Comments on an open letter to Senator St. Rose Greaves

Verna St. Rose Greaves

This open letter to Senator St. Rose Greaves was sent to Verna St. Rose Greaves by the CatchAFyah Caribbean Feminist Movement while she was still Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development and a Senator in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Network, which is a regional group of feminists, wrote to Verna St. Rose Greaves praising her for her “public show of support for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and the rights of the LGBTQ community.”   They also stated that they joined her in “condemning the lack of adequate response to all forms of child abuse and in particular the sexual abuse of Caribbean girls and boys.”   In addition, they lauded her courage and convinction in her social justice work.

Ironic isn’t it that our Caribbean neighbours recognize the worth and activity of Ms. St. Rose-Greaves, but the Trinidadian Government did not or could not do the same, having chosen to fire her from her post.  Since then, several NGO’s have issued a statement asking the Prime Minister why she was fired, calling the decision “baffling“.  Others have stated that the true loss was not hers, but the nation’s, a position I agree with, as it is rare to see a politician who is actually willing to listen to and advocate for the people.

Meanwhile Ms. St. Rose Greaves, who turned down an offering of a diplomatic posting, has not let the grass grow under her feet, as she is going to be hosting a new show on Gayelle shortly.   Kudos to her and I know she’ll keep up the good work.