• Home
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT THE UN
    • UN ENTITIES IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR OFFICE
    • THE UN IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • OUR TEAM IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • CONTACT US
  • SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
    • Joint Programmes
  • STORIES
  • RESOURCES
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEOS
  • PRESS CENTRE
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • SPEECHES
    • MEDIA CONTACTS
  • Statements
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT THE UN
    • UN ENTITIES IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR OFFICE
    • THE UN IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • OUR TEAM IN BARBADOS AND THE OECS
    • CONTACT US
  • SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
    • Joint Programmes
  • STORIES
  • RESOURCES
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEOS
  • PRESS CENTRE
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • SPEECHES
    • MEDIA CONTACTS
  • Statements
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Press releases

5 March, 2019
​UN Launches Spotlight Joint Programme in Grenada
PictureUN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq and Grenada's Minister of Social Development, Delma Thomas exchange the signed county documents for the Spotlight Grenada Country Programme.

 
​Ahead of the International Women’s Day observance on March 8, the Government of Grenada, the European Union and the United Nations today partnered to launch in Grenada the Spotlight Initiative. This is a global joint United Nations and European Union initiative aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. With a total financial commitment of €500 million by the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative is being implemented in all continents. The Caribbean will receive €50 million for implementation of a Caribbean Regional Programme as well as a number of country-level programmes. Grenada is one of six countries selected in the Caribbean, together with Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago that will benefit from a specific country allocation to respond to family violence.  
 
The high-level launch brought together senior government officials, Members of Parliament, representatives of the European Union, the United Nations and civil society organisations, as well as officials from the private sector, the media and academia. It began with an official Signing Ceremony of the Project Agreements in the morning and ended with an evening Lighting Ceremony that culminated with the illumination of the Parliament Building, with the coloured lights expected to remain lit for seven days. The latter, signifies the programme’s intention of shining a spotlight on violence against women and girls, to give prominence to this issue, while supporting prevention, protection, service provision and women’s economic empowerment.
 
Reaffirming the commitment of the Government of Grenada to ending violence against women and girls, The Honourable Prime Minister told persons attending the launch: “We consider this issue to be so crucial because of its impact on all aspects of our lives, and we pay a heavy price socially and economically. Grenada recognises that gender equality is required if we are to experience a state where there is harmony and progress for everyone.”
 
Ambassador to the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Daniela Tramacere, in delivering remarks underscored that "Our success will be measured by the positive impact made in the lives of victims. We all have a role to play. Watching silently from the sidelines is not an option".
 
In his address, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, lauded Grenada’s ongoing efforts.  “I want to commend the Government of Grenada for its leadership in addressing the issue of gender-based violence, and in actively mainstreaming the SDG Agenda into its country programming. This provides a strong framework for the UN to increase its joint support to the country, by leveraging the individual strengths of our UN agencies to deliver results that will reduce violence against women and girls in Grenada and enable them to fulfil their potential.”
 
Chairperson of the Interim Civil Society National Reference Group, Jeannine Sylvester highlighted the critical role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in this fight. “As CSOs we have always had the task of and renew our commitment  through the launch of this project today, to continue to speak out on the issue of GBV and educate people within communities of the negative impact of all forms of violence especially on our women and girls.”
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in the world today. In the Caribbean, gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, is identified as one of the most prevalent forms of violence, sustained by a culture of silence and denial, presenting a major obstacle in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.  
 
The Spotlight Initiative will therefore see the UN System for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the Government of Grenada, and civil society organisations partnering to respond to family violence through legislative and other measures. The Program will be implemented in two phases: the first which will end in December 2021, and the second phase concluding in December 2022, with Grenada receiving a funding envelope of €2 million for the entire duration of the programme.
 
 Over the next three years, the joint programme will focus on delivering the following actions: reform of the  procedural law governing the conduct of legal proceedings and  enhanced victim rights policy frameworks for improved service delivery: improving the capacity of national institutions to  plan, fund and deliver evidence-based programmes that prevent and respond to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); and expansion of existing programmes that promote positive social norms and prevent family violence against women and girls. The initiative also supports improving the delivery of services to survivors of family violence, collection, analysis, monitoring, storage and dissemination of VAWG data and implementation of activities which focus on improving the capacity of national civil society organisation’s to design, implement and monitor VAWG prevention programmes; and establish social accountability mechanism and outreach and advocacy initiatives. 
 
The Spotlight Initiative in Grenada will contribute to the achievement of gender equality, peace, social inclusion and protection of human rights, which are catalytic for sustainable development (particularly SDGs 5 and 16) and inclusive growth, in accordance with Agenda 2030, as well as the priority areas of the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework, and the Grenada’s Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan (GEPAP). 

 For more information and media queries please contact:
Ms. Carol Gaskin, United Nations Barbados and OECS at (246) 467-6110 or [email protected] or Mr. Delroy Louison, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Social Development, Housing & Community Empowerment Grenada at (437) 440-2269/457-6890 or [email protected]om

Media Contacts:
Ms. Carol Gaskin
RCO
Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy at (246) 467-6110 or [email protected] 






September 2019
Small Island Developing States, on the Front Lines of Climate and Economic Shocks, Need Greater International Assistance 

September 2019
To Address Worsening Climate Crisis and Scant Progress on Sustainable Development, UN Looks to Countries and Private Sector to Mobilize Resources 

September 2019
UN Summit on Sustainable Development Goals Kick starts Ambitious Action to Deliver for People and the Planet

​September 2019
​WHO Welcomes Landmark UN Declaration on Universal Health Coverage  

September 2019
Summit Delivers Major Step Up in National Ambition and Private Sector Action on Pathway to Key 2020 Climate Deadline

September 2019
UN Hears Caribbean Climate Concerns 

September 2019
Photo Contest to Raise Human Rights Awareness

September 2019
UN Eastern Caribbean sharing its progress on UN Reform: towards the achievement of the SDGs in the region

September 2019
PAHO issues $3.5 million donor appeal for humanitarian health response in the Bahamas

August 2019
UN Resident Coordinator Supporting Rebuilding Agenda

August 2019
United Nations Resident Coordinator Visits St. Kitts and Nevis

June 2019
Two students recognized through the Spirit of the UN Award


ABOUT
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
STORIES
About the UN
The UN in Barbados and the OECS
UN Entities in Barbados and the OECS
The Resident Coordinator Office
Our team in Barbados and the OECS
Contact Us
​Jobs
The Sustainable Developments Goals in Barbados and the OECS
Stories in Barbados and the OECS
RESOURCES 
PRESS CENTRE 
LEGAL
Publications
Photos
​Videos 
Press Releases
Speeches
​Media Contacts 
Copyright
FAQ
Privacy Notice
Fraud Alert
​Terms of Use 
United Nations House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church, Barbados 
Picture
​© Copyright 2019 United Nations Barbados and OECS