UNC Media Release Women's Arm - UNC National Women’s Arm Condemns Disgraceful and Misogynistic Remarks by Keith Rowley - 18 March 2026
UNITED VOICE
UNITED NATIONAL CONGRESS
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The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
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MEDIA RELEASE
To: All Editors
From: UNC National Women’s Arm
Date: 18th March 2026
UNC NATIONAL WOMEN’S ARM CONDEMNS DISGRACEFUL AND MISOGYNISTIC REMARKS BY KEITH ROWLEY
The United National Congress (UNC) National Women’s Arm strongly condemns the outrageous and degrading remarks made by former Prime Minister Keith Rowley against the sitting Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
To refer to the Prime Minister as a “jammette” is not only crude and offensive, but it is also a blatant act of misogyny that demeans the Office of the Prime Minister and undermines the dignity of women in leadership across our nation. Such language has no place in a modern democracy and reflects a troubling disregard for the standards of respectful political engagement that the people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve.
Regrettably, this type of behavior is not new. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Mr. Rowley repeatedly resorted to insulting and derogatory remarks directed at Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar and other women in public life. The fact that he continues to engage in the same disgraceful conduct even after leaving office demonstrates a persistent pattern of disrespect that should be rejected by all right-thinking citizens.
The UNC National Women’s Arm also notes with concern the deafening silence from the Leader of the Opposition, Pennelope Beckles, and the PNM Women’s Arm. At a time when a woman serving as Prime Minister is being publicly degraded with misogynistic language, their failure to condemn these remarks raises serious questions about their commitment to defending women against such attacks.
Mr. Rowley’s comments are not simply an attack on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar they are an attack on the dignity of all women in Trinidad and Tobago. When language that demeans women is tolerated or ignored, it sends a dangerous message that such behavior is acceptable in our political culture.
We are equally troubled by the silence of other women’s advocacy groups and organisations that traditionally speak out on matters affecting the dignity and respect of women. When a woman and particularly the nation’s Prime Minister is publicly degraded in this manner, it demands principled and consistent condemnation from all who claim to champion women’s rights and equality.
The UNC National Women’s Arm believes that political disagreement must never descend into the degradation of women. Our democracy must be built on debate, ideas, and respect not on crude insults and attempts to belittle women who rise to positions of national leadership.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has served Trinidad and Tobago with strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the people of this country. Attempts to demean her through sexist and insulting language will not distract from the critical work of governance or from the continued advancement of women in leadership throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
The UNC National Women’s Arm calls on all citizens, particularly women across our nation, to reject this politics of insult and degradation.
Trinidad and Tobago deserves leadership that uplifts our national discourse not the gutter politics that these remarks represent.
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National Women’s Arm
United National Congress