Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10KINGSTON242
2010-02-19 12:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:  

S/GWI Project Proposal from Kingston - The Secretary's

Tags:  PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM AID CDC COM TRSY JM 
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VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKG #0242/01 0501249
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191207Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0719
INFO RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000242 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM AID CDC COM TRSY JM
SUBJECT: S/GWI Project Proposal from Kingston - The Secretary's
Office of Global Women's Issues Small Grants Initiative

REF: STATE 132094

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000242

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM AID CDC COM TRSY JM
SUBJECT: S/GWI Project Proposal from Kingston - The Secretary's
Office of Global Women's Issues Small Grants Initiative

REF: STATE 132094


1. Kingston is pleased to submit a project proposal entitled
"Women Under Threat: A Strategy for Support" from Woman Inc, a
non-governmental organization that operates a shelter and help line
for women who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
This is for funding under The Secretary's Office of Global Women's
Issues' Small Grants Initiative. Please find text of the proposal
below.




2. The Problem: Woman Inc has maintained a shelter for abused
women (and often, their children) in Kingston since 1987. It is the
only such facility of its kind in Jamaica, which has a population
of 2.8 million. A small office in Montego Bay offers counseling
only. A separate building is badly affected by termite
infestation. Roof damage from past hurricanes and the need for
electrical and other infrastructural improvements make this
building currently unusable. The Woman Inc shelter has often been
used to provide temporary housing for foreign nationals who have
been abused. In recent years it has also sheltered victims of
trafficking in persons, given the lack of adequate accommodation
elsewhere. The shelter can accommodate only twelve persons. Women
often have to be turned away for lack of space. During the last
four years, the overall cost of operations has been severely
impacted by the economic situation in Jamaica. Woman Inc's limited
operating budget has prevented it from considering any expansion of
outreach counseling; and has thwarted plans for infrastructural
improvements and expanding any of its services.




3. Background: Every year, gender-based violence takes a toll
on Jamaican women and their families. Police statistics show that
197 Jamaican women were killed in domestic disputes over the past
three years - at least 65 in 2009. A dramatic 82 per cent increase
in murders last year in the normally quiet rural parish of Portland
has been attributed by the police to an increase in domestic
murders. In many cases, the children and other relatives are also

attacked. In an analysis of 173 cases handled by the Crisis
Center, Woman Inc determined that most victims of domestic violence
were aged 21-35 years, and came from lower socio-economic
backgrounds. Since most are unemployed and have no financial
independence, they are much more vulnerable than middle-class women
who have more options for support.



Against the backdrop of a steadily escalating murder rate (a record
1,680 in 2009),violence against women in general has increased.
163 women (almost ten per cent of the total) were murdered in 2009.
Women and children are no longer spared by violent gangs bent on
reprisals. Jamaica's murder rate is now the highest in the world
(63 per 100,000 persons). Reported rape cases trended downward in
2009 to 673 cases; carnal abuse cases (sexual intercourse with
minors),also fell to 511. However, it is estimated that three
times this number of cases go unreported. The victims are shamed
into silence. In some communities, rape is a rite of passage, an
act that is condoned and accepted as normal behavior. A 2009 study
found that 49 per cent of girls aged 15-17 in Kingston (who, on
average, first have sex at age twelve) have experienced forced or
violent sex. One third reported that their first sexual encounter
was forced. Rape, incest and carnal abuse, especially within the
home, are "covered up." The attitude of health workers, law
enforcement officers, and even neighbors and family members, is
often indifferent or insensitive. As a result of this
marginalization, HIV/AIDS among young women aged 15 to 24 years is
more than double the number of men in the same age group. Women
account for 42 per cent of AIDS cases in Jamaica.



A Domestic Violence Act was passed into law fifteen years ago.
Legislation has recently been amended with the adoption of a Sexual
Offences Act (inclusive of a clause to address marital rape).
However, the former law is not actively enforced and the latter is
yet to be tested. Woman Inc is not optimistic, based on
experience, that the path to redress will be made any easier.
Therefore, intervention/advocacy, combined with strengthened
support for victims, will continue to play a critical role in the
foreseeable future.



Violence against women in Jamaica is exacerbated by:


* Women's lack of access to legal assistance and
information regarding their rights;

* The lack of laws that effectively prohibit violence
against women and provide adequate aid or protection;

* Failure on the part of the state to reform existing laws
in a timely manner;

* Inadequate efforts on the part of the government to
promote awareness or to enforce the existing laws;

* No "safe place" (whether a shelter or family home) for
women and their children.




4. Summary of the Proposed Program: The project will include
three key elements:

* Infrastructure rehabilitation to increase the shelter
capacity;

* Research on legal cases of domestic violence and rape to
be used for legal advisory workshops and influence on national
policy through advocacy;

* Public education including public forums and workshops
for targeted groups.



Infrastructure rehabilitation: Engineer's assessment on the roof,
which needs replacing; rewiring of the existing counselling and
office building and the unused building; general infrastructural
repairs, which will make a new building available to provide
additional shelter.



Research: An examination and review of court records to determine
the process and outcome of rape and domestic violence cases.
Development of case studies and related data, including cases in
the newly defined "Grievous Sexual Assault" category under the
Sexual Offences Act. Results of the research will be used in
public education and advocacy activities, including influencing
national policy.



Public education: Forums to sensitize the Jamaican public on the
need for support for vulnerable women/women in crisis. Workshops
for public servants (including law enforcement and legal officers);
community/social workers; journalists; volunteers. Topics:
legislation and human rights, gender sensitivity (for men only).




5. Expected Outcomes and Performance Measures:

Infrastructure rehabilitation: Complete renovation and overhaul of
existing facilities and provision of additional shelter
accommodation. Performance measures: Improved capacity and
efficiency in counselling, shelter and hotline services; number of
clients served to increase.



Research: Disaggregated data will be collated on the actual
application of policies through legislation, including civil and
criminal procedures, and the strengths and weaknesses of the system
in domestic violence/rape cases. Levels of responses to domestic
violence and rape cases will be measured. Obstacles to access to
justice for victims will be identified. Performance measures:
Trends established in specific communities and areas of the country
will assist regional justice practitioners in their work in the
courts. Recommendations in general report will provide impetus for
court procedures, legal reform and adjustments in policy.



Public Education: Increased sensitivity to violence against women,
its causes and consequences, particularly among males and public
servants. Empowerment of women through rights-based knowledge that
can be practically applied. Performance measures: Wider
commitment to change across Jamaica (expanded awareness outside
Kingston). Increased advocacy and public service announcements by
males encouraging kindness and sensitivity towards women.



6. Evaluation Methods: All methods to be used in activity
locations across the island, except for the Kingston building
improvements.

* Detailed record-keeping to show increase in number of
clients and improved quality of service, as a result of improved
infrastructure.

* Detailed report on the renovation work, once completed.
Monitoring and regular checks on infrastructure to maintain
facilities in good working order.

* Questionnaires targeted to different groups of players in
the justice system, to be issued annually to monitor changing
approaches and procedures regarding domestic violence and rape
cases.

* Focus groups with court and law enforcement officials to
determine changed attitudes and understanding of key issues
relating to human rights of victims.

* Assessment questionnaires immediately following each
workshop/training session, targeted to the specific audience
addressed (not the same one overall).

* Documentation and analysis of public service
announcements and media reports on gender-based violence.




7. Sustainability: Woman Inc has partnered with the Gleaner
newspaper to establish a trust fund account that will generate
sufficient funds to maintain Woman Inc's daily operations by 2013.
This is supplemented by fund-raising events and income from
corporate partners, as well as fees for services to clients.

The project will be sustainable through its expansion across the
nation. It will serve as a "best practices" model for additional
locations in Jamaica and can be duplicated and a reasonable fee
charged for each workshop. Project leaders will be paid as experts
- providing legal advice to non-governmental and community-based
organizations, and practical advice on the establishment of
additional regional shelters (ideally one in each of the 14
parishes in Jamaica).

Through stronger partnerships with the public sector and within the
justice system established through the project, a system of data
collection in the courts can be established and research can be
ongoing.

Already existing partnerships with non-governmental organizations
such as Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Women's Media Watch, and
others will ensure follow-up activities in the various locations
outside the capital. These partnerships will help build a "core"
network of service organizations, agencies and individuals.




8. The Organization: Woman Inc is a voluntary, non-profit, non-
governmental organisation, founded in 1984. Its Montego Bay office
was established in 1991. It draws upon the creative energies of
women from all walks of life that are dedicated to providing
assistance to victims of rape, incest, domestic violence and
domestic crisis. In recent years that mission has expanded to
recognize emerging trends and associated social issues, such as
sexual harassment at the workplace, the links between violence and
HIV/AIDS, and trafficking in persons. The organization operates
through various sub-committees: Facilities, Fundraising, Legal
Reform, Public Relations and Public Education. The Executive
Committee is elected at an Annual General Meeting. The committee
establishes and monitors all polices concerning activities and
operations; including fund-raising events, public education,
training and campaigns. Woman Inc operates a crisis shelter for
women (currently celebrating its 25th anniversary) overseen by a
house mother; offers walk-in counselling (9am to 5pm); and operates
a 24-hour hotline (929-2997 in Kingston, 952-9533/4 in Montego
Bay).

Woman Inc began public education programs in 1989, focusing
recently on several areas:

* Domestic violence intervention for police officers and
other front-line workers;

* "Men, Let's Talk" focusing on male attitudes and
behaviors and gender equality;

* Community action project funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency (CEDA)


* Schools campaign (currently suspended for lack of fund),
aimed at raising self-esteem at primary level (also intended for
state children's homes)



The Legal Reform Committee is mandated to lobby and advocate for
legislative change as it affects women in the society. Woman Inc
actively participated in joint parliamentary committee
deliberations on the Sexual Offences Act 2007. Legal aid services
are also offered to clients who visit the Crisis Center.



In the past two years, Woman Inc has been forced to cut back the
number of full-time staff due to financial constraints. It has a
roster of forty trained volunteers, who work on its 24-hour
hotline. Three in-house counsellors (including one investigative
counsellor who does more detailed background work) are now employed
on a part-time basis. However, Woman Inc employs a network of
experts and back-up staff, who can be called upon to implement
projects - including rapporteurs, accountants, documentation
specialists, psychologists and medical doctors. An overseer would
also be employed to monitor the required construction work in this
project, full-time



Woman Inc Mission Statement: WOMAN INC is committed to
strengthening the position of Jamaican women through providing
support services, public education and by lobbying for legislative
changes.




9. Projected Budget: Attached and sent via separate email.




10. Post program officer: Patricia Attkisson, PAO, tel: (876)
702-6181; cell: 361-1033; fax: (876) 702-6348; email:
attkissonpo@state.gov. Back-up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA,
tel: (876) 702-6053; cell: 399-0704; fax: (876) 702-6348; email:
lewisec@state.gov.

Parnell





















mma Lewis
Public Affairs Associate
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Embassy
142 Old Hope Road
Kingston 6
Jamaica, West Indies

Tel: (876) 702-6053 (direct); 702-6000 ext. 6053;
399-0704 (Cell/blackberry)
Fax: (876) 702-6348
Email: lewisec@state.gov

Website: http://kingston.usembassy.gov


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Parnell