Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn says the six-year UK-Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership Programme is committed to “penetrate the atmosphere of violence in seven volatile communities in Jamaica”.
She further added: “The vision is clear in the fight against violence, and the Ministry of National Security will continue to work assiduously in pursuing the change needed”.
The State Minister was delivering remarks at the Launch of the UK/Jamaica Violence Prevention Partnership Programme at the Edward Seaga Primary School in Kingston today (October 15).
Minister Cuthbert-Flynn pointed out that the implementation of the VPPP is not a reactive measure but a proactive approach to address some of the root causes of violence.
“We will simultaneously deliver psychosocial, case management, literacy and parenting interventions in seven volatile communities, all while improving the data infrastructure to drive evidence-based decision-making,” Minister Cuthbert-Flynn explained.
She reiterated, “Violence is not inevitable, it thrives in environments of neglect, lack of opportunity and inadequate support. And it is only by addressing the root causes, particularly in our schools and communities that we can break this cycle.”
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean, Baroness Jennifer Chapman of Darlington in delivering remarks reiterated the UK’s commitment to support Jamaica in the fight against violence in schools and by extension in communities.
“We are committed to providing you with the tools and support to help transform these communities, working closely with parents and students, giving them the help they need, so they themselves, can become actors of change,” she emphasised.
The activities under the Programme align with the objectives of Jamaica’s Citizen Security Plan, which supports the Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy to combat school violence.
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