182 Dignity Kits have been handed over to several NGOs for distribution to women and girls in need.

One-off grants were also distributed to several others yesterday by Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, and the National AIDS Coordinating Committee.

The kits include feminine hygiene products for use in emergency situations, and provide information for lifesaving services and much needed contacts.

They were donated by the UN Population Fund under the European Union funded Spotlight Initiative.

The organizations receiving kits were: The National Domestic Violence Shelter, Goshen of the Eternal Light Community, Vision of Hope of the Eternal Light Community, The Shelter, Business and Professional Women’s Club Halfway House, Serenity Place, Nekevah Rescue Centre, National Family Services, Conflict Women, My Golden Callin Abused & Battered Women Ministry, Rape Crisis Society, NWRHA County St George West Social Work Department, Com Talk International, Trinidad and Tobago Community of Positive Women, Groots TT, Immani Kinset, Friends for life, Vessels of Virtue and Light of Hope Full Gospel Ministries.

Meanwhile the grants will be used to provide technical support and financial assistance to civil society organizations working in the area of gender and development, child protection and development and HIV/AIDS issues and related matters.

14 organizations were awarded grants totaling $156,020.

They are: Caribbean Women’s Support Group, My Golden Callin Abused and Battered Ministry, Vessels of Virtue Theatrical Team, Light of Hope Full Gospel Ministries, the Trinidad and Tobago Federation of Women’s Institutes Inc., Bethesda-For Persons with Disabilities, Rhythmic Vibrations, Jesus Is The Answer Community Outreach, Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago, Men-of-Purpose, Revival Mission, Coalition Against Domestic Violence, We Code Caribbean, and Eye on Dependency.