Canada funds project focusing on equitable access to justice in Jamaica

Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Emina Tudakovic, says the recently launched Social Justice (So-JUST) project will focus on equitable access to Justice for Jamaicans.

Emina Tudakovic said justice is an important part of Jamaica’s national strategy and national plan. The project, which has a CAD$12 million (One Canada dollar=US$0.73 cents) budget, will be implemented between 2023 and 2030.

“We believe quite firmly that security is vital to the development of Jamaica, and this is one of the areas that we’ve chosen to focus on that complement the work that the Government of Jamaica already does,” she said.

The So-JUST project aims to strengthen and promote a rights-based and gender-sensitive justice system that achieves equitable outcomes for all Jamaicans.

“So, it’s targeting groups – women and girls, vulnerable groups, men and boys, adolescents, and persons who have difficulty accessing justice, either because they are not sure of what’s available or they are not sure of the mechanisms, so that’s really important to us as a country,” the diplomat said.

Canada’s Minister of International Development for Canada, Harjit Sajjan, said the previous JUST Program, and did extremely well.

“We felt this is a program that already showed some very good results, and it’s something that we do need to continue. Justice is something that all citizens want, a system that supports the vulnerable in all communities, whether it is women in communities all across Jamaica, and we are very happy to be a part of that,” he said.

The So-JUST Project, which is being implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), also aims to foster improved changes within the structures of the justice ministry, courts, and other related agencies.

CMC/