The Spotlight Initiative 

The Spotlight Initiative seeks to impact change regarding gender inequitable social norms, attitudes and behaviors at community and individual levels to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and Harmful Practices. The overall goal of the Spotlight Initiative in Trinidad and Tobago is to reduce gender-based/family violence through a focus on several outcome areas. 

There are: 

• Laws and Policies
• Institutions
• Prevention
• Essential Services
• Data
• Women’s Movement 
•  Civil Society 

UNDP’s area of focus is on outcome 4 – Essential Services. This will be done by ensuring the implementation of integrated, quality, and accessible services by improving the institutional capabilities of essential service providers.  This will be evidenced by timely accountability, problem-solving and increased use of services by survivors of family violence.

Fast Facts

Value of Project: USD 1,498,219

Duration: 4 years (extended to 2024)

Donor: European Union and Agency Contributions

Implementing Partners: Government (Office of the Prime Minister, Gender Affairs, Planning and Development, Office of the Attorney General), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Victims and Witness Support Unit and Civil Society including the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Completed Activities

• Over three hundred (300) police officers including first responders, station managers, and community police have been trained in Gender Responsive Policing. Training is ongoing with the curriculum being introduced as part of the Police Academy.
• Additionally, community empowerment sessions were completed by ten (10) civil society organizations (CSOs) within three (3) regions across Trinidad and Tobago on topics of human rights and legal literacy of underserved communities.