Gender Inequalities In Jamaica

Rep. to OAS calls for support to curb commercial sexual exploitation of children

KINGSTON — Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Dr. Joan Neil, is urging support for the slate of measures recommended by organisations, such as the United Nations, to curb the incidence of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and women. 

Speaking at a recent two-day regional meeting of the Inter-American Programme for the Prevention and Eradication of Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Illegal Trafficking and Trade in Children and Adolescents, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, Dr. Neil described commercial sexual exploitation as a “rising” form of trade and trafficking in humans, which is “more than an issue of crime or migration."

“It is an issue of human rights, a manifestation of persistent gender inequality, and the subordinate status of girls and women, globally. Around the world, the most trafficked people are women and children of low socio-economic status, with the primary form of trafficking being sex trafficking. The demand aspect of sex trafficking remains the least visible,” she contended.

Dr. Neil argued that in light of this, there is a need to determine the reasons for the incidence of commercial sexual exploitation, so as to effectively curb it. She pointed to recent research into the issue, which highlights linkages between international price fluctuations in global commodity markets, structural adjustment measures, economic development and the expansion of the commercial sex trade in developing nations.   

Additionally, she said empirical studies have linked economic crises to the creation of an “informal economy” of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and women.

She explained that the impact of this illicit activity on the victims and nation, in general, include: violation of children’s basic human rights; emotional and continual trauma; deprivation of the basic needs of children; lack of opportunities to pursue activities to live free and happy lives; exposure to the risk of violence and sexually transmitted diseases; teenage pregnancies; negative effects on the child moral values; and the lowering of self esteem and sense of self worth which, in turn, limits a child’s  chances of achieving full potential in life.

Among the measures, which Dr. Neil informed have been pursued to address the problem are the Declaration and Agenda for Action of the World Congress against Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children, convened in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1996, which called for measures to promote more effective laws and law enforcement, including extra-territorial criminal laws; and the first International Agreement in the 2000 United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.

Concern about inequality in Jamaican society - Caribbean360

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday May 4, 2011 - Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer, has challenged the country’s leaders to craft policies and develop programmes to end stigma, discrimination and gender inequality in the society. 

“Many of our people are marginalised because of a disability, a health condition, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS or their sexual preference. We must remove the impediments of access to social services to encourage participation of our citizens in national dialogue,” he said at a meeting to discuss stigma, discrimination and gender inequality affecting Jamaica’s HIV/AIDS response.

The Health Minister said Jamaica’s the achievement of developed country status is at risk if it cannot bring all peoples to the centre of planning and policy making. 

“Leaders from the different spectrum of society must take up the mantle and move progressively forward. It will be a difficult road because Jamaicans have deeply entrenched positions but love can conquer all things,” he said.

In his remarks, Director of the National HIV/STI Programme, Dr. Kevin Harvey, said that Jamaica has been a success in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. He said that there has been significant improvement in HIV testing, with 250,000 persons screened each year since 2003.

However, he pointed to the need for increased financial and other resources to strengthen the human rights aspect of the national HIV response. He said that the HIV budget is J$1.3 billion (US$15.2 million), which is less than four per cent of the J$30 billion (US$352.3 million) allocated to the general health system.

“I must emphasise that fighting stigma, discrimination and gender inequality is central to the provision of an enabling environment for responding to HIV/AIDS. In addition, the national response is one way of demonstrating our commitment to and fulfilling the international human rights conventions to which we are a signatory to,” Dr. Harvey said.

The number of reported cases of Jamaicans living with HIV annually has declined by 18 percent in 2009, when compared to 2006. Also, access to treatment and care has been scaled up significantly, with mother-to-child transmission reduced to less than five percent. The number of persons dying from HIV has also declined by over 40 percent in the last four years.

The data shows a high prevalence rate of 32 percent among most-at-risk groups such as men who have sex with men.

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