Today (March 3, 2009) is International Woman's Day
From the Jamaica Observer:
Women's rights are human rights - BWA
Monday, March 02, 2009
INTERNATIONAL Women's Day(IWD) affords us another opportunity to reflect on the contribution of our women; the backbone of the society. Women have paid a high price for freedom because they had to fight and are still fighting for recognition.
On IWD, Jamaica [will] join the rest of the world in observing [the day] dedicated to the celebration of women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements and accomplishments in various spheres of life.
IWD did not come about by chance but evolved under pressure. This pressure was brought to bear as women reacted to hardship experienced by female needle trade workers in New York City in 1908. Due to poor working conditions, several female workers in that trade perished in a fire. This tragic event led women in the needle trade to demand better working conditions, the right to be unionised and the right to vote. Their ideas gained momentum with wide acceptance of IWD on a global scale, in both developed and developing countries, since 1910.
In Jamaica, the establishment of the Women's Desk in 1974 and the upgrade to a Women's Bureau in 1975 led to the first observance of IWD in 1978. This was part of the recognition of the decade for women with emphasis being placed on addressing the historical imbalance that women faced over the years.
Now International Women's Day is an important day on the international calendar. It is an occasion for celebration as well as for critical reflection on the world's progress towards achieving gender equality and equity.
International Women's Day is for all women regardless of colour, class, race, creed, religious belief, social background or political persuasion. In observing International Women's Day, we are making a clear and definitive statement that women's rights are human rights.
Liquid Gold model Felan
- Faith Webster, executive director, BWA
CEDAW: for your protection
THE Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international agreement to protect women from discrimination in its various forms. The Jamaican Government signed the agreement on September 3, 1981 and it came into effect on October 19, 1984.
Article 1: Definition of discrimination
'Discrimination' refers to the unfair treatment shown to women and girls in private and public spaces. Discrimination takes place when women and girls are denied or prevented from accessing or enjoying their basic human rights.
Article 2: Policy measures and legislation
Policies such as the National Gender Policy and the Sexual Harassment policies have been developed to address various types of discrimination. New legislation has been introduced such as Property (Rights of Spouses) Act and the Maintenance Act. Amendments have been made to the Domestic Violence Act and the process is in train for amendments to be made to the Sexual Offences Act.
Article 3: Women's human rights
The Bureau of Women's Affairs has made submissions to the recommendations proposed under the current Justice System Reform requesting that special provisions be made for women and children who are victims of (or are affected by) acts of violence, discrimination or abuse.
Article 4: Measures to ensure equality
The Government's commitment to the promotion of greater gender equality is reflected in the establishment of a Victims Charter, a human rights unit within the Ministry of Justice and increased collaboration and partnership among government and non-governmental institutions.
Article 5: Sex roles and stereotyping
The Government is responsible for putting measures in place to eliminate cultural and traditional practises which discriminate and/or stereotype women. Measures taken by the Government include re-socialisation efforts; public education/sensitisation campaigns and training ongoing in schools and civil society to address stereotypical attitudes; community outreach and gender mainstreaming initiatives.
Article 6: Prostitution/ Exploitation
Several measures have been put in place to address gender-based violence including legislation, policies, public education and training as well as the establishment of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA). The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) - TIP Act became operative on March 1, 2007. A National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) was established in June 2005 to enhance national capacity, develop and implement Jamaica's legislative and institutional framework for the elimination of (TIP). The Government has also ratified the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women or the Convention of Belem do Para.