MINISTER of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange has acknowledged the progress made in the fight for gender equality in Jamaica but noted that women still have some way to go.

“We have come a long way. Nothing has been handed to us,” Grange told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday following a ceremony to mark International Women’s Day which was observed on March 8.

“My focus is on assisting vulnerable women, supporting victims of domestic violence, and ensuring they become survivors,” added Grange, who was presented with the Gender Icon Award for her work in gender and cultural development.

Several other outstanding Jamaican women were honoured at the function, held at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, for their contribution to sectors including politics, security forces, the legal fraternity, media and education.

Among the honourees were Fayval Williams, Jamaica’s first female finance minister; Kamina Johnson Smith, the country’s first female minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade; Julian Davis-Buckle, the highest-ranked female in the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB); House Speaker, Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness; People’s National Party chairperson, MP for St Andrew South Western Dr Angela Brown Burke; former Chief Justice Zaila McCalla; veteran broadcaster Fae Ellington; historian Professor Verene Shepherd; Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell; ‘Queen of Reggae’ Marcia Griffiths; gender activist Linnette Vassell; and Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman.

Delivering the response on behalf of the awardees, Johnson Smith emphasised the importance of unity among women.

“I want to dispel the notion that women can’t work together,” she said, citing the camaraderie in the room.

Johnson Smith also praised the progress of women leadership in Jamaica and encouraged more women to enter politics.

Among the highlights of the event was a dance performance by female firefighters in their turnout gear, showcasing their skills and the tools they use on the job.

JFB Assistant Superintendent Sandy Shaw-Dawson shared her journey as one of the first women trained alongside men in the fire service.

“We had to fight for these gears because we were not issued with any. We were made to stay in the duty room,” she recalled. “I borrowed the gears because I wanted to go out there and fight fires. We wanted to do what the men did—and we could do it better too.”

She now commands seven fire stations in Kingston and St Andrew, overseeing more than 100 personnel.

Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell (right) makes a point in discussion with (from left) House Speaker Juliet Holness, Gender Minister Olivia Grange, and Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Keynote speaker at the International Women’s Day award function on Wednesday Professor Donna Hope (left) shares lens time with former Chief Justice Zaila McCalla. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)