UNDP urges civil groups to strengthen collaborations for social justice
Published:Friday | February 21, 2025 | 12:13 AMMickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer
With the Ministry of Justice leading the charge, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday called on civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen their collaboration and enhance their efforts in the ongoing fight for social justice across Jamaica.
Speaking at the AC Hotel in New Kingston yesterday, which was being comemorated a World Social Justice Day, Kimberly Wilson, UNDP programmes analyst for monitoring and evaluation, emphasised the critical role of youth-led groups and citizen safety organisations in expanding outreach and improving referral systems.
“Together, we can build a culture of inclusive justice that ensures services are equally accessible to vulnerable communities such as women, girls, persons living with disabilities, and other key populations,” she said, underlining the importance of continued collaboration in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions.
The event, themed ‘Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps of Social Justice’, brought together a range of stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from CSOs and a few international organisations, including the Canadian High Commission, to reflect on the progress made in promoting social justice in Jamaica.
Wilson also highlighted the transformative power of an inclusive justice system grounded in equity, access, participation, and rights. She emphasised that despite access to justice being a fundamental right under the Jamaican Constitution and international law, barriers like stereotypes, discrimination, and structural deficiencies still prevent marginalised groups from fully engaging with the justice system.
“We are expanding access to justice among vulnerable populations, and this contributes directly to achieving Vision 2030’s goal for a secure, cohesive, and just Jamaican society,” said Wilson, pointing to the ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Justice and UNDP, through the Social Justice (SO-JUST) project funded by Canada.
The event also recognised the significant role of CSOs in bridging gaps in access to justice, with organisations such as Jamaicans for Justice, the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Children First, and the MultiCare Youth Foundation in attendance. Public Defender Carolyn Reid-Cameron and Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison were among those participating in the event.
These CSOs are at the forefront of initiatives to improve access to justice for marginalised communities, employing innovative strategies like school tours, sign language classes, and cognitive behavioural therapies, alongside offering vital outreach services. The MultiCare Youth Foundation, for example, shared its success in working with at-risk youth through programs focused on life skills, vocational training, and mentorship.
“”Our primary objectives are cognitive behaviour therapy and life skills training to equip participants with the tools they need to manage emotional trauma and conflict, promote positive youth devopment and reduce the risk of recidivism through partnerships with the UNDP and the Government of Canada,” said Executive Director Alicia Glasglow-Gentles.
The organisation, which operates in six parishes, has already impacted several youth, providing them with job skills and personal development opportunities.
The Circle of Care Jamaica, another key CSO, shared its mobile outreach programmes, which bring critical support services to rural areas and raise awareness about gender-based violence. Executive Director Alicia Bowen-McCulskie explained that the organisation provides psychological first aid, life skills training, and support for survivors, helping individuals in marginalised communities break free from cycles of abuse.
Canada’s continued support for social justice initiatives in Jamaica was also recognised. Shehryar Sarwar, head of international cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, highlighted the North American counry’s long-standing commitment to advancing social justice in Jamaica, including funding legal-aid systems and promoting community-based dispute resolution.
Sarwar praised the efforts of CSOs in addressing systemic barriers and advocating for legal reforms, noting that collective action is key to creating an inclusive society.
The event also recognised the critical role of academic institutions in grounding social justice solutions in research and data, helping to inform policy changes and improve service delivery, with The University of the West Indies playing a significant part in hosting the 2024 Social Justice Conference that explored actionable strategies for enhancing justice for people with disabilities.