Gov’t Prioritising the Advancement of Women and Girls

The advancement of women and girls in Jamaica is a top priority for the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, specifically through portfolio agency, the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA).

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, underscored this while speaking during Sunday’s (March 3) International Women’s Day (IWD) commemorative church service.

The service was held at Gregory Park Baptist Church in St Catherine under the local IWD theme, ‘Investing in Women and Girls in Leadership to Accelerate Gender Equality, Equity and Socio-economic Empowerment’.

Ms. Grange said the Ministry’s work is guided by a legislative framework, which includes “a robust and enabling policy agenda to provide protection and support for women and girls”.

She indicated that the Government has implemented the National Policy for Gender Equality; the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021; the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Gender-based Violence (NSAP-GBV) in Jamaica.

“These are part and parcel of the regulatory framework which forms a huge backdrop to facilitate meaningful investment in our women and our girls,” she said.

Additionally, the Minister said a policy was introduced to ensure that the composition of all government Boards has a minimum 30 percent representation of either women or men to balance the scale.

Ms. Grange maintained that investing in women and girls is non-negotiable and intended “to accelerate change towards achieving gender equality, equity and socio- economic empowerment”.

“The investment fosters social policy development, extensive research and sensitisation and awareness raising on a vast array of gender-specific issues for mentorship, coaching and capacity-building,” she pointed out.

Ms. Grange noted that the rise of persons in female leadership positions is ample evidence of the achievements gained over several decades and serves as an example of what is possible when there is support and encouragement for women.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended members of Gregory Park Baptist Church for their role in implementing outreach programmes that benefit women and girls within the membership and wider community.

“We see the vibrant and active Women’s Federation Group and the work of the Mission and Evangelism Departments in counselling, health and wellness, helping hands, learning centres for prayer and visiting, and I really want to applaud you,” Ms. Grange added.