Publication: Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Jamaica
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2023-06-01
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2023-06-01
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Jamaica is a small island developing state situated in the Caribbean. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean, with an approximate population of 2.8 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of 14.6 billion dollars. Agriculture and tourism are two of Jamaica’s main industries, with the latter contributing significantly to the country’s economy as well as the tourism industry. Jamaica has a high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), with a domestic violence rate that increased by 15.6 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. Exposure to violence has been found to have negative implications for women’s physical and emotional health. Survivors were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and to use recreational drugs. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified intimate partner violence (IPV), with a higher percentage of women reporting frequent experiences of IPV. Overall, the data highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent and address GBV in Jamaica.
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“World Bank. 2023. Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Jamaica. GBV Country Profile. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/40123 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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