Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Lessons Learned in the Caribbean

Authors/Editors

Drafted by Bautista Logioco and Lina Díaz (UN Women) and Keri Zolman (OSF), with technical inputs from Sahana Dharmapuri and Luke Englebert (OSF), and Delfina García Hamilton and Jenille Maraj (UN Women). Peer reviewed by María Verónica Espinel and copyedited in English by Guadalupe Del Carmen Valdés Morales and in Spanish by Constanza Narancio. Design and layout by Teresa López, UN Women Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean.

This policy brief examines how Caribbean countries are advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through the development of National Action Plans (NAPs), with a particular focus on the pioneering process in Trinidad and Tobago. Since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the WPS framework has expanded beyond traditional armed conflict to address broader human security challenges, including organized crime, human mobility, and climate-related risks.

The publication documents how regional cooperation, technical assistance, and peer learning supported Trinidad and Tobago in becoming the first Caribbean country to adopt a WPS NAP. It highlights the catalytic role of the 2024 WPS NAP Academy, organized by UN Women and Our Secure Future, in strengthening political commitment, institutional coordination, and strategic planning throughout the process.

Drawing on this experience, the brief systematizes key lessons on building political will, ensuring inclusive participation, strengthening strategic communication, and integrating budgeting from the outset. It also provides concrete recommendations for governments, civil society organizations, and international partners seeking to design and implement effective WPS NAPs. By showcasing a collaborative and adaptable regional model, the publication offers practical guidance to accelerate WPS implementation in the Caribbean and beyond.