Pregnant refugees and the most vulnerable women and girls in Trinidad and Tobago will benefit from a new phase of the Equal Sexual and Reproductive Health (EQUAL SRHR) Initiative. Supported by Global Affairs Canada, this phase focuses on improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, including those for gender-based violence.

This initiative, launched in October 2022, aims to strengthen systems addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and enhance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) within Trinidad and Tobago. It forms part of Canada’s comprehensive 2021 response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis, incorporating an inclusive approach that caters to all individuals regardless of social status, geographical location, gender identity, disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

The focus of this initiative in Trinidad and Tobago is to bolster national efforts aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy rates, combating gender-based violence, and improving maternal health outcomes. Through collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives (TTAM), the initiative will provide enhanced access to maternal health services for pregnant refugees and migrants. Nicole Reece-James, President of TTAM, emphasized, “Access to quality sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services is a fundamental human right and essential for improving outcomes for mothers, children, families, and communities.”

UNFPA will continue to work closely with government bodies, civil society organizations, and UN agencies to ensure that program initiatives are integrated and complementary. This collaborative effort is expected to yield substantial benefits for Trinidad and Tobago, advancing gender equality and enhancing health outcomes