UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 85) With regard to the eradication of violence against women, in February 2014, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Central Registry on Domestic Violence for the purpose of collecting, collating, and analysing data on gender-based violence as a basis for informing policy and programmes aimed at reducing gender-based violence. An Inter- Ministerial Committee was also established in that same year to oversee the setting up of the Registry.
Para 86) Other initiatives in relation to the eradication of violence against women include the review of the Domestic Violence Act, 1999 which was conducted in 2014-2015 with a view to introducing reforms for the greater protection of victims of domestic violence; the construction of 6 new safe house facilities for victims of domestic violence to be completed in 2015; and the implementation of Women City Centres which will provide integrated services for women relating to violence against women, economic autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, community education and child care.

Mid Term progress Report:
As regards the eradication of all forms of violence against women and gender-based violence, the Government has adopted a multi-faceted approach:
-A multi-sectoral Committee on Domestic Violence produced a Procedural Manual for Police Officers and a Report including comprehensive recommendations for addressing domestic violence. The Procedures Manual was approved by Cabinet.
-The Family Court initiative, which was piloted in 2003, provides victims of domestic violence with access to mediation and redress. Currently the Judiciary is in the process of reviewing the Family Court project with a view to expanding it throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Victims of domestic violence are able to have their cases heard in the Family Court, in an environment that is more private, and less adversarial than the Magistrate Courts or the High Court.
-Increased sensitization on the Domestic Violence Act, 1999 which provides Protection Orders for victims, as well as penalties, fines and possible imprisonment for breaches of the Protection Order.
-Participated actively in the negotiation of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which is the first ever Treaty to recognise the link between gender-based violence and the international arms trade. Trinidad and Tobago has submitted its candidature to host the Secretariat of the ATT.

National Report:
Para 36) Since its establishment in 2011, the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Advocacy and Sustainability Centre (HASC) continues to promote the implementation of the principles of Trinidad and Tobago's National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS in all workplaces. In this regard, the HASC signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 26 organisations in the private and public sectors, informal economy and trade unions, which signified the organisations' commitment to developing and implementing individual HIV/AIDS workplace programmes. In addition, the HASC conducted sessions on HIV/AIDS and the world of work with 236 organisations in the public and private sector, unions, non- governmental organisations, members of the informal economy and training organisations.
Para 79) A review of national policies and legislation to ensure conformity with regional and international agreements was completed. Areas for legal reform identified in the report included ... discrimination on the basis of age, disability and HIV; ...

Mid Term Progress Report:
The Government has developed the Trinidad and Tobago National Strategic Plan (NSP) which is now in its second cycle. The first NSP was developed in 2004 and was an important step in articulating a shared strategy among the various stakeholders to address the spread of HIV in the country. For its second cycle (2013-2018), the NSP seeks to consolidate the gains of the past strategic planning period to 2009 and to date, while addressing the weaknesses in the delivery of services, programme implementation and management, with a view to scaling up the response to meet local, regional and global targets for mitigating the spread of HIV.