blog.gov.je
Today, on International Women’s Day, the Government of Jersey (GoJ) are celebrating woman across our Island. It’s a day to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the journey ahead towards a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion, Adoni Mosquera- Valencia, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant for Government describes what that means in the GOJ?
“Inclusion for women is paramount. Women bring diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas which can lead to innovative solutions. When you include women and they have opportunities for advancement, it will contribute to economic growth and stability.
We all know that inclusive environments promote health and wellbeing of women. So, having the right access to health care, reproductive rights, and protection from gender-based violence will significantly improve their working experience. We want women to feel they can fully contribute to society, enjoy equal opportunities, and live free from discrimination or oppression.
They are the role model for future generations.”
In Jersey, we’re contributing our own small part. It’s something for everyone to get involved in, but Government is doing lots to develop initiatives and opportunities for woman:
Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) – Violence against women and girls (gov.je)
Every woman deserves to feel safe in public spaces and protected from violence and abuse. To empower the future of women and girls, we’ve committed to combatting sexual harassment in public spaces and made significant strides in addressing violence and abuse. This includes making stalking and non-fatal strangulation offenses, ensuring accountability and justice for survivors
Understanding Women’s Health and Wellbeing Needs – Women’s health and wellbeing survey (gov.je)
The World Health Organisation cite gender as a key determinant of health and along with other aspects such as ethnicity, disability, age etc… making women more vulnerable to ill health. Women also experience more years of poor health and chronic conditions than men which makes mortality rates for women for some diseases higher. In addition, women’s health has historically been excluded from research and many health services are not informed by their needs.
To help us understand the if the health and wellbeing needs of women and girls in Jersey, we’ve launched the Women’s Health and Wellbeing survey. The survey, which closes on 21 May, has received over 900 responses in the first three weeks, making it clear that women locally want to have their views heard.
Additionally, initiatives like Jersey Breastfeeds promote breastfeeding-friendly venues, supporting mothers to breastfeed for longer.
The survey on the Island’s Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) 1997 Law received over 900 responses, reflecting the importance of understanding and addressing women’s reproductive rights and health care needs.
Empowering Women in Sports – A support network for women in sport
Sports play a vital role in fostering confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills among women and girls. That’s why we’ve developed the Women in Sport network, providing support and opportunities for female athletes.
Additionally, through initiatives like the Connect Me grants, we’ve employed the first Women and Girls Development Officer at the Jersey Football Association. Moreover, our support for the Jersey Basketball Association has led to a significant increase in women participating in their own league, from 8 to an impressive 60 players.
Connect Me: connecting our communities grant scheme (gov.je)
Free Period Products- Access to free period products (gov.je)
Access to period products should never be a barrier to education or participation in daily life. That’s why we’ve provided over 450,000 period products across 45 venues throughout the Island. Ensuring access to these essential items is a step towards promoting dignity and equality for all women.
On this International Women’s Day we continue to take positive action and to support the women and girls of Jersey.