Violence against women, children among issues discussed

The Jamaica House committee to address gender-based violence met recently and agreed on several critical areas of immediate focus to address the mounting problem in Jamaica.

Senator Sandrea Falconer, minister with responsibility for information, said the recent meeting of the interdisciplinary committee established by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has reviewed wide- ranging recommendations to reduce the scourge of violence against women and children. These recommendations were compiled by the Bureau of Women's Affairs.

The list of priorities that are critical in the fight against gender-based violence is:

• public education and training
• shelter
• sustainable livelihoods
• gender and institutional strengthening.

Falconer said that a final document would be taken to Cabinet for its recommendation.

Contributing to the discussions were director UNFPA Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, Geeta Sethi, and executive director of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, Faith Webster. Sethi congratulated the government for its participatory approach to overcome the higher risk that girls face from sexual violence, forced prostitution and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.