The recent reports of rapes and abductions of the nation's women and girls are a deliberate attack on human rights, says Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange.

In a speech, delivered by Sharon Robinson, acting research coordinator at the Bureau of Women Affairs, the minister said the country has made strides in empowering women, but if violent crimes persist against women, the progress that have been made will be reversed.

The latest abduction incident occurred last Thursday - three women were abducted at a fast-food restaurant in Liguanea and taken to Jacks Hill where two were raped. Police statistics show there have been 57 reported cases of abduction since the start of the year.

Robinson, who represented Grange was speaking at the launch of the United Nations Population Fund, State of World Population report 2008. The launch was held at the Assembly Hall on the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

Grange was unavoidable absent, as she was at Parliament.

Reggae, dancehall music

Focusing on the central theme of this year's report - Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights, Grange's speech highlighted the importance of reggae and dancehall music to Jamaica's culture.

"In spite of complexities, we as a people are able to retain our uniqueness ... for example, reggae and dancehall music are seen as unique components of our culture," Robinson read.

According to the report, culture must be integrated into development policies and programming.

"Culture is and always has been central to development," states the report.

The report highlights how cultural sensitivity is necessary for the realisation of human rights. Women's rights in particularly.