The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

“Sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for peace, inclusion, and international development.”- United Nations. Sports serve as a powerful channel for social transformation. Even in the midst of war and hostilities sports has the ability and scope to connect communities across borders and generations, reducing isolation among marginalized groups, and create space for dialogue, solidarity, and mutual respect. Sports provide that invisible bridge that often translates to tangible and meaningful cooperation among nation states. In light of its holistic reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace. As a result, 6 April is observed globally as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly. This year’s theme is “Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.” The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing recognition b...

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”- St. John 11:25. Easter has always been the bedrock of Christianity from time immemorial. Even among non-believers Easter holds a special place of hope. There is a spirit of anticipation of Easter. This anticipation begins during Holy Week and climaxes on Easter Sunday with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter brings a sense of calmness and mindful discourse within the secular and religious realms. Not to be outdone, in education circles Easter brings with it some off time from the rigors of academic and intellectual dialogue. The resurrection power of Easter provides the best opportunity for strongholds in our lives to be broken. The chains of depression, shame, guilt, associated with masturbation, adultery, fornication, gambling, and lust are no match for the miraculous power of Jesus Christ. The trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus show the self...

Globally, 1 in 127 people is diagnosed with autism, a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication and behaviour. Autism is among the top 10 brain health conditions contributing to health loss globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that despite international human rights conventions, autistic people still face stigma, discrimination and barriers to participation. Notwithstanding, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is a major international human rights treaty that protects and promotes the rights of people with autism. It is made up of two documents, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which contains the main human rights provisions expressed as a series of Articles and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The autistic community continues to experience challenges, such as access to timely and quality health care and access...

The global water crisis affects everyone, but not equally. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted. Globally, more than 1 billion women lack access to safely managed drinking water services. This disturbing fact speaks to the structural framework of patriarchal inequality that persists in accessing safe and potable water. The ideology of patriarchy has numerous manifestations. As a result, women are often absent from those decisions where water access and management are discussed. The United Nations (UN) states that in 53 countries with available data, women and girls spend 250 million hours per day on water collection over three times more than men and boys. Access to water is a basic human right. Yet, the world continues to turn a blind eye. There is a critical relationship between access to water, gender equality and sustainable development. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000...

The word 'poetry' is from the Greek term poiesis, which means 'making'. Regardless of our race, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, there are multiple points of connectivity in our lives. The fact is we are more alike than we are different. Poetry provides a platform, a bridge of social inclusivity and connection for humanity. Poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values, transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace. Poetry’s impact is often discounted regarding bringing people together. However, poetry is a rather powerful means of linguistic expression that has the ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds. World Poetry Day is observed annually on March 21. The day is set aside to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry. Additionally, World Poetry Day fosters the convergence between poetry and other art forms, such as theatre, dance, music...

Oral diseases are among the most common Noncommunicable diseases (NCD'S) worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. While the global burden of oral health conditions is growing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the overall burden of oral health conditions on services is likely to keep increasing because of population growth and ageing. Oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral health varies over the life course from early life to old age, is integral to general health and supports individuals in participating in society and achieving their potential. Oral diseases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. People of low socioeconomic stat...

It was a day filled with mixed emotions. I still recall the drive to the University Hospital of the West Indies to meet with the nephrologist regarding my dad’s appointment. My dad, Fitzroy has Stage 4 kidney disease. The year was 2018 and the month was August. Prior to this devastating news, I was aware of renal failure. My aunt Madge, my mother’s younger sister died from renal failure in 1982. Her funeral service, which was held at the Jamaica Evangelistic Centre where she was a member, is etched in my memory. My aunt who died in her 30’s was among the first Jamaicans to have had a kidney transplant performed locally. The day in question, my younger brother and I accompanied our dad to his appointment. Dad was referred to the nephrologist by the family doctor. My dad’s diagnosis was met with anxiety, uncertainty, hope and relief. Why relief, one might ask? There was relief because during those moments of uncertainty the doctor told us that dad would not require dialysis. Dialysis tak...