Advancing Sustainable Development Through Human Security, Climate Resilience and Women’s Empowerment in the Caribbean

Duration: August 2019– September 2023
Budget: US$6,252,405 (UNTFHS: $1,917,405; Pooled Funding: $4,282,000)
Implementing Agencies: UN Women (lead), ILO, UNDP, FAO in partnership with UNFPA, UNICEF, RCO​

In the Caribbean region, middle-income countries are marked by decreasing aid flows despite lagging economic growth, high and unsustainable levels of debt, increasing poverty and inequality, climate change and disaster risks, and public safety challenges. Women and youth are disproportionately affected by these challenges as a result of low-income levels and high barriers to economic participation that further increase their vulnerabilities to economic, social and environmental shocks. ​

Coordinated by the UN Multi Country Office in Barbados, the overall goal of the programme is to enhance human security by advancing comprehensive and gender-responsive development with a focus on key economic sectors in the Caribbean, including farming, fishing, and related small‐business activities. The programme subsequently combines policy reform across the 14 CARICOM countries with community-based initiatives to enhance the capacity of vulnerable groups. Specifically, it aims to mainstream the human security approach in regional and national policies to: (i) strengthen and increase access to gender-responsive and disaster resilient agricultural, fisheries and small business extension services; (ii) improve social protection, insurance and financial programmes with enhanced access especially for female-headed households and unemployed youth; (iii) increase market access readiness and resilience for smallholder farmers and small businesses; and (iv) reinforce community resilience through advocacy and community engagement.

KEY MATERIALS
Programme Summary
Brochure “The Link of Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment and Human Security”
Article UNDP Barbados Stories: Amplifying the Voice of Women Farmers in Dominica
Article UNDP Barbados Stories: Shining the Light on Rural Women Farmers-Saint Lucia
Article Government of Barbados: Private Sector Partnerships Key to Boosting Production
News Article Barbados Today: Barbados Continues to Create Economic Opportunities for the Vulnerable.
Programme Summary on UNDP Website
How-to-Guide for Women Farmers and Small Businesses Entrepreneurs on Land and Small Business Registration
Gender Responsive Evaluation of the Impact of Relevant National Policies on Small Holder Farmers, Fisher-folk and Small Business Entrepreneurs in Five Caribbean Islands ​
Recommended Advocacy Initiatives about the Impact of Policies and Programmes on Non-State Actors in the Agriculture Sector