The Spotlight Initiative

The Spotlight Initiative 

The Spotlight Initiative(link is external) 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(link is external) and Agency Contributions

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

 

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.

Project Team Members

Isele Robinson-Cooper – Programme Office for Inclusive Growth and Social Policy

Nakeshia Quamina – Programme Assistant