March 17, 2016: Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis during a courtesy call on March 16 from a delegation of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), comprising Mr. Esteban Caballero, Regional Director of the UNFPA Caribbean and Latin America Office, Ms. Sheila Rouseau, Director, UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean and Ms. Aurora Noguera-Ramkissoon, Liaison Officer- lamented on the increase of teenage pregnancy cases in Trinidad and Tobago.
The UNFPA confirmed this and added that rates of HIV infections in young females have also increased. Both of these instances were related to instances of earlier sexual initiation of children in our society. Although the issues mentioned are regional, Trinidad and Tobago has taken the lead in seeking alleviation measures, which is very encouraging to the UNFPA according to Ms. Roseau and therefore made this meeting with the Planning Ministry more urgent to begin a solution oriented discourse.
Also discussed were opportunities for further collaboration for development, focusing on evidence based policy outcomes and continued technical guidance and support.
Background
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) continues to be a significant develop partner of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, having begun its relationship with the Caribbean since 1969. This organization has been instrumental in providing support in addressing several key initiatives in recent times including:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Gender Based Violence
- Population Dynamics including support to the Census and evidence-based planning
These areas of support have produced the following outputs to date:
- Completion of the Trinidad and Tobago Population Situation Analysis that addressed such issues as:
o Demographic change and inequality
o Fertility and Sexual and Reproductive health
o International Migration
o Quality of Life and Health Care
o Jobs
- Development of the National Population and Development Policy (2015-2021)
- Development of a Draft National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy
- Training of public officers in specific areas of need
For further information please contact:
Communications Department
Ministry of Planning & Development
868-627-9700 ext 1457