Project
The Caribbean Sheroes Initiative
In the Caribbean sub-region, at least one in three women has been a victim of at least one form of gender-based violence in her lifetime, making this one of the most widespread violations of human rights.
While the numbers on Violence against Women and Girls are shocking, the underlying traditional social norms that shape and perpetuate patriarchy's power structures still permeate all layers of society, leading to different forms of inequalities throughout our political, economic, and social systems.
Culturally sanctioned behaviors, preconceived notions of traditional gender norms and stereotypical gender roles are often openly or subtly manifested, leading to exclusion and unequal opportunities for women.
To address these power structures, UNESCO together with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies of the University of the West Indies (IGDS UWI), have launched the Caribbean Sheroes Initiative, a sub-regional Initiative that aims to produce knowledge and enhance the skills of young people to promote gender equality.
Culturally sanctioned behaviours, preconceived notions of traditional gender norms and stereotypical gender roles are often overtly or subtly manifested, leading to exclusion and unequal opportunities for women. We must strive for a positive redefinition of societal norms of femininity and masculinity to dismantle these gender-based prejudices and stereotypes.
Remarks from UNESCO Office for the Caribbean
Meet the 'Champions for Gender Equality'
Advocating for Women’s Social and Political Justice
- SISTREN Theatre Collective
- Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC)
- WMW Jamaica
Combatting Gender-based Violence and Victim Support
- Woman INC
- Advancing Economic/Workers Rights
- Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers
- Jamaica Household Worker’s Union
- Promoting Women’s Service, Participation and Leadership
- Soroptimist International Jamaica
- Jamaica Women's Political Caucus
Supporting and Advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Justice
- EVE for Life
- Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF)
- WE-Change Jamaica
- HerFlow Foundation
Special Recognition
- Linnette Vassell
- Joan French
UNESCO IGDS Caribbean Sheroes Initiative Celebrating Jamaica's Gender Equality Champions
Training Manual on Gender Equality, Development and Advocacy
The Training Manual on Gender Equality, Development and Advocacy has been developed by UNESCO in partnership with key experts from the Institute for Gender and Development Studies of The University of the West Indies, and it is based on the interactive and intensive mentorship and training curriculum employed to conduct the Sheroes Summer School and Regional Training. It has been designed with a focus on interactivity, applicability, and clear monitoring and evaluation of growth and learning. The modules contain assessment tasks, pedagogical support, and resources. It also provides guidance for undertaking mock advocacy work as well as building strong regional advocacy networks. The Training Manual, therefore, aims to enhance key competencies to support and promote the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) "achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" and UNESCO’s Priority Gender Equality amongst youth and youth-led organizations in the Caribbean sub-region.
