The Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) is strengthening its partnership with key stakeholders to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and support young women and girls in vulnerable communities.

Under an agreement, which was signed on Tuesday, November 19 during a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Network (GBVPN) event at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, the stakeholders, which include public and private sector entities, will collaborate to carry out activities geared towards responding to and preventing gender-based violence in vulnerable communities.

One key aspect of the arrangement is the provision of assistance through the WROC’s GBVPN facility. Community members will be able to engage with civil society organisations, as well as public and private institutions, to discuss the gender-based violence issues they face. They will also receive support in seeking remedies for their situations.

Executive Director of the WROC, Keisha Williams, explained that the GBVPN, which was launched in 2021, aims to create a people-centred approach and provide real-time support and advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence.

She said through the network, the WROC has secured partnerships with over 15 organisations and implemented case management and referral systems for survivors.

“We have provided trauma-informed care counselling for many of our community members and implemented a robust case management system for survivors,” she added.

The Executive Director also lauded the partnership with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), including a grant from the organisation, which “has helped WROC enhance its impact on communities by expanding advocacy efforts in the fight against GBV”.

She noted that the grant focused on three key components—institutional strengthening, creation of a gender-based violence prevention network and small business development. Founded in 1983, the WROC works to improve collaboration among institutions that work to prevent gender and family violence, strengthen communities’ ability to reduce violence, and support survivors. The organisation provides outreach programmes, with a focus on health and wellness, sustainable livelihoods, community capacity-building and advocacy.

Among its key stakeholders are: the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Women’s Empowerment Benevolent Society (WEBS), Social Development Commission (SDC), Fight for Peace, Trench Town Community Development Committee, Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), Calvary Temple Church, Bethel New Testament Church, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Rose Town Foundation.