Category: Women’s Issues

ICYMI in Jamaica: February 16, 2021: The Hanging In There Edition

February 17, 2021

The last two weeks have been busy (I skipped last week) and the weather is bright and breezy. However, as COVID-19 numbers have begun to really take off this month (an extended “spike”) the mood of cautious optimism in January seems to have evaporated – although we have had some lighter moments in the past … More ICYMI in Jamaica: February 16, 2021: The Hanging In There Edition

An Appeal for André Thomas: A Member of Stand Up for Jamaica, in Need of Help

February 10, 2021

Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) is a human rights non-governmental organization, which works diligently for the rehabilitation and welfare of our prisoners. SUFJ is supporting an urgent fund-raising initiative started by Alexis Goffe. André Thomas is 39 years old and he is a prisoner at Tower Street Correctional Centre. André was a member of the Stand Up … More An Appeal for André Thomas: A Member of Stand Up for Jamaica, in Need of Help

ICYMI in Jamaica, February 2, 2021: The Degenerate Behavior Edition

February 3, 2021

Happy World Wetlands Day! There have been several events on the day, although mostly virtual – including an Instagram chat organised by the #WetlandWarriors – yes, the #Youth4PuertoBueno strike again! Crime and violence continues to hit the headlines, COVID-19 churning away in the background, and social media is wringing its collective hands over it all. … More ICYMI in Jamaica, February 2, 2021: The Degenerate Behavior Edition

IDB Invest and JMMB Bank promote access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in Jamaica

February 1, 2021

We are constantly seeking solutions, in these uncertain times. Why are small and medium-sized enterprises missing out so badly on financing? The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has partnered with JMMB Bank (Jamaica) Limited to try to address this. IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, signed an agreement with JMMB Bank (Jamaica) Limited, which … More IDB Invest and JMMB Bank promote access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in Jamaica

Protecting Women’s Health is Crucial for a Healthy Society

February 1, 2021

As usual, I seem to have a lot to catch up on. The discussion surrounding safe abortions has been raised again in Jamaica recently by Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Flynn – who is now State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness and focusing on a range of issues, while … More Protecting Women’s Health is Crucial for a Healthy Society

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

January 27, 2021

This year is going to be warming up, according to my friends who do weather. It seems to be warming up in more ways than one. Our yard is turning into a dust bowl. We have had no rain since Christmas in Kingston. Other things are warming up too – the gently rising COVID-19 cases … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 26, 2021: The Mystery Plane Edition

Two Young Caribbean Environmental Activists Win Regional Award

January 15, 2021

I seem to be regularly “bigging up” the region’s young environmental activists these days, and with good reason. Dozens of young Ambassadors were busy planting trees (many of them in “real time”) at the launch of the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance’s Caribbean Tree Planting Project youth arm on Sunday. More to follow on this! I also … More Two Young Caribbean Environmental Activists Win Regional Award

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

January 13, 2021

It’s 2021, and everything seems to be happening at once. It’s hard to keep up. Education, health, crime (crime!!), travel and tourism – and more – all seem to be “hot button” issues. The new year is already shaping up to be quite crowded; we need to wrap our heads around some fundamental issues, and … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

Hope for the Future: The Inspiring Green Team International Scholars

January 4, 2021

“How do you live in a place like Jamaica, which is all about green – and blue – and not be leaders in environmental consciousness? For us to have been leaders we would have to have had a different education. We needed to say: ‘Take a look around us, this is what we’ve got, we’ve … More Hope for the Future: The Inspiring Green Team International Scholars

“Off Track”: My Review of a Novel by Tamika Gibson

January 2, 2021

This novel for young adults, set in Trinidad, opens with a homely scene – immediately interrupted by a jarring, somehow banal incident of domestic violence. This takes place while seventeen-year-old Kayla is doing the washing up before her mother comes home, while keeping an eye on her two younger sisters. Life for a young woman … More “Off Track”: My Review of a Novel by Tamika Gibson