angelo.jedidiah@guardian.co.tt
For International Women’s Day 2025, the theme “Accelerate Action” has struck a chord with many, renewing the call to fast-track progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. But for former politician Hazel Manning, this isn’t just a slogan—it has always been her life’s mission.
As a former senator and minister of education and local government, Manning has faced her fair share of uphill battles as a woman in Parliament.
Speaking with WE magazine, Manning made reference to Isabel Ursula Teshea, our first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve as an ambassador for this country. She also spoke about Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar who became this country’s first female attorney general.
Manning acknowledged that for any of these women, the journey was never easy and surely came with its fair share of challenges.
“Leadership is difficult. Life is difficult, you know, but through discipline, through self-awareness and spiritual growth, individuals can overcome challenges and can lead fulfilling lives,” Manning said.
“One of the things we are realising is that there was no support, there was no hand-holding to get into the system.”
With the many portfolios she held in her political and personal career, Mrs Manning is notably known as well as the wife of the former prime minister, the late Patrick Manning. She said that in any of these positions, she felt it was essential to uplift women.
Now, as a leadership and life coach, Manning continues to inspire various groups through her words. However, through her membership in organisations like the Women Parliamentarians of Trinidad and Tobago, led by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George, she has dedicated much of her time to encouraging young girls to pursue public service.
One of the ongoing projects the esteemed group of women parliamentarians is championing is the fight for gender-based budgeting—ensuring that government budgets and national financial decisions consider gender equality and inclusivity.
Manning encouraged women to stay aware of their environment and political rights to fight for what is right. She reminded them to stand their ground in difficult or unfair situations, emphasising that women should mentor each other and stand side by side as they pave their paths in society.
“As we the Women Parliamentarians are doing to overcome the challenges and to lead at the end of the day, fulfilling lives. Not only for ourselves but for our country, because we know that when we support a woman, we support a village. Don’t give up. We’re going to get there.”