In 1944, Jamaica became the first English-speaking country in the Caribbean to grant women full political participation, and that same year, became only the third state in the British Empire to carry out an election where women were allowed to cast their vote. In 1974, the Women’s Desk, which later became the Bureau of Gender Affairs, was established “to mobilize the Government to address the problems that confront women, given the impact of patriarchy and sexism.” The Jamaican government continued to adopt policy over the next several decades to enhance gender equality in society, and as a result the country began seeing a high rate of women enrolling in universities and holding middle-management leadership positions. In 2006, Portia Simpson-Miller became the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, and, as of February 2021, nearly 29 percent of seats in parliament are held by women. However, work still remains as a 2016 Women’s Health Survey showed that one in every four Jamaican women has been physically abused by her partner at some point in her lifetime, and one in every three Jamaican women has been a victim of sexual violence. The Bureau of Gender Affairs continues to mobilize for change as well as organization’s like Woman Inc., an NGO raising public awareness around women’s issues and offering support services for victims of gender-based violence.
Female athletes have greatly contributed to Jamaica’s rich sports culture, and its track and field competitors are consistently among the best in the world. Merlene Ottey, was the first female Jamaican athlete to win an Olympic medal when she brought home bronze in the 200m at the 1980 Games. She’s the only track and field athlete to participate in seven different Olympic Games and is tied for the most career Olympic medals. Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson swept the podium in the women’s 100m final at the 2020 Olympic Games, and along with teammate, Briana Williams, won gold in the 4x100m with the second-fastest time in history. In addition, football is gaining in popularity among women and girls thanks to the investment and support from national team ambassador, Cedella Marley. The national team, the Reggae Girlz, qualified for the 2019 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Caribbean nation to compete in the event.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Jamaica:
Melissa Farquharson
How does Jamaica compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
18%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
24%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Portia Simpson-Miller, 2006-2007, 2012-2016
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Olivia Grange, 2007-2011, 2016- Present
Title IX Timeline
1944
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage) under the Jamaican Labour Party constitution.
1948
Cynthia Thompson, Kathleen Russell, Vinton Beckett, and Mavis Evelyn became the first women to represent Jamacia in the Olympics.
1962
The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Jamaica Independence Act, granting Jamacia independence on August 6.
1968
Baracatt (gold- javelin throw) and Meikle (gold + silver, swimming) were two of four athletes to become the first women to represent Jamacia in the Paralympics. Baracatt and Meikle became the first women from Jamacia to win Paralympic medals.
1980
Marlene Ottey won a bronze medal in athletics to become the first woman from Jamaica to win an Olympic medal. Jamaica signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1984
Jamaica ratified CEDAW.
2006
Portia Simpson-Miller became the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
6
-
9
-
21
-
25
-
28
-
78
-
55
-
34
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
4
-
7
-
10
-
3
-
6
-
2
-
2
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1948
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2000
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Merlene Ottey: 1980, Athletics (Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1968
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
1980
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Baracatt: 1968, Javelin Throw (Gold) Meikle: 1968, Swimming (Gold & Silver)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1991
Pay Gap Comparison
Unpaid as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1990
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Jamaica Intercollegiate Sports Association
Jamaica Amateur Softball Association
Jamaica Baseball Association
