As the nation observes Child Month in May, Government Senator, Dr. Saphire Longmore, is calling on law-abiding citizens to be more protective of children from sexual predators. During her address in the Senate on Friday (May 10), Dr. Longmore cited the recent killing of children and emphasised the need for parents and guardians to protect the nation’s youth. She noted...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has launched an anti-violence campaign in Hanover, to raise awareness and help stem the occurrence of violence against women and children. The ‘Violence Prevention against Women and Children’ campaign was launched on May 13 as part of the Hanover SDC’s week of activities, at its Watson Taylor Park office in Lucea, Hanover. The Hanover SDC...

Jamaica is in the process of preparing the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (BPfA) + 25 progress report. The document is a visionary agenda for advancing the rights of women and gender equality worldwide agreed on during the 4th World Conference on women in 1995. The report is to be submitted by May 1, 2019 to UN Women through...

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr. Grace McLean, says Government will continue instituting policy changes aimed at tackling gender disparity within the education sector. “Certainly, there have been specific efforts to focus attention on gender disparities in education. There is an emerging need to reflect and focus in a proactive manner on transforming attitudes,...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, says he is ensuring that at least 30 per cent of participants in the agriculture and entrepreneurship programmes under his portfolio are women and young people. He said that the objective is to promote inclusive growth and development. He cited initiatives being undertaken through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC),...

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) will host the official launch of the inaugural Adolescent Mothers Parenting Conference on Tuesday (April 16), at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston. Activities for the conference include testimonials from WCJF alumni, as well as an interactive discussion forum. Endorsed by the Government through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is appealing to women involved in abusive relationships to seek help through the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), for which she has portfolio responsibility. “We have systems in place and there are help call numbers… where women who are in distress can seek support,” she said. The BGA’s numbers are...