Canada gives $12M Boost for Jamaica’s Justice System

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, January 20, 2023 – Women, girls, people with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence and residents of rural and vulnerable communities in Jamaica will now see more equity in justice being delivered because of a CAD$ 12 million donation by Canada through a newly launched Social Justice (So-JUST) Project.

The seven-year initiative, which runs from 2021 to 2028, aims to facilitate a more rights-based and gender-sensitive justice system that yields equitable outcomes for all Jamaicans.

In speaking at the launch of the project on January 12, Justice Minister, Delroy Chuck thanked the Canadian Government for supporting the project, emphasising that “Jamaica must respond by becoming a peaceful, safe and secure society”.

“So, this programme has now been launched. It’s really one where we expect strong communication so that every single citizen is made aware that you will have help [and] you can get help,” the Minister said.

In his address, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Harjit Sajjan, highlighted the importance of the So-JUST Project.

“This directly improves justice outcomes by reducing the backlog in the courts. For women and girls in rural areas, the extension of access to legal-aid systems has a direct impact,” Minister Sajjan said.

The So-JUST Project is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Justice Ministry and the Office of the Chief Justice, with funding from Global Affairs Canada.