KINGSTON, Jamaica— UNAIDS said that it welcomes Jamaica’s expansion of protections against gender-based violence as the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act took effect on Monday.

The amendment will help survivors of physical and mental abuse from people they reside with or are involved with in an intimate or familial relationship.  Amongst other changes, the amendment increases the categories of people who can apply for a protection order for an affected person. This includes allowing appropriate public officials to apply for protection orders for affected children. It also expands the ability of the court to take actions necessary to protect people.

Welcoming Jamaica’s important step forward, Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, urged a stepping up of action worldwide to tackle gender-based violence.

“UNAIDS welcomes the commitments made by Jamaica to expand protections to tackle gender-based violence. Determined action is essential across the Caribbean and Latin America, and across the world, to break the vicious cycle of violence, abuse and inequality. Survivors must be heard, and justice must be done. To protect women and girls’ health, it is essential to protect women and girls’ human rights,” said Byanyima.

“Alongside the new legal changes, the Government of Jamaica has also committed to continuing to implement other policies to support survivors including a gender-based violence helpline, legal support, shelters, intervention centres at police stations, and special training for members of the police force and other service providers,” the release said.

Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, applauded the political commitment of the Government and the Parliament of Jamaica, led by Gender Affairs Minister, Olivia Grange and the other female colleagues.

Cabal highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges in enforcement as well as policies, and noted the critical role of the courts, police, other law enforcement personnel and civil society partners in tackling gender-based violence in all its forms for all women and girls in all their diversity.