Earlier this year, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, suggested in the nation’s parliament that there may be a need for a new ministry to address the increasing violence within the country. More recently, at the annual conference of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), of which Holness is the leader, he announced that he has commissioned a study to determine whether to establish such a ministry, possibly called the Ministry of Peace and Human Development, though the final name remains undecided.
Undoubtedly, the surge in violence and violent crime in Jamaica has had a profoundly negative impact on the nation and its citizens. As Holness mentioned in his JLP conference speech, although Jamaica isn’t at war, the annual murder rate of 55 per 100,000 persons exceeds the death rate of several countries currently at war. Moreover, in addition to the high cost of human lives, there is a significant economic burden, with reports indicating that violence and violent crime cost the country approximately J$120 billion annually. This is money that could be better utilized for much-needed social and training projects, particularly targeted at the youth.
There is widespread agreement with Holness that there is far too much conflict among Jamaicans in nearly every aspect of society. The nation urgently requires the implementation of organized conflict resolution within families, between neighbors, romantic partners, employers, and employees, among workers, teachers and students, students themselves, customers and customer service personnel, and members of political organizations.
But what does Holness truly mean by suggesting the need for a ministry dedicated to addressing violence in the country? An analysis of crime in Jamaica reveals two primary categories of violence: violent crime and domestic violence, in addition to violence related to the inability to peacefully resolve conflicts.
Notably, while Holness has proposed the need for a new ministry to address violence in Jamaica, he did not mention the need for a separate ministry to focus solely on violent crime. Is this omission intentional, or does he intend for the existing Ministry of National Security to continue addressing violent crime? Violent crime should remain within the purview of this ministry.
The proposal of a new ministry to deal with violence in Jamaica has left some members of the diaspora wondering why the Prime Minister needs a ministry other than the Ministry of National Security to cope with violent crime as if the latter is incapable of handling it. Interestingly, Holness never mentioned violent crime, leading to the assumption that the new ministry wouldn’t deal with violent crime.
However, there is a pressing need for the Holness administration to urgently reorganize and enhance the effectiveness of the Ministry of National Security and the law enforcement operations falling under its purview. The ministry has not been as effective in addressing violent crime as it should be. There is a growing consensus within Jamaica and the diaspora that, given the seriousness of violent crime as a national problem, the Prime Minister should also assume the portfolio of Minister of National Security. This would signify his commitment to addressing the issue.
Regarding domestic violence and conflict resolution, the creation of a new ministry may indeed be worthwhile. Earlier this week, Betty Ann Blaine, the founder of the Jamaican organization Hear The Children’s Cry, suggested establishing a Ministry of Family Affairs to address the issue of violence in the country. There is agreement with Blaine’s assertion that “The state of the family in our society is the root of the problem of our current untenable levels of crime and violence.”
Several factors, including the absence of a father figure, single mothers working away from home, frustration stemming from poverty, unfaithfulness, and peer pressure, have contributed to serious violence within families. This violence has spilled over from the family home into schools, the workplace, social gatherings, and throughout communities.
A dedicated ministry could focus on studying the root causes of this violence, developing and implementing remedial measures in homes, schools, workplaces, and the general community, with a strong emphasis on conflict resolution and addressing the potential for deadly violence in intimate domestic relationships.
Blaine also aptly commented, “Issues such as domestic violence, parental migration, inappropriate and often violent disciplinary measures, and disgracefully underserved inner-city and deep rural communities, all need to be corrected through a well-coordinated initiative that receives the highest priority.”
Something or multiple factors are undeniably contributing to the violence taking root in some Jamaican families and spreading rapidly throughout numerous communities. This issue requires urgent attention, whether through a new ministry or the reorganization of an existing one, with the assistance of various community sectors. Addressing this problem of violence will necessitate not only a new or restructured ministry but also the collective efforts of the entire nation.
