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Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen

Sexual Harassment Tribunal to Become Operational in 2024/2025

The Sexual Harassment Tribunal will become operational during the 2024/2025 financial year, states Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Delivering the 2024/2025 Throne Speech in the the House of Representatives, today (February 15), the Governor-General said the...

Chairperson, Board of Directors, Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF), Debby-Ann Brown Salmon (second left) and Interim Executive Director, WCJF, Novelette Howell (left), accept a cheque from Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Dr. Lansford Douglas (right) and Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Emiliana Bernard Stephenson. The presentation, which is in support of the WCFJ’s A-STREAM programme, took place on Thursday (February 8) at the entity’s headquarters, 42 Trafalgar Road, St. Andrew.

Women’s Centre Gets $310,000 from Diplomatic Corps

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, speaks in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday (February 6).

Nominees for Sexual Harassment Tribunal to Be Taken to Cabinet February 12

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, delivers statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 6).

Employers and Heads Must Have Sexual Harassment-Prevention Policy in Place by End of June

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill (second left), speaks with (from left) Consultant, PriceSmart Foundation, Dr. Bridgette Barrett; Founder/Executive Director, Young Women of Purpose (YWOP)/Young Men of Purpose (YMOP), Lanisia Rhoden; Technical Specialist, Socio-economic Development, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Charmaine Brimm; and Deputy Director General, Corporate Governance and Management, PIOJ, Kirk Phillips. The occasion was Monday’s (January 29) launch of the Realise, Embrace, Achieve Your Purpose (R.E.A.P) Women Entrepreneurship Project 2024 at the PIOJ in New Kingston.

30 Women Poised to R.E.A.P. Rich Dividends under New Entrepreneurship Project

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, makes a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 16).

2 years ago Gender Affairs

Amended Domestic Violence Act Takes Effect January 22

The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023, which will provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence, is to come into effect on Monday, January 22. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the disclosure during a Statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 16). “This government, and indeed the whole House, has demonstrated its...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith.

2 years ago Gender AffairsSenate

Senate Passes Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act

Members of the Senate, on Thursday (December 21), passed the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, which will provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence. The legislation has been amended to provide for increased penalties for breach of Protection Orders from a maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of $1 million, and a sentence of up to one year in prison....

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, addresses yesterday’s (December 13), opening of a One Stop Victim Unit, operated by the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and located at the Denbigh 4-H Centre in Clarendon.

2 years ago Gender Affairs

Unit Opens at Denbigh 4-H Centre to Deal with Gender-Based Violence

Persons in the parish of Clarendon and surrounding communities who experience various forms of gender-based violence can now get support at a One Stop Victim Unit located at the Denbigh 4-H Centre. Operated by the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), it was established with support from various agencies and the Spotlight Initiative (SI). Delivering...

Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission in Jamaica, Dr. Christian DaSilva (left, seated), and General Manager of the Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society, Eurica Douglas (right, seated), sign the Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF) grant agreement, during a ceremony at the Courtyard by Marriott in New Kingston on Thursday (December 7). Observing the signing (from right) are Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic; and Global Affairs Canada Director General for Central America and the Caribbean, Sylvie Bedard.

2 years ago Foreign AffairsGender Affairs

Canadian Gov’t Awards $19.5m to Organisations Supporting Vulnerable Jamaicans

The capacity of three local organisations that work with vulnerable communities has been bolstered by the Canadian Government through its Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF). Grant funding totalling Can$170,467 (approximately J$19.5 million) has been awarded to the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Bureau of Gender Affairs and Clarendon Parish Development Committee Benevolent Society. LEAF supports local organisations in eight...

2 years ago Gender Affairs

JPs Urged to Familiarise Themselves with Sexual Harassment Act

Social worker at the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Avrie Allen-March, is encouraging Justices of the Peace (JPs) to familiarise themselves with the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention), Act 2021, so they can share it with persons in their communities. Addressing JPs at a virtual sensitisation session on Tuesday (December 5), Mrs. Allen-March said JPs must be able to “arm other...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, speaking during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 5).

2 years ago Gender AffairsParliament

Joint Select Committee to Review Amendments to Domestic Violence Act

A joint select committee of Parliament is to be established to review the proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 5). She was responding to questions raised by Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, who queried...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.

2 years ago Gender Affairs

Gender-Based Violence Helpline and Sexual Harassment Investigation Units Officially Launched

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has officially launched its Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Helpline and Sexual Harassment Investigation Units. These are in response to the high incidence of gender-based violence across Jamaica. The units were opened by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, during Wednesday’s (November 29) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) banner event,...