Moving from Formal to Substantive Equality
The motion passed unanimously in the Senate in May 2014, marking a historic achievement for women. Senator Duncan-Price emphasized, however, that the next 12 months are critical to ensure results.
The next steps involve establishing the joint committee to hold meetings and public hearings for the purpose of moving forward on tangible actions. Senator Duncan-Price will continue working to build political buy-in and public awareness, and her party’s women’s movement will hold workshops across the country to better understand and articulate women’s issues on the ground. Due to the momentum built by the motion, her party was approached to prepare a capacity building proposal for leadership and economic empowerment, which would strengthen women’s ability to run as candidates in the 2016 general elections. Other items include hosting conferences and actively following up with the minister responsible for gender affairs on the implementation of the National Policy on Gender Equality.
Senator Duncan-Price concluded by welcoming insight on how to best achieve the implementation of the motion, and she asked the Group to wish her and her Jamaican colleagues luck and perseverance of spirit over the next year in doing so.
4 Published in: Vassell, Linnette, Gender Politics and Political Parties, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung: Jamaica, 2013.
5 Titus, Mark, “Progress Too Slow: PM Laments Pace at which Women Advance in Politics,” The Gleaner (Jamaica), 31 March 2014.