Gender equality critical to national development - Minister Grange

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is critical to Jamaica's economic growth and social development, says Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia Grange.

"That is why gender equality remains at the heart of Vision 2030, Jamaica's national development plan," she said.

Grange was addressing the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 'Ring the Bell for Gender Equality For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment' event, held on Monday at the JSE offices, downtown Kingston.

She said it is in recognition of the importance of gender equality to national progress that the Government has developed and implemented several policies, programmes, plans and projects aimed at promoting equal access to opportunities and resources.

These transformative measures are designed to shore up protections for all persons, particularly for women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by a myriad of gender-specific issues.

Most notable is the Sexual Harassment Protection and Prevention Act, which came into effect on July 3, 2023, strengthening safeguards against sexual harassment that is employment-related, occurring in institutions or arising in the landlord and tenant relationship.

The Act contains provisions dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, schools, correctional institutions, places of safety, nursing homes, medical and psychiatric facilities, among other places.

Cabinet recently approved the establishment of the long-awaited Sexual Harassment Tribunal, which serves as the chief adjudicating body to enforce the legislation.

Intensive training in sexual harassment investigation is ongoing to equip authorised officers, human resource professionals and other personnel with the requisite skills to create and implement sexual harassment workplace policies in line with the parameters of the legislation.

Another programme is the 10-year National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Gender-based Violence (NSAP-GBV, 2017-2027) focused on prevention, protection, investigation, prosecution, and enforcement of victims' rights, through a multi-sectoral approach and in collaboration with various stakeholders.

As part of the implementation of the National Strategic Action Plan, the Ministry has operationalised the Continuum of Care for survivors of gender-based violence, which was launched in June 2022.

The 'Ring the Bell for Gender Equality' event was held in observance of International Women's Day (IWD) 2025, observed on March 8 under the theme 'Accelerate Action'.

IWD honours the achievements of women across all aspects of life - social, economic, cultural, and political - while also advocating for gender equality.

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