PM Holness Calls on Women to Lead Efforts in Guiding Men and Boys Away from Crime

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is urging women to play a more influential role in steering men and boys away from a life of crime and criminality.

“Mothers, you are your sons’ first teachers. You shape their values, their attitudes and their understanding of right and wrong. I urge you, talk to your sons, talk to them. It’s too late when they are staring down the barrel of a gun for you to do anything to help them. It’s too late when they are in the prisons, regretful of their past lives. Take the time now to talk to your sons.

If you know your son, your nephew, your boyfriend is involved in a gang or criminality, just pick up the phone or when you see them, talk to them. Plant the seed in their head, that they should turn away from this life,” the Prime Minister underscored.

He was addressing a special edition of the post-Cabinet press briefing in observance of International Women’s Day and Peace Day, at Jamaica House on Tuesday (March 4).

Peace Day is being observed today (March 4), while International Women’s Day will be commemorated on March 8.

Dr. Holness said the Administration has changed the reward risk function for crime.

“If you believe that you are going to live to enjoy the fruits of crime, you are mistaken. I say to the mothers who love their sons, to the girlfriends who love their boyfriends, to the aunts and cousins who love their male family members, talk to them.

“The message I have delivered here today cannot be more serious, and I believe we have given sufficient warnings to the criminals. So, if we see them being pulled into negative influences, I appeal to our women, reach out to them, save them, this is a different Jamaica. Let them know that there is an alternative, that there is a bright future,” he maintained.

Dr. Holness pointed out that the number of young men who are creating the problems in the society is no more than five per cent of the total cohort.

“So with the help of mothers, sisters, grandmothers, girlfriends and friends, if we can reach out to those problem five per cent, we can save their lives and we can put them on a pathway like the thousands of others who are struggling, who are facing the hardship the same way, but have decided that they are not going to engage in crime,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Jamaica’s future depends on the values that are instilled in the nation’s children.

“I believe in the power of our women, and I believe that if we come together as a nation, if women take a stand for peace and demand better from the men in their lives, we will see a safer, stronger and more united Jamaica.

“On International Women’s Day and on Peace and Love in Schools Day, let us stand together to build a Jamaica where women are respected, protected and empowered and… are playing an even stronger role in ensuring that our boys grow up to be real men,” Dr. Holness said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the empowerment of women is a national priority, noting that they play a vital role in shaping the nation.

“When women thrive, families are stronger, and when women are empowered, communities are safer and more peaceful,” Dr. Holness maintained.