On December 7–8, 2023, at the request of the Gender Affairs Unit of the Division of Health, Wellness, and Social Protection of the Tobago House of Assembly, UNFPA embarked on a two day workshop to advocate for the inclusion of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence concerns into emergency shelter management planning. Led by GBV specialist Titian-Rose Whittle with co-facilitation by Maria Ariza - Regional GBV Specialist, Mandy La Fleur - SRH Specialist, and guest facilitator Sommer Hunte - Senior Protection Officer of UNCHR Trinidad and Tobago, the workshop stood out as a beacon of success, bringing together twenty-two government and NGO partners working in the field of shelter management and GBV mitigation and response in Tobago.

The workshop kicked off with an introduction to UNFPA’s Emergency Shelter Guidelines drafted by GBV Specialist Mariana Santoyo, emphasizing the importance of integrating sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence concerns into emergency shelter plans since it is an often forgotten area. It is a well known fact that GBV increases during emergencies and Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, Dr. Faith B. Israel, emphasized the need for such a workshop, saying that ‘ safety within such spaces (shelters) is important, especially when treating with vulnerable groups.’ 

The success of the Emergency Shelter Management Workshop lies not only in its comprehensive curriculum but also in its dynamic and interactive approach which allowed participants to reflect on key interventions to ensure that the needs of survivors are not endangered during their time within shelters.

As these professionals return to their roles armed with a clearer understanding of the need for GBV and SRH integration into their emergency shelter plans, we are confident that the workshop's impact will strengthen the resilience of emergency response systems and ensure that the needs of survivors are met.