Eighteen Authorised Officers have been formally designated, and 14 tribunal members sworn in, to implement Jamaica’s Sexual Harassment (Safety and Prevention) Act, 2021, marking a major step ahead in Jamaica’s dedication to gender justice.
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The swearing-in ceremony came about on July 17 on the Ministry of Tradition, Gender, Leisure and Sport in Kingston. Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange described the occasion as “removed from a mere formality,” emphasizing its significance in making certain the Act is upheld nationwide.
“These appointments aren’t ceremonial — they’re sensible, essential, and intensely essential,” Minister Grange mentioned. “This represents one other nice stride in our journey as a nation in the direction of a fairer and safer Jamaica for all.”
The tribunal members had been rigorously chosen for his or her experience in regulation, labour, gender, human rights, academia, and landlord-tenant relations. Their function is to listen to and adjudicate sexual harassment instances underneath the Act, which protects people in workplaces, instructional establishments, and residential settings.
Minister Grange reminded the tribunal of their accountability: “You’re obliged to reveal equity, compassion, and the power to take care of deeply private, delicate issues with dignity and stability. Your function is to pay attention rigorously, decide pretty, and be sure that each complainants and respondents obtain justice.”
The designated Authorised Officers, educated by the Jamaica Constabulary Drive’s School of Prison Investigation, will function the primary level of contact for people looking for redress. They are going to inform complainants of their rights and guarantee nobody is discouraged from coming ahead.
“You will need to make sure the regulation isn’t just identified however correctly utilised,” the Minister urged. “Your job is to pay attention with out judgement and to guarantee that not even one complainant is turned away.”
Minister of International Affairs and International Commerce, Kamina Johnson Smith, additionally spoke, highlighting that the regulation is about respect and defending folks from undesirable advances. She famous that whereas the laws is gender-neutral, ladies are disproportionately affected and subsequently prioritized in discourse.
Minister Grange described the event as “a historic second for the gender structure in Jamaica,” declaring, “We’re turning legal guidelines into actual safety. We’re ensuring that there’s justice for everybody.”
