Caribbean Sheroes Initiative: Training Manual on Gender Equality, Development and Advocacy

The Caribbean Sheroes Initiative is a joint project of UNESCO and the Institute for Gender and Development Studies Regional Coordinating Office (IGDS-RCO), University of the West Indies aimed at producing knowledge and strengthening skills among young people to promote gender equality. The Initiative also honours Civil Society OrganiSations that champion women’s rights and gender equality.

This Initiative is significant because the Caribbean continues to be affected by high rates of gender-based violence wherein approximately one in three Caribbean women will be a victim of gender-based violence in her lifetime. Despite the ongoing work of individual activists and organiSations, social norms, political and economic systems remain entrenched in patriarchy and historical and colonial experiences which undermine the autonomy and well-being of women, girls, and other gender and sexual minorities.

In 2021 UNESCO and the IGDS launched a Caribbean Sheroes Initiative Resource document that both celebrated Gender Equality Champions and collated their wisdom, tools, and methods for advancing gender equality. That knowledge is interwoven into this manual as inspiration and best practice.