By Myesha Broadie and Markelia Rumble

The Cabinet has condemned all forms of violence against women and girls.

There has been public outrage and protests denouncing this type of violence.

This follows several incidents against females across the island, committed over recent days.

The nation’s attention has been focused on the incidents in which females have been the target.

These incidents include the discovery of skeletal remains on a beach in St. Catherine on Saturday; the remains are believed to be those of Anisa Dilworth, a missing University of Technology (UTech) student.

The physical assault of a nurse in uniform in a road rage incident in Mount Friendship, St. Andrew, last Tuesday.

The sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl in Leeds, St. Elizabeth, on Saturday, May 10.

The strangulation and assault of nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, a day earlier.

And the sexual assault of two girls, ages 9 and 10 in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on May 7.

In a statement today, the Office of the Prime Minister said Cabinet members were briefed by National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang on recent incidents that have distressed the Cabinet and indeed the public consciousness.

The Cabinet said violence of any nature is a grave threat to the moral and social fabric of the nation, but violence against Jamaica’s women and girls is even more grave.

It said the government is deeply disturbed by recent incidents of gender-based violence, which have caused immense pain to families and communities across the country.

According to the statement, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reiterated that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and that the full force of the law must be brought against perpetrators.

He said a whole-of-government approach is being taken to end this scourge of violence, whatever form it takes, through legislative reforms, community engagement and stronger enforcement.

The Prime Minister assured that the government will do all it can to eradicate violence from Jamaica.

Adding her voice, Gender Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange emphasized the government’s deep commitment to ensuring safety and dignity for all Jamaican women.

She said, “every woman and child in Jamaica deserve to live free from fear.”

Ms. Grange noted that the government is accelerating efforts to provide support for survivors and to change the toxic cultural norms that enable violence.

Meanwhile President of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding says Jamaica must undergo a cultural transformation in how it addresses violence, particularly against women and children.

His comments follow a series of recent violent attacks on women and girls that have sparked national outrage.

He is condemning the recent surge in violent acts, stating that the next PNP administration will prioritize moral revival and the protection of the most vulnerable in society.