Chang blasts violence against women and children
Published:Wednesday | February 27, 2019 | 12:00 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has joined the growing chorus of voices condemning the high level of violence committed against Jamaica’s women and children.
He called on citizens to band together and fight for fundamental rights of vulnerable groups.
“We (the Government) reaffirm our commitment to creating a Jamaica that recognises the rights of all to fair treatment and equal rights, a society that recognises the valuable role of our women and the youth, and a society that is brave enough to determine its future on its own terms,” said Chang. “This is a good time to reaffirm this principle because the level of violence against our women and children is to be abhorred.”
The North West St James member of parliament, who was addressing a thanksgiving service in Blenheim, Hanover, in commemoration of the 135th anniversary of the birth of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, on Sunday, says it is time for the nation to take a collective stance against crime.
“Sir Alexander was well known for his respect for women and love for children, and as such, the present-day abuse against them ought to stop immediately,” said Chang. “All criminal violence is abhorred, but the violence against our women is particularly worrying at this point in time.”
Chang, who is the member of parliament for North West St James, where one woman was numbered among three persons slaughtered by gunmen, said the time was ripe for a national commitment towards putting an end to domestic and other violence against women and children.
“We need to reaffirm that commitment to protect our women and children and to cease the abuse against our women,” said Chang.