Kingston, 14 December 2019 – The Minister of the Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has congratulated the new Miss World, Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh.

Toni-Ann won the title in London today.

Minister Grange said Toni-Ann is a most deserving winner.

Minister Grange:
“I am so happy for Toni-Ann. She is an outstanding young woman with a wonderful personality, a beautiful soul, and extraordinary talent. She represented Jamaica so well during this competition and now we all have an amazing new Miss World. Toni-Ann is clearly the best choice.

Toni-Ann has made the entire country so proud. We are all walking on air, especially the girls at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation location in St Thomas — Toni-Ann is so passionate about her parish and women’s issues — and she has been working with us at the Ministry to make a difference in the lives of the young girls who attend the Centre.

We look forward to her year as Miss World and continue to surround her with our love.”

Minister Grange and the team at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport have been working with Toni-Ann Singh and the Miss Jamaica World team in the preparations for Miss World 2019.

Toni-Ann becomes the fourth Jamaican to win the Miss World title.

END

Kingston, 9 December 2019 – The Minister of the Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is urging Jamaicans to participate in the consultations surrounding The Sexual Harassment Act, 2019.

Minister Grange who is chairing the Joint Select Committee of Parliament appointed to consider and report on the Bill says the legislation will have far-reaching implications on society.

Minister Grange said:
“Through our work in this Committee, we can protect all women and men from unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and crude sexual behaviours that affect quality of life by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.”

The Committee is inviting members of the public to give feedback on the Bill ahead of its next meeting early in 2020.

A copy of the Bill is available on the Parliament’s website: www.japarliament.gov.jm.

The Committee requests feedback to be sent to the Clerk to the Houses, Gordon House (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Monday, 23 December 2019.

Minister Grange said sexual harassment “is a serious crime” which “militates against the desired level of peace, harmony and happiness in our country.”

The Gender Affairs Minister said she hoped the convening of the Committee would “send a signal to those who sexually harass women and men in employment, in institutions or in landlord-tenant relationships that their days of getting away with it has come to an end.”

END

Kingston, 9 December 2019 – The Minister of the Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, have launched Reggae Month 2020 to be celebrated under the theme ‘Come ketch de riddim.’

Since 2008, the month of February has been recognised annually in Jamaica as Reggae Month.

“We deliberately decided to launch before Christmas,” said Minister Grange who declared that Reggae Month 2020 would be “the best ever.”

“We are determined to produce a world-class and exciting package for Reggae Month 2020,” said Minister Grange whose Ministry and its agencies are organising Reggae Month celebrations jointly with the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies.

Minister Bartlett said “we want to invest more in Reggae Month and so the Ministry of Tourism along with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will put serious funding into Reggae Month from next year onwards.”

Reggae Month usually features a series of live entertainment activities across the island for the entire month of February. However for 2020, celebratory activities will be held in the Diaspora, as well.

“We are partnering with Miramar in Florida,” said Minister Grange, adding that “we have worked out a series of activities that we will do in Florida and we will have exchanges during the month of February between Miramar and Kingston.”

The Vice Mayor of Miramar, Alexandra Davis, said the city was looking forward to including Reggae Month celebrations into the Black History Month commemoration.

The Vice Mayor said Miramar was well placed to lead Reggae Month celebrations in the Jamaican Diaspora as several Reggae icons reside in the city “where all five of the elected officials that run the city are of Jamaican descent or were born in Jamaica, so Reggae is very close to our hearts.”

The Reggae Month Secretariat has also forged a strategic partnership with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association under which hotels will offer special rates on accommodation for Regge Month.

Both Ministers Grange and Bartlett have invited Jamaicans in the Diaspora and the peoples of the world to come to Jamaica during Reggae Month 2020 and enjoy our infectious rhythm.

END

(Please check against delivery)

STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
By the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport
The Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP
Tuesday, 26 November 2019

Mr Speaker, yesterday Jamaica joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

It is a necessary commemoration because violence is still a major factor of life for too many women.

We now know from the results of the Women’s Health Survey:
- That one in every four women in Jamaica has been either slapped, beaten with fists, pushed, kicked, attacked with a weapon or threatened with a weapon by her male partner.
- That a quarter of women in Jamaica have been sexually abused by men who are not their intimate partners.
- That the majority of men who sexually abuse women were ‘friends’ or acquaintances.
- That one out of every five women reported being sexually abused before reaching 18 years old and the person who did it was a family member or friend.

It is a sad reality that at this very moment, a woman and a girl and a family and a community in our country are experiencing the horrific effects and consequences of gender-based violence.

In commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:
we put special focus on the victims;
- we remind them that we have mechanisms in place to help them leave their abusive situations and rebuild their lives;
- we recommit as individuals and as a country to take action to end the violence;
- and we serve notice to men who continue to abuse women that enough is enough and we are coming for them.

We empathise and we feel upset when heartless, callous, horrific and brutal attacks are committed against women and girls everywhere. However, we can help every woman who is suffering and help to prevent it from happening again.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Stand Up! Talk Up! Gender-Based Violence is not a Private Matter’ and it is an invitation to all Jamaicans to join the movement to end the violence against our women.

As the Minister, I get the calls from women across the country who are being abused and want a way out.

Only recently, I got a call from a woman in rural Jamaica. It was one of the most heartbreaking stories of domestic abuse you could ever imagine. She had been willing to tough it out for the sake of her children while hoping that he would change. But as the years passed, the abuse continued — each time it was more severe.

When she called me, she told me it was so severe that she thought she was going to die.

Mr Speaker, she reached out and we were able to send help to her in the dead of night. We have relocated her and her children to a place where they are safe and are thriving. The children are doing well at their new school; she is getting ready to relaunch her career; and the violence and despair that they knew has been replaced with peace and hope.

That woman and her children represent one of several whom we have dealt with in the last year. We have moved several women and children out of violent situations and are helping them to rebuild their lives.
We have been able to do it Mr Speaker even while still building out our response mechanism to victims of gender-based violence.

You will recall that the government has embarked on a programme to establish national shelters for victims. We have purchased one shelter — and are currently making it fit and ready for women and their children. We have identified two other locations and the process to acquire them is in train.

But, Mr Speaker, I have to admit that the process is moving a lot slower than I want it to; and much too slow for the victims who need the shelters like yesterday. It is urgent for them, and I continue to push to get them established because we know that many women stay in abusive relationships because they have nowhere to go.

The establishment of shelters is only part of our response in providing protection to the victims. We also have to prevent the abuse from happening and dealing effectively with the perpetrators. Mr Speaker, the recent Joint Select Committee appointed to review the Sexual Offences Act, the Offences Against the Person Act, the Domestic Violence Act and the Child Care and Protection Act has made several recommendations in this regard. I look forward to the debates and to the speedy implementation of the measures.

Mr Speaker, I say ‘speedy’ because this is urgent. Women across the country are looking to every single one of us in this Honourable House for protection; and I know that we will not let them down.

We may disagree on many things in this House, but I know we all — on both sides — want to eliminate violence against women. Mr Speaker, we can end the violence. Together we will end the violence.

We need every man, every woman, every boy and every girl to join this mission to end gender-based violence.

We continue our public education efforts through the Bureau of Gender Affairs. We are implementing the ‘Stand Up, Talk Up’ Information Session series, which will be done in all the parishes across Jamaica.

The first information session was held in the parish of St. Mary and over two hundred (200) participants were sensitised on gender-based violence issues. Additionally, the Bureau of Gender Affairs partnered with the St. Mary Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for their domino tournament, where sensitisation sessions were conducted. More than 170 people were sensitised on gender-based violence issues.

Additionally, the Bureau of Gender Affairs is also raising awareness through public service announcements which are currently in circulation on television, radio and online.

Mr Speaker, at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Public Forum in 2018, I highlighted persons living with disabilities as a vulnerable group within our society, that requires increased attention regarding gender-based violence and I made the promise that moving forward we would include this vulnerable group in our programmes, initiatives, policies and legislations.

I will launch two important initiatives that are geared specifically towards victims of GBV who have disabilities on Friday at our Public Forum.

Mr Speaker, I just want to appeal to every member of our society: One in four women is enduring horrific abuse at this very moment. That means that a woman, somewhere — someone you know — needs you. She needs you to be her voice. So if you know or suspect something, please stand up and talk up.

Let’s end violence against women.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Kingston, 23 November 2019 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed sadness at the passing of the playwright, Paul Beale.

Minister Grange said:

“I pay tribute to Paul Beale, an outstanding playwright who dedicated his life to Jamaican theatre. He passed away on Friday after returning from rehearsals for his latest productions.

Paul’s role in the development of the Jamaican theatre was invaluable; he gave his all each time whether in the role of writer, actor, director or producer. We must never forget his contribution and the characters that he’s left with us.

As a tribute to Paul, I encourage everyone who is able to attend his latest plays — ‘Melcita and the plumber’ and ‘Rasta’s Wedding Proposal’ — on Sunday at Carter Hall, Holy Cross Church, Half Way Tree and give support to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Minister Grange has also extended condolences to Paul Beale’s family.

END

Paris, 20 November 2019 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the nominees for the Reggae Grammy.

The nominees for Best Reggae Album were announced today (Wednesday, 20 November 2019) and includes:

RAPTURE (Koffee);
AS I AM (Julian Marley);
THE FINAL BATTLE: SLY & ROBBIE VS. ROOTS RADICS (Sly & Robbie & Roots Radics);
MASS MANIPULATION (Steel Pulse);
MORE WORK TO BE DONE (Third World)

Minister Grange said the nominees represented “some of the biggest names in Reggae music” and thanked them for "bringing Jamaica’s music to all the peoples of the world.”

The Reggae Grammy will be awarded in January, 2020.

END

Paris, 18 November 2019 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has sent warm congratulations to the national senior team who have qualified for the Lacrosse Women’s World Cup.

The women earned their place by finishing third in the qualifiers on the weekend.

Minister Grange said she was “excited by the very happy news” of the team’s qualification.

Minister Grange said:
“This is historic — it’s the first time that a team from Jamaica, and indeed the Caribbean, has qualified for the Lacrosse Women’s World Cup. They deserve our congratulations and our full support as they continue to beat the odds.

This latest achievement adds to a good run for history-making Jamaican teams over the past few years. It shows the success of sport development initiatives and we must congratulate our athletes, their support teams including the coaches and administrators.”

END

Kingston, 18 November 2019 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the start of a new programme to assist adolescent fathers to live up to their responsibilities.

Minister Grange made the announcement in her message to mark International Men’s Day, being observed on Tuesday, 19 November 2019.

The new programme — to be implemented by the Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica, which runs the Programme for Adolescent Mothers — is called the Young Fathers Jamaica Initiative.

Minister Grange said the new initiative is designed to “assist adolescent fathers to become outstanding dads.”

Minister Grange also announced the start of the #MentorMe2020 programme which will target at-risk young men.

According to Minister Grange, #MentorMe2020 — to be led by the Bureau of Gender Affairs — will see “outstanding men helping high school boys to become outstanding and balanced men of the future.”

International Men’s Day is being observed under the theme “Building Strong Men through Health and Wellness: Balance di ting”.

The Gender Minister said her Ministry will be leading targeted interventions across the country to address some of the Health and Wellness issues that men face everyday. She urged Jamaican men to strive to achieve the right balance in every area of their lives:

“Everyday men across Jamaica make tremendous sacrifices for their families, our communities and our nation. Today, we acknowledge all that you do for us and express our gratitude.

But we know that in your quest to ensure that the rest of us are okay, you oftentimes don’t pay enough attention to your own wellbeing; and that is why for this year’s celebration we focus on Building Strong Men through Health and Wellness to Balance di Ting.”

Among the activities to mark International Men’s Day is a conference focussing on mental health and wellness at the Jamaica Conference Centre beginning at 9:00am.

Minister Grange has urged all Jamaicans to celebrate the men in their lives.

END

19 November 2019

Today, I send you warm greetings on International Men’s Day. This is a great opportunity to recognise the outstanding value that you bring to our lives.

Everyday men across Jamaica make tremendous sacrifices for their families, our communities and our nation. Today, we acknowledge all that you do for us and express our gratitude.

But we know that in your quest to ensure that the rest of us are okay, you oftentimes don’t pay enough attention to your own wellbeing; and that is why for this year’s celebration we focus on Building Strong Men through Health and Wellness to Balance di Ting.

We demonstrate real strength when we balance every area of our lives, but getting the balance right is a sensitive matter that sometimes requires some assistance.

Today, we will be launching targeted interventions to address some of the Health and Wellness issues that, as men, you face everyday.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce the start of two new initiatives: the Mentor Me 2020 which will see outstanding men helping high school boys to become outstanding and balanced men of the future; and the Young Fathers Jamaica Initiative which will assist adolescent fathers to become outstanding dads.

I know that sometimes men’s issues do not get the requisite focus, but our celebration of International Men’s Day gives us an opportunity to change that.

Today, we celebrate men from every walk of life and I ask that you wish each man in your life a Happy International Men’s Day.

Olivia Grange, CD, MP
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

Statement by the Minister of Culture, Gender,
Entertainment and Sport
the Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP
Jamaica’s Policy Statement to the 40th Session of the
UNESCO General Conference
Paris, France
15 November 2019

Salutations

President of the General Conference
Chairman of the Executive Board
Director General

Last year, on November 29, the Reggae Music of Jamaica was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and we all celebrated by singing Bob Marley’s “One Love”.

Previously, Kingston, our capital city, was declared a Creative City Of Music by UNESCO, and our Blue and John Crow Mountains were designated a world heritage site.

Our country understands the value of UNESCO in recognising and protecting cultural heritage. These achievements are also in keeping with Jamaica’s recognition of its creative economy. For this reason, Jamaica is taking concrete steps to establish a National Culture and Creative Industries Council “Jamaica Creative” to realise the objectives of the 2005 Convention on the protection and promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

In the field of Education, we are moving solidly to support the Global Convention on the Mobility of Higher Education and Qualification. Jamaica is committed to the promotion of equity, and has pursued the realisation of SDG 4, through the Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition, and other forward looking initiatives. We have prioritised TVET and STEM integration and are making important strides in reducing gender gaps in educational institutions and transforming the early childhood sector.

As we look to the future, the views and development of our young people are important. Jamaica is pleased to have two vibrant representatives in attendance at the UNESCO Youth Forum.
In relation to Science, we have embraced the urgency which must be attached to the pursuit of Open Science, of women and girls in Science, and in managing the digital transformation. In February 2020, Jamaica and the UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Office will be hosting a Conference on Artificial Intelligence for the Caribbean, and will also explore its use to promote integrity in Sport which we call ‘physical culture’. We are convinced of the significant contribution which UNESCO can make to setting global standards in this area.

We also attach great significance to media and information literacy, as responsible media and technology play a vital role in promoting democratic values and fostering inclusive societies. Digital literacy is critical in preparing our people for the far-reaching disruptions, displacement and opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution. This is particularly relevant to SIDS, given our low levels of GDP and labour intensive economies, which are most susceptible to the negative consequences of automation in the short to medium term.

UNESCO’s approval of the declaration of October 24 to 31, as Global Media and Information Literacy Week, would give these important issues the global attention which they need and deserve. We look forward to the support of Member States.

Mr. President, today, Jamaica re-affirms its commitment to pursue the Organisation’s goals and aspirations at the country level.

Today, we are further challenging UNESCO to intensify the mutually reinforcing relationship with its membership, given the unique role assigned to it as a force for good - in national and global development. UNESCO is an organisation which is best placed to demonstrate multilateralism at work.

Jamaica joins other Small Island Developing States in continuing to press for UNESCO to advance a global priority plan towards SIDS imperatives, of which climate change is a critical component.

My delegation acknowledges the many successes of the UNESCO family, including the Regional Offices and National Commissions. We commend the Director General for her vision and for the work underway in the implementation of the strategic transformation to strengthen UNESCO’s capacity and effectiveness. While this is a work in progress, we declare that its success will only be assured, when all Member States are able to see themselves in the outcomes and impact.

One Love, One Heart, One Destiny!