Statement from UNDP Resident Representative Denise E Antonio as requested by and reported in the Jamaica Observer Sep 7, 2020

Kingston, 3 September 2020

JAMAICA OBSERVER QUESTION 1: What are your thoughts on the increase in the number of women candidates for seats in Jamaica’s House of Representatives in recent times? (For ease of reference, UNDP publication “Where are the Women?” presented the following statistics for women candidates nominated: 2011 - 22; 2007 - 21; 2002 – 28; 1997 – 32; 1993 – 14); in 2016, 24 women candidates were nominated and for today’s election, 34 women candidates have been nominated).

UNDP remains optimistic that the increase in the number of women candidates to 34 this year, represents a positive development for Jamaica’s democracy. Harnessing and cultivating the talent and expertise of both men and women in an equitable manner will only enrich Jamaica’s development prospects. Women must not only offer themselves for political representation, they must be actively encouraged through incentivized policies and programmes to participate in the political process.

JAMAICA OBSERVER QUESTION 2: The trend, based on statistics presented in the UNDP’s publication also shows that despite the increase in the number of women candidates, the number of women elected have generally been low (2011- 8; 2007 – 8; 2002 – 7) with 2016 election being the first double digit outcome in recent years at 11, irrespective of the outcome of today’s general election, what could this mean for the future of women in decision-making positions in Jamaica?

Modest steps count but we need bolder action. Jamaica’s National Policy for Gender Equality sets a target of 30 percent of women in decision-making positions, and we believe that the historic numbers of women nominated for the current electoral cycle will move Jamaica closer to attaining this goal.  Jamaica’s development agenda will be advanced if we consider the benefits of a gender sensitive parliament. UNDP’s landmark 2015 publication Where Are The Women: A Study of Women, Politics, Parliaments and Equality in the CARICOM Countries, A Jamaica Case Study, presents the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Plan of Action for Gender-Sensitive Parliaments as worthy of consideration. According to the IPU, “a gender-sensitive parliament responds to the needs and interests of both men and women in its structures, operations, methods and work”. I join the call for Parliament to implement the Plan of Action at the national level by setting concrete objectives, actions, and deadlines suited to their national context, and to regularly monitor and evaluate the progress towards the goal of gender sensitivity. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5: Gender Equality, hinges on more women being part of the decision-making process at the highest level. Let us continue to strive in this positive direction.