The European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica officially has launched the third staging of the EU-JA 5K and 10K race in partnership with the Ministry of National Security.
The race will kickstart a series of events that will commemorate the EU’s partnership with Jamaica for the last 50 years. The annual race is a part of their collective effort to raise awareness of social vulnerabilities that are triggers for crime and violence in Jamaica.
Scheduled for Sunday, March 9 in downtown, Kingston, this year’s race carries the powerful theme, “All Together Against Crime & Violence,” rallying Jamaicans to stand in the fight against violence, particularly gender-based violence (GBV), while also spotlighting the urgent need for improved literacy in underserved communities across Jamaica.
In highlighting the importance of the EU-JA 5K & 10K run, Her Excellency Dr Erja Askola, EU Ambassador to Jamaica, stated, “Over the past 50 years the EU has been committed to working alongside the Government of Jamaica and other agencies to address the social challenges that negatively impact Jamaica’s development goals.” She continued, “We are encouraged by the growth of the race over the years and this year, we aim to make an even bigger impact.”
For the past two years, the race has showcased the EU’s support of Jamaica’s Citizen Security Programme, under the Ministry of National Security, with both entities recognising the critical need to address gender-based violence (GBV) in Jamaica.
Data has indicated a significant prevalence of intimate partner violence and other forms of GBV, with 29 per cent of women experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime and 63 per cent of women recently facing physical or sexual violence.
The Ministry of National Security has expressed its commitment to a multi-faceted approach, prioritising not only legislative measures but also preventative strategies and recognising the vital role of education and literacy in fostering a culture of safety.
Expressing her appreciation for the EU’s support, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, shared, “We are grateful for the EU’s support in our efforts to reduce crime through improved literacy.” She added, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating a safer environment for all Jamaicans and importantly, a brighter future for our children.”
Partnerships with key stakeholders such as the EU facilitate the strengthening of support services for survivors, improving the responsiveness of law enforcement, and addressing the societal norms that contribute to all forms of violence, she noted.
The race is also part of the Ministry of Education’s led Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy, designed to reduce the risk of crime by addressing schools in challenged communities with a holistic approach. Funds raised will support early intervention programmes and train teachers in proven techniques to tackle the identified literacy challenges.
These sessions will be conducted by the Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL) Foundation, which equips educators with tools to enhance reading outcomes for students. This holistic approach recognises the vital link between literacy and crime reduction. Previous workshop sessions have shown that after just 56 hours of instruction, both students and teachers have demonstrated significant improvements.
“This is an opportunity for all the participants to show their personal commitment and support to this initiative, which aims to address the root causes of crime and violence in society. Changes take time, but every effort we make matters as we strive to improve lives and create better futures for our youth,” concluded Dr Askola.
Olympian, World Champion silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, and more recently the 2024 RJR Gleaner Sports Foundation, Sportswoman of the Year has been named Patron for this year’s staging of the EU-JA 5K & 10K. Ricketts strongly believes in the role that literacy plays in combating crime and violence, making her a positive influence to champion this year's race.
The EU-JA 5K & 10K Run will begin on Port Royal Street, with the route taking participants through the streets of Downtown Kingston and the Waterfront. There will be several post-race activities, including entertainment, award presentations, and sponsor engagement. The Run is open to participants of all ages with registration closing on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Individuals and teams are invited to register for the event online at https://www.runningeventsja.com/registration/.
