No reasonable person could argue with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness that women with male relatives involved in crime need to proactively move to dissuade them from that lifestyle.

Arguing that there are alternatives to a life of crime and a “bright future” for Jamaica, Dr Holness said recently: “If we see them [men] being pulled into negative influences, I appeal to our women, reach out to them, save them…”

All that in a context in which, statistically, the forces of law and order have made impressive gains against crime over the last year and, increasingly so, since the start of this year.

In fact, since January 2025, murders are said to be at a 25-year low.

Nonetheless, crime remains among Jamaica’s biggest challenges hindering the nation’s well-being, economically and socially.

Still, the evidence suggests women are part of the problem.

While statistics show that convictions and imprisonment of women involved in violent crime are negligible compared to men, recent research and gang-related court cases have shown that the ‘fairer sex’ are sometimes at the nerve centre of criminality.

They launder, manage, and transport crime-tainted money; stockpile, hide, and transport guns, ammunition, and drugs; gather intelligence and even lure people to their deaths.

Also, women are often the ones washing the bloodied clothes of murderers; and otherwise concealing incriminating evidence.

Hence, the powerful message from Opposition parliamentarian and Jamaica Observer columnist Ms Lisa Hanna that “…behind every gang member, every act of brutality, and every shattered community, there is often a woman…”

And further that “…just as women play a role in perpetuating violence, they also hold the power to end it. They are the mothers, teachers, community leaders, and policymakers who shape the next generation…”

That takes us back to Dr Holness’s call for women to do all in their power to pull their men away from crime, and “save” them.

A big challenge, however, is that many women involved in crime are also victims of unspeakable poverty, ignorance, brutal violence, and an upbringing devoid of positivity.

Such is the complex nature of our society that, while there is alarm about rapidly falling birth rates, it is not uncommon for girls in our inner-city communities to get pregnant in their early teens; and for women — without means of economic support or a stable male figure — mothering six children and more before entering their 30s.

We often hear allegations of poor parenting. But how does one become a good mother or father without having experienced good parenting and without being taught how?

This newspaper has consistently insisted that there needs to be re-organisation of our society, starting at the community level; not just to address poverty and ignorance, but to promote positive values and attitudes among our people from infancy onwards.

Sadly, as we keep repeating, a values and attitudes programme launched back in the 1990s by then Prime Minister Mr PJ Patterson died on the altar of political expediency.

Yet, as another former Prime Minister Mr Bruce Golding has reminded us, there is no alternative to proper socialisation for our people.

Failing that, the good work now being done at the enforcement end by our security forces will be undone in time to come.