RFAs: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence Response Programme (Dominican Republic)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is seeking applications to strengthen sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence (GBV) response systems for vulnerable communities in Elías Piña, Dominican Republic. The programme will support health facilities, community-based services, survivor-centred GBV responses, emergency protection assistance, and improved access to essential healthcare for migrant and Dominican women, girls, adolescents, and vulnerable populations.

Overview of the UNFPA Programme in Elías Piña

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a grant opportunity to improve access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and strengthen gender-based violence prevention and response systems in Elías Piña, Dominican Republic.

The programme targets vulnerable communities, including:

• Migrant women.
• Dominican women.
• Pregnant women.
• Adolescent girls.
• Vulnerable families living in border areas.
• Communities affected by humanitarian challenges.

The initiative aims to improve healthcare access, strengthen protection systems, and build community resilience.

Programme Objectives

The main objectives of the initiative are to:

• Expand access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.
• Improve maternal and newborn healthcare.
• Strengthen emergency obstetric care.
• Prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
• Improve referral systems for vulnerable populations.
• Strengthen health institutions and community response mechanisms.

The indicative budget for the programme is:

USD 90,000

Key Focus Areas

Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

The programme will improve access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare services through strengthened health facilities and primary healthcare systems.

Supported services will include:

• Emergency obstetric care.
• Basic maternal healthcare.
• Family planning services.
• Sexual and reproductive health information.
• Prevention and treatment support for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Clinical management of sexual violence cases.

The initiative will ensure women and girls can access timely and quality healthcare services.

Maternal and Newborn Health

A major focus of the programme is reducing risks related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Activities will include:

• Strengthening emergency obstetric care capacity.
• Supporting healthcare providers.
• Improving access to maternal health services.
• Ensuring pregnant women receive appropriate medical support.

The programme prioritizes women living in vulnerable border communities where healthcare access may be limited.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response

The programme will strengthen systems to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Key interventions include:

• GBV case management services.
• Training for service providers.
• Mobile safe spaces for women and girls.
• Referral systems for survivors.
• Survivor-centred protection services.

The programme will ensure survivors receive confidential, coordinated, and accessible support.

Community-Based Protection Mechanisms

The initiative will develop community-level systems to identify and support vulnerable populations.

Community approaches will include:

• Integrated community outreach.
• Mobile health brigades.
• Gender-based violence response teams.
• Early identification of protection risks.
• Referral and follow-up support.

These mechanisms will help communities access essential services more effectively.

Strengthening Health System Capacity

The programme will support health institutions by improving their ability to deliver integrated services.

Capacity-building activities may include:

• Training healthcare workers.
• Strengthening service delivery systems.
• Improving coordination between health and protection actors.
• Developing effective referral pathways.

The goal is to create sustainable healthcare and protection systems.

Emergency Response and Protection Support

The programme will provide emergency protection assistance for vulnerable groups during humanitarian situations.

Support may be provided to:

• Women affected by displacement.
• Adolescents at risk.
• Vulnerable families.
• Communities impacted by violence or disasters.

The initiative will strengthen preparedness and response capacity in priority areas.

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to achieve the following results:

Improved Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Women, girls, adolescents, migrants, and local communities will have improved access to:

• Healthcare services.
• Medical supplies.
• Sexual and reproductive health information.
• Emergency support.

Stronger Gender-Based Violence Response Systems

The programme will improve:

• Survivor-centred services.
• GBV referral mechanisms.
• Protection assistance.
• Access to safe support spaces.

Enhanced Community Protection

Communities will benefit from:

• Better identification of vulnerable individuals.
• Stronger referral networks.
• Improved follow-up services.
• Greater awareness of available support.

Who Is Eligible?

The grant opportunity is intended for organizations capable of implementing humanitarian health and protection programmes.

Eligible applicants should have experience in areas such as:

• Sexual and reproductive health.
• Maternal and newborn health.
• Gender-based violence prevention and response.
• Humanitarian assistance.
• Community engagement.
• Health system strengthening.

Organizations should demonstrate the ability to:

• Work with vulnerable populations.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers.
• Implement protection-focused programmes.
• Manage humanitarian projects effectively.

Why This Programme Matters

Border communities often face challenges including:

• Limited healthcare access.
• Migration-related vulnerabilities.
• Increased risks of gender-based violence.
• Barriers to reproductive healthcare.
• Emergency protection needs.

This initiative is important because it will:

• Protect women and girls.
• Improve maternal health outcomes.
• Expand access to essential healthcare.
• Strengthen humanitarian response systems.
• Support vulnerable communities during crises.

How the Programme Will Work

Step 1: Strengthen Health Facilities

The programme will support healthcare providers to improve:

• Sexual and reproductive health services.
• Emergency obstetric care.
• Sexual violence response services.

Step 2: Deliver Community Outreach

Community-based teams will:

• Identify vulnerable individuals.
• Provide health information.
• Connect people with services.
• Support referrals.

Step 3: Provide GBV Response Services

Survivors will receive:

• Case management.
• Protection support.
• Medical referrals.
• Safe spaces and counselling support.

Step 4: Improve Coordination and Monitoring

The programme will strengthen collaboration among:

• Health facilities.
• Community organizations.
• Protection services.
• Local stakeholders.

Application Considerations

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Clear implementation strategies.
• Experience in humanitarian health programmes.
• Strong safeguarding approaches.
• Ability to support vulnerable populations.
• Effective monitoring and reporting systems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Weak gender-based violence response plans.
• Lack of survivor-centred approaches.
• Insufficient community engagement strategies.
• Poor coordination with health systems.
• Ignoring confidentiality and protection standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of the UNFPA grant programme?

The programme aims to improve sexual and reproductive health services and strengthen gender-based violence prevention and response systems in Elías Piña, Dominican Republic.

2. Who are the main beneficiaries?

The programme supports migrant and Dominican women, pregnant women, adolescents, girls, and vulnerable communities in border areas.

3. What services will the programme provide?

Services include reproductive healthcare, maternal health support, emergency obstetric care, family planning, STI prevention, and sexual violence response.

4. How will gender-based violence survivors be supported?

Survivors will receive case management, referrals, protection services, mobile safe spaces, and survivor-centred assistance.

5. What is the programme budget?

The indicative budget for this initiative is USD 90,000.

6. How will communities participate?

Community members will be engaged through outreach activities, mobile health brigades, and local protection mechanisms.

7. Why is this programme focused on Elías Piña?

Elías Piña is a border area where vulnerable populations face increased challenges related to healthcare access, migration, and protection risks.

Conclusion

The UNFPA Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence Response Programme in Elías Piña aims to improve healthcare access, protect vulnerable women and girls, and strengthen humanitarian support systems. Through stronger health services, community engagement, and survivor-centred protection mechanisms, the initiative will help build safer and healthier communities in the Dominican Republic’s border areas.