Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has directed the relevant ministers to fast-track legislative amendments aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s framework to combat violence against women and girls.

This directive follows growing national concern over recent incidents of gender-based violence.

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;  

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

In a statement yesterday, Dr. Holness condemned the incidents.

He said Cabinet has been briefed and the relevant ministers were directed to fast-track legislation that could improve the protection and security of Jamaica’s women and girls. 

Noting that he had instructed the Violence Prevention Commission to undertake a study, which will help to inform how the country treats with violence, Dr. Holness said, the commission is slated to make its report to the Cabinet next week.