The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC), through the Strengthening Access, Inclusion and Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SAIL-SRHR) Project, joined civil society partners at the Justice for All Expo 2025 on December 10 at the Sir William Grant Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The Expo, organized by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), brought together stakeholders working to advance human rights, justice, and community awareness.
CVC and the SAIL-SRHR Project hosted a joint booth focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence, engaging adolescents, parents, and guardians through informal conversations, educational materials, and interactive question-and-answer activities. Over the four-hour event, approximately 41 adolescents and 22 adults visited the booth and participated in discussions on consent, bodily autonomy, healthy relationships, and access to SRHR services.
The interactive format proved especially effective with young people, many of whom shared that SRHR conversations are often uncomfortable or limited at home and in school settings. The booth created a safe, non-judgmental space where adolescents felt more confident asking questions and learning from peers. Parents and guardians also engaged in candid dialogue, reflecting on their own challenges in discussing SRHR while recognizing the importance of accurate, age-appropriate information as a protective tool.
The Expo’s impact extended beyond the booth through a live Edge 105 FM radio broadcast and stage-based interactions that amplified SRHR messages to a wider audience. During the event, Nichole Morris, Field Manager at Alinea International, underscored the value of meeting young people in accessible public spaces.
“The SAIL-SRHR Project supported the JFJ Justice for All Expo by co-funding the event. This helped ensure the expo’s success and demonstrated its commitment to youth-friendly, rights-based approaches to health and justice. This partnership aligns with SAIL-SRHR’s broader goal of working with stakeholders to create environments where adolescents and vulnerable groups can access services freely and without barriers,” Morris said.
Morris hailed the event’s success noting that, “The venue choice was excellent because it allowed many adolescents to access the park and engage directly with the expo. This provided a valuable opportunity for them to receive important information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through both the SAIL-SRHR booth and the Ministry of Health booth. Additionally, the outdoor radio broadcast significantly expanded our reach, ensuring that even those who were not physically present became more aware of the project and where they can access SRHR information and services. The combination of direct interaction and broader public engagement made the event a powerful platform for raising awareness and empowering youth.”
Despite environmental challenges such as strong winds and fluctuating foot traffic, the engagement provided valuable insights for future outreach. For CVC and the SAIL-SRHR Project, participation in the Justice for All Expo 2025 reaffirmed the importance of community-based dialogue, partnerships, and accessible spaces in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents and vulnerable communities across Jamaica.
The SAIL-SRHR project is being implemented by CVC and the Jamaica Family Planning Association with funding support from Global Affairs Canada.
