Commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

In line with the unified theme for the 16 Days of Activism 2022, the Spotlight Initiative Trinidad and Tobago collaborated with government and supported civil society and other stakeholders to engage in activities for elevated advocacy and awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). 

Collaboration with government partners

Government partners and Ministries engaged in activism by posting the Spotlight Initiative’s Public Service Announcements (PSAs) against Gender-Based Violence from Nov 25-Dec 10 on social media platforms and on State media (TV and radio). Five (5) PSAs were produced featuring Spotlight National Champions Mrs. Sharon Clark-Rowley and Muhammad Muwakil, EU Ambassador Peter Cavendish and CEO of the Heroes Foundation, Lawrence Arjoon.

The aim of the campaign was to implement a coordinated approach to awareness raising to prevent VAWG and to provide tailored messages that support positive norms and prompt reflection on the harmful norms that drive VAWG.

Media outreach- Content collaboration with Guardian Media

Led by the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, this activity was a collaboration with Guardian Media to highlight the issue of Gender-Based Violence, entitled 16 Days of Conversation. Content focused on the work against GBV performed by UN agencies, civil society and government, told through beneficiary stories. Stories were featured in 15 newspaper articles in the Trinidad Guardian, including 9 pre-edited news stories in the CNC3 7pm newscast, 3 live CNC3 morning show interviews and 10 live radio conversations on Freedom 106.5. Full coverage here.

UNDP/UN WOMEN collaborates with Parliament to honor women through art

In commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of CEDAW, CCoTT, UNDP and UN Women collaborated with the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago to host an art exhibition from Nov 25-Dec 16 in the Parliament’s Rotunda Gallery entitled “Honoring Womanhood: Eliminating the Scourge of Violence”. See digital catalog here.

Supporting partner activities 

PAHO and UNFPA participated in the panel hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Well-Being, in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) 2022.

The Caribbean Gender Alliance, recently constituted in November 2022, held a series of activities for this year’s commemoration of 16 Days, focusing on VAWG, LGBTQ+ rights, Child rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Sensitive Education and Training. The Caribbean Gender Alliance, is a regional partnership of organizations working to strengthen the women’s movement and promote healthy gender relations across the Caribbean. The Gender Alliance also organized a Womentorship session at the British High Commission, bringing together young women, activists, artists and academics to share experiences; held two We Remember Memorial Walks for victims of domestic violence, and organized a series of thematic webinars on ending femicide, understanding domestic violence and the law, support for family issues and defending human rights. 

The Spotlight Initiative also partnered with the She’s Royal Committee of the Queen’s Royal College to host a student forum alongside UWI Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Men Can/PISON Solutions and the Rape Crisis Society.