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

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

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

Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network – speaking out on children’s rights

As an “older person,” I always believe we should listen to our young people. Whatever they are talking about, whether it’s the environment, LBGT rights, governance issues, and more, it is important to listen to their voices. Not in a patronizing way… Really listen! We can learn so much from each other, across generations. Moreover, … More Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network – speaking out on children’s rights

We naa ease up! On violence against women and children.

There is something we call a “nine day wonder” in Jamaica. It may be a common phenomenon elsewhere, too. A controversial and pressing matter arises (often a manifestation of a frequently recurring issue that has never been properly addressed – such as this one) and there is a furore on social media, with traditional media … More We naa ease up! On violence against women and children.

Spotlight Initiative Launched to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

I mentioned the Spotlight Initiative, a partnership between the Jamaican Government, the European Union and the United Nations, in my last blog post. The initiative was officially launched today at the Office of the Prime Minister. You can watch the recording of the ceremony on Facebook here. Unfortunately I missed the ceremonies, but I understand that … More Spotlight Initiative Launched to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

The Retiring Mr. Quallo, Tracking the Facilitators, and Ms. Jones in Town: Jamaica Weekly Review, Wednesday January 31, 2018

Now, where were we? Today is the last day of January, and somehow I feel we are “back to square one.” Not a happy feeling. By the way, I will be posting a bunch of environment and climate change stories shortly, so these are not included here. Caribbean: There is a lot of activism at the … More The Retiring Mr. Quallo, Tracking the Facilitators, and Ms. Jones in Town: Jamaica Weekly Review, Wednesday January 31, 2018

New UNICEF Report Explores the Impact of the Digital World on our Children

Following on from my last post, UNICEF just brought out its annual report. This year it focuses on the dangers (and benefits) of the Internet for the children of the world. You can look at Jamaica’s statistics on the UNICEF website, and download the report here. UNICEF: Make the digital world safer for children – while increasing … More New UNICEF Report Explores the Impact of the Digital World on our Children

Three Responses To the Government’s New Anti-Crime Measures

Now, if you read my blog regularly, you will know that almost every Jamaican, at home and abroad, has been agonizing over our soaring crime (read: murder) rate – especially since the start of the year. Murders are up some 30 per cent over the same period last year, which is of course very disturbing. … More Three Responses To the Government’s New Anti-Crime Measures

51% Coalition Meeting Recommends Priority Actions To Combat Violence Against Women and Girls

Cover photo: 51% Coalition members Indi McLymont Lafayette (left) and Hilary Nicholson, who moderated the unexpectedly large meeting, pause for thought. The past few weeks have been extraordinary. We have seen a surge in violent crime that has frightened many Jamaicans; in particular several abductions and killings of young women and girls. Social media posters … More 51% Coalition Meeting Recommends Priority Actions To Combat Violence Against Women and Girls

Reflections on the Sexual Abuse of Our Children: 3 – A Letter from WE-Change on #SayTheirNames

A note re: the logo on the home page: The Tambourine Army, created by the leader of WE-Change, is seeking recruits. It describes itself as “a radical movement. It is going to be one of the largest coalitions of organisations and individuals in Jamaica working to remove the scourge of sexual abuse, rape and all … More Reflections on the Sexual Abuse of Our Children: 3 – A Letter from WE-Change on #SayTheirNames