The Grenada Spotlight Initiative, in collaboration with Government stakeholders, hosted a celebratory event to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.
The celebratory event themed "Spotlight on Results: Ending Family Violence" held on November 25, 2021, sought to highlight the impactful work being done by the Recipient UN Organizations, and Government and Civil society partners through the Spotlight initiative, to jointly contribute to the elimination of violence against women and girls in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq, opened the event, highlighting the significance of the 16 Days of Activism and the importance of this work, while quoting the prevalence of violence against women in the Caribbean and in Grenada.
“46% of women have experienced at least one form of violence over their lifetime, and this rate was 39% in Grenada," he stated.
Mr. Trebucq acknowledged notable results made under the spotlight initiative, including improvement of essential services to victims and survivors, enhancement of the Government's regulatory framework, and strengthening of the National Gender Machinery, the women’s movement, and civil society organizations. He commended the Government for its leadership and commitment, as shown by approval of the Standard Operating Procedures and introduction of gender budgeting in the national budget, which are central to addressing to gender inequality and applying the principle of “leave no one behind”. He also commended UNICEF, UNDP, PAHO/WHO and UN Women for their immense support to Grenada under the Spotlight Initiative and for delivering the Spotlight as one UN.
Caption: Minister of Social Development , Housing and Community Empowerment, Delma Thomas and EU Ambassador to Barbados , Eastern Caribbean Countries, OECS and and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Malgorzata Wasilewska were among those audience members participating in the event.
Mr. Trebucq emphasized that even while improvements have been made, further work must be done to achieve the goal of ending violence against women and girls.
“Let’s celebrate the successes we have seen so far, but let’s not forget that as we speak during this event, more girls and women are, or would be, abused,” he said.