Increasing security concerns across the Caribbean set the stage for a two-day experts’ meeting in Guyana on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). Bringing together regional stakeholders and international specialists, the hybrid meeting focused on developing National and Regional Action Plans that will strengthen institutional responses, address gender-based violence, and enhance women’s role in peace and security efforts.

"GBV in the Caribbean is influenced by a combination of cultural norms and socio-economic disparities. Until we address these norms, no matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many millions of dollars we give for reforming the courts and making them a nice place to come to, until we make people feel empowered and until we are assured that within intimate relationships and all other relationships, that these are relationships of equal human beings, we will continue to see the same problems recur."

rinidad and Tobago has made history as the first Caribbean nation to officially launch a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), with a focus on tackling gun and gang-related violence. This milestone underscores the country’s commitment to fostering safer communities and enhancing national security through inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts

Hosted by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with UN Women, and OSF, a high-level workshop brought together key government officials, civil society representatives, and international partners to finalise the operational framework for implementing the WPS NAP, ensuring it moves from policy to action

A call to establish a CARICOM Envoy to lead the Caribbean’s journey to achieve just, peaceful and resilient societies and the commitment of solidarity and support by the African Union, UN Women, and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, were some of the major outcomes at the event

UN Women, in collaboration with CARICOM and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom (FCDO UK), convened a high-level regional consultation on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). The virtual event brought together government officials from CARICOM Member States, civil society leaders, development partners, and members of the diplomatic corps to explore how gender perspectives can be further integrated into national and regional peace and security efforts.

Following the successful Gender Equality Forum in May 2024, UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) - Caribbean has continued its advocacy with a series of virtual tours, designed to sustain the conversation on gender equality and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) issues.

At the recently concluded Gender Equality Forum in Antigua and Barbuda, more than two hundred stakeholders, coming from more than 40 countries across all SIDS regions as well as non-SIDS areas and representing a wide range of constituencies and sectors, committed to the vital advocacy for and implementation of key actions to ensure that gender equality is at the center of the SIDS agenda.

Government representatives, leaders from women's and civil society organizations, and regional intergovernmental frameworks met to assess the challenges for peaceful and safe societies in the Caribbean

The “Vulnerable Population Response for Bahamas Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies Program” is a three-year initiative which will be implemented in collaboration with a wide range of justice stakeholders locally. The program is designed to prioritize access to justice for marginalized populations, enhance redress and support mechanisms for survivors and victims of violence, and provide long-term rehabilitation support for perpetrators.

The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative is supporting The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) Family Conflict Unit with its data capture and management of gender-based violence cases.  Officials from the EU and UN Women presented computer equipment to the specialised unit of the BPS to process, store, and analyse data on gender-based violence.

Trinidad and Tobago is committed to implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda as a way to address national security issues. Too often the rights of women and girls, as well as their insights and experiences, have been neglected and overlooked when responding to conflicts including crime, violence and other security challenges. The establishment of a National Action Plan will allow for women to be valued for their role as equal partners in the reduction of all forms of violence.

The UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) - Caribbean, seeks to partner with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Trinidad and Tobago, to rollout and implement the UN Women Foundations Programme to continue engagement with men and boys, the security and justice sector, and within marginalised and vulnerable communities

As COVID-19 layers crisis upon crisis in communities affected by climate change and conflict, gender-responsive action is urgently needed

UN Women welcomes the conviction of Bosco Ntaganda by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 8 July 2019 for crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2002 and 2003. The former rebel leader was found guilty on 13 counts of war crimes and 5 counts of crimes against humanity, including rape, sexual slavery, displacement of civilians, and enlisting and conscripting child soldiers under the age of 15 and using them to participate actively in hostilities.

During a four-country visit in the Caribbean region from 18 to 23 May, the UN Women Executive Board discussed measures to improve court processes to assist survivors of gender-based violence; observed initiatives at work to identify and mitigate the gendered risks of natural disasters; and emphasized their support towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka warmly welcomes the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2018 to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.

In a statement for the first International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on 19 June, UN Women recounts the historic firsts this year in combatting sexual violence in conflict.

Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the UN Women Executive Board First Regular Session of 2016 on 9 February in New York.

At the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law at National and International Levels, that is taking place during the 67th UN General Assembly, world leaders will focus on strengthening the rule of law, underlining its central role in securing international peace and security, furthering development and the achievement of universal human rights.