PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This initiative supported the Government of Ecuador in strengthening capacity on gender-based violence cases for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM), with Canadian expert JoAnn Meloche, collaborated with the Government of Ecuador to strengthen the capacity of the experts at the Comprehensive Assessment Attention Unit (UAPI – Unidad de Atención en Peritaje Integral) of the Ecuadorian Attorney General’s Office to integrate a gender-based perspective. This integration aimed to enhance the quality of investigations and prosecutions related to gender-based violent crimes, promote changes in the judicial context to improve the services provided, and offer inclusive, unbiased, and efficient services.
JoAnn provided recommendations based on international standards, best practices, and lessons learned in trauma-informed investigations and prosecutions. She shared the Canadian Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) initiative and explained how the victim and survivor-centered approach was implemented during the Canadian criminal process.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Delivered a three-day training workshop on best practices
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Submitted a Needs Assessment Report and Capacity Building Plan
- Developed and secured approval for a user-friendly practical guide
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The initiative enhanced the Attorney General’s Office’s capacity to implement gender-sensitive policies and services that improve access to justice, including the development of a forensic manual on best practices for addressing gender-based violence.A key lesson learned is that managing expectations requires continuous monitoring, clarification, and reinforcement throughout the process
Direct Project Reach:
- 74 participants engaged through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 164 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement activities
Public Engagement Activities:
- Canadian expert JoAnn Meloche:
- Lectured on the initiative at the University of Ottawa
- Participated in legal and academic events, including “Les questions de l’heure en droit pénal”
