Tag: sixteen days of activism

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

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

End Violence against Women and Girls: A Message from UN Women, and WE-Change’s Orange Lights

November 16, 2016

We must remind ourselves: Violence against women and girls is a persistent problem, and not only for small developing countries like Jamaica. Below is a message from the Executive Director of UN Women (who was in Jamaica very recently) encouraging the global news media in particular to recognize and highlight International Day to End Violence Against … More End Violence against Women and Girls: A Message from UN Women, and WE-Change’s Orange Lights

And The First Color is Orange: Beyond Sixteen Days of Activism

December 9, 2015

I seem to be fixated on colors at the moment. One of those in the rainbow spectrum is orange – the color that represents the Sixteen Days of Activism following International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (except in Jamaica). I discussed earlier the dilemma of Jamaican activists – many of whom wanted … More And The First Color is Orange: Beyond Sixteen Days of Activism

#IDEVAW2015 in Kingston, Jamaica: Grey Skies, Energy and Thoughts Under the Mango Trees

November 28, 2015

The morning of  Wednesday, November 25 began with a fine drizzle. It was International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Jamaica, and a muted start with grey clouds gathering. Nevertheless, those events that were planned were well supported and indeed, made an impact. There was a stronger focus this year among civil … More #IDEVAW2015 in Kingston, Jamaica: Grey Skies, Energy and Thoughts Under the Mango Trees

Help End Violence Against Women Now

November 26, 2014

Today was International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Here is a message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, which is also posted on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141124170545-204317422-help-end-violence-against-women-now?trk=prof-post  Tomorrow I will report on this morning’s event in Jamaica in recognition of the day. Please remember there are 16 Days of Activism to follow… Stay tuned! … More Help End Violence Against Women Now

Violence Against Women, Part 2: Gently Unplugging the Patriarchy

December 13, 2012

Who feels it, knows it. Although the Sixteen Days of Activism following the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women officially ended yesterday (Human Rights Day), I had to write this postscript to Jamaica’s official recognition of that day – a carefully structured but ultimately dissatisfying exercise. There was a catalog of woes; … More Violence Against Women, Part 2: Gently Unplugging the Patriarchy

Violence Against Women, Part 1: How Much is the Media to Blame?

December 7, 2012

November 25 is the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. As such, it is always recognized by the Jamaican Government with a major event, hosted by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs. For many reasons, this is a topic very close to my heart; and it is an area of such burning … More Violence Against Women, Part 1: How Much is the Media to Blame?