Category: Family

Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

November 26, 2022

Today (November 26) is International Day Against Violence Against Women, which begins the Sixteen Days of Activism. As always, this issue will be high on the agenda among human rights activists across the island. Violence against women haunts us. In August, I wrote about the case of a young woman whose body has never been … More Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

Gender-based violence and the young Jamaican woman

October 24, 2022

I wrote recently about the Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, based in Antigua. According to their CEO, the group “continues to work with partners, CSOs, state entities to critically address the linkages between gender-based violence (GBV) and SRHR with the aim of transforming the environment, including the engagement of men and … More Gender-based violence and the young Jamaican woman

“Pinktober”: the warriors, the champions, the supporters in Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 11, 2022

You may have noticed that I have not been writing much recently. This is not because I suddenly decided that I hate writing; far from it. However, for the remainder of this month, my posts may be few and far between. October happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month (or, to use its rather clumsy … More “Pinktober”: the warriors, the champions, the supporters in Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Partnering for women’s advocacy in Guyana under the Spotlight Initiative

October 1, 2022

Progress continues, steadily and surely, on issues relating to sexual and reproductive rights, gender equality (my thoughts from 2020 here) and gender-based violence in the Caribbean (in addition to LGBT rights, to a much more limited extent perhaps). It may seem rather patchy, here and there, but sometimes small battles, as well as the large … More Partnering for women’s advocacy in Guyana under the Spotlight Initiative

Waiting for Tropical Storm Ian, formerly known as Nine: It’s a mood

September 24, 2022

Jamaica is under a Tropical Storm Watch this evening. The National Hurricane Center‘s map is covered with yellow “x” marks and red spinning tops with names – Fiona, Gaston, and Hermine – but the one Jamaicans were focused on was a red, hollow circle with the inscription “NINE.” It has just turned into a storm, … More Waiting for Tropical Storm Ian, formerly known as Nine: It’s a mood

Justice matters in Jamaica

September 9, 2022

One of our favourite American political podcasters, who focuses largely on the ex-President’s interminable legal manouevrings, intones at the end of each podcast: “Because Justice. Matters.” Emphasis on the final word. Well, so it does in Jamaica, too. Our Police Commissioner is looking increasingly haggard at each quarterly press conference, and our Prime Minister seemed … More Justice matters in Jamaica

For Jamaica’s children and adolescents: Issa Trust Foundation plans a new clinic with a holistic approach

August 21, 2022

Philanthropy is alive and well in Jamaica; but the need is great. Our vulnerable children and adolescents need help. On the north coast of the island, the Issa Trust Foundation (which has been working in Jamaica for the past 17 years) is planning to make a difference to their physical and mental wellbeing by building … More For Jamaica’s children and adolescents: Issa Trust Foundation plans a new clinic with a holistic approach

Cruelty to animals: when is Jamaica going to enact and implement stronger laws to protect them?

August 21, 2022

A kick, a blow, a “chop” with a machete. For some Jamaicans, these are commonplace ways of dealing with unwanted animals. It is not only painful and heartbreaking. Cruelty to animals is not something we should take lightly at all, as a society. It is a reflection of our humanity and our ability to deal … More Cruelty to animals: when is Jamaica going to enact and implement stronger laws to protect them?