The Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), hosted the Situation Analysis Presentation and Strategy Co-Creation Workshop on Child Poverty and Programmes Supporting Child Well-being and Poverty Reduction in Trinidad and Tobago, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country's National Child Well-being and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The Trinidad session of the workshop, held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at the Courtyard Marriott, Port of Spain, brought together representatives from Government Ministries and Agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to review and engage in discussions relating to the findings of the situation analysis, which was part of the project commissioned by UNICEF in partnership with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and conducted by the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI).
The report drew on findings from the National Multidimensional Child Poverty Analysis (2025), a mapping of one hundred and fifty–four (154) social sector programmes, twenty–three (23) key informant interviews conducted with representatives from Government Ministries and Agencies, and a series of focus group discussions involving children, caregivers, and frontline service providers.
Offering valuable insights into the well-being of children across different stages of development, the report identifies critical gaps in existing policies and programmes, and highlights priority areas for intervention. The findings are expected to inform the design and implementation of targeted, coordinated strategies aimed at reducing child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Delivering the feature address, Senator Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, underscored the importance of evidence-informed policymaking in addressing one of the nation's most pressing development challenges. She noted that while the report highlighted encouraging indicators of progress, including improvements in access to education and the provision of certain basic services, it also revealed persistent vulnerabilities affecting children and families.
Among the challenges identified were issues related to nutrition, immunisation coverage, housing conditions, access to safe and reliable water, sanitation, early childhood development, educational engagement, and digital inclusion. Senator Dr. Chaitan-Maharaj emphasised that these challenges are interconnected and, when left unaddressed, can contribute to cycles of poverty and exclusion that persist across generations.
"Child poverty is not simply an economic issue. It is a development issue, a health issue, an education issue and a social issue. Ultimately, it is a national development issue,"
she said, adding that,
"When children are denied opportunities during their formative years, the consequences extend beyond individual households. Conversely, when we invest in children, we create stronger families, more resilient communities and a more prosperous nation."
The workshop also featured strategy co-creation sessions designed to validate the findings of the report, identify priorities for action, and develop recommendations to inform the National Child Well-being and Poverty Reduction Strategy. Participants were encouraged to contribute their expertise and experiences to shaping practical, sustainable, and measurable solutions to address child poverty and improve child well-being across Trinidad and Tobago. A similar workshop is scheduled to take place in Tobago on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The findings and recommendations emerging from the workshops will aid in the development of a comprehensive National Child Well-being and Poverty Reduction Strategy aimed at ensuring that every child in Trinidad and Tobago has access to the opportunities, support, and resources needed to thrive.