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

"Let us commit to embracing innovation to ensure a better life for future generations and chart a path towards sustainable, inclusive urban development that benefits all." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres October 31 each year is designated by the United Nations as World Cities Day.   As I read about this very important day I got mixed feelings about my own city of #Kingston. Over the years the city of Kingston has seen so much unplanned settlements. Sadly, this type of situation has been a breeding ground for crime and violence.   Unfortunately, a significant portion of the city has seen the middle and working class flee from these areas to more desirable areas in Kingston. In some if not all of these unplanned settlements dons have taken over control over the lives and movement of the people as the State has all but abandoned their responsibility of the citizenry. It is rather ironic since in most of the unplanned settlements the interference of politics was responsi

“Historically, women are seen are naturally disruptive and their status is an illegal one from birth if it is not under the rule of men.”- Toni Morrison The barbaric killing of girls in India was recently highlighted when a baby girl was found buried alive in a cemetery. The cry of the child alerted mourners who had gone to the cemetery to bury their deceased child.   Sadly, the lack of international condemnation and outrage has been deafening. In India, female infanticide is still widely prevalent in parts of northwestern India where thousands of newborns or female fetuses are killed every year. This heinous practice has led the United Nations (UN) to declare India as the “most deadly country for female children”. The UN also estimates that in India, a female child between the ages of 1 and 5 has a 75% greater chance of dying than a male child. Female infanticide and foeticide are common practices across Asia in countries like Nepal, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China where

“Elections remind us not only of the rights but the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy.”- Robert Kennedy Elections in Canada are usually not exciting. However, Monday’s election is far from being dull and uninteresting. Canadians go to poll on October 21 to elect a new government. There has been heightened interest and buzz n recent weeks as the election date approach. Many pundits predict that this election will be the closet in the history of recent elections. According to the most recent polls by Nanos Research the incumbent, Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party has 32.6 % support of electorate, compared to 30.3% favouring the Conservative Party led by Andrew Scheer. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is third at 18. 4%. This means that Trudeau is in the fight of his life to retain power.   The polls indicate that we have a strong possibility that no party will emerge from the elections with an absolute majority. It is very likely that we will have a minority governm

“There is no higher value in our society than integrity.” – Arlen Specter The Roman Catholic operated St. Michael’s Theological College has been hosting a number of public fora recently. The most recent in the series was collaboration with the National Integrity Action (NIA). The presentation was entitled “Enhancing Integrity for Development”. Jamaica has been plagued by various forms of scandals since she gained political independence in 1962. Both our main political parties have at one point been embroiled in scandals. The public forum was indeed timely given the soft campaigning now being undertaking by both political parties in anticipating of general elections in 2020. The Executive Director, of the National Integrity Action, Professor Trevor Munroe brought greetings to the moderately attended public discussion.   The National Integrity Action is a non-profit organization which was launched in December of 2011 with the aim of combating corruption in Jamaica through education, enc

“Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.”- Alfred Lord Tennyson The global population is ageing rapidly. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, by 2030 the number of people age 60 and over is expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) most developed world countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of ‘elderly’ or older person, but like many Westernized concepts, this does not adapt well to the situation in Africa. The WHO states that while this definition is arbitrary, it is many times associated with the age at which one can begin to receive pension benefits. At the moment, there is no United Nations standard numerical criterion, but the UN agreed cutoff is 60 + years to refer to the older population. The ageing process is a biological reality. Age discrimination is real and happens in almost every society and in every profession. In many instances once you

Each year on October 11 the international community celebrates the International #DayoftheGirl. The day was first acknowledged by the United Nations in 2012. According to the United Nations the day provides for the empowerment of the approximately 1.1 billion girls currently living in the world. The theme for this year is GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable.   It is imperative that the global community has such a platform to speak for the million of girls who are rendered voiceless due to their gender. It is rather timely as this avenue provides the encouragement with the backing of the United Nations to girls to dream big, as well as to pursue their goals and ambition. This day is set aside to raise awareness of the challenges impacting girls such as access to education, legal rights, medical care, female genital mutilation, violence against women, gender equality and human rights. Regrettably, the United Nations reports that everyday 33, 000 girls are forced into child marriage w

A gem in the Caribbean A people filled with creativity and promise A land of wood and water That’s what Jamaica is to me. A beacon of hope in troubled times Home to more that 2.5 million people Outstanding sons and daughters In fields of every kind Music, athletics and politics are but only a few. A people known for their struggles Overcome we must do So much more to be discovered No price too great for freedom Eternally grateful to our heroes That’s what Jamaica means to me. Her unsploilt beauty remains captivating A magnet for a million and one visitors That’s what Jamaica means to me. Problems add to her strength of character Hope is eternal Let’s protect this, our heritage Jamaica land of beauty. - Wayne Campbell                                                                        ©