Page 20 - MIN SOC JULY 21

Women in

DIFFICULTY

Foundation will
continue being
supported by us

According to Minister Paul Croes

MINISTER of Social, Youth and Labor Affairs Mr. long as it’s still going on we need a Centre to provide be more prepared to help its clients thanks to the
Paul Croes announced after meeting with directive them with protection and guidance.” Minister Paul decisions made by the Ministers’ council.
of the Hende Muher den Difficultad Foundation, Croes said.
FHMD (Women in difficulty Foundation) that the Minister Paul Croes remarked that managing our
government will continue supporting this important “We recently raised 15.000 florins already for this countries finances is very important but this cannot
foundation. The support will be provided by funding foundation through the Social Fair and will continue go in cost of important social sector services.
and by filling some open positions in this foundation supporting it because it has a very important goal. We “As Minister of Social Affairs it is my duty to show the
that are crucial to its operation. need to be able to help abuse victims.” Minister Croes Government, Private Facilities and NGO’s the social
“We need to support women that are being abused. said. needs of our country. This is just one example of those
This is something that needs to be stopped, but as The foundation will have more personnel and will social needs.” Minister Paul Croes concluded.

Dutch Caribbean LGBTI groups
jointly call for MARRIAGE EQUALITY

THE main Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, marriage be inclusive of all citizens, same sex feelings. Seeing how a lot and registering in Aruba shows that
Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) whether heterosexual or LGBTI.” of countries are developing when it same sex couples want to wed, have
organizations of St. Maarten, In drawing from international comes to same sex marriages ALFA their own family and home thus
Curaçao and Aruba have issued a examples, the groups said that: “The Foundation along with organizations proving they want secure and long
joint declaration, calling for marriage emotion of marriage is something from Curacao and Sint Maarten issued lasting relationships.
rights to be viewed as necessary civil that remains intact within all of our a declaration for marriage equality
and human rights, and for them to societies; the notion of caring for in the Dutch Caribbean according to It seems like Aruba discriminates its
be extended to the remainder of the another, protecting that individual and Maikel Kelly. own people and makes their happiness
Kingdom of the Netherlands. growing together in life is an ideal that Same sex marriages have been legalized almost impossible to achieve. The
any individual can appreciate. in the United States and The House organizations from Aruba, Bonaire and
The groups opened by jointly declaring The resolution was written “with of Representatives in Holland has Sint Maarten made some interesting
“that the only acceptable end result of the recognition that LGBTI rights discussed whether to pressure Aruba to points about same sex marriages in their
the struggles for the rights of committed are human rights, and that marriage also legalize same sex marriages. declaration. ALFA Foundation will be
LGBTI couples is the granting of full equality falls within the scope of human Many of our same sex couples go to present at the Dutch Kingdom parade
marriage rights to same-sex couples in and civil rights.” The groups point to the Bonaire to get married; this shows their upcoming August 1 in Amsterdam to
each of the Caribbean countries within situation in the Netherlands and United desire to wed just like other couples. highlight the collaboration between
the Kingdom of the Netherlands.” States as “two countries that our people Bonaire gets more same sex couples the Kingdom countries when it comes
We urge lawmakers to consider the like to look up to where democracy and from Aruba to wed than any other to the sexually diverse community and
very notion of having their civil and civil rights are concerned.” country. their right to be treated equally.
legal rights removed or limited due to Parliamentary member Desiree de ALFA and Desiree Croes will represent
one aspect of their person, be it race, Sousa Croes along with Maikel Kelly Maikel Kelly member of ALFA Aruba in this parade and will also be
ethnicity or sexual orientation. from ALFA supports this cause remarked: “Why let our people spend present at the discussion about why
“What is being demanded is that access ALFA Foundation is an organization so much money to go to Bonaire and same sex marriages aren’t possible
to the package of legal protections, that works towards the emancipation wed, when they could just stay here in Aruba seeing that Aruba is a very
rights and benefits included in civil of the Aruban community regarding and wed.” Getting married in Bonaire tolerant and modern country.

6 LOCAL Tuesday, July 21 2015 - ARUBA TRAVELLER