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

The Global Findex database provides more than 200 indicators on topics such as account ownership, payments, saving, credit and financial resilience. The Global Findex database shows that 515 million adults worldwide opened an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider between 2014 and 2017. This means that 69 percent of adults now have an account, up from 62 percent in 2014 and 51 percent in 2011.   It is evident that even as account ownership continues to grow, inequalities persist. There is a gendered component to account ownership and perhaps this has to do with the institution of patriarchy which is more pervasive in some societies where women continue to be voiceless and have very little rights outside the domestic sphere. Data shows that 72 percent of men have an account compared to 65 percent of women. That gender gap of 7 percentage points was also present in 2014 and 2011. In developing economies the gender gap remains unchanged at 9 percentage...

Lord, into your most holy presence, we now come. Calm our anxious spirits. Remove the distractions that would keep us from you here today. Break down the walls of separation that we have built to keep you from our hardened hearts. Lead us in joy and celebration of the only reality worth knowing, that you love us as we are. Free us for joyful obedience to your claim and call on our lives this day and every day. Holy Spirit eliminates Belial, Sanballat, Tobiah, marine, murder, witchcraft spirits that are contrary to you and are manipulating your children.   Lord, only you can create changes in your people's lives, pull down the walls of stubbornness, rebellion, and lack of knowledge in    Jamaica and the nations operating in the carnal mind. Lord, decision-makers have eliminated your presence from schools, homes, communities, and workplaces and replace your word with self. But you are the author and finisher, and without You, nothing can be successful. Great is your faithfu...

“The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity.”- Benjamin Disraeli Jamaica has had a National Youth Policy since 1994. The Policy was last revised in 2017.   The National Youth Policy establishes a framework within which youth can be supported to pursue and achieve their goals.   The youth of Jamaica are ambitious. However, at times a lack of financial resources prevents or slows the realization of such personal goals.   The Policy outlines and explores areas for action, and indicates six priority areas. These areas are education and training, health and well-being, employment and entrepreneurship, youth participation, social inclusion and reintegration, and institutional and youth sector arrangements. It is expected that by 2030, Jamaica will become “The place of choice to live, work, do business and raise families.” Jamaica’s national youth policy is grounded in six principles. Goal 1 speaks to improving access to quality secondary and tert...

Jamaica has come a far way. Our history has been one of struggles yet we have overcome. Fifty eight years ago Jamaica gained political independence from England. Since independence the island of Jamaica, referred to as Xaymaca by the original inhabitants the Arawaks Indians has distinguished herself as a cultural powerhouse. Jamaica’s position on the world stage is well known. The Jamaican Proverb, “we lickle but tallawah” captures the essence of who we are as Jamaicans. Jamaica is known on every continent, in every culture and language.   Jamaica continues to be a leader among the Caribbean region. The island continues to break records and rewrite the history books in cultural spheres such as culinary arts, dance, music and athletics.   Jamaica's youthful population has no recollection of what life was under colonial rule.   The independence journey has been bitter sweet for most Jamaicans. Perhaps older Jamaicans continue to reminisce and are of the belief that Jamaica ...

Seconds went by, so too the minutes, 8 minutes, 46 seconds.   Held captive in a chokehold of white skin. My skin colour the only reason for this injustice. With eyes rolling over; my life being choked out of my very being. Mama! Mama! My cries go unanswered. No mercy! No remorse! Is this 2020? Where is the nation’s consciousness?    Are we so steeped in racism? Your black skin makes you a target. Institutional racism is real! My story is for all to see. Enough is enough! Black Lives Matter protests useful yet not enough. Get involved; engage the political process.  Give good trouble. My black skin defines me. I am unapologetically black. Will my death be in vain? I can’t breathe.                                          ...

"The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness." - Marcus Garvey Many individuals in the society are upset by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. The court ruled that Kensington Primary School located in St. Catherine did not breach one of their student’s constitutional rights when it denied her access in 2018 for having dreadlocks. An injunction was granted for the student to attend the institution following the court case. Unfortunately, over the years the Jamaican society has grappled with the issue of colourism. As a society we have bought into and continue to perpetuate the false notions of beauty. We have been brainwashed over the centuries to look down on our black skin and to elevate those of a lighter hue.   We have been told repeatedly that the Eurocentric form of beauty is superior to Afrocentric form of beauty, sadly, many of us believe this falsehood. Additionally, this form of discrimination has found support...