Jamaica Has Made Strides in Empowering Women

Executive Director of the National Family Planning Board, Dr. Denise Chevannes-Vogel, has commended the strides made by Jamaica in empowering women.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Dr. Chevannes-Vogel, cited the right to vote and hold public office, and training, housing, and legal reform measures, as some of the causes championed by Jamaican policy makers, which have benefitted women.

She noted that Jamaica is also party to several international conventions and agreements that give a voice to women worldwide.

These include the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women; the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women 1994; the International Convention against Transnational Organised Crime along with the Protocols to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000).

Dr. Chevannes-Vogel noted that the International Convention on Population and Development, to which Jamaica is also a signatory, places individual dignity and human rights, including the right to plan one’s family, at the heart of development.

“These conventions and agreements are aimed at empowering women to take their rightful place in peace negotiations, reject violence and trafficking and be protected and guaranteed reproductive health rights,” she said.

Dr. Chevannes-Vogel noted that the time is fast approaching when Jamaica must give account for its stewardship in meeting the various targets such as the Millenium Development Goals, which means that engagements, discussions and behaviour change must be accelerated.

She said it is important for the needs of women to be met in relation to planning and the prevention of STI’s/HIV/AIDS, gender equality and the right to make free informed decisions.

She said Jamaica should continue to pave the way and that the democracy enjoyed by women should not be taken for granted but celebrated.

The Executive Director said that in envisioning a country where women enjoy freedom to make sexual and reproductive health choices, and zero tolerance of violence in all forms, “Jamaica must push forward with our lens focused on sustainable development, achievement of population targets and growth in the economy”.