United Nations Jamaica 76th Anniversary

Under the Enabling, Gender Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience (EnGenDER) Project and through a broader partnership with the UDC, UN Women distributed cash subventions to provide a temporary safety net to the vendors. Global Affairs Canada readily agreed to the repurposing of the EnGenDER funds for the subventions, to support the most vulnerable in response to the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19. The subventions were presented to 393 women craft vendors operating under lease arrangements across the six (6) craft markets managed by the UDC. Ms Clare Bruce, a craft trader from the Pineapple Craft Market in the tourist town of Ocho Rios said: “It was devastating because we just had to go home, relying on whatever resources we had. So that meant if we had a little savings then that is what we lived on and just kept hoping for the best. We were excited to be receiving the grant which came just in time. The traders were grateful that somebody remembered us in craft.” The EnGenDERProject is funded by Global Affairs Canada and UK FCDO, with joint implementation led by UNDP, UN Women, World Food Programme and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Jamaican Women Craft Vendors get Business Support to Enhance Resiliency Tonni Brodber Representative, UN Women Multi Country Office – Caribbean Monique Long Planning and Coordination Specialist, Jamaica Photo Credit: Urban Development Corporation Photo Credit: Urban Development Corporation The COVID-19 pandemic has been a profound shock to the Jamaican society and economy. There is no question that while health workers have been on the frontlines responding to COVID-19, the impact has been felt across all walks of society. While everyone is facing unprecedented challenges, the crisis has laid bare and exacerbated the growing economic divide across socio-economic groups and has significantly impacted women. Women have experienced notable issues regarding the availability and affordability of care, income loss and the increase vulnerabilities to gender based violence, deepening existing inequalities. In 2021, UN Women engaged our partners from both public and private sector and our developmental colleagues to address issues that challenge the peace, prosperity and this significant part of the planet, Jamaica. THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN JAMAICA 18