 Healing
the nation: women's manifesto for the
prevention of sexual
injustice
foto:
www.sosjamaica.org
Every
human being has the fundamental right to personal security and freedom
from personal violation. Many Jamaicans, particularly women and children,
do not enjoy this right. In addition they experience grave insecurity in
many aspects of their daily lives, from harassment, threatening behaviour,
threat of violence or actual violence on the streets and in the workplace,
to lack of safety in their homes.
Sexual
violence is commonplace in Jamaica occurring in every setting: the family,
workplace, educational institutions, and community. Many sexual crimes
that occur in the family setting - incest, carnal abuse, spousal beating
and marital rape are not even seen as crimes. Rapes of girls, women and
boys are often not acknowledged and many community members feel powerless
to protect their most vulnerable.
Rape
is being used as an instrument of terrorism, to control individuals and
communities. Men in power, from dons in communities to corporate and civic
leaders from all segments of society, coerce young women, girls and boys
into sexual activities. These crimes as well as the gang rape of girls by
boys and young men in communities, and rapes occurring in schools and
places of safety are not treated as heinous crimes. It appears as if such
crimes are sidelined by an underlying acceptance in the wider society that
female sexuality is a commodity to be traded, and that men have a right to
women’s bodies.
The
high level of sexual violence in Jamaica also feeds the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The HIV/AIDS programme will not be effective unless sexual violence, which
is a major contributing factor to the spread of HIV/AIDS, is meaningfully
addressed.
The
lack of national attention and outrage to the gravity of sexual crimes has
created an atmosphere where many people feel that rape is part of the lot
of women. Many perpetrators feel that the power to have forced sex is part
of their right as men. All of this undermines our common humanity and the
efforts that are needed for men and women to be equal partners in the
building of a better Jamaica.
It
is the duty of the State and of adult men and women to protect the most
vulnerable and we as women and men of all persuasions call upon the state
to treat rape and violence as the serious crime that it is.
It
is against this background that we make this urgent call for
political action to address this situation. We commit ourselves to take a
continued stand for transformation in Jamaica such that
all can experience the dignity of personal security to which we are all
rightfully entitled. This, we believe, will strengthen the foundation for
sustainable national development.
We,
the groups undersigned call on political parties and parliamentarians to
publicly commit to the following actions:
1
Immediately introduce a state-funded
public education programme aimed at preventing rape and sexual crimes (NPSW,
Article 21-GR 19
CEDAW ).
2
Immediately establish an emergency phone line direct to the police,
similar to Crime Stop, where persons confidentially report threats and
crimes of sexual violence against themselves and others. (NPSW
, Article 21-GR 19 CEDAW )
3
Within two years, establish a network of 16 shelters (one in each
parish and two in KMA) to provide for victims and persons threatened with
crimes of sexual violence. (NPSW, Article 21-GR 19 CEDAW )
4
Give urgent attention to the implementation of the new Broadcasting
Code and take other measures to protect citizens including children from
harmful media portrayals of violence, sex and gender stereotypes. (Article
5, GR 19, CEDAW, Sections J and
D – Beijing Platform for Action)
5
Introduce, within one year, a long-term national campaign to
improve values and attitudes, and eliminate commonly believed and negative
gender stereotypes. (Articles 5 and 10 CEDAW ). This national programme
should include rape prevention awareness training in schools.
6
As of the next financial year, establish clear budgetary
allocations for programmes geared to end gender-based violence,
implemented by the state and civil society.
7
In order to give these issues the attention they require, appoint a
Minister with the sole responsibility of women’s affairs; allocate
resources adequate to the effective discharge of its mandate and appoint a
broad-based National Commission on Women to advise the Minister.
8
Conclude the work to establish the Gender and Social Equity
Commission. (Article 15 CEDAW, Article 19 (1) of the CRC )
9
Employ and train more Community Development Officers, Social
Workers, and Counselors to work in the communities.(Articles 13 and 14
CEDAW.)
10
Take affirmative action to increase the level of women’s
participation in politics and decision-making to 40%. This should be
reflected in the next Senate and the fielding of female candidates in the
local Government elections as well as on the Boards of State-owned
enterprises. (Beijing Platform for Action, Articles 4, 7 and 8, GR 19
CEDAW )
11
Given that female unemployment continues to be twice that of males,
take concrete steps to increase women’s gainful employment thus reducing
their vulnerability. (NPSW, Articles 4 and 11 CEDAW )
12
In order to enhance the dignity of living of the Jamaican family
accelerate the implementation of a feasible plan that will allow for
access to water and sanitation for all within the next five years. (NPSW,
CEDAW)
13
Pass with wide consultation, the
following Bills which have been stagnating in the Parliamentary process:-
§
The Offences against the Person Act Bill;
§
The Incest (Punishment) Act Bill.
§
The Sexual Harassment Bill
§
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill. (Articles
1, 2 and 3 CEDAW )
14
Ratify the Convention of Belem do Para
(The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and
Eradication of Violence Against Women).
15
Sign the Optional Protocol of
CEDAW and implement all demands submitted to the Government of Jamaica by
the CEDAW Committee January 2001.
We
are aware that The State has made numerous commitments and ratified
various instruments to advance the status of the vulnerable in Jamaica,
but there has been insufficient implementation to date. These include:
§
The
Charter of the United Nations
- The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- The
Optional Protocol to the ICCPR
- Inter-American
Convention on Human Rights
- Jamaica
National Policy Statement on Women (NPSW)
(1987)
- CEDAW
(1981)
- Beijing
Platform for Action (1995)
- Convention
on the Rights of the Child
We,
women of Jamaica, of different class, race and religious denomination and
partisan affiliation will encourage men and women to support the
efforts of any administration that commits to these principles and acts
upon them.
- Women’s
Media Watch
- Women’s
Resource and Outreach Centre (W.R.O.C.)
- Jamaica
Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC)
- Caribbean
Association for Feminist Research and Action
- Centre
for Gender
and Development Studies
- Church
Women United
- Female
Prisoners Welfare Project - Hibiscus
- Jamaica
Baptist Women’s Federation
- Family
Law Committee of the Jamaican Bar Association
- Jamaica
Household Workers Association
- Jamaica
Women’s Political Caucus
- Methodist
Women’s League
- Renewal
- Sistren
Theatre Collective
- Woman
Inc
- Women
Working for Transformation
- Women
Working for Progress in 2001 and Beyond
- Women’s
Centre for Jamaica Foundation
- Women’s
Construction Collective
- Youth
Opportunities Unlimited
- Hope
for Children Development Committee
- YWCA
- Coalition
for Community Participation in Governance
- Jamaicans
for Justice
- Families
against State Terrorism
- Amnesty
International – Jamaica Chapter
September
17, 2002
c/o
Women’s Media Watch
14
South Ave, Kingston 10, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel
876-926-0882 Tax
876-926-0862 Email
wmwjam@cwjamaica.com |
