Tag: Taitu Heron

International Women’s Day 2017 in Jamaica: Gender-Based Violence on the Agenda

March 7, 2017

The Women’s Movement in Jamaica, in the Caribbean, and I suspect worldwide, is going through some interesting times. This is a world of “fake news” and social media, hashtags and hardening positions. The concepts of love, peace, unity and solidarity are fighting for survival in the TrumpWorld. I get the feeling people aren’t listening to … More International Women’s Day 2017 in Jamaica: Gender-Based Violence on the Agenda

Remembering the Rwanda Genocide in Jamaica: The Dangers of Indifference and Silence

April 10, 2016

Yesterday evening, at Mary Seacole Hall on the University of the West Indies campus, these words resonated: The Rwanda Genocide…highlighted the danger of indifference and the consequences of inaction. The Rwanda genocide occurred not only because of the state-sanctioned culture of hate, but because of crimes of indifference and conspiracies of silence. Yesterday evening, a group … More Remembering the Rwanda Genocide in Jamaica: The Dangers of Indifference and Silence

WE-Change Celebrated International Women’s Day in a Very Special Way

March 13, 2016

Due to the pressure of other things, I was unable to attend most of the International Women’s Day events last week. There was a plethora of them, especially at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, including a lecture at Mary Seacole Hall and the UNDP’s launch of a new publication “Where Are The … More WE-Change Celebrated International Women’s Day in a Very Special Way

Anansesem: Storytelling and the True Purpose of Motherhood

February 28, 2016

“Motherhood has been downgraded to…a chore,” mused Judith Wedderburn, a member of the 51% Coalition. She was speaking at the launch of Anansesem: Telling Stories and Storytelling African Maternal Pedagogies, by Dr. Adwoa Ntozake Onuora, presented by the Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) on February 19 Some might say … More Anansesem: Storytelling and the True Purpose of Motherhood

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

Today Is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women #SilenceSpeaks #IDEVAW2015

November 25, 2015

Today is the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW). This is a crucial issue for Jamaica, and for the health and progress of our society. Today I will be specifically remembering Shauna-Kay Pitter and joining friends at Eve for Life (and many others, a coalition of NGOs and civil society representatives) … More Today Is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women #SilenceSpeaks #IDEVAW2015

LB Graduates “Poised for Advocacy”

February 16, 2015

“Live. You are beautiful! Live. Live. Live.” The warmly eloquent artist/activist/poet Fabian Thomas embraced the graduates of J-FLAG’s LB (Lesbian/Bisexual) Public Policy Training Program with these words. There were hugs, there was humor and an undercurrent of slightly nervous anticipation that is often a hallmark of graduation ceremonies. But this was something special. As keynote … More LB Graduates “Poised for Advocacy”

Gaytastic! Jamaican LB Women Finding Their Voices

January 18, 2015

“Empowerment” is probably a much-overused word. But how do highly marginalized groups in society find that energy, that self-confidence to define themselves and play an active role in society, instead of sitting on the sidelines? You’ve got to feel and embrace that power. You’ve got to own it. J-FLAG’s Education and Training Manager Latoya Nugent … More Gaytastic! Jamaican LB Women Finding Their Voices