Policy Action Being Taken to Promote Family Values – Prime Minister

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller stated today (May 1) that concrete steps in terms of policy action, have been taken so as to promote healthy family values in Jamaica.
“We have before Parliament right now the Child Pornography and Obscene Publication (Amendment) Bill which is also intended to protect family values,” said Mrs. Simpson Miller, while making her contribution to the 2007/08 Budget Debate in Gordon House.
She also informed that the Bureau of Women’s Affairs has continued to work on the Sexual Harassment Bill to protect women in an area of longstanding concern. “We are going after those who feel they have a right to women’s bodies and that they can use their influence and power to demand sexual favours and to discriminate against women when they stand up for their dignity,” said Mrs. Simpson Miller.
The Prime Minister also told the House of Representatives that the Joint Select Committee of Parliament would soon present its report on proposed amendments relating to sexual offences, to be made to existing Acts, such as the Offences Against the Person Act and the Incest Act.
“A National Assistance Act, relating to the PATH (Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education) Progamme, is now being considered as a replacement for the outdated Poor Relief Act, and will be presented to Parliament later in the year,” said Mrs. Simpson Miller.