Jamaica govt finally speaks on Gender-based violence

Jamaica: Finally, there is a response witnessed from the authorities of Jamaica on Gender-based violence. The Spotlight Initiative has passed a 2021 work plan pointed at discussing the scourge of family and gender-based violence (GBV) in Jamaica and operationalizing the purposes and purposes outlined in Jamaica’s National Strategic Action Plan to Approach Gender-Based Violence.

What is this programme?

The Programme’s objective is to be achieved at a time of widespread crime and violence against women and girls remain to affect families and associations and hinder development towards the SDGs.

Worldwide, there is a 30 percent rise in reports of violence against women in some nations. More than 700 new cases in Jamaica were notified to the Victim Support Unit in March and April (2020) alone associated with previous months.

The 2021 work program will allow the Spotlight partnership to operate more closely with administration and civil society, strengthen legislation, improve services, and empower men, women, and children to discuss harmful gender norms that often promote violence as an acceptable way of solving problems. 

The work plan was passed at the Spotlight Initiative National Steering Committee conference on April 14. This year, The Spotlight Initiative will, amongst other things, focus on the foundation of nurses, police officers, justice system personnel, and other frontline workers in learning GBV.

What stakeholders have to say?

In his statements to Spotlight stakeholders, The United Nations Resident Coordinator denounced the spate of crime and violence and pledged the UN’s support to fight GBV.

“All leaders in administration, institutions, private sector and every well-thinking Jamaican must speak loudly and act strongly against gender-based violence in all its forms, anywhere it occurs and regardless of the perpetrators. Gender-based brutality is a violation of the right to life, a violation of the right to freedom from cruelty and degrading treatment, a violation of the right to freedom from prejudice, and the right to safety and security, Dr Conille stated.

Furthermore, He added, “the extensive and seemingly normalized acts of violence is an important disregard for human right, and presents a social, economic, and public health emergency of which all Jamaicans must be concerned.”

“This year’s work plan for the Spotlight Initiative, we hope, will guarantee that our trademark interventions tackling family violence and violence corresponding women and girls are fit for purpose and are responsive to today’s crises,” Dr Conille stated.

Ambassador Marianne Van Steen, EU Delegation to Jamaica, in denouncing the high levels of gender-based violence in the nation, announced, “Violence against women and girls is not just a misfortune for the victims, it’s a monumental failure for the communities where it occurs, Gender-based violence is also an influential obstacle to attaining equality between women and men, a requirement for achieving thriving democracies, successful economics, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

She added, “the consequence of impunity and silence on this matter is too high a price to pay, and sadly, too many women have already paid that price. For the sake of their families and close ones, let us go beyond condemnation to action. The Global Spotlight Initiative is one of the actions that the EU responds to finish this scourge.”

Professor Opal Palmer Adisa, Chair of Spotlight’s National Civil Society Reference Group, recorded that “Each of us has a right to be offended at gender-based violence, and to recognize that transformation of this nature requires deep thought, collaboration and an honest look at the root problems of the problem,” Palmer Adisa stated.

Recognizing the difficulties, Minister Grange, in her comments, shared, “the goals of the Spotlight programme must be maintained, and its efforts will have to be bolstered in significant ways.”

“The Spotlight Initiative will positively contribute to gender equality, social inclusion, and strength of human rights which are effective stimulants to poverty reduction and sustainable improvement,” Minister Olivia Grange stated.

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