A Caribbean observatory on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) was launched on Thursday, October 30 in a bid to not only monitor but act on gender-based violence, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said.
The group, also set to improve coverage, access to, and uptake of both SRHR and gender-based violence services for vulnerable populations, and promote social monitoring towards the advancement of integrated SRHR in the region.
The observatory is also expected to provide timely and independent analysis and will serve as an advocacy platform for changing harmful social norms across the Caribbean.
UNFPA SRHR Programme Analyst Davina Gayle-Williams explained that the observatory will focus on developing the legal and policy framework to advance SRHR legislation to uphold these rights for all in the Caribbean.
The observatory will also focus on countries’ commitments to human rights instruments, periodic reviews and plans of action, she added.
The UNFPA analyst also indicated that services of the observatory will target vulnerable populations, including women of reproductive age, women 50 plus, women living with HIV, indigenous women, unemployed women, women with mental health issues and those experiencing gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, men and trans people, trans women, and those whose gender is non-conforming.
