Children’s First and the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) are now partners with the Ministry of Justice in a national mission to strengthen access to justice services by the deaf and children in contact with and conflict with the law. 

The two civil society organisations (CSOs) were officially recognised and welcomed during a CSO Engagement Launch event at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday (February 20).

They are the first CSOs mobilised as part of a wider engagement plan spearheaded by the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Country Office in Jamaica under the Social Justice (SO-JUST) project funded by Global Affairs Canada.

Ministry of Justice officials say the CSO engagement is tailored to empower participating organizations to increase awareness on community-based justice services; improve the provision of legal information and services to persons with disabilities; and increase awareness of programmes for children in conflict and in contact with the law.

JAD will provide the ministry with sign language training and communicating with the deaf sessions to its Legal Aid Council staff, while Children First will focus on bolstering awareness of services available to children in contact and conflict with the law and their guardians, working with the Child Diversion Branch.

Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, underscored the important role CSOs play in strengthening access to justice by underserved groups.

 “The expertise of these civil society groups like the JAD and Children First working in the communities, garnering insights into their needs will complement the work of the Government in reaching targeted groups providing services to those in need. I endorse these partnerships and welcome them as we work together to reach the people of Jamaica and advance social justice in gaining participation, access, equity and rights,” she said. 

“Canada’s longstanding dedication to fostering social justice in Jamaica is evident through our continuous collaboration with both the government and civil society organizations to address systematic barriers to the justice system. As the So-JUST project, valued at CA$12 million over 7 years, picks up momentum, I want to congratulate and encourage the participating organisations to lean into this work and help us make positive change quickly. Canada remains engaged and committed to working with the Government of Jamaica and local stakeholders to advance equitable access to justice and create a better, safer, and more inclusive society,” stated Chris DaSilva, head of cooperation at Global Affairs Canada.

Stacy-Ann Tomlinson-Knox, UNDP programmes specialist, called for deepened engagement, capacity building and financing of CSOs to bolster effective outreach to the underserved.

She said partnerships between Government and CSOs would be essential for driving the vision for inclusive justice.

“Imagine a Jamaica where information is in braille, sign language interpretation is available for the Deaf; access ramps for wheelchairs; proper, separated, facilities for children and women in crisis. Now imagine this as the norm and not the exception,” Tomlinson-Knox stated. 

The seven-year, CA$12 million Social Justice project will address key gaps in access to justice services currently experienced by children, persons with disabilities, women, and persons in rural communities.  

By 2028, the projects aim to strengthen institutional capacity of justice service providers; expand alternate justice programmes, witness care, child justice and legal aid programmes; increase access by all Jamaicans to information on social justice services; strengthen legislative, policy and programmatic frameworks and modernise records management system.