Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS) notes with regret the recent murder of females by their male consorts. This gender-based violence is a part of a wider culture of using violence to solve inter-personal conflicts.

Research shows that, in part, violence in society is rooted in poor socialisation consequent on poor family structure, poor family life, and fatherlessness.

Over the years many statements have been made condemning the violence, but there has been no positive change. This is not unexpected. The JCHS is of the view that, in order to have meaningful impact on both violence and poverty, family and fatherlessness must be placed at the centre of national policy.

Our group shared this perspective with the present Government at the beginning of its tenure, encouraging it to openly and directly address family and fatherlessness as urgent considerations for public policy.

The JCHS commends the effort of the National Association of the Family in addressing fatherlessness through its programme ‘Man Up!’ This year approximately 600 young men participated.

We grieve with those who have suffered loss and encourage all stakeholders to join in encouraging policymakers to prioritise addressing the root causes of violence and poverty, poor family structure, poor family life, and fatherlessness.

Dr Wayne West

wayne_west@hotmail.com