RC Trebucq's Remarks at the Regional Spotlight Initiative's GBV Workplace Policy Launch Barbados

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

•        Hon Colin E Jordan -  Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Barbados

•        David Mogollon – Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM

•        Tonni Brodber – Representative, UN Women Caribbean

•        Jenny Karlsen - UNFPA Deputy Director, Sub-Regional office, Caribbean.

•        Mr. Wayne Chen - President, Caribbean Employers’ Confederation

•        Mrs Sheena Mayers-Granville - Executive Director, Barbados Employers Confederation

•        Fellow UN Colleagues present here; Representatives from UN Women, UNDP, UN Global Compact

•        All partners and companies participating in the declaration signing of the GBV Workplace Policies

•        Ladies and gentlemen,

A sunny good morning, and what a great performance that was! 

Today marks an important moment in our journey towards a safer, more equitable workplace for all. We’re here for the Declaration Ceremony and Media Launch of the GBV Workplace policies Implementation under the Regional Spotlight Initiative, in strong partnership with the EU. 

On behalf of the UN system, I extend my appreciation to the key partners today: the Barbados Government, the Caribbean Employer’s Confederation and Caribbean Congress of Labour, the European Union for their support and for their funding the regional Spotlight initiative making this all possible. I also want to commend my colleagues at UNFPA, ILO who collaborated with their respective know-how to support this policy work.

The Regional Spotlight Initiative is a comprehensive and ambitious program ending this year, bringing UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP in partnerships with the EU as the main donor, and CARICOM as the main regional counterpart. It seeks to boost efforts to end violence against of women and girls in the Caribbean. Scaling up the adoption of GBV workplace policies takes centre stage today.

In fact, the work on the policies emerged as a response to the pressing need to address GBV within the workplace, a space where many individuals spend a significant portion of their lives. Since the 1990s, the amount of women in the workplace has increased and consequently their risk to GBV due to unequal power dynamics that exist globally.  

As we see women and girls experiencing violence in private and public spaces, GBV has long been advocated as a public issue, and considering the amount of time we all spend in the workforce, we cannot allow the workplace to be an exception to this.

This is why I want to commend Barbados Government, and particularly Minister Colin Jordan for his leadership, on the ratification last year of the ILO convention 190 to ensure that workplace is free of violence and harassment. This is major breakthrough for Barbados.

GBV in the workplace is often unreported and under-served, negatively impacting individuals and organizations; and in the end their productivity. It is thus important that we all engage in meaningful responses, from top leadership to each individuals.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to see that this partnership brings us to today at a stage where partners will work with companies to implement policies that ensure a safe workplace for everyone. 

With the 2023 Global SDG Summit less than a week away in NY, this is welcome progress on our work to end gender based violence in the region and achieving the SDGs for people everywhere.  

So, today is a call to action to transform workplaces into spaces where everyone can thrive. To remain committed to forging partnerships, fostering collaboration, and creating a network of champions for gender equality.

The resources developed will be available to organizations and HR practitioners across the region, ensuring that our progress continues. We envision a future where at least 80% of participating companies will implement workplace policies that protect the rights and well-being of their employees. 

I would like to commend the 12 companies from three CARICOM Member States who have participated in developing the GBV Workplace Policy. 

I am also pleased that the Cipriani College will develop a Open Online Course for businesses to better understand GBV and develop policies to prevent it.

Congratulations once again to all the partners who have made this possible. Thank you Minister for your constant advocacy. I wish to assure you, that the UN System will continue to support the work undertaken in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to eliminate GBV in all its forms in the workplace and wherever it shows up.