United Nations Jamaica 76th Anniversary

THE SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE IN JAMAICA Key Milestones of the Spotlight Initiative to Date OUTCOME 1: Policy and Legislation The Spotlight Initiative supported legislative reform for the following Acts to strengthen EVAWG, gender equality and non- discrimination that respond to the rights of women and girls. » Domestic Violence Act, » Sexual Offences Act, » Child Care and Protection Act, » Offence Against the Person Act, » The Sexual Harassment Bill The programme also strengthened staff of human rights institutions and Civil Society Organizations in their understanding of laws around ending VAWG & to advocate for legislative reform and policies on ending VAWG. OUTCOME 2: Institutional Strengthening » In collaboration with government agencies, the programme supported the development of National Strategies and Plans to prevent and respond to VAWG: » At the parish level the Clarendon and St Thomas Local Sustainable Development Plans were updated to incorporate VAWG strategies. » VAWG strategies were also integrated in national crime prevention programmes through a collaboration with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), that resulted in the inclusion of VAWG Prevention Strategies aimed at supporting the elimination of violence against women and girl in the Zones of Special Operations. » To support the sustainability of EVAWG interventions the University of the West Indies was engaged to integrate VAWG modules into pre-service training curriculum for medical students. OUTCOME 3: Prevention and Social Norms » To support change in attitudes and perception towards gender-based violence there is an emphasis in developing programmes for inclusion in education curricula to promote gender equitable norms and attitudes. » Training curriculum developed and teacher training initiated to deliver VAWG related content as part of the Health and Family Life Education Curriculum. » Teachers and administrators in eight target schools sensitized on VAWG including support services. » Approximately 480 women, men, girls and boys participated in community- based activities to support gender equitable norms, attitudes and behaviours. » 470 women and girls who are victims of VAWG reached through tele support from Eve for Life and 400 teen mothers received counselling and learning support through the Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica. OUTCOME 4: Essential Services » Approximately 200 women and girl survivors and their families, access support services through the helpline/ crisis centre intervention in partnership with Woman Inc., and the opening of the first National Shelter (Northeast Region). » In collaboration with Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) 6 Domestic Violence Intervention Centres (DVICs) will be established. The DVIC will offer dispute resolution services, counselling and referral services for victims and perpetrators of violence. OUTCOME 5: Data Availability and Management » The Spotlight Initiative trained 37 key staff in National Statistical System on methods, approaches and ethical guidelines on the collection and analysis of VAWG prevalence data (17 government organizations participated). » Additionally, 12 CSOs and 2 Government organizations were trained on VAWG Administrative data. » The programme supported the expansion of the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS) in training staff and providing resources for collection and analysis of VAWG at the Princess Margaret & Lionel Town hospitals. OUTCOME 6: Strengthening the Women’s Movement » Cumulatively, small grants have aided over 240 women and members of key and vulnerable populations through technical and financial partnerships with 7 civil society organizations. » Mona Social Services (MSS) » Women’s Empowerment for Change (WE Change) » Young Women/Men of Purpose (YWOP/ YMOP) » Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) » Jamaica Household Workers’ Union (JHWU) » Jamaican Network of Seropositives (JN+) » Stand Up for Jamaica The Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) grant supported GBV prevention workshops for women and girls who are deaf or hard of hearing: The interventions undertaken were: GBV awareness sessions aim at building participants confidence to report incidents of GBV and access to victim support services. Engaged first responders within the Deaf community and mainstream providers of victim support services to identify limitations that prevent Deaf and Hard of Hearing women and girls in accessing services and strategies for increasing accessibility for Deaf female victims. Alicia Bowen- McCulskie Programme Coordinator Stefan Morris Communications Sharon Lamonth Monitoring and Evaluation Meet the Spotlight Team THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN JAMAICA 10