Kingston, 17 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said her Ministry will give support to the former Jamaican distance runner, Kemoy Campbell, who made an appeal for help following surgery in the United States.

Minister Grange said “everything must be done to assist Kemoy.”

The athlete reported on social media that he underwent surgery on the weekend to replace an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in his chest after passing out while driving. He said the new device would also function as a pacemaker.

The Minister said she was “relieved that Kemoy was not hurt when he passed out while driving and that the surgery was a success.”

She thanked all those who have been attending to the athlete and said the Ministry “stands ready to assist him.”

Minister Grange said Campbell was covered under the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan — which provides health, life and personal accident coverage — and he is entitled to use it to deal with medical expenses.

Under the Group Health component of the Plan, Campbell can get 80 per cent coverage for hospital fees. Minister Grange said the Ministry would assist him with the balance, if required.

Minister Grange said:
“We continue to pray for Kemoy’s recovery and will do what is necessary to assist him at this time.”

END

Kingston, 13 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the closure of cultural and sport facilities, including museums, galleries, and stadia run by the government.

Minister Grange says the closures — with effect from Saturday, 14 March 2020 — are in keeping with the Government’s strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Jamaica and to minimise the potential health impact on the country.

The facilities that will be closed to the public are:

• African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank;
• Alexander Bustamante boyhood home at Blenheim, Hanover 
• Bustamante Museum at Tucker Avenue, St Andrew;
• Paul Bogle Memorial Park at Stony Gut, St Thomas;
• Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey;
• IOJ Junior Centres; 
• Simón Bolívar Cultural Centre;
• Fort Charles;
• National Gallery of Jamaica;
• Seville Heritage Park;
• National Gallery West;
• Natural History Museum of Jamaica;
• National Museum Jamaica; 
• Jamaica Music Museum;
• National Library of Jamaica;
• National Stadium;
• National Aquatics Centre;
• and Trelawny Stadium

The facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice, however staff will report to work as normal.

Minister Grange says “the closure of the facilities is a necessary precaution in the national effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep people safe.”

She has encouraged members of the cultural, sport and entertainment sectors to take all necessary precautions and follow the guidance of the health authorities.

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Kingston, 12 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has provided an update to national sport federations on the implications of the urgent and necessary measures being taken by the Government of Jamaica to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

In keeping with the national Containment and Control Strategy, the Government has taken a number of steps including:

• discouraging and restricting non-essential travel outside of Jamaica, especially to countries that have reported cases of the virus which is now a global pandemic;
• discouraging and restricting large gatherings;
• denying and rescinding the granting of permits for the staging of events, during the next 14 days (in the first instance)
• and closing schools for a period of 14 days (in the first instance).

In her letter to the heads of sport federations, Minister Grange noted that the “necessary measures” would have a direct impact on entertainment and sport activities, including Jamaica’s “participation in regional and possibly international competitions as well as the staging of competitions across the island.”

Minister Grange urged the Federations to follow the guidance of the health authorities, noting that “the success of the measures outlined by our Government is dependent on all of us, especially leaders, doing our part.”

Minister Grange made clear that she “cannot support any action outside of the guidance given, including overseas travel for national teams.”  But she noted that the situation is dynamic and subject to regular review and committed to continued dialogue and consultation with the national sport federations as the situation unfolds. 

END

Kingston, 9 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the Spotlight Initiative Jamaica programme will strengthen the government’s efforts to end violence against women and girls.

Minister Grange was speaking at the ceremonial signing and launch of the Spotlight Initiative Jamaica programme this morning (Monday) at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Programme was launched by Prime Minster, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, who said the elimination of gender-based violence is “a high priority objective for the government of Jamaica.”

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership involving the European Union and the United Nations focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

Minister Grange said:

“I thank the European Union and the United Nations for partnering with us on this Spotlight Initiative… It is a reflection of this government’s determination to build partnerships as we confront the major issues that affect us all.  It represents an important partnership for change.”

The Spotlight Initiative in Jamaica will address violence as a public health and development issue, under the banner of family violence, with a focus on three priority areas: child sexual abuse; intimate partner violence; and discrimination against vulnerable groups, including the elderly and members of society with disabilities and special needs.

It will be a three-year programme, costing US$10.6M; and will enhance and support strategic actions being taken by the government of Jamaica to eliminate violence against women, including: 

• the establishment of national 24 hour hotlines for victims, including a text line for the deaf;
• legislation to increase protection of vulnerable people such as children and the elderly;
• ongoing sensitisation and awareness-raising among the public; 
• the establishment of the Gender Advisory Council which guides the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Policy for Gender Equality and the National Strategic Plan to Eliminate Gender-based Violence;
• and the implementation of the National Shelter Strategy for victims of intimate partner violence.

Minister Grange said:

“The Spotlight Initiative is not a quick fix or a magic wand, but it is a major part of our response to this crisis that we face in our homes and communities.  While [it] will focus largely on women and girls, important efforts will be made to engage men and boys to address the toxic masculinity that is deeply embedded in the society.

There is a certain pervasive idea of masculine identity that is at the root of the high levels of violence, including gender-based violence, in our country.

This idea of masculinity that we teach and enforce causes men to see themselves as strong and women as weak.  It makes them feel that they are superior to women and that they can own, control and abuse women.

It is not a good thing and we must eliminate it by changing the ways we choose to raise our boys and our girls.”

The Minister said she looked forward to a “meaningful working relationship over the next three years” with the UN and EU representatives in Jamaica; and thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith for being a “great negotiator” with the multilateral agencies in the development of the Spotlight Initiative Jamaica programme.

END

Kingston, 7 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed sadness at the passing of the outstanding Jamaican photographer, Bryan Cummings.

Cummings, the Photo Editor for the Jamaica Observer newspaper, passed away last evening at the age of 56.

Minister Grange said:

“I wish to express condolences to the family and friends of Bryan Cummings who now mourn the passing of a truly outstanding photographer.

Brian was blessed with that eye that all great photographers possess.

His enduring legacy will be his work in sport where, through his photographs, he told the story of a glorious period in Jamaica sport, particularly track and field.

He was a well respected photographer and editor, a kind and personable man, and I want us to hold up his family and friends in our prayers at this time.”

END

Kingston, 3 March 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and the University of the West Indies Open Campus on Sexual Harassment Training and Research is an important effort on the part of the Ministry “to give full life to the anti-Sexual Harassment legislation.”

Minister Grange was giving the main address at the signing ceremony for the MOU held at the Regional Headquarters of the UWI on February 28.

It is being implemented through the Ministry’s Bureau of Gender Affairs and the Hugh Shearer Labour Studies Institute (HSLSI) of the UWIOC.

The HSLSI will provide special training through the BGA in such areas as sexual harassment, workplace bullying, emotional intelligence, labour laws, grievance handling and good industrial relations practice.

The BGA will be invited to coordinate the general training programmes conducted by the HSLSI and to ensure participants attendance at forums and lectures.

Minister Grange said: “The main focus of the training will be on prevention. In that regard, we must create the vision of a new Jamaica where respect, tolerance, dignity, and a high self-esteem are seen as the norm for workplace behaviours.
She said the training was important as the Government put in place the legal framework to regulate workplaces to create an environment that is free from sexual harassment. An environment that is governed by comprehensive sexual harassment policies and would ensure immediate and appropriate action to deal with the allegations of sexual harassment when they arise.

“I am confident that this MOU has provided the pathway for us to take a more comprehensive look at what we are facing as a country, and develop our own solutions to overcome the problems,” the Minister said.

END

Kingston, 27 February 2020 - (JIS) Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the nation’s music stalwarts for carving out a space for Jamaica’s indigenous art form on the international stage.

Citing several vintage and contemporary artistes, she said that “these icons are ordinary Jamaicans, who have given the world over six genres that comprise Jamaica’s music.” These include mento, ska, rocksteady, Reggae, dancehall, dub and lovers rock.

“We salute them for their creativity and they have carved out a proud place in the world,” the Minister said.

Minister Grange, who was addressing the recent Jamaica Day celebration at the Denbigh High School in Clarendon, said that the designation of February as Reggae Month is to ensure that the contribution of the artistes is properly showcased.

For his part, Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, who is also Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, said it is important for young people to celebrate their country, and to draw inspiration from its builders in various fields.

He further urged them to “prepare yourself to take advantage of the immense opportunities and the potential in Jamaica.”

Jamaica Day was observed under the theme: ‘Celebrating Jamaica…highlighting our Icons in the Arts, Agriculture and Technological Innovations,’ and involved cultural performances and displays, and presentations from leaders in various fields, at schools across the island.

END

Kingston, 14 February 2020 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will offer a scholarship in the name of the late Barrington Moncrieffe tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, made the announcement of the scholarship on Thursday at a memorial service at the Little Theatre in her tribute to the late former dancer, teacher and Artistic Director of the National Dance Theatre Company.

The Minister said the scholarship, for a dance student, will remove barriers to higher education which Barry Moncrieffe was committed to doing.

Minister Grange said:
“Over the years, Barry understood the importance of education and tradition bearing. He pursued a distinguished career in teaching at the Edna Manley College School of Dance where his generosity of spirit and quiet dignity impacted those who were privileged to learn at his feet. He was the consummate artist with a taste for succession planning that saw him open his heart and mind to the advantage of his many students.”

The scholarship, in the amount of $250,000 per year, will be available as of September 2020 to a student of the School of Dance who has completed the first year of the degree programme with a Grade Point Average of at least 3.0.

END

11 February 2020

Science is exciting. Science is useful. Through science we gain a better understanding of our world and devise solutions to many of the challenges that we face.

But science is an area with too few women and girls. We can change that.

This International Day for Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to critically review and take steps to remove the obstacles that prevent women and girls from building careers in science.

We need science. And science needs more women. Let us invest in women and girls in science for inclusive green growth.

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

Kingston, 11 February 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the Ministry will be providing financial assistance for athletes preparing to compete in Major Games. 

Minister Grange was speaking at the unveiling of the Asafa Powell statue at Statue Park at the National Stadium on Sunday, February 9.

“This is a long term effort by this Administration to provide the necessary support systems to ensure that the wellbeing of our athletes is sustained. As part of our effort to enable our sportspeople to achieve global success, this evening, I am pleased to announce that beginning on March 1 and continuing into mid-July of this year, athletes who have qualified or are on the brink of qualification for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, will receive $20,000 per week towards their preparation, to be disbursed on a monthly basis.” 

The Sport Minister said the money would assist the athletes to offset costs relating to coaching and training; transport; physiotherapy and massage therapy; nutrition, and special needs.

“In addition, the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan is available to assist with medical treatments that the athletes may require.”
 
She emphasised that the athletes selected to benefit from the programme must be certified by their local governing body as well as by the National Olympic Committee and the Jamaica Olympic Association.

“We are finalising the details of this programme in consultation with the respective National Sport Federations. The success of this programme will be dependent on input and information provided by the national sports governing bodies and so we look forward to their full cooperation in this regard.
 
“I repeat my pledge to continue to be the chief advocate, chief cheerleader, chief supporter, chief motivator for our creative and athletic people and will do all I can to ensure that you get the respect and recognition you deserve.

“And so I am determined to expand the scope of our participation in global sports. So, in all we expect that we will be supporting over 100 athletes in their bid to represent Jamaica at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.”
 
“Once we have finalised the intricacies of implementing the programme, we will turn our attention to providing assistance to other high performance athletes who represent our country with great distinction and are in need of this support.”

Minister Grange commended Asafa Powell for his “outstanding achievement in the field of national and international athletics. We respect his commitment, hard work and performance as well as the contribution of those whose support made it all possible – his family, coaches, community.

“I am sure Asafa’s story will inspire other youngsters who are even now contemplating investment in their talents and abilities and the unlimited possibilities ahead of them,” the Sport Minister concluded.

END