This programme aims to improve the protection of women and girls in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, particularly Venezuelan migrants and host communities, by increasing the exercise of their rights to bodily integrity and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). This will include protection of women and girls from Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and strengthening of systems to respond to instances of GBV experienced by women and girls, inclusive of Venezuelan migrants in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and returning Guyanese from Venezuela as well as members of the Indigenous Peoples, as a segment of the host communities The project aims to reach 13,224 women of reproductive age from among the population of Venezuelan migrants and host communities in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. The project will also benefit approximately 14,658 sexually active men.
The expected outcomes of the project include: (1) improved effectiveness of partners to provide quality, rights-based and comprehensive SRH and GBV related services to vulnerable populations; and (2) increased agency of migrant women and girls and vulnerable populations in host communities to use inclusive, safe, comprehensive and quality SRH services.
Results achieved as of March 2024 include: (1) trained 1139 youths, parents, teachers, and community leaders on child sexual abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), and life skills training in all target regions; (2) accessed 500 migrants from Venezuela and Indigenous Peoples, and other residents of targeted host communities in regions 7 and 8 of Guyana to strengthen GBV life-saving services and GBV case management services; (3) procured 4000 dignity kits for Venezuelan migrant women and girls, returning Guyanese women and girls from Venezuela, and women and girls from the host communities in Guyana; (4) trained 315 persons in psychological first aid in Regions 1,7,8 and 9; (5) conducted Sexual and Reproductive Health mobile services outreaches, inclusive of GBV related services, in Regions 7, 8, and 9 in Guyana; (6) procured and distributed 630 English and Spanish child sexual abuse and GBV Manuals, 200 Life Skills Handbooks, 400 English and Spanish Child-Friendly Sexual Offenses Act, 320 GBV resources list handouts and 60 tote-bags with GBV messages in Regions 7 and 8, and 250 dignity kits in Trinidad and Tobago; (7) trained 25 participants in GBV risk reduction in emergency shelter units in Tobago; (8) trained 128 non GBV-specialist frontline workers within the disciplined forces in GBV core concepts, survivor-centred approach, GBV referrals, and GBV pocket-guide; (9) installed 36 SALMI (Logistics Management Information System) in pharmacies in Trinidad and Tobago; (10) 788 persons benefited from prenatal and postnatal services; and (11) trained 30 first responders, including service providers, community workers, programme staff, and interpreters to enhance the delivery of survivor centred services to help prevent sexual violence and to respond to the needs of survivors.