Remarks delivered by Stacy Ann Tomlinson Knox, UNDP Programmes Specialist, on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative Kishan Khoday

7 March 2025 | 8:30 am to 3:30 pm | The UWI Regional Headquarters

Salutations

•    Shehryar Sarwar, Head of International Cooperation, High Commission of Canada
•    Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, University of the West Indies Pro-Vice Chancellor, Graduate Studies and Research
•    Professor Shazeeda Ali, Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI, Mona
•    Professor Lloyd Waller, Director, The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), UWI Mona
•    Specially Invited Guests,
 

Good morning! 

I am delighted to bring remarks on behalf of United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Dr Kishan Khoday who is out of the country and unavoidably absent. He has asked me to convey his sincere appreciation to the University of the West Indies for convening critical discussions around women’s rights and equality in law, as the world speaks with one voice in commemorating International Women’s Day.

This timely symposium on the eve of this important date, and days before the 30th anniversary review of progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Plan of Action, reminds us that our quest for a world in which women are safe, secure and empowered, is advanced, but far from over. 

Far too many women and children continue to be victims of gender-based violence.

Far too many women and children continue to be held back from realizing their true potential.

In Jamaica, for example, more than one in four women between the ages of 15 and 64 years of age, experience physical and/or sexual violence from their intimate partners;

One in five experience childhood sexual abuse, mostly by someone they know. 

The 2025 commemoration of International Women’s Day must contend with these troubling issues, and their sobering implications for securing women’s rights and their connected development aspirations. 

Women must have unfettered and equal access to secure their personal development dreams and to participate in national and global development efforts without hindrance or threat of violence. The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals depends on securing this equitable balance in our gender norms. 

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Jamaica’s   progress in addressing the institutional and regulatory gaps has been exemplary. I commend their visionary work and foresight in advancing and amending critical gender-based legislation and institutional arrangements that are levelling the playing field and creating a safer and more supportive environment for women and children. I applaud their robust legislative agenda which has strengthened the regulatory environment. 

UNDP has been honoured to contribute to these efforts as part of our commitment to social resilience and inclusion and citizen safety and security and rule of law through our 2022 to 2026 Country Programme. Under the Joint United Nations Spotlight Initiative funded by the European Union, UNDP has supported Jamaica’s vision for a one stop victim centre, expansion of the domestic violence intervention centre network and strengthened data collection and evidence-based development plans. 

We are particularly proud of our support to the legislative agenda through our collaboration with the Institute of Gender and Development Studies Regional Coordinating Office (IGDS-RCO), focusing on the submission of recommendations, one of many by various groups, to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament. We focused on relevant amendments, including removal of discriminatory provisions and the inclusion of appropriate protections in the Sexual Harassment Act, Domestic Violence Act, Offences Against the Person Act, Sexual Offences Act, and Childcare and Protection Act, Child Pornography (Prevention), Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) and Cyber Crime (Prevention) Acts among other critical legislation.   

UNDP applauds the IGDS’ robust participatory approach anchored on a Survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), awareness-raising and Advocacy Training, and commends the findings for further national review. 

For example, distrust and lack of confidence in the legal system represented the most significant barrier preventing vulnerable groups from accessing justice. A sensitive, client centred justice system that supports the various needs of vulnerable groups without re-victimizing those in need will be crucial to building trust. 

Policy makers should also take note of their findings concerning the long-term effects of trauma as experienced by victims and service providers and ensure differentiated responses for long term support. One stakeholder’s assertion that the legal system is “like an obstacle course for victims,” justifies further strengthening the client centred approach adopted by the justice system. An efficient feedback loop should ensure timely and responsive action. 

I second the call in the report for consolidation of efforts to combat Gender based violence, coalescing around the efforts of civil society actors partnering with agents of the state. Also, continuing public education will be critical, given the low levels of awareness of rights, protections, and how to access these provisions, especially among lower income groups. Knowledge is essential to survivor empowerment and to cultivating an inclusive justice system. 

As we seek to support Jamaica in consolidating the gains of the justice reform agenda, UNDP will partner with the Ministry of Justice under the Social Justice Project to develop an Access to Justice Policy and a Witness Care Policy. These critical policies will help to increase protection of the most vulnerable while creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for everyone to access justice.

Empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls – will be central to all efforts, ensuring intergenerational transfer of skills, resources and technology to continue to the fight for as long as the challenge remains. 

As we commemorate International Women’s Day under the global theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, we are joining in a worldwide call to unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all, leaving no one behind.  

On the journey to a world where peace, justice and strong institutions are the norm and gender equality prevails, we are strengthened by our collective ideals and by the support of our outstanding donor partners. I wish to thank the Government of Canada for financing today’s event under the Social Justice project as part of its continuing support for justice sector reforms. 

In partnership for our cherished goals, we will move closer to achieving our inclusive vision of justice for all.