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 
 
¶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 
 
 
SAVE TREES:  Please don't print this email unless you really need 
to! 
Parnell