Category: Women’s Issues

The Community Paralegal Programme: supporting Jamaican victims of violence

July 30, 2021

The discussion about gender-based violence continues in the Jamaican media; in fact, it never really goes away. But very often, those who suffer are not aware that help is available. The Community Paralegal (CP) programme is there to help. It is delivered by the non-governmental organization Stand Up For Jamaica, with grant funding from the … More The Community Paralegal Programme: supporting Jamaican victims of violence

No more silent cries! Thursday in Black campaign to end gender-based violence and child abuse continues tomorrow

July 29, 2021

We have to continue speaking out on issues that concern us. A lot of these issues get forgotten about when they are no longer headline news – but it really needs to be a continuous reminder of what’s wrong in our society (whether people want to hear it or not). Advocacy must be consistent, and … More No more silent cries! Thursday in Black campaign to end gender-based violence and child abuse continues tomorrow

Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

July 28, 2021

The problem-plagued Olympic Games in Tokyo finally got under way, and has proved a helpful distraction for Jamaicans fretting about COVID-19 and everything else. And we had some soothing rain – although it has been a contentious week, with insults flying here, there, and everywhere. Oh, and on a personal note…our roof is still leaking. … More Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

July 6, 2021

Just a couple of days ago, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, frowning heavily as he spoke at the opening of a new police station in his own constituency of Olympic Gardens, Kingston: There is no doubt that our use of States of Public Emergency has worked to reduce murders and shootings where ever they have … More A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees

June 30, 2021

Next week (July 5 to 11, 2021) is the first Caribbean Tree Planting Week. So what, you may ask? This is certainly not a symbolic week, but the result of over a year of activities and networking (Zoom was working overtime!) among citizens of all ages and backgrounds (including a major youth contingent) – in … More Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees

IDB and IDB Lab’s Silver Economy Innovation for Inclusion Challenge invites grant proposals to benefit seniors

June 22, 2021

Did you know there is something called the Silver Economy? I love this expression. I hear it is booming in the United States, and why shouldn’t it boom in Jamaica and across the Caribbean? I know on this island we have an aging population – and apparently this also applies to the Latin American/Caribbean region … More IDB and IDB Lab’s Silver Economy Innovation for Inclusion Challenge invites grant proposals to benefit seniors

Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

June 21, 2021

Phew! What a week. We have been under a stifling blanket of Saharan dust for the past couple of days, and endured our hottest day ever in Kingston (June 12). The best thing to do is hide indoors in the daytime and come out to exercise etc. after dark. It has been an exhausting week. … More Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

Jamaica Update, June 11, 2021: Shelly-Ann runs like the wind, George Wright makes a cameo appearance, and Mark Golding does TikTok

June 12, 2021

I have had a long hiatus from my weekly updates. Life has been a little overwhelming. “Tempus fugit.” I am scraping the surface here, but will go more in depth next week and will try to stick to a Friday/Saturday update! Environmental stories will follow in due course and there is much to report; however, … More Jamaica Update, June 11, 2021: Shelly-Ann runs like the wind, George Wright makes a cameo appearance, and Mark Golding does TikTok

The Caribbean Regional Climate Conference: June 1 – 2, 2021

May 30, 2021

The Caribbean Regional Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) is hosting a free online conference on June 1 and 2 with the University of the West Indies (UWI), supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). You can register here. I am not quite sure whether the theme is “Look … More The Caribbean Regional Climate Conference: June 1 – 2, 2021