Tag: gender-based violence

Don’t forget! Jamaicans for Justice is having a fundraising art auction for victims of gender-based violence

June 2, 2023

It’s in a good cause. What cause could be better than legal and other support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. This is just one of the many important services provided by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) – in case you were not aware. Here is the information you need: Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Saturday June … More Don’t forget! Jamaicans for Justice is having a fundraising art auction for victims of gender-based violence

Let’s have a progressive agenda for Jamaica’s newly established Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus

February 3, 2023

So far this year, Jamaica’s news has been a little – what is the word? – dispiriting. Bleak, even, at times. However, I was very much cheered by news that the Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus (which I referred to in my last blog post) will actually become a reality – and very soon. The women … More Let’s have a progressive agenda for Jamaica’s newly established Parliamentary Bicameral Women’s Caucus

Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

November 26, 2022

Today (November 26) is International Day Against Violence Against Women, which begins the Sixteen Days of Activism. As always, this issue will be high on the agenda among human rights activists across the island. Violence against women haunts us. In August, I wrote about the case of a young woman whose body has never been … More Sixteen days to put violence against women on the activist agenda in Jamaica

Jamaicans for Justice condemns the murders of two policemen

October 24, 2022

Human rights groups are not popular in Jamaica. Many Jamaicans do not seem to understand what the philosophy behind their work is, and wrongly ascribe motives to them that are very far from the truth. Our leaders frequently make snide remarks about them, especially when they are talking to a supportive audience, perhaps the party … More Jamaicans for Justice condemns the murders of two policemen

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

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

Caribbean Observatory calls for repeal of discriminatory laws infringing LGBTQ+ rights

July 7, 2022

The Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is an accredited member of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. It is a civil society-led initiative to conduct social monitoring and track progress towards the advancement of integrated  SRHR and gender-based violence (GBV) in the region while advocating for improved … More Caribbean Observatory calls for repeal of discriminatory laws infringing LGBTQ+ rights

Human rights in Jamaica and beyond – past and present

December 11, 2021

It’s International Human Rights Day, and it’s not just a hashtag. A lot has been going through my mind today. These are stormy times, with the wind blowing first one way and then the other. A sudden rogue wave appears and nearly knocks you off your feet. 2021 has been strangely – and perhaps surprisingly … More Human rights in Jamaica and beyond – past and present

World AIDS Day in Jamaica: lighting a candle after 30 years

December 2, 2021

As I wait for the virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil to emerge from Zoom-land, I indulge in some memories. If I was to use that well worn cliché, I would call them “bittersweet.” For several years during the 1990s, I attended these vigils on the front lawn of what was then the headquarters of Jamaica AIDS … More World AIDS Day in Jamaica: lighting a candle after 30 years

Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships

October 19, 2021

I have been thinking a lot about peace recently, and my thoughts will be in a follow-up post – including the critical role that our young people can and will play. I particularly like the United Nations’ alliterative theme for UN Day this year – all those “P”s! In Jamaica, as almost everywhere else, climate … More Celebrating 76 years, the UN focuses on frontline heroes and partnerships