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UNDP Programmes Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation, Kimberley Wilson speaking on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative. Kishan Khoday
Remarks delivered by UNDP Programmes Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation, Kimberley Wilson on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative. Kishan Khoday
Thursday, 20 February 2025 | 2:00 p.m. | AC Marriot Hotel, 1 – 3 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5
Salutations
• Grace-Ann Stewart-McFarlane – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
• Shehryar Sarwar, Head of International Cooperation, High Commission of Canada
• Dr Deborah Duperly Pinks, S or International Assistance Officer, High Commission of Canada
• Diahann Gordon Harrison – Children’s Advocate, Office of the Children’s Advocate
• Carolyn Reid-Cameron– Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender
• Janek Forbes and Ms. Tamera Merchant, Assistant Directors, Public Prosecutions
• Laurette Adams-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Child Protection & Family Services Agency
• Dr. Christine Hendricks, Executive Director, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities
• Gloria Goffe, Executive Director, Combined Disabilities Association
• Members of staff of the UNDP, Ministry of Justice and CAD
• Directors and staff of Civil Society Organizations
• Other specially invited guests
• Members of the media
Good afternoon.
On this World Day of Social Justice, being celebrated under the theme “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps of Social Justice” the United Nations Development Programme welcomes the opportunity to highlight and reaffirm the stellar potential of an inclusive justice system – one that is established on the universal principles of equity, access, participation and rights.
By shaping a more Inclusive justice system, we are expanding access to justice among marginalized groups, and paving the way for the achievement of Vision 2030 Goal # 2 “the Jamaican society is secure, cohesive and Just.
Although this right of access to justice is enshrined in international law and guaranteed by our constitution, barriers persist, largely driven by stereotypes, discrimination and unaddressed structural deficiencies.
UNDP is happy to be partnering with the Ministry of Justice to identify and implement solutions which are systematically dismantling the remaining barriers, through the Social Justice project financed by the Government of Canada.
Levelling the playing field needs government at the forefront of change, but the breadth of the challenge requires partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to mobilize community level actions, insight, advocacy and access to non-traditional sources of funding and resources.
By partnering with seven CSOs serving key vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Justice has employed innovative marketing techniques to increase demand for its social justice services.
These powerful alliances are represented here today, led by seven CSOs who will share how justice and school tours, information sessions, cognitive and behavioral therapies, sign language interpretation classes and other innovative outreach strategies are bridging gaps and boosting demand for these critical services.
I would like to thank all our partners for their contributions and to congratulate them for their successes. Please join me in recognizing and applauding the: Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica; Circle of Care Jamaica; Jamaicans for Justice; Jamaica Association for the Deaf; Jamaica Professionals Youth Workers Association; Children First and the Multi Care Youth Foundation.
Collectively, Government representatives, CSOs and donor institutions constitute a formidable union in securing equitable human rights and gender responsive justice services for all. Together, we can build a culture of inclusive justice that ensures services are equally accessible to vulnerable the communities such as women, girls, persons living with disabilities and other key populations.
Academia has also played a critical role in generating the data and thought leadership to ground our solutions in evidence. By convening a Social Justice Conference in 2024, the University of the West Indies has brought together service providers to share lessons and best practices and strengthen their capacity to deliver more effective services to groups typically marginalized from the justice system, such as persons with disabilities.
We must expand these CSO partnerships to youth-led groups, citizen safety and security groups, and other potential allies, and also strengthen the referral systems. I call on the wider CSO community to join these important efforts to bolster access to social justice services, share information where access is being denied, share contact information with those in need and to engage with us to discuss how they can participate in our outreach programmes.
Partnerships have been key to the achievement of results under our Rule Of Law and Citizens Safety and Security pillar. Notably , these partnerships will remain key to the achievement of our Vision 2023 and Sustainable Development Goals. Let us therefore not underestimate the immediate and longer-term impact of our combined efforts. Today’s CSO showcase is a powerful example of this truth and our collective commitment to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions and reducing inequalities.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you.
We must expand Civil Society partnerships to youth-led groups, citizen safety and security groups, and other potential allies, and also strengthen the referral systems (to ennage more vulnerable communities). I call on the wider CSO community to join these important efforts to bolster access to social justice services, share information where access is being denied, share contact information with those in need and to engage with us to discuss how they can participate in our outreach programmes.Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative
