, Thompson-Ahye criticizes law enforcement’s continued failure to treat domestic violence with the same seriousness as other crimes. She argues that police must investigate regardless of victim cooperation, breaking the cycle of impunity.

In tribute to victims, Thompson-Ahye shares her calypso composition “Ah Reconstructing Masculinity,” originally written to honor Professor Eudine Barriteau of UWI Cave Hill. The poem employs powerful symbolism—hard hats, steel-tipped boots, and toolkits—to represent the rebuilding of masculinity with gender sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and respect. Updated verses for 2025 celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s female leadership while advocating for women’s expanded roles in governance, particularly in financial management where Thompson-Ahye believes women demonstrate superior competency.

A devastating residential fire in the New Grant community has resulted in the tragic death of a 40-year-old man on December 7th. The victim has been identified as Armanath Ramnarinesingh, who perished in the blaze that engulfed his two-story residence located on Frederick Branch Road.

According to preliminary reports obtained by Newsday, the catastrophic fire ignited approximately at 7:00 PM, rapidly consuming the structure where Ramnarinesingh resided. Emergency responders, including fire service personnel, rushed to the scene upon notification, battling the flames in efforts to control the inferno and prevent further destruction.

The exact cause of the conflagration remains undetermined at this time, with authorities launching a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Fire officials and forensic experts are meticulously examining the premises to establish the origin and circumstances that led to the deadly outbreak.

While the confirmed casualty remains singular, officials have not yet issued definitive statements regarding potential additional victims. The investigation continues as community members mourn the loss of life in this tragic incident, which highlights ongoing concerns about residential fire safety protocols and emergency response effectiveness in the region.

In a disturbing development on Monos Island, renowned former powerboat racer Derek ‘Stones’ Tardieu, 70, and his wife Clarabelle have been violently abducted from their residence. The couple was forcibly taken by armed kidnappers who subsequently contacted family members demanding a substantial ransom payment of $2.5 million for their safe release.

According to investigative sources, the home invasion occurred while the Tardieus were present at their property. The assailants thoroughly ransacked the premises before departing with the elderly couple. Particularly concerning is Tardieu’s critical medical condition—the former athlete suffers from severe heart complications and a brain tumor requiring continuous medication, raising urgent concerns about his wellbeing in captivity.

The kidnappers have provided chilling proof of life through a video recording showing Tardieu with a firearm pressed against his head while another individual brandishes a grenade. Initial contact was established around 9:44 AM when relatives received a voice message from an unrecognized number containing Tardieu’s apparent statement: ‘They have me and want US$2.5 million for my release.’

The couple’s son, Phillip Tardieu, discovered the ransacked home after being alerted to the situation and found both parents missing. Subsequent attempts to reach his father via mobile phone proved unsuccessful. Law enforcement authorities and family representatives are urgently requesting public assistance, asking anyone with relevant information to immediately contact emergency numbers 555, 999, or the nearest police station.

The Trinidad and Tobago entertainment sector faces significant turbulence following the resignation of Robert Thompson as president and board member of the Promoters’ Association. Thompson confirmed his departure in a December 7 interview with Newsday, stating there was “no particular reason” for his decision to step down from the organization.

The resignation occurs amidst escalating tensions between event promoters and the government regarding Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recent prohibition of fetes and Carnival events at state-owned venues. The ban, implemented primarily due to noise pollution concerns, has sparked intense debate about balancing cultural traditions with community welfare.

Current vice president Asha Green revealed that the association has received no response from government officials since their December 3 press conference, where organizers pleaded for reversal of the ban and requested stakeholder discussions to establish “clarity, fairness and workable parameters.” Green clarified earlier media misrepresentations, emphasizing that while legal action is not currently pursued, the organization is “weighing our options” regarding next steps.

During the press conference, promoters presented comprehensive noise-mitigation strategies exceeding state recommendations, including responsible speaker orientation, real-time sound monitoring, certified acoustic oversight, and enhanced on-site management protocols. The association expressed willingness to collaborate with government agencies including the Environmental Management Authority and National Carnival Commission to implement these measures consistently and transparently.

The dispute intensified when the NGO Citizens Against Noise Pollution of Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT) issued a December 5 statement supporting the government’s position. The organization described the measures as “timely and necessary” for protecting vulnerable populations including the sick, elderly, infants, students, and residential communities. CANPTT argued that while consultation is desirable, immediate action was required after decades of excessive noise disrupting sleep, study, work, and overall quality of life.

The advocacy group urged maintaining restrictions until enforceable national noise-control standards are implemented, recommending adherence to World Health Organization decibel limits and incorporation of noise management into long-term cultural planning. Both organizations have expressed willingness to collaborate with the government, leaving the door open for potential compromise despite the current impasse.

For interior designer Vani Maharaj, Christmas represents far more than seasonal decoration—it embodies profound emotional resonance, childhood nostalgia, and the very essence of her design philosophy. The creative force behind Trinidad-based luxury design firm Divine Living has transformed her lifelong fascination with the holiday into both professional inspiration and a personal mission to spread joy through intentional design.

Maharaj’s journey into design began unconventionally. With academic credentials including a BBA in finance and a master’s in marketing from the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, she initially approached decorating as a hobby in 2010 before formally establishing Divine Living in 2019. The company now operates from two locations: a showroom on Stone Street, Port of Spain, and a design studio in Lange Park, Chaguanas, serving clients throughout Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, and the United States.

The designer credits her childhood environment—characterized by what she describes as ‘warmth, discipline, and quiet beauty’—for shaping her aesthetic sensibilities. ‘Our space was always warm, intentional and well cared for,’ Maharaj recalled. ‘It wasn’t about luxury, it was about the feeling a home could evoke.’ This early exposure to thoughtfully curated spaces nurtured an instinctive appreciation for beauty that would later define her career.

Beyond aesthetic considerations, Maharaj emphasizes the importance of work ethic learned from her parents. ‘Through school, university, and my early career, I learned one consistent truth: the more effort I put in, the more I achieved.’ This philosophy continues to guide her approach to both business and creative endeavors.

For Maharaj, the most rewarding aspect of her work lies in client reactions. ‘Handing over a completed home and seeing a client’s joy—sometimes tears, excitement and relief—is something indescribable,’ she shared. Particularly meaningful are messages received years later, especially during Christmas, showing homes maintained exactly as designed. ‘Knowing something I created continues to bring peace and happiness long after the project is finished makes every bit of effort worthwhile.’

Her personal Christmas traditions reflect this same intentionality. Maharaj has developed elaborate family rituals, including theatrical Santa Claus experiences for her teenage son featuring handwritten North Pole scrolls and custom-made Santa sacks. ‘I would tell him Santa saved him for last because he was such a special boy,’ she laughed. These carefully crafted moments extend to an annual Gratitude Letter tradition, where family members document their thankfulness each Christmas season, preserving these letters in a keepsake box that has become ‘a beautiful archive of appreciation, growth and love.’

Professionally, Maharaj approaches Christmas décor by focusing on mood creation through layered textures, neutral color palettes accented with festive sparkle, and strategic lighting. She incorporates signature elements like pearls and orchids while insisting decorations should be ‘playful, imaginative and full of little surprises.’ Even scent plays a role, with her favorite Fraser Fir candle from the Divine Living collection evoking immediate Christmas associations.

Looking beyond seasonal design, Maharaj remains committed to mentorship and supporting women entrepreneurs through talks, forums, and informal guidance. She actively participates in charitable initiatives year-round, particularly during Christmas, believing that ‘giving back is one of the most powerful ways to use my skills, time, resources, connections and experiences to uplift others.’

Future plans include expanding educational offerings through interior design classes and opening additional studio space in Port of Spain with certified in-house designers. For those seeking to build authentic, beautiful lives aligned with their passions, Maharaj advises beginning with self-understanding: ‘Begin with understanding yourself—your passions, values and the things that genuinely bring you joy. Don’t shy away from taking bold steps toward what excites you, even if it feels unfamiliar or unconventional.’

Ultimately, Maharaj sees Christmas spirit as a year-round approach to living. ‘That feeling people get at Christmas—the warmth, the beauty, the sense of being cared for—that’s something I try to bring into everything I do, every single day. Christmas isn’t limited to one season—it is a way of living and expressing love throughout the year.’