Under the National Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence (NSAP-GBV), Jamaica launched its first national public education campaign, “No Excuse For Abuse” (#NEFA), in 2021. The campaign, informed by the Women’s Health Survey (2016) and guided by gender and behavioural change communication principles, aims to challenge societal norms that condone or normalize violence against women and girls. Key components include public awareness campaigns, #NEFA Health Fairs, community education sessions, and targeted training for first responders and human service providers. Between 2021 and 2023, the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA) conducted hundreds of sensitization, capacity-building, and awareness sessions for community groups, faith-based organizations, educational facilities, and frontline professionals including police officers, teachers, nurses, and guidance counsellors. These activities sought to increase knowledge of GBV, available laws and services, and community-level responses.
