SECTORAL DEBATE 2018/19 | 1 SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 1

Cover “It is by tapping into the gifts and awakening the spirit of the Jamaican people that we will, by God’s grace, re-group, re-engineer and re-open to a brighter future with Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

The Honourable” Olivia Grange, CD, MP Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Re-group. Re-engineer. Re-open.

Contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate By the Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

14 July 2020 Gordon House Kingston, Jamaica SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 4

Opening Statement.

r. Speaker, I begin my opportunities and our presentation this year with training and M thanksgiving. We have educational support much for which to give God thanks. programmes. The almighty has been faithful to us I am energised when in good times and in these I see those who challenging times. benefted from our Let us give thanks for the strong, constituency steady, inspirational leadership of our development initiatives Prime Minister, the Most Honourable and are now able to pay Andrew Holness, as he leads our it forward by assisting nation in the fght against covid-19 others. This is and the public health, economic and something to be social challenges associated with the grateful for even as we pandemic. Let us continue to lift him work to ensure that the up in prayers as we need him to go covid pandemic doesn’t on making decisions in the best reverse the gains we interest of Jamaica. have made. I also give thanks for my Mr. Speaker, I remain colleagues in the cabinet and in this hopeful because of the Honourable House; the leadership of giftedness of the our health and security services; all Jamaican people; their c those on the frontline who are warmth and creativity; working to keep Jamaica safe; my their dynamism and team in the Ministry of Culture, indomitable spirit that Gender, Entertainment and Sport and have resulted in its Departments and Agencies; as well excellence in all sectors. as the people and sectors whom we It is by tapping into serve. the gifts and awakening I give thanks for the people of the spirit of the Central St. Catherine and my Jamaican people that Councillors for the privilege to serve we will, by God’s grace, and work with them over the last 23 re-group, re-engineer years. We’ve come a long way and and re-open to a achieved much together in brighter future with infrastructure development, Culture, Gender, especially community facilities and Entertainment and schools; roads; safer communities; Sport. cultural and sports development; youth engagement; economic SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 5 Covid-19 and the Jamaican Creative & Athletic Economy.

Projected decline due to covid-19

Growth rate of recreational cultural and sporting activities

he sectors of my Ministry Festival of the Arts, no Carnival in thrive on in-person Jamaica, no Reggae Sumfest, no “the impact of T gathering in close National Athletics Trials, no covid on culture, proximity; they are motivated Olympics, the National Premier entertainment, through touch, feel and taste; and League had to be abandoned, like so the presence of large crowds is many other events. sport has been essential to success. Therefore, the Most artistes have not worked devastating. required protocols of social and since March as concerts, tours and physical distancing, stay-at-home events in Jamaica and across the ” and community lockdowns, have world have been cancelled. Many had severe effects. Mr. Speaker, in a creative professionals have also been word, the impact of covid on culture, out of work as studios closed — entertainment, sport has been affecting audio, lighting and other devastating. technical production professionals, As covid hit this year, there were graphic designers, curators, no Boys’ and Girls’ Champs, no scriptwriters, stylists, among others. SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 6

he data shows that to creative practitioners under the between March and June CARE Programme. T 2020, more than 10,000 We estimate that Practitioners who have received community bars were closed, 560 “as much as J$26 or will receive funding under the round robins were not held (usually CARE Programme will not be there are at least sixty per week), the Billion has been eligible to receive assistance from festivals and events economy, lost and more this special support package. including such activities as Calabash than 40,000 This is good news for our sectors. Literary Festival, Caribbean Fashion creative and The greatest assistance that we Week, Style Week and the over 7,200 sports-related can provide to our athletic and events that would have been held in creative practitioners is to ensure towns and communities across jobs have been that they can return to doing what Jamaica were all shuttered. affected since they love to do in a way that secures Also losing out have been our covid. public health. In this regard we elite sportsmen and sportswomen. have been in discussion with our One athlete reported losing J$14 stakeholders, the Ministry of Health million since March. Mr. Speaker,” learning from the and Wellness as well as the Ministry We estimate that as much as J$26 experience with creative industries of Local Government and Billion has been lost and more than practitioners, we are also moving to Community Development as we 40,000 creative and sports-related an Athletes Management System regroup and re-engineer for a jobs have been affected since covid. and Registry to give support to phased re-opening of the sectors. As the chief advocate for creative athletes as they emerge from So far, Government has approved and athletic people, I have been covid-19. The Athletes’ protocols for: engaging in discussion with Management System and Registry - national Track and Field athletes to members of the community on how will assist in the development of resume training at Independence we can re-group and re-engineer to policy and programmes and will Park; get them back on track. It is clear help to calculate the contribution of - water sports national that the most vulnerable players in sport to national development. representatives to resume training the creative and athletic sectors I appeal to athletes, coaches and at the National Aquatics Centre; need support; and we have been other stakeholders in the sports - resumption of horse racing at providing support in a number of sector to sign up to the registry. Caymanas Park; ways. While we develop the sports - resumption of golf at Half Moon Through the National Registry of registry, we have also been working and Constant Spring golf clubs Entertainment and Creative to assist vulnerable athletes to get - the holding of Athletics time trials Industries Practitioners in my assistance from the CARE at Jamaica College over the Ministry, we have been supporting Programme. weekend to record official applications for relief through the In addition to support provided performances for Jamaican CARE Programme. We have been by CARE, I have been in discussion athletes to be submitted to World using the e-Registry to validate that with the Minister of Finance and the Athletics (formerly the IAAF). Tom Strokes who says he’s an Public Service, Dr the Honourable We are going through the entertainer or entertainment Nigel Clarke, and his team about a approvals process for the practitioner is indeed a member of special support package for the resumption of other sports the industry and his application creative and athletic sectors to assist competitions and training for should be considered. them to get back on track. national level athletes in discussion I use this opportunity to I am pleased to announce that with the Ministry of Local encourage entertainment and $40 Million has been approved by Government and Community creative industries practitioners to the Ministry of Finance to assist the Development, health authorities as sign up to the registry. Individual Culture and Entertainment sector. I well as the various national registration since March has have received multiple stories of the federations/associations. increased by more than 1,000% over harsh fnancial impact covid has had Additionally, protocols were the similar period last year; and on the sectors. announced to permit the re- company registrations have The J$40 Million is in addition to opening of Cinemas, Theatres and increased by 87%. the J$10.6 Million that will be paid Playhouses as of Sunday, July 5 — SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 7 for a period of 14 days, in the frst but because of how they help to We are focused on each of those instance. This includes spaces such improve our quality of life and 76,000 people, their families and the as church and school auditoriums, provide a boost to our mental wider public as we develop and community centres that are health as we face challenges, such protocols to gradually re-open the used for these kinds of activities. as this pandemic. sectors. I continue to remind I thank the Minister of Local Mr. Speaker, these are serious stakeholders to comply with the Government and Community industries. Through these industries, protocols so that we can get back to Development, the Honourable many families have food on their work, improve our quality of life, Desmond McKenzie, and his team tables and roofs over their heads; while maintaining public health. who have worked very hard in the our national profle is enlarged; development of these protocols. people come here and do business We continue to work through the with Jamaica because of our issues and protocols that will be creative and athletic people. This needed to re-open other types of isn’t speculation, Mr. Speaker, we entertainment activities. have been doing the measurement I anticipate sign off within the and we have found that the next week on protocols that will Entertainment, Cultural and Creative allow small outdoor events in a safe Industries, including sports, and responsible manner. contributes approximately J$195 Entertainment, the cultural and Billion to the Jamaican economy creative industries, and sport all each year, and employs 76,000 matter, Mr. Speaker — not only people. because of their economic impact,

Estimated value of the Entertainment, Culture and Creative Industries SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 8

Re-imagining Entertainment.

here’s opportunity in a remarkably successful Telethon commend the leadership of the adversity; and our people Jamaica titled Together We Stand Entertainment Advisory Board T rise to the occasion at that raised 60 Million Dollars to under the chairmanship of Howard every moment of crisis and bolster the country’s response to McIntosh, the partnership of JARIA challenge. covid. under the chairmanship of Ewan As tours, events were cancelled We have collected the majority of Simpson and the hosts of artists and and venues closed, musicians and the money that was pledged during technicians who worked together to entertainers pivoted and created the broadcasts on air and online and make it happen. on-line concerts, such as Chris forwarded to the account of the As we look towards the next Martin’s Virtual Concert, Digicel’s Set National Health Fund, which has Reggae Month, we do so with an List, and the internationally been procuring PPE for our frontline objective to promote sustained, acclaimed Verzuz Clash featuring workers in the battle against inclusive and sustainable economic Beenie Man and Bounty Killer. The covid-19. growth by fnding the opportunities pandemic has forced creatives to I thank the many people who in the crisis. look afresh at online platforms as contributed to this most worthy Re-grouping and re-engineering performance stages or classrooms; cause. I also express appreciation to also allowed us to examine our and at money transfer apps to the Jamaican and international approach to Entertainment Zones. sustain themselves during the crisis. artistes and personalities who Infrastructure work continues at Fort Our artistes rose to the challenge participated in the Telethon. Rocky. The plan is to build out the and joined with my Ministry, the I report to the House that we Entertainment Zone in Port Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted the most successful Reggae which will include Fort Rocky, Fort Foreign Trade, as well as the Global Month ever in February, just before Charles and the Old Coal Wharf on Jamaica Diaspora Council in staging the onslaught of the pandemic. I non-ship days.

Minister Grange reviews her next selection at the inaugural Echoes of Sound Systems event during Reggae Month 2019 SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 9

Re-shaping Sport.

ike nearly everything else, Programme to create a more staff will be able to receive a sport will never be the efficient and effective public service. pension upon retirement). L same in the new covid era. Mr. Speaker, I wish to give the Importantly too, Mr. Speaker, But long before the pandemic, we House an update on the Institute of INSPORTS is getting back to had been devising and Sports, which was referred to, in the business — no longer closing or implementing measures to re-shape past, as a rogue agency. Mr. scaling down grassroots initiatives, the sports landscape in Jamaica. Speaker, we have turned around the but expanding them. As an We implemented new Institute of Sports and it is now a example, INSPORTS launched the requirements by which sports well-run organisation, doing what it National Primary Schools Athletic federations/associations can access was mandated to do: develop sports Championships in the three funding from the Sports from the grassroots. counties to ensure that, for the frst Development Foundation or the While MOCA continues its time, the event attracted Ministry. Under the new investigations into irregularities that participation from across the arrangements, federations/ we uncovered at INSPORTS, the country. associations retain eligibility for latest management report advises The INSPORTS Summer fnancial assistance by providing that: programme has been growing every audited fnancial statements - More than 90% of issues year while introducing new annually, or fnancial statements highlighted in the Auditor disciplines to young people (depending on the level of funding General’s report have been including golf, bocce, surfng, provided). Federations/associations addressed; swimming and lawn tennis to add to must also submit quarterly reports - INSPORTS is fnalising for tabling, volleyball, basketball, football and or risk having monthly subventions its frst set of Financial Statements netball. withheld. since 1992; The programme also includes These measures are part of our - All outstanding statutory performing arts, visual arts and programme to improve governance, payments have been paid up and craft. transparency, accountability and to the monthly payments are now In our programme to re-shape guarantee value for the money that being done on time; sport, we have developed, for the the government invests in our sport - INSPORTS now has a proper frst time, a Monitoring and federations and associations. accounting and inventory Evaluation Framework and Results We are fnalising the restructuring management system; Management System to quantify the of our national sports entities: the - Staff are now being paid on time value of sport to national Sports Development Foundation, for work done; development. We thank the Independence Park Limited, and the - Pension contributions that were in Commonwealth Secretariat, the Institute of Sports. arrears by J$80 Million have been Planning Institute of Jamaica and all This restructuring is in keeping cut by more than half to J$33.6 stakeholders for their involvement with the Public Sector Million (and we continue to in this framework and results Transformation and Modernisation reduce the arrears to ensure that management system which we will be implementing this year. Among SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 10

other things, it will help us to assess the impact of covid on sport and physical activity.

Minister Grange receives 11 year old, Alex Powell, the first Jamaican driver to sign for a Formula One team SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 11

Monetising Brand Jamaica.

r. Speaker, I turn now to because of the number of Reggae public to vote for their favourites. Jamaica Festival — our stars who are among the top ten. The winner will be announced in a M annual celebration of It’s historic — not only because of live broadcast on July 26 on TVJ and Emancipation and Independence. the prize money of J$3 million to be online. Usually, the term refers to activities shared among writer, singer and We will be launching the 2020 organised by the government to producer. It’s historic — not only Jamaica Festival Gospel Song celebrate our national milestones. because it will be the frst virtual Competition this week. It will also We want to broaden, re-brand and competition in Jamaica Festival be a virtual competition, with re-focus Jamaica Festival as a history. It’s also historic because, for improved prize money. The winner summer of cultural and the frst time in Jamaica Festival will also be selected by public vote entertainment activities celebrating Song history, the top ten entries and announced in a live broadcast the freedom of the Jamaican people have been packaged as an album on August 2 on CVM-TV and online. and the independence of our nation and are now available for download For Gospel, we have partnered state. and/or streaming on international with Flow to facilitate the public We had intended to launch the music platforms, namely: vote across all networks. new Jamaica Festival this year, but - Spotify The National Independence covid-19 caused the cancellation of - Deezer Church Service will also be held on many of the activities. However, we - Amazon Music August 2. It will be a virtual service are moving ahead with a few - Apple Music to be broadcast on air and online. activities including a revitalised - Tidal We will celebrate our Jamaica Festival Song Competition. By listing on these music Emancipation in a special virtual Since its inception in 1966, the streaming and download platforms, ceremony on July 31; and we will Jamaica Festival Song Competition we have taken the competition to have the Independence Spectacular has been about fnding that song the world. By this action, we are as a virtual edition of the Grand Gala that we all as a nation can sing taking steps to monetise Brand on August 6. together as we celebrate our Jamaica and expand the reach of I am inviting Jamaicans at home Independence. The impact and the Jamaica Cultural Development and abroad to celebrate the Spirit of reach of the competition had fallen, Commission. Independence with vibrant and but after years of hard work to This year the winner will be creative displays of the national revitalise our national celebrations, selected by public vote via text colours. beginning in 2007 when we re- message. We have partnered with The Spirit of Independence introduced the Independence Digicel to facilitate the public vote Competition is a special focus for us Grand Gala, I can say this year that I across all networks. this year as it is an excellent way to am satisfed with the renewed The songs are on social media, get Jamaicans involved in our interest in the Jamaica Festival Song streaming and download platforms, Independence Celebrations even Competition. they're on radio and they are on amidst the pandemic. The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song television. We have released the We are encouraging Municipal Competition is historic — not only telephone lines for members of the Corporations, business places, SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 12 government offices, and private Decade for People of African Union-UNESCO Grant Programme residences, here and in the Descent – 2015 to 2024. to give support; Diaspora, to demonstrate the Spirit Mr. Speaker, I want to say a bit - preparing the Jamaican Cultural of Independence by decorating more about our efforts to monetise and Creative Industries landscape their surroundings in the national Brand Jamaica. for the implementation of the colours in elaborate and eye- Jamaica has one of the strongest Jamaica Cultural and Creative catching designs. and most identifable nation brands Economy Act. We will be awarding prizes under in the world and it was built on our the categories: culture and sports. However, for Investment in Human Capital - Best Decorated Town Centre; many years we have struggled to An important part of our work is - Best Decorated Business Place; convert, sufficiently, the success of to equip our people with skills to - Best Decorated Government that cultural, creative and sports build lives and contribute to Office; brand into the kind of hard national development. In this - Best Decorated Private Residence economic outputs that we require: regard, I have mandated the - Best Diaspora Community jobs, growth and competitiveness. National Cultural and Creative Celebration; How do we change that? We Industries Council to dedicate a - and Best Media Celebration (a believe that with the right blend of portion of its budget for business special category for media houses evidence-based interventions, development training for cultural that display the ‘Spirit of targeted activities, and a more and creative practitioners. I will say Independence’ through their coordinated support and more about this initiative in content). investment landscape, Jamaica is September. All decorations and graphics must well placed to develop and grow a This will add to our economic use the national colours — black, high value and value-adding Culture opportunities programme which green and gold — and Jamaican and Creative Industries sector. last year trained 30 residents of Port design themes. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, we Royal in various craft works such as The theme for our Independence have a road map — a Business Plan beading, batik & chasing and metal Celebrations this year is: Resilient — to get there. works in collaboration with the and Strong, Let’s Celebrate Jamaica The National Cultural and Nigerian High Commission. The 58. Creative Industries Council will training helped the residents to start Mr. Speaker, as we look ahead to implement the Business Plan to new businesses, offering our nation’s Diamond Jubilee in deliver prosperity to the Jamaican outstanding products and enabling 2022, I pleased to announce that people through the cultural and them to beneft from the opening of Cabinet has given approval for the creative industries, including sports. cruise ship arrivals in Port Royal. establishment of the Secretariat for I have mandated the Council to The economic opportunities Special Commemorative Activities accelerate the implementation of programme has also done training within the Ministry of Culture, the Plan. and offered grants to communities Gender, Entertainment and Sport. Among the deliverables this year in and near the Blue and John Crow The Secretariat has responsibility are: Mountains World Heritage Site as for: - the establishment of partnerships well as with the Accompong - the planning, implementation and with various Ministry, Maroon community to help our monitoring of activities to Departments and Agencies to get people to develop products and commemorate the 60th things moving; businesses to earn from our rich Anniversary of Jamaica’s - the conclusion of consultations on culture and heritage. Independence in 2022 including the draft National Policy on Additionally, we continue to the Diamond Legacy projects Culture and the Creative Economy facilitate cultural exchanges to build which will include a monument to of Jamaica and submission to the capacity of our creatives. Last the Police; Cabinet for consideration; year, we partnered with the Mexican - the monitoring of the completion - advancing the process of Embassy, the Kingston and St. of the Jamaica 55Legacy Projects; strengthening of the regulatory Andrew Municipal Corporation and - and the planning and execution of frameworks for Cultural and the Edna Manley College of the the activities in Jamaica for the Creative Industries, in this regard a Visual and Performing Arts to observance of the International Technical Expert has been transform Temple Lane, Downtown engaged under the European Kingston into the site of a stunning SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 13

mural depicting the culture of both years, to a student who has accommodation for the remainder Jamaica and Mexico. The completed the frst year at the of the programme. internationally renowned muralist, School of Dance at the Edna - And the Alison McLean Irvin Gomez, worked with Jamaican Manley College. scholarship in Gender Studies artists on the project. - The Arthur Wint Scholarship named for our late former Additionally, we have established marking the centenary, this year, Permanent Secretary and gender three new scholarships to build of the birth of the great Jamaican activist will be awarded to a fnal capacity: athlete will be awarded to a year student at UWI, Mona to - The Barry Moncrieffe Scholarship second-year student enrolled in a cover tuition. in honour of the late stalwart of 4-year Degree programme at the the National Dance Theatre G.C. Foster College for Physical Company will provide a grant of Education and Sport. The $250,000.00 per year for three scholarship will cover tuition and

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, shares a light moment with members of the Jamaican delegation to Carifesta 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 14

In pursuit of Reparatory Justice.

he Black Lives Matter awareness among Jamaicans of all us, we have also been examining protests across the United ages, here and in the Diaspora, ourselves and listening to the cries T States and the rest of the regarding the historical and related of our own people for reparations world have moved the discourse to modern day issues surrounding from their own state over many the subject matter of reparations reparations, the forms reparations decades. and the need to confront systemic might take and the intended There is no doubt that what racism. benefciaries of reparations. happened on Good Friday 1963 at Since 2009 when I launched the The Council has also been Coral Gardens to members of the National Commission on leading a wider discussion on how Rastafari community is a stain on Reparations, our government has the legacy of centuries of slavery Jamaica’s development. For more been formally dealing with the affects black people in Jamaica and than 50 years, our Rastafari brothers matter of reparatory justice for across the world. These include: and sisters lived with the physical, Jamaicans whose ancestors were - health-related issues as a result of psychological and emotional scars forcibly removed from their the dietary and other negative of that incident and the feeling that homeland Africa, taken across the actions of enslavers; successive governments had let Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean - the under-education of our them down by not sufficiently where they were enslaved for four people; acknowledging what they had been hundred years, and suffered the - the political and economic through. most degrading and inhumane implications of the post- That changed in April, 2017 when treatment recorded in world history. Independence era, such as high our Prime Minister, the Most The National Commission is now debt and inability to fnance Honourable Andrew Holness, called the National Council on adequately the education and decided to do the right thing. He Reparations to facilitate the Caricom health requirements of our people. took responsibility and apologised Commission on Reparations which The Council is now fnalising the for what happened in Coral Gardens was set up after our local body. Reparations Policy Framework in 1963 — before he was even born. Jamaica was to set up a reparation Concept Paper. The Policy will set In keeping with the Prime body and the only one through a out the Government’s mission and Minister’s apology and our mandate of Parliament on a motion purpose, focus and direction, government’s commitment to brought by the member for Central actions and positions for Reparatory reparatory justice, I led a team in the Clarendon, the Honourable Mike Justice. We have met with the Ministry, working closely with the Henry. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Administrator General’s The remit of the NCR remains to Foreign Trade and will be meeting Department, to establish the advise the Government of Jamaica with Attorney General for guidance Rastafari Coral Gardens Trust. on the legal, political and diplomatic on the way forward. The Public Defender had channels to secure reparatory While we pursue reparations from recommended a Fund of no less justice for our people. the United Kingdom for enslaving than J$10 Million. To date, we have Over the last year, the NCR has our ancestors and the legacy of put J$90 Million into the Trust, engaged in campaigns to increase centuries of slavery which still affect which is being managed by the SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 15

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, embraces Edward Fray, a survivor of the 1963 Coral Gardens incident, after the formal establishment of the Trust in December 2019. Also pictured is Isaac Wright, another survivor.

Administrator General of Jamaica. I Just recently, my Ministry thank Jamaicans for Justice for the supported a symposium titled I Love role it played acting on behalf of the Locks as part of encouraging respect Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent for the choice to wear locks, Society. affirming the beauty of our natural Additionally, we have provided hair, and preserving the rights of funding to the Benevolent Society Rastafari. to run an interim care home for Our programme of celebrating survivors who need special care positive self-identity also includes while we continue to make putting on a pedestal outstanding arrangements to establish a Jamaicans, worthy of emulation. In permanent facility for aged this regard, we installed the fnal of survivors in collaboration with the the four statues in celebration of Member of Parliament for North outstanding Jamaican athletes: West St. James, the Honourable Dr. Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Horace Chang. Veronica Campbell Brown and Asafa The wider society must also Powell. examine its approach to members In the last fnancial year, we also of the Rastafarian community and celebrated the centenary of the pledge to end discrimination that is birth of our beloved Miss Lou and manifested in our actions, including completed the renaming of Gordon the denial of school admission to Town Square in her honour in children with locks. association with the Kingston and Mr. Speaker, we continue to St. Andrew Municipal Corporation. promote love of ourselves and our Her statue now stands African features. There is nothing predominant in the Miss Lou Square wrong with our natural black hair, or as an attraction for Jamaicans at locks, and no one should be denied home and in the Diaspora as well as services in Jamaica because of his/ tourists. her hair style. SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 16

Eliminating Gender-based Violence.

omestic abuse has increased across the world D during the covid-19 lockdown. The stay-at-home measures that countries have had to implement had the unfortunate side effect of having women and our children locked up with their abusers — sometimes without access to family or friends, or an opportunity to call for help. We were able to respond to all calls for help that we received. And we continue to build our capacity to respond. The work-from-home orders had stopped our work to renovate and retroft buildings to be used as National Shelters for victims of domestic abuse. I am happy to say that the work has resumed, Mr. Speaker, and we’re on schedule to open one of the shelters in August Minister Grange and Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth this year. sign Memorandum of Understanding for anti-sexual harassment training in workplaces We taken possession of a second property and the title for the third forms of violence against women We have also established property is now being transferred. and girls. The Jamaican programme partnerships with Jamaicans for We continue our work to end will focus on: Justice, UNESCO, and the High gender-based violence in Jamaica. - establishing 24 hour hotlines for Commission of Canada in our effort In March, we launched the Spotlight victims, including text lines for the to eliminate gender-based violence Initiative Jamaica programme which deaf and hearing-impaired; and, empower women and girls, and will strengthen the government’s - review and/or development of achieve gender equality. efforts to end violence against legislation to increase protection women and girls. of vulnerable people, such as Sexual Harassment The Spotlight Initiative is a global children and the elderly; We are moving to improve public multi-year partnership involving the - as well as on-going sensitisation of sensitisation on the matter of sexual European Union and the United the public on gender-based harassment — including with Nations focused on eliminating all violence. members of this Honourable House. SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 17

Empowerment Support Programme.

Men & Masculinity Initiatives We have also designed programmes targeting men and boys. The MentorMe 2020 programme will see outstanding men helping high school boys to develop essential life skills. The programme will be piloted in two Kingston high schools this year. The Young Fathers Jamaica Initiative will assist adolescent fathers to become outstanding dads. This initiative will also address issues of fatherlessness, effective Minister Grange shares a light moment with women firefighters parenting and the role of men in ending gender-based violence. The Additionally, we will implement place, institutions and tenant- initiative will be implemented across an MOU with the UWI Open Campus landlord interactions, such as: the 19 locations of the Women’s for Anti-Sexual Harassment Training - physical contact of a sexual nature; Centre of Jamaica Foundation. The of managers and other workers in - a demand or request for sex or for Women’s Centre assists teenaged the public and private sector. favours of a sexual nature; mothers and pregnant teenagers to Research will also be conducted on - the making of sexual suggestions, complete their education and put Sexual Harassment & Workplace remarks or innuendos; their lives back on track. Violence. - the showing of pornography or Through these initiatives, we Sexual harassment is a very the display of images or objects of hope to tackle toxic masculinity serious matter which militates a sexual nature; and which is at the heart of the high against the desired level of peace, - any other physical, gestural, verbal levels of violence, including gender- harmony and happiness in our or non-verbal or visual conduct of based violence, in our country. country. a sexual nature. I have the task of chairing the Additionally, the Ministry is Joint Select Committee of promoting partnership with UNDP Parliament that is examining the Bill through the re-purposed Enabling entitled ‘An Act to Make Provision Gender-Responsive Recovery, for the Prevention of Sexual Climate and Environment Resilience Harassment and for Connected in the Caribbean (EnGenDER). The Matters.’ We have been receiving project will provide support to submissions from members of the vulnerable and under-served groups public and we will take each in selected rural and urban comment, critique, and suggestion communities. The support will into consideration when compiling include: the fnal report by the end of the - delivery of Care Packages to 1,400 year. I appeal to organisations and households; members of the public to make - provision of ‘Dignity Kits’ to submissions to the Joint Select adolescents in the Women’s Centre Committee and make their voices of Jamaica Foundation heard on the draft Bill. Their input programme; can make a difference. - provision of cash transfers to 200 I use this opportunity to remind heads of households; the public that the Bill is proposing - provision of cash grants to 5 to deal with conduct in the work entrepreneurs as part of the SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 18

Concluding Statement.

here is much for which we We give thanks for Dalton Harris, give thanks. winner of X-Factor. T We give thanks for Toni- Our creative and athletic people Ann Singh, Miss World 2019. We continue to bring fame, glory and recall her dynamism and business to Jamaica; and for that, we enthusiasm as she represented our are thankful. country. Mr. Speaker, the challenges of We give thanks for the Reggae covid have engendered within the Girlz’ maiden appearance at the FIFA Ministry and its agencies a Women’s World Cup. determination to work with our We give thanks for the stakeholders, to re-group and re- performance of Team Jamaica at the engineer for a dynamic re-opening. IAAF World Championships in Qatar. In all, the indomitable spirit and Jamaica won 12 medals across resilience of our Jamaican people disciplines on the track and in the have again risen to the surface in feld and fnished third on the response to the challenges. medals table. Through the creative imagination We give thanks for the historic endowed in us through our qualifcation of our national senior ancestors, we have been able to team to the Lacrosse Women’s World create new ways of doing and Cup. being, ensuring throughout that we We give thanks for 11 year old do not falter but emerge from the Alex Powell who has become the ashes of the covid a renewed robust frst Jamaican and Caribbean driver and dynamic sector, armed with the to sign for a Formula One team. creativity and ancestral pride We give thanks for Koffee inherited from our ancestors, winning the Reggae Grammy. determined to remain the vibrant We give thanks for the Jamaica Jamaican Brand the world has come Rugby team which qualifed for to revere. World Cup Sevens. Jamaica to the world! We give thanks for Tafari Hinds, Jamaican Saint International model, who was selected for a new art work featuring the Last Supper of our Lord, in which the artist decided to depict a black Jesus. The painting hangs in the historic St. Albans Church in the UK. SECTORAL DEBATE 2020/21 | 19

Miss World 2019, Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh 4-6 Trafalgar Road www.mcges.gov.jm Kingston 5

@mcgesJamaica