Despite great strides made by the international women’s rights movement over many years, women and girls around the world are still married as children or trafficked into forced labour and sex slavery. They are refused access to education and political participation, and some are trapped in conflicts where rape is perpetrated as a weapon of war. Around the world, deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are needlessly high, and women are prevented from making deeply personal choices in their private lives. Human Rights Watch is working toward the realization of women’s empowerment and gender equality—protecting the rights and improving the lives of women and girls on the ground.

I must admit that although the Caribbean was not mentioned, there is much criminality in the islands that will never be reported. Kidnapping, murder, rape, and child labour are of great concern for the residents in the Caribbean. The use of power and money influence is a concern on my mind and I am calling on all women, women organizations to come to the forefront and let your voices be heard and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

There are some women that are very abusive also and they use their positions and power to oppress other women and some men. In this case, the men are afraid to talk because they will lose their manhood and clout in the society. The women are threatened constantly not to talk and sometimes are showered with gifts to “hush their mouths”. This is widespread in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and it is not of a political nature, but a social problem.

As a minister here in New York some of the stories are alarming and cannot be detailed because of strict confidentiality. After hearing a story and at times very complex because of the same sex situation and the parties involved the police cannot be informed because they do not want the stories to get out on the street and to the press. As we witnessed with the diplomats from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There were so many underlying portions of that story that were not reported, but a trained mind was able to unfold. A prime example of the wide range of abuse in the society. All I am saying today is ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.