One Caribbean April 2018 by UN Caribbean

Monthly Bulletin: Issue #19 April 2018

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

STEERING COMMIT TEE MESSAGE Dear Colleagues,

Many of us across our countries have been working on the second iteration of the country or sub regional implementation plans (CIPs.SIPs). As we moved into another round of implementation, we are reminded of the need to address the cross cutting issues such as gender.

Following a successful International Women’s Day, we’re reminded of the importance of building and sustaining a Caribbean that continues to recognize the significance of social inclusion, particularly as it relates to gender.

Gender inclusion interlinks with the four pillars of the UN MSDF, specifically Pillar 1 - “An Inclusive, Equitable and Prosperous Caribbean”. This year has seen a substantial increase in gender inclusion from both global and regional levels. Last year, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the “System-wide Strategy on Gender Parity” and it was announced earlier this year that full gender parity has been achieved at the top leadership positions in the UN system. Likewise, the UN system in the Caribbean has continued to support women through various initiatives. UNFPA for Barbados and the OECS, with volunteer support, have continued to send dignity kits to pregnant women, nursing mothers and adolescent girls who were affected by the recent disaster in Dominica. Suriname also held a seminar on intimate partner violence and the UN system in Trinidad and Tobago participated in a “Women’s City Village” which promoted women entrepreneurs and civil society groups centred on aiding women.

The UN MSDF, which is directly anchored to the SDGs, aims at bettering the lives of the peoples of the Caribbean. As we move towards a more gender inclusive Caribbean, let’s keep in mind that equality and social inclusion is only possible if we all give a concerted effort.

Thank you.

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

BE IN THE KNOW.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PUBLICATION LIBRARY. MOST RECENT: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVERY

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

| 3

JOIN THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SDGS IN ACTION APP 4|

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

| 5

STAY UP TO DATE. CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR 6|

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

FEATURE ARTICLE

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

UN WOMEN IN BARBADOS CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Art as a fundraiser to support victims of gender-based violence was the focus of International Women’s Day in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Barbados’ second female Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason joined with women and men from across the public and private sectors at a fundraising initiative hosted by KPMG - Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and UN Women Caribbean. The event was held in support of the Shelter for Battered Women and Jabez House, both of which provide safe spaces for women.

The women are given pyscho-social support to rebuild their self-esteem and their lives, to function independently of the psychological trauma of the violence they experienced and to pursue life possibilities and the fulfilment of their fullest potential. They also benefit from mentoring and coaching as they seek employment.

The works of several female Barbadian artists were featured for sale with proceeds going towards the two women’s NGOs.

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

| 9

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAPPENING IN UN CARIBBEAN

10|

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

UNESCO SPEAKS UP FOR GENDER EQUALITY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY COMMEMORATED IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA One of the main events celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day in Jamaica was an International Symposium, hosted by the Bureau of Gender Affairs in partnership with AIDS Healthcare foundation and the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica, on the theme of “Empowering Women and Girls in Science, Technology and Business”. UNESCO, being a specialized agency of the United Nations

Photo: Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender , Entertainment and Sport gives a speech at the International Sympsoium. Photo Credit: Ministry of Culture, Gender , Entertainment and Sport

System havingGender Equality as one of its two global priorities was honoured

was represented by its Gender Focal Point who

to be among the invited speakers. The

described the Organization’s scope of actions

UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean

through a comprehensive speech. Read more here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN UN CARIBBEAN UNFPA & COMMUNITIES SUPPORT WOMEN, ADOLESCENT GIRLS, NURSING MOTHERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN DURING CRISES IN DOMINICA UNFPA with volunteer support from members of Project Discovery and United Youth Leaders assembled 588 dignity kits on Saturday 10 March, 2018 to be shipped to the Commonwealth of Dominica. A dignity kit essentially is a kit that includes items such as panties, sanitary napkins, soap, toothbrushes, and towels and are intended to help restore women’s dignity and increase their A volunteer aids in packing dignity kits.

mobility during crisis situations. Read more here.

11|

ONE CARIBBEAN 2030 Monthly Bulletin | Issue #19 Building ONE CARIBBEAN a Gender Inclusive 2030 Monthly Caribbean Bulletin | Issue #19 Building a Gender Inclusive Caribbean

|11

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN UN CARIBBEAN: PORT OF SPAIN CITY VILLAGE SHOWCASES WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2018, the City Hall of Por t of Spain was transformed into a “ Women’s City Village” for one day, on Wednesday 7 March, as par t of a week of activities showcasing women.

For this occasion, ECLAC Caribbean joined forces with the University of the West Indies, other UN agencies, including UNFPA, and local organizations including the Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago to suppor t the InterClub of Trinidad and Tobago, in highlighting the contribution of

rural

women

across

the

countr y.