Jamaica is among eight countries joining a new United Kingdom-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls.

The coalition, which also includes South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Australia, aims to tackle domestic abuse, sexual violence and online abuse while enhancing global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and humanitarian crises.

Welcoming the initiative, Gender Minister Olivia Grange stressed that violence against women and girls requires not only strong laws and policies but coordinated, survivor-centred systems that protect, respond to and prevent violence.

She said Jamaica remains committed to strengthening its gender architecture, expanding support services for survivors, addressing harmful masculinities and advancing collective global action to end all forms of gender-based violence.