Women in Agriculture: a new FAO report points to ongoing inequality

On average, women spend 4.2 hours per day in unpaid work. Men spend 1.9 hours. In agriculture, women earn roughly 82 cents compared to the man’s dollar. There is considerable inequality. 36 percent of women globally work in agriculture, and it is about the same percentage for Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the … More Women in Agriculture: a new FAO report points to ongoing inequality

“Tek serious ting mek laugh”… a Jamaican habit that makes life bearable, and birds can join in

I have never understood why anyone would think Jamaica was a backwater, where nothing ever happens. The past week has been as full of dramatic news (59 guns found at Montego Bay seaport!), arguments, storms in teacups, and indeed sadness, as ever. When a huge debate about whether taxi drivers should put child seats in … More “Tek serious ting mek laugh”… a Jamaican habit that makes life bearable, and birds can join in

Don’t stifle our voices, says citizens’ group to parliamentary committee

Is our democracy being watered down? I am beginning to wonder. On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure and Physical Development will meet at Gordon House in Kingston. The committee (which last met in November 2022 after a hiatus of one whole year) will consider the 2017 Provisional Development Order for Kingston … More Don’t stifle our voices, says citizens’ group to parliamentary committee

Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

In my last blog post, I mentioned the submission made to the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of Jamaica’s Houses of Parliament, dated November 9, 2022, by Citizens Rights to the City (a conglomeration of 29 citizens associations and communities). The citizens had made a submission in November, 2021. The submission was not discussed at … More Submission by Jamaican citizens to Parliament regarding developments in Kingston and St. Andrew

Jamaican citizens call for consultations with government over planned urban developments

Do we want participatory governance, or is it just a box that our government likes to check? Do government officials even want to bother with that box marked “consultations,” at all? Citizens Rights to the City (CRC) is a grouping formed fairly recently, comprising no less than 29 already well-established citizens groups and communities in … More Jamaican citizens call for consultations with government over planned urban developments

Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance Statement on COP27: Bold, urgent, accelerated action needed

The Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance has released a Statement ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP27), which will take place from November 6 – 18, 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Right now, technocrats are busy getting their documents in order; emission-unfriendly planes and private jets are being boarded; and political leaders are polishing up their … More Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance Statement on COP27: Bold, urgent, accelerated action needed

Labour Day in our neighbourhood: Trash, trucks – and teamwork!

I confess that I used to be rather cynical about Labour Day. It seemed like a bit of a PR stunt for political leaders, who pose from various angles while planting a tree, or painting a wall for five minutes. Well, on Monday, May 23 we still had some of that. Both Prime Minister Andrew … More Labour Day in our neighbourhood: Trash, trucks – and teamwork!

Disaster preparedness in Jamaica: Are we becoming complacent?

We are just two weeks away from the official start of the 2022 Hurricane Season (June 1). I have noted a few news items this month (which is Hurricane Preparedness Month in the U.S., but regrettably not in Jamaica) – as follows: The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the primary Government agency … More Disaster preparedness in Jamaica: Are we becoming complacent?