March 2011
20 posts
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The Walking Wounded
I was sixteen years old and a fifth former preparing for CXC. He was a teacher at my school but more than that he was a long time family friend. As early as January, the pressure of the upcoming exams was taking a toll on me. This meant That I spent many days in the school’s sickroom and saw countless doctors. One afternoon, after another doctor’s visit while my aunt and I were waiting...
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NO, you cannot have this Dance
This was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me in my few years of life.
I had been attending the birthday party of a classmate and was enjoying myself. When a friend approached me and asked me if i would dance with him, given that I knew him quite well I obliged him in a dance. He was well mannered while we were dancing and as the next song began I felt a tug at my waist. This...
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It isn't so innocent anymore
I would be lying if I didnt say I haven’t been a victim of discrimination against women. This has happened to me quite a bit to me over the years but recently it has evolved a bit more than just a playful request.
Frequently at school, the same set of guys, who are in fact, ‘my friends’, keep asking me for a threesome and they are more than serious!
I’m not the type of girl to just give ...
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Good Morning
Street harassment was taken to an all time new level with an incident that lasted about a little over a month in 1989. After this incident, I changed my entire perspective on the way in which I say Good Morning.
On my way to Secretarial College, just another Monday morning walking up Frederick Street with my sister, a tall lanky man, many years my senior, told me Good Morning with a pleasant and...
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“Each of us has the power to make even small changes that can improve our lives...”
– Quote: Simone Leid, Founder, The WomenSpeak Project
Leigh-Ann Worrell writes about The WomenSpeak Project on the Commonwealth Youth Blog. Click source link at right to go to the full article.
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Woman vs The Street
Every day I am out of my house I have to deal with vile creepy men (VCM). (I am thus very much of a hermit) However, this is my neighbourhood, my life, my islands. I’ve never grown used to it.It has formed the way I deal with males, and is deeply connected to the experience of being a Caribbean female. In Grenada I’ve had the opportunity to experience a slightly different culture to...
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Tek Dat For Wha Yuh Worth!
I was 16 years Old walking home from school one afternoon..he drives by and slows down..
Psssttttt…
Ay Gyal!
Pssstttttttttt
Princess!!
Ay!
Big Girl!
Ay you nuh see me try tark to yuh!
Aye Gyal!!!
*Schuppppps*
He then proceeds to reach into his pocket and fling a 25 cent coin on me…
Tek Dat For What You Worth!!
*Funny I still remember that…Im almost 27 now.
...
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Participate in the First International Anti-Street...
The WomenSpeak Project is joining other organisations across the world on March 20th, 2011 for the First International Anti-Street Harassment Day. We’re inviting YOU to participate in helping break the silence about street harassment in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean to make our societies pay attention to this pervasive problem. What YOU can do 1. Post your personal story about Street...
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One night stand... can I call it that?
In my mind I think of it as that. I never thought I’d have one. I’m the kind of girl that only has sex in committed relationships - it must *mean* something if you know what I mean…
I had one last January though going into it I didn’t think that that’s what it would be. I’d gotten out of a long-term relationship some months before - my partner had cheated on me...
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“Domestic violence is not a “crime of passion” but a result of...”
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International Women's Day 2011
Today, many women in Trinidad and Tobago are jumping and dancing and revelling in the spirit of ‘freeness’ on this Carnival Tuesday. Many of them have no idea that it’s also the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. And perhaps in one way this a good thing: that women feel so comfortable in their skins; free to roam the...
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How do you feel about a man "tiefing a wine"? Do...
Avi: It depends on the man's approach, and on the man. Not everyone is liable to get my cooperation.
Mars: If you are not comfortable...do what feels right...I'm not adverse to a little 'tief wine.'
Knycky: If his approach is respectful I have no problem. I don't appreciate an actual thief. Thou I've been known to steal 1 or 2. Lol.
Tanya: It depends, if its on the road and u come correct u can cause "It's The Road!"
WomenSpeakPro: I want a definition for 'come correct'. When does a little 'tief wine' become overbearing/offensive?
Tanya: To put it simply 'not a ram-attack approach'
Mars: I think if it's disgusting and nasty...just too sexual...not a dance but a grind...
Trini: It disgusts me which is why i prefer to avoid situations where it is prevalent.
Womenspeakpro: So, your feteing decisions are greatly influenced by your wanting to avoid 'tief wine'? Do you find it unfair?
Trini: I do find it unfair. I don't fête, as all encourage/accept women's bodies as an open contact zone. It's not for me.
Angel: I've never liked ppl touching me or invading my personal space. I'm a weirdo. :)
Trini: Nothing weird about that :) It's just something many girls are socialized to 'get over'.
Womenspeakpro: I think lots of women feel like that, then they drink to loosen up and that's more trouble.
Tanya: I prefer to dance with ppl I know but I still try not to be over stush about it.
Womenspeakpro: Nobody wants to be the sour girl in the party, but do women do things they don't like just to be nice?
Trini: I think too many do. I could care less about being seen as sour, nerdy or 'stush'.
Womenspeakpro: Its important 2 set ur own boundaries and not let the culture dictate what u should accept.
Trini: Couldn't say it any better! :)
Mars: Agreed...again it's what you feel comfortable doing...and it's ok to say no.
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