It is with grave error that we would allow the laws of Trinidad & Tobago to be compromised, in an effort to achieve a 2020 vision, especially by new standards that have been set by international bodies insensitive to, and at odds with our varied local cultures, and religious and moral beliefs.

This is glaringly evident in the proposed Draft National Gender Policy and Action Plan that has been put out for public comment before being adopted in our legislation and constitution.

In summary we provide the Who, What, Where and Why .

Who is responsible for this policy?

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and The CARICOM Gender Equality Programme, CIDA, and local feminist groups. It is based on United Nations conventions: CEDAW, Beijing Platform for Action and the UN Millennium Development Goals.

What initiatives does the policy advocate?

While there are some good and constructive comments in this policy, the Draft National Gender Policy and Action Plan is flawed by including United Nations initiatives that would facilitate:

• Promote the "five gender" concept from the Istanbul 1996 Habitat Conference.
• Redefining masculinity
• Same-sex unions
• Explicit Sex Education
• Modern redefinition of Gender (Gender is used to refer to social roles opposed to our biological differences. We learn how to become men and women. Men can be feminine.)
• Legalising Abortion
• Redefining Family (any kind of union)
• Neutralising Religion.
• Promotion of a contraceptive and condom mentality and society.

Where do we go with this policy in its present form?

Our country is already in a very serious crime situation that, many have agreed, largely stems from dysfunctional families and family life values. Human life seems "disposable" as evidenced in gruesome murders, including those of the unborn.

This policy aims to protect this present situation by embracing the new dysfunctional structures and ideas, advocating that the above listed reforms become "fundamental human rights".

Why a gender policy?

The Government of T & T ratified the UN Convention on CEDAW and presented its first report to the UN Committee in January 2002. This was rejected by "the international committee of experts" because, among other reasons, "the proposed Equal Opportunities Act excluded sexual orientation and placed the issue of discrimination against persons with alternative sexualities.."

In other words, reference to same-sex unions were excluded. "In response.., The Government of T & T re-committed itself to a National Gender Policy."

Conclusion

There can be no "Human rights" for what is wrong. We must protect what builds a healthy society - family life built on morality based on Natural Law and Revealed Law .

Three great men stand out in history who were against what is destructive to humanity, including induced abortions and same-sex unions, Moses, St Paul (Romans 1: 24-27) and, most recently in our times, the late Pope John Paul II.

Please contact Emmanuel Community for detailed information or to provide us with your comments.

Unplanned pregnancy?

For help, you can call/visit us at

Emmanuel Community

46 Rosalino Street, Woodbrook

@628-1064, 1586 or 8181.