Women, girls, and youth in the region remain a priority as UNFPA strengthens its support for them.Through one of its programmes to highlight support and empower youth, women and girls, Canada-funded Build Back Equal (BBE) project aims to improve the economic and social equality for women and girls by taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the barriers women face to sexual reproductive health services and products, economic empowerment and providing increased sustainable opportunities for their economic growth. Jointly implemented by UNFPA and UN Women, the BBE project is currently running from 2022 to 2026 in Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia.
As part of the outreach from the implementing partners, stakeholders' workshops were conducted to educate and empower partners on the Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) toolkit. . In St. Lucia, the St. Lucia Planned Parenthood Association (SLPPA) trained 25 individuals during a two-day workshop to deliver the material specifically to out-of-school youth. Among the St. Lucian contingent were organizations spearheading work locally within underserved communities including LGBTQ+ (758 Pride), persons living with HIV (Tender Loving Care), Youth (Ministry of Youth and Sports and YAM St. Lucia) and Persons living with disabilities (St. Lucia blind welfare Association and Lady Gordon Opportunity Center). Participants were introduced to the following areas: Introduction to UNFPA CSE Toolkit; Sexuality; Gender & Sexual Orientation; Values/Interpersonal Relationships; Healthy Boundaries; Sexual Reproductive System; Pregnancy; Gender based violence; Contraceptives & Safe Sex.
Meanwhile in Grenada,December 4th saw the commencement of a similar activity being executed by the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA). The trainers gathered participant feedback to assess the training and content. Overall, attendees found the two-day workshop informative, interactive, and engaging. Many also felt it was timely, aligning with the focus on the HFLE curriculum pilot.
The CSE was scheduled to be rolled out during the year 2024 in the BBE countries to enhance the work already being provided by the implementing partners and the other state stakeholders who engage youth women and girls.
UNFPA and the Dominica Planned Parenthood Association (DPPA) partnered with the NGO Circle of Friends to champion inclusivity by creating a comprehensive sex education curriculum for persons with disabilities. With support from the Government of Canada, Circle of Friends developed this innovative curriculum, setting a new standard in the region. Dominica led the way as the first of the four BBE countries to launch a Braille version of the document, highlighting their commitment to accessibility and empowerment. This braille document will now allow persons who are blind to be adequately informed about the various aspects of sex education and the choices they have and how to negotiate choices. The excitement surrounding this new product stems from its purpose as a sexual health curriculum tailored for children with special needs and disabilities. The material was met with enthusiasm and appreciation by those who will use it. Additionally, the region is now better positioned to share this resource, offering a valuable tool to support the education of individuals who are blind.
At the handover ceremony for the Braille product in Dominica, Ms. Batula Abdi, Technical Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health with the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, provided an overview of what Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) truly entails. Addressing the audience and media, she debunked misconceptions circulating in the media and urged attendees to seek accurate information. She emphasized the importance of using facts during implementation to help communities understand the value of the CSE toolkit.
In another collaborative effort between UNFPA and the DPPA, the DPPA was in celebratory mode with its November outreach programme called “Movember” which focuses on men’s health and healthy living. As part of the initiative, a session on men’s penile health was held, bringing together athletes, coaches, and administrators in Dominica. Addressing the gathering was Liaison Officer for Barbados and the OECS,DeJane Gibbons who reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to the enhancing and supporting of the engagement of males into SRHR conversations and activities as it augurs well for the holistic transformation of the cycle of GBV and other related challenges.
