Obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Sherene Kalloo has been recognised as Woman of the Year 2012 by Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE).

ASPIRE's chairman, attorney Lynette Seebaran-Suite, presented an award to Kalloo at a breakfast meeting at Capital Plaza in Port of Spain on Monday.

Kalloo was selected as ASPIRE's Woman of the Year 2012 based on her work in the area of domestic violence.

Kalloo, 49, told the Express there was still much to be done with respect to domestic violence, pointing out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected that by 2020, depression will be the second highest cause of morbidity in the world.

Kalloo said globally women suffered twice as much from depression as men. "We have to have a sense of readiness and preparedness for the management of cases related to depression and stress-related disorders," said Kalloo.

"Health caregivers need to be aware of this increase and therefore there is need for urgent planning for the management and preparation for a tsunami of stress-related illnesses," she added.

Kalloo noted that there had been successes as it related to initiatives for the benefit of women.

"This year has been a successful year for women with the introduction of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine being one of the measures that the Government implemented. The passion now is to move forward to try and reduce the instances of maternal mortality," said Kalloo.

Kalloo was one of the doctors who was instrumental in implementing the HPV vaccine in this country.

She noted that there was an increase in these rates in this country, with a figure of 60 to 70 per every 100,000 compared to 56 per every 100,000 in 2010, according to WHO figures.

"I feel very humbled to receive ASPIRE's award. It's good to know that women are recognised for their contributions to helping others and I appreciate the recognition and appreciation for the work I have done over the years and my genuine love for helping and educating women in health and self-empowerment," said Kalloo.