The Department of Gender Affairs under the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, the Flying Tree environmental management, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (CEDAW) and the Roxborough Youth Club collaborated on this initiative. Gender Officer Nigel Phillips said that persons may just see it as a simple bench but what matters is the messages on the bench as it relates to violence committed against women and girls.
The founder of the CEDAW Committee in Trinidad and Tobago, Terry Ines pointed out that this initiative is a combination of two things. One is the concern for the environment sharing that these benches are made completely out of plastic. She explained the societal aspects. Assistant Secretary in the Division of Health, Sonny Craig said that even though there are these pockets of negativity, there are persons seeking to restore a moral high ground in communities and describes these green benches as a safe space for women and girls.
He further indicated that these benches would be on display with signs and symbols to motivate people to do better.
