Gender and Gender Equity Integral in Policy Decisions – Prime Minister Holness

The Government continues to take a deliberate approach to dealing with the matter of gender and gender equity, says Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

“Gender is now a part of the matrix of consideration for whatever policies we put in. I would even say, in contemplation of the budget, gender is a specific parameter that we consider,” he said.

The Prime Minister was addressing guests attending an International Women’s Day breakfast, hosted by his wife and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, at Jamaica House in St. Andrew, on Wednesday (March 8).

“Some of the most robust debates that we have in Cabinet are around these issues…. It is an unfortunate acknowledgement that sometimes, as Government, when we are faced with the list of priorities, and as men are in the majority of the offices of Government, in particular at the executive level, we sometimes, without malice or any ill… the way we look at things as men, sometimes we miss the important things in policy. But we are getting better. We are mainstreaming, meaning when we think about policy, we think about gender,” he said.

The Prime Minister said legislative changes are being taken to address the issue of violence in Jamaica, particularly gender-based violence.

These include amendments to the Offences Against the Person Act and the Domestic Violence Act.

“We have taken the decision that we will bring them back. Those legislation which have already been reviewed and debated and the amendments even drafted, that we are going to bring them back on the front burner and have them dealt with in the coming financial year,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness lauded and thanked the wide cross section of women from varying sectors who attended the function.

In her welcome, Mrs. Holness encouraged women to continue uplifting and supporting each other, pointing out that “we are here to highlight us, our achievements.”

During the event, the attendees brainstormed on several topics, including partnerships, creating a non-violent society, education, health and wellness, safety and security, embracing equity, and the empowerment of women.

“Coming out of today’s session, I am going to endeavour to make one commitment; we won’t meet as a large group like this. But I think we need to continue it… what will be the course of action going forward,” she said.

Among the attendees were: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Marisa Dalrymple- Philibert; social entrepreneur, Emprezz Golding; educator and entrepreneur, Nicole McLaren Campbell; Director of Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewelyn; Student Services and Development Manager, University of the West Indies, Dr. Nadeen Spence, and Associate Pastor, Go For God Family Church, Marsha Morgan.

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement.

Its observance aims to highlight issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.