European Union

For the third year in a row, the European Commission organized an international drawing competition on gender equality. This initiative is a fundamental part of the European Union’s development aid policy and aims to increase awareness of gender issues among children all over the world. More than 70 000 children from all corners of the globe, have participated in the competition since its inception.

In Trinidad and Tobago, more than 70 children of the age 8 to 10 have submitted drawings expressing their vision of gender equality. The local jury chaired by Hazel Brown, a well known activist for women's rights, pre-selected ten drawings that were sent to Brussels where a jury composed of European children presided by her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium selected 14 winning drawings.

On 25 June 2009, the Delegation of the European Commission invited the three winners from Trinidad and Tobago with their parents and school principles to an award ceremony. National winner Jonathan Ballack from San Fernando T.M.L. Primary School was awarded TT$ 2500 and his drawing will be included in a booklet and an exhibition in Morocco on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of the Violence against Women.