WOMEN IN POLITICS – An information and training workshop for female candidates in the Tobago House of Assembly Election & Trinidad Local Government Bye-Election

Candidate Training

The CIWiL Regional Secretariat, in collaboration with the CIWiL Trinidad and Tobago National Chapter, hosted a virtual workshop session on Friday 15 January, 2021 titled “Women in Politics: An information and training workshop for female candidates in the Tobago House of Assembly Election and Trinidad Local Government Bye-Election.” 

With both elections scheduled to take place on 25 January, 2021, this online session was designed to create a space for female candidates and their campaign teams to better understand the Tobago House of Assembly Act and the Municipal Corporations Act, how to run gender-sensitive campaigns and discuss approaches to gender responsive governance within the Tobago House Assembly and in regional corporations across Trinidad.

The aim of the session was to:

1. Provide information on the legislation governing sub-national (local) government in Trinidad and Tobago – the Tobago House of Assembly Act and the Municipal Corporations Act. 
2. Improve the understanding of governance and identify approaches/opportunities to promote gender equality and women’s transformational leadership in the THA and local government.
3. Formulate strategies to overcome barriers which may limit their involvement and active participation in political and decision-making capacities. 

Moderator Ashlee Burnett, Chair of the CIWiL Trinidad and Tobago National Chapter, welcomed female candidates and their campaign teams to engage and converse with the specialist panel, with panelists including:

1. Ms. Sandra Singh, Regional Programme Manager – Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Caribbean Office.
2. Mr. Raye Sandy, Former Chief Administrator -Tobago House of Assembly.
3. Dr. Rosina Wiltshire, CIWiL Regional Board member, Gender Equality and International Development Specialist.
4. Ms. Hazel Brown, CIWiL Regional Board Member, Gender Advocate and Former Coordinator at Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women.

The panelists shared from their wealth of knowledge on the following areas:

THA/Local Government Responsibilities – why is the Assembly/Local Government important?

1. 1. How the THA/ Local Government mechanisms contribute to good governance.
   2. Local Government – Responsibilities under the Act.
   3. THA – Responsibilities under the Act.

Gender and Governance

1. 1. Understanding our gendered reality – Does gender affect decision-making?
   2. Incorporating a gender perspective – improving outcomes for women, children and communities.
   3. Advocating for gender-sensitive policy.

Managing a Winning a Campaign

1. 1. Preparing for the campaign.
   2. Strategies for running an effective campaign.
   3. Conceptualising a Manifesto from a Gender perspective.
   4. Key attributes of a gender-sensitive approach.

Recordings from the session can be accessed below.

THA/Local Government Responsibilities – Why is the Assembly/Local Government Important?

• Ms. Sandra Singh, Programme Officer – Commonwealth Local Government Forum

• Mr. Raye Sandy, Fr. Chief Administrator – Tobago House of Assembly

Gender and Governance

• Dr. Rosina Wiltshire, CIWiL Regional Board member, Gender Equality and International Development Specialist
  • (audio unclear from min. 3:44 – 4:24 due to unstable internet connection)

Managing a Winning a Campaign

• Ms. Hazel Brown, CIWiL Regional Board Member, Gender Advocate and Former Coordinator at Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women

Resources: 

• Tobago House of Assembly Act: https://bit.ly/35Jh3is
• Municipal Corporations Act (Trinidad): https://bit.ly/2MZ4au6

A CIWiL/ParlAmericas joint project, “Strengthening Women’s Political Leadership in the Caribbean,” supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.