Women's Representation in Jamaica's Partnership for Transformation

Whereas :

The Partnership for Transformation (PFT) is Jamaica's national forum where social partners are consulted on, and have a determining input in, major development plans of the country.

Whereas:
The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition, through its individual and private sector members who sit on the PFT, was able to successfully lobby for representation from the wider civil society.

The PFT now includes representatives from human rights, youth, environment and Faith goups.

Whereas, women:

still have primary responsibility for reproducing Jamaica's labour
force/citizenry - not only in terms of rearing children, but in the
daily work that ensures that household members have the wherewithall
to go out and produce

have the highest level of unemployment and lowest share of earned
income, despite comparatively better educational attainment

have greater numbers of persons dependent on their income (children,
elderly relatives etc) subsidising the welfare of many who would
otherwise cost the state more

have demonstrated creditworthiness, but face low access to credit, and
other collateral

are approximately 50\% of the population but remain the greatest untapped resource in leadership and decision-making in Jamaica

We, the women and women's organisations signed below, call for the full representation of women in the Partnership for Transformation (PFT.)

Women's perspectives and voice; our lives, livelihoods and families are central to, and are impacted by, all development concerns.

Women's full representation and participation in decision-making is a core principle and goal set out in the several international Conventions on gender equality, to which Jamaica is signatory; and, is in keeping with the commitments set out in the gender sector plan of Vision 2030 and Jamaica's National Gender Policy of March 2011.

The PFT is an important forum for Jamaica's fulfillment of these commitments.