The Ministry of Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, and Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security, has made significant strides in crafting a robust Sexual Harassment Policy for the protective services. Following months of deliberation, the initiative has advanced into a critical phase, reinforcing Saint Lucia’s commitment to fostering a safe and respectful workplace environment.
The policy development process began with extensive consultations aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for anti-sexual harassment measures and redress procedures. This groundwork led to a pivotal phase in early February, marked by focus group meetings and a Train-the-Trainer workshop, facilitated by Ginette Johnstone from Catalyst Plus. These sessions provided key stakeholders with insights and strategies to implement effective preventative measures and response mechanisms.
With the successful completion of a three-week consultative phase, the project is now set to shift into high gear in April. The upcoming phase will once again engage protective services personnel and the Department of Gender Affairs in structured discussions to refine and finalize the policy. This continued engagement underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive policymaking and ensuring the concerns of all stakeholders are addressed.
This initiative is jointly supported by the Government of Saint Lucia and the Canada-Caricom Expert Deployment Mechanism (CCEDM). Their backing has been instrumental in driving the policy forward, aligning Saint Lucia’s protective services with international best practices in workplace safety and gender equity.
As this project enters its next phase, the collaborative efforts of all involved are expected to lead to the establishment of a clear, enforceable, and effective anti-sexual harassment policy, reinforcing Saint Lucia’s dedication to safe and equitable work environments across all protective services.
