Social Justice and Gender Justice

In a Master’s thesis I wrote some years ago on the topic, “An analysis of the HIV AIDS workplace policy of the Anglican Church in Jamaica (ACJ)”, I made the point that the response to gender-based violence (GBV) is a matter of social justice and requires partnerships with government, private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), including churches and civil society organizations (CSOs), if it is to be effective. Together with these partnerships, it is incumbent on local players to engage international allies such as the United Nations, with its various arms, including UNAIDS, UNFPA, and others, for an effective response to social justice for all.

Social justice must address the rights of women. Local data shows that one in three women experience abuse on a regular basis and, generally, the first sexual experience of girls and boys is usually forced and not involving their peers, but an older adult. Moreover, with sex education left to parents and caregivers, those children who are in charge of households, though in the minority, are usually left without much guidance. In any event, even in households where parents and other adults are present, information about sex and sexuality are often treated as taboo, so it is social media and peers who usually take on the responsibility to provide the requisite information and, sometimes, not in a wholesome and holistic manner. This means, if we are to attain the level of equality required to function as a socially fair and just society it is vital that social and gender justice be pursued as a matter of priority.

Social justice as gender justice focuses on the rights, privileges, responsibilities and priorities of each person based on her/his worth, value and dignity. From a Christian perspective, this is understood theologically as everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. In this regard, the HIV AIDS Policy adopted and implemented by the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (DJC), though leaving much to be desired as it is yet to be mainstreamed across various departments, boards, committees and institutions, nevertheless, indicates good intentions for implementation. Furthermore, with a National Policy on HIV AIDS still to be promulgated by the government in general and the cabinet in particular, it is small wonder that institutions such as the church, and the DJC in particular, are behind in focusing on HIV AIDS as a workplace issue. True, much gain has been made in the treatment, care and support of people living with HIV AIDS and the development of medication able to prevent transmission puts the science and treatment of the virus and disease in an advance position to address social and gender justice as well as equality in the fight against this dreaded disease.

For this reason, 2025 must be a defining year for treating people equally and with dignity and respect, and not only those living with HIV. This year marks five years away from the deadline of 2030 when it is anticipated, according to the UN, that HIV AIDS will no longer be a global threat. Such good news, except that global disparity in treatment and distribution of medicines put this deadline and target in jeopardy as less medication is making its way to poor and developing countries. Moreover, as medication which prevent infection, for example, is either too expensive or just not available in a number of these countries, the situation remains dire. Additionally, if vaccine distribution during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic is anything to go by, it is vital that social and gender justice be embraced as key principles in the treatment of HIV AIDS and other illnesses and diseases, as inequity remains a barrier to effective treatment and care. This focus on the dignity of the person will translate into a revolutionary time in which people are prioritized over profits and the good of the most vulnerable take centre stage.

Social and gender justice, the promotion of equal rights and opportunities for all people, regardless of their gender, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, involves challenging social norms and practices that perpetuate inequality and discrimination across the Caribbean. Jesus’ sermon in Luke 4, which emphasizes liberation for poor and marginalized persons, including those with special needs, illustrates this point. Indeed, though some may argue that Jesus was not addressing issues of sexuality and gender equity, one would be hard pressed to justify such a position given Jesus’ fair, just and equitable treatment of women, men, boys and girls throughout the gospels. Prioritizing social and gender justice in Jamaica therefore means, as one former Prime Minister said, “putting people first.”

Finally, social and gender justice must be implemented through policies and programmes which guide how churches and other faith-based institutions go about prioritizing care for people. Pastoral care is the way this is described in the DJC and, apart from the fact that this is a well-developed practice in scholarship and academia, in partnership with other stakeholders, steps must be taken by the DJC and others to ensure women, men, boys and girls are not discriminated against, hence the reason for sustained practices of social and gender justice. Furthermore, with Caribbean governments, including Jamaica, adopting the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), this gives me hope and confidence that the targets for 2030 may be attainable. This is especially so as, with international support and local partnerships, the impact on social and gender justice will be positive and no doubt address the serious issue of gender-based violence and discrimination generally. The time for treating people equally and with dignity and respect is now.

Rev. Garth Minott is the Suffragan Bishop of Kingston.