Our host, Jenni Prisk, interviews Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, from Trinidad and Tobago who began her social activism as a teenager addressing issues related to violence against women. She is a founding member of the Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD).
The word “Caribbean” invokes blue skies, warm seas and colorful people. But underneath there is an insidious culture of violence. Hear the actions that Sabrina Mowlah Baksh is taking in her country of Trinidad & Tobago.
If you would like to be in touch with Sabrina, feel free to contact her at: www.facebook.com/sabrina.mowlahbaksh
Listen Here
Excerpts from Interview
- “There are high levels of domestic violence, and women are silenced in terms of their voice.”
- “From early on, I realized (as a girl) I was treated differently and I was different.”
- “My Dad always said that education was key.”
- “WINAD started a “no (toy) guns for Christmas” campaign.”
- “We brought gun violence into the national conversation.”
- “The influence on our young people by North America is very troubling = black culture, how women are portrayed, being beautiful – we need to understand feminism in a local context.”
Biography of Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh
Mowlah-Baksh is a former deputy mayor, councilwoman, negotiator among gang leaders, and still a tireless advocate against gun violence in her Caribbean nation. Her work culminated in the historic signing of the Arms Trade Treaty by the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) region.
The interview takes place at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego while Sabrina was in residence as a Women PeaceMaker in the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ).
More About The IPJ Women PeaceMakers Program
Since 2003, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) at the University of San Diego has welcomed four women peacemakers each year from around the world.
The women reside at the University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies for two months and share their stories which are documented by four Peace Writers. While the women are in residence, “they have opportunities to exchange ideas and approaches to peacemaking and justice, which helps increase their capacity to participate in conflict resolution and peace building efforts.”