Kingston, 23 October 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has urged countries to “put stronger focus on creating real gender equality” as they build back stronger from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister Grange made the remarks in a video statement for the launch of the US Government-led International Call to Action on Women’s Economic Empowerment which was launched on Friday (today) by Senior US Government Officials, including the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo; US Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft; National Security Advisor, Robert O’Brien, and Advisor to the President, Ivanka Trump.

Jamaica is among the 31-member core group of countries that are supporting the Call to Action which is intended to ensure that women have the ability to freely and fully participate in the global economy.

Minister Grange said:
“There’s an overwhelming body of evidence showing the undeniable connection between women’s economic participation and prosperity. Anywhere that the situation of women improves, the overall economic condition in the country also improves.

And that is why [Jamaica] continues to invest in education and training and providing grants and other types of funding to put women on the path to economic independence.”

The Call to Action encourages governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to promote and protect the rights of women workers, take action to remove structural and legal barriers and implement labour market policies to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Minister Grange affirmed the commitment of the Government of Jamaica to “continue to remove obstacles that prevent women from contributing to economic activity — especially as we begin the process of building back stronger from the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.”

The Minister added that “In building back stronger we must all put stronger focus on creating real gender equality because that will translate into gains for all of humanity.”

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