Opposition Spokesperson on Gender, the elderly, and persons with disability, Denise Daley is calling for the establishment of a national femicide registry.

Femicide is the intentional killing of women or girls, in particular because of their gender.

Daley made the call on Tuesday against the background of the United Nations Population Fund describing Jamaica as having the second-highest rate of femicide globally.

She was speaking in the House of Representatives during her contribution to the Sectoral Debate.

“If we continue treating every femicide as simply another homicide, we will continue responding after lives have already been lost instead of identifying the warning signs that could prevent these tragedies,” said Daley.

“Every woman lost leaves behind grieving and traumatised families and communities forever changed. This is why I believe it is time for Jamaica to establish a national femicide registry,” she added.

The Member of Parliament for St Catherine Eastern explained that the registry would allow for the collection and analysis of critical information, including previous reports of domestic violence, restraining orders, police interventions and other indicators of escalating abuse.

“It would enable policymakers, social workers and law enforcement to identify patterns, improve interventions and ultimately save lives,” she noted.

The Opposition lawmaker told the Parliament that while we must confront violence in our homes and communities, we must also acknowledge that violence has evolved.

“Today, abuse no longer ends when someone leaves the house. It follows them onto their mobile phones, computers, and social media accounts. Cyberbullying has become one of the most significant threats facing our young people. We have seen lives damaged by online harassment, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyberstalking and public humiliation carried out behind anonymous screens,” said Daley.

She cited that words typed in seconds can leave emotional scars that last for years while warning that “we also cannot ignore the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

Daley noted that AI has enormous potential to transform just about every sector, but warned that, like every powerful tool, it can also be abused.

“Today, women and girls have become particular targets through the creation of deepfake images and digitally manipulated content intended to humiliate, exploit and intimidate them.

“Young men are also increasingly exposed to cyber fraud and harmful digital influences that shape unhealthy attitudes towards women and relationships,” she stated.

The Opposition MP warned that technology must never outpace our values.

“We must begin developing legislative safeguards, public education campaigns and digital literacy programmes that equip our citizens, especially our young people, to use these technologies responsibly while protecting them from abuse,” Daley said.

She suggested that schools become part of this conversation.