KINGSTON, Jamaica — Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is to be incorporated in the training programme offered at peace and justice centres across the island.

“We are having conversations with the Ministry of Justice for a perpetrator intervention programme, where, through the peace and justice centres, a module will be included on gender-based violence,” said Director of Policy and Research at the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sharon Coburn-Robinson.

“We expect this to materialise by the first quarter of 2019,” she added.

Robinson was speaking at a recent Think Tank held at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) head office in Kingston.

Gender-based violence refers to any harm that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that results from power inequalities that are based on gender roles.

Around the world, gender-based violence almost always has a greater negative impact on women and girls, and includes sexual abuse, domestic violence, legal discrimination and exploitation.

Robinson explained that through the training programme the bureau will equip facilitators at the peace and justice centres to intervene in reported instances of gender-based violence.

“The… centres are very poised to have intervention at the community level, and that’s why we intend to work with the Ministry of Justice, and Dispute Resolution Foundation,” Robinson expressed.

The peace and justice centres, under the direction of the Dispute Resolution Foundation, offer mediation services and support the work of the police, courts, community-based organisations and schools in reducing crime and violence in Jamaica.