KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called on the Jamaica government and civil society organizations (CSOs) to consider establishing an official referral system for CSO clients to strengthen efforts to bolster demand for the Ministry’s social justice services.
Since 2024, seven CSOs commissioned by the Ministry of Justice under the Canadian government-financed Social Justice project have been conducting cross-country promotions of the Ministry’s restorative justice, mediation, dispute resolution, victim support, and child diversion services among vulnerable groups like women, children, rural communities, and persons with disabilities.
UNDP said an official referral system could take the current partnership to the next level, ensuring that the justice needs of CSO clients are met and tracked to support improved service delivery and targeting.
Addressing a CSO Impact Showcase, UNDP Resident Representative Kishan Khoday said the CSO partnership should also be expanded to youth-led groups, citizen safety and security groups, and other potential allies to expand outreach and referrals to many more vulnerable groups.
“I call on the wider CSO community to join these important efforts to bolster access to social justice services, share information where access is being denied, share contact information with those in need, and engage with us to discuss how they can participate in our outreach programs,” Khoday said in his statement that UNDP Programme Analyst Kimberley Wilson read.
The head of Development Cooperation at the Canada High Commission here, Shehryar Sarwar, recognized CSOs as vital in promoting social justice by raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and delivering essential services.
“CSOs are often the bridge-builders between government, communities, and other stakeholders, bringing about inclusive change … without the knowledge and expertise that these civil society organizations bring to the table, we could not advance social justice as quickly or as effectively as we desire”, he said.
Sarwar said Canada remains engaged and committed to working with the Jamaica government and local stakeholders to advance equitable access to justice and create a better, safer, and more inclusive society.
The CSO Showcase featured presentations and exhibits from the Ministry’s seven CSO partners. They presented their various outreach efforts, including justice and school tours, information sessions, cognitive and behavioral therapies, sign language interpretation classes, and other innovative outreach strategies tailored to bridge gaps and boost demand for the Ministry’s social justice services.
The CSO partners under the Social Justice project are the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica, Circle of Care Jamaica, Jamaicans for Justice, Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Jamaica Professionals Youth Workers Association, Children First, and the Multi Care Youth Foundation.
The seven-year Social Justice project aims to improve access to social justice in Jamaica. It uses an equitable human rights and gender-responsive approach, focusing on vulnerable communities such as women, girls, persons living with disabilities, and other key populations.
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