National Strategic Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence Launched

The Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs (fourth from right) is flanked by (l-r), Mr Amilcar Sanatan, Assistant Director, Gender Affairs Division; Mr. Vijay Gangapersad, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Gender and Child Affairs; the Honourable Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds; Mrs. Sharon Clark-Rowley, Spotlight Initiative Champion; Ms. Tonni Brodber, Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean; His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago; Ms Shelley-Ann Hart, Director, GAD; and Ms. Je'nille Maraj, Planning and Coordination Specialist, UN Women MCO;  at the Launch of the National Strategic Action Plan for Gender-based Violence and Sexual Violence in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday 4th March 2024, at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.
UN Women Photos/Shurdelle Jennings

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, March 4th, 2024: The fruit of multiple rounds of multi-stakeholder consultations with governmental, civil, public, academic and international development partners, the National Strategic Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence (NSAP-GBV&SV) was launched on March 4th, 2024 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre.

The NSAP-GBV&SV is the largest financial and political national investment by Government to date to effectively combat GBV and SV. It is an evidence-based, comprehensive plan that addresses the Prevention of GBV and SV; Protection for survivors; Prosecution; Penalties; and Provision of Redress and reparations. The launch formed part of the Gender and Child Affairs Division’s commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024.

At the gathering of representatives of civil society organisations, international development partners and Government Ministries, the Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, stated that civil society played a crucial role, ‘When I was first elected and appointment Minister, civil society told me the NSAP GBV had to be finalised….this Plan was carefully reviewed by key stakeholders and carefully costed to ensure that the intended activities can be implemented and sustained.’

His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Delegation of the European also recognised the very significant work that has been done in the country under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative noting that with ‘108 EU delegations working on the struggle against GBV in Trinidad and Tobago, this nation is in pole position with its NSAP-GBV SV.’ The Ambassador also praised the ‘commitment, partnership, belief and Trinbagonian stick-to-itiveness for making a better future.’

Ms. Joana Kazana, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten, delivers remarks at the Launch of the National Strategic Action Plan for Gender-based Violence and Sexual Violence in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday 4th March 2024, at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre. UN Women Photos/Shurdelle Jennings

Ms Joana Kazana, the UN Resident Coordinator Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten, noted that this Launch is proof that on the global stage, Trinidad and Tobago has demonstrated its commitment to tackle issues that others shun, marking the start of the real work and real investment. She also reiterated the UN System’s commitment to continue supporting efforts like these.

Ms. Tonni Brodber Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean, stated  that we must all hold each other accountable, ‘This Plan will benefit every citizen, not just girls and women.’

Mrs. Sharon Clark-Rowley, Spotlight Initiative Champion voiced her gratitude to the country’s development partners as much of the development work of the NSAP-GBV&SV was conducted with the support of UN Women Multi-Country Office – Caribbean under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. ‘We must all continue to raise our voices in support of our sisters who are so often voiceless- our sisters who suffer from physical, psychological, economic and sexual abuse. They cannot continue to suffer in silence.’

In its development, it is expected that the cost to implement the NSAP- GBV and SV will be spread across sectors and the activities to be fully inclusive for all vulnerable groups, inclusive of the elderly and differently-abled. The activities include sensitisation; consistent administration of justice; implementing effective, inclusive and gender-responsive services, as well as improved mechanisms for redress and rehabilitation of perpetrators. 

The Government continues to employ ‘all of society’ and ‘all of government’ approaches to addressing national developmental issues. Every citizen and organisation are encouraged to be part of the solution to positively contribute to the advancement of gender equality and equity, and end all forms of gender-based violence.

For further information, contact:

Gender and Child Affairs, Corporate Communications Unit
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UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean
Email: [ Click to reveal ]