Category: Women’s Issues

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

Breastfeeding and lactation support organisation partners with Free Likkle Cupboard to empower new Moms

September 23, 2022

Maternal health is absolutely critical in countries such as Jamaica; our island fell short of its UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in this area, and there remains much work to be done. The European Union-funded PROMAC (Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality) and other major efforts have sought to face the challenges … More Breastfeeding and lactation support organisation partners with Free Likkle Cupboard to empower new Moms

Growing Out: Black Hair and Black Pride in the Swinging Sixties, by Barbara Blake Hannah

September 11, 2022

If you would like to hear Barbara talk about her book and more, tune in to Radio Jamaica tomorrow (Sunday, September 11) at 1:30 p.m. on Gerry McDaniel’s show “Palav,” where she will be special guest. A young, middle-class Jamaican woman, tired of the limitations of island life, arrives in London, England, to seek her … More Growing Out: Black Hair and Black Pride in the Swinging Sixties, by Barbara Blake Hannah

Some events to look out for on climate justice, the environment, and the Caribbean

July 12, 2022

There are a few rather important dates in the summer calendar to keep in mind related to climate change, extractive industries, and more. This week, Greenpeace USA will hold a hybrid press briefing in Kingston (Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the AC Marriott Hotel) as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) reaches a critical … More Some events to look out for on climate justice, the environment, and the Caribbean

“I am NOT my breasts”: A Jamaican woman’s breast cancer journey

July 5, 2022

My dear friend Petre Williams Raynor has been cancer-free for a year now, and she looks really great, with her usual warm smile. It was a pleasure to meet up with her recently; it meant a lot to me personally, and I thought I would share something of our rather long conversation here. Petre has … More “I am NOT my breasts”: A Jamaican woman’s breast cancer journey

Jamaican farmers’ groups meet to discuss new training opportunities

June 2, 2022

I have to say, I worry for Jamaican farmers. At the same time, I admire them greatly for their tenacity and willingness to achieve results, no matter what. The former Agriculture Minister Floyd Green started an “Agriculture in Bloom” programme to give women farmers extra support. I am not sure whether it is still going, … More Jamaican farmers’ groups meet to discuss new training opportunities

Three Caribbean writers shortlisted for 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

April 27, 2022

There are three woman writers, from The Bahamas and Jamaica, vying for the Regional Prize for the Caribbean in the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The shortlist, announced on April 25, includes two previous winners, Jamaican Diana McCaulay (2012) – who has just completed her sixth novel, stay tuned! – and the Bahamas’ Alexia Tolas … More Three Caribbean writers shortlisted for 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith launches candidature for Commonwealth Secretary-General

April 24, 2022

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, formally launched Jamaica’s candidature for Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the Jamaica High Commission in London on 21 April, 2022. She has been doing some serious lobbying and met with some other High Commissioners in London, including those from Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Kenya, … More Jamaica’s Kamina Johnson Smith launches candidature for Commonwealth Secretary-General