International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25th

This Monday, November 25th, Trinidad and Tobago joins the world in observing the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It’s a time to reflect on a problem that hits too close to home.

Gender-based violence in T&T remains alarmingly high. Nearly half of women have experienced intimate partner violence, far above the global average. Recent years saw over 4,600 sexual violence reports to the police, with young women under 35 most affected, and more than 2,400 domestic violence incidents recorded in just one year. These numbers are not statistics they are real lives shattered.

The recent killing of 38-year-old Avanelle Abraham makes the crisis even more real. The mother of one from Maraj Street, Montrose, was believed to have been flung from a vehicle before being shot in the head. Relatives described her as loving, ambitious, and full of positive energy. An autopsy confirmed her death from a gunshot wound. Her loss is a painful reminder of the extreme dangers women face.

The government has rolled out a National Strategic Action Plan to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has a dedicated Gender-Based Violence Unit to handle sensitive cases professionally. Progress is being made, but the road ahead is long.

Many survivors still do not report abuse because of fear, shame, or distrust in authorities. Shelters and counseling services are limited outside the cities, and protection orders are not always enforced. Harmful societal attitudes, including victim-blaming and the belief that “relationship problems should stay private,” continue to hold women back from justice and healing.

Ending violence against women requires action from everyone. Speak up about healthy relationships, support survivors without judgment, and know where to direct them for help. Encourage men in your life to step up. Violence against women is not just a women’s issue it is a society issue, and T&T cannot afford to look away.

November 25th is more than a date on the calendar. It is a call to action. We have the plans, the data, and the awareness. What we need now is collective responsibility. Every conversation and every act of support brings us closer to a society where women can live free from fear.