Jamaica joins UK-led global drive against violence targeting women and girls

Jamaica has signed on as one of eight nations taking part in a new United Kingdom-led International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls, a move intended to deepen worldwide action so women and girls can live without violence, abuse or intimidation.

The grouping was unveiled by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper at the recent Global Partnerships Conference in London. Its founding members are the UK, Jamaica, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Australia.

The coalition is focused on practical measures to prevent abuse against women and girls, including domestic violence, sexual assault and online harm. It will also support wider work to confront sexual violence in conflict zones and humanitarian emergencies.

Under the initiative, participating countries are expected to exchange knowledge, improve prevention strategies, expand survivor-centred services and prepare national action plans. The work is also aimed at improving protection for women and girls and ensuring offenders are held responsible.

The launch comes against the backdrop of continuing global concern about violence against women and girls, with an estimated one in three women worldwide affected during her lifetime.

Launching the initiative, Cooper said: “Violence against women and girls is a global emergency not just a national emergency. We are determined to work across borders to ensure women’s safety is a worldwide priority.”

She added: “I visited the Sudanese border in February, and I heard girls speak of rape, abduction and abhorrent sexual violence. I will make sure their voices are heard and fight to end violence for every single one of them, and for the one in three women globally who will experience sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.

“I’m delighted to launch this Coalition with countries around the world that share our ambition. Because from the UK, to Brazil, to South Africa and beyond, women deserve to live free from fear of violence. And because there can be no peace, security, or prosperity for any of us until they do.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has endorsed the programme and restated the country’s intention to keep tackling gender-based violence.

Said Grange: “Violence against women and girls requires not only strong laws and policies, but coordinated, survivor-centred systems that protect, respond to and prevent violence. Jamaica remains committed to strengthening our gender architecture, expanding support services for survivors, addressing harmful masculinities, and advancing collective global action to end all forms of gender-based violence. I commend the United Kingdom for its leadership in advancing this important global campaign on violence against women and girls.”

British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert also welcomed Jamaica’s role as a founding participant.

Said Herbert: “The United Kingdom is proud to partner with Jamaica as one of the founding members of this new International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to prevention, survivor-centred support, stronger systems of protection, and holding perpetrators to account.

“By working together and learning from one another, we can help build safer communities and create a future where women and girls are safe, empowered and able to thrive.”

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, also praised the effort.

She said: “We welcome continued collaboration with partners such as the United Kingdom as we build on our progress, strengthen protections, expand support and ensure women and girls can live free from violence and realise their full potential.”

The coalition is aligned with the UK Government’s local target of cutting violence against women and girls by half over 10 years. It also sits within wider international work to make women and girls central to policies on peace, security and development.

The member countries are expected to keep pursuing practical cooperation, while the UK is due to host a major international summit next year. At that meeting, countries are to set out additional commitments and give updates on the progress made.