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

“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”- Revelation 13:16-17. Are these the end times? Whether we are Christians or not we have heard about the Mark of the Beast. For many of us the Book of Revelation drives fear into our hearts as that chapter addresses issues regarding the end of the world. Many theologians, as well as lay persons have had a fascination with the end of the times narrative since time immemorial. In early times there was much talk in certain quarters that the Mark of the Beast was a man. Many wagers have been made regarding who is this Mark of the Beast. Additionally, countless movies, books and other artistic art forms have tried to depict what the “Beast” will look like. It was extremely pop...

“A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality”. - John F. Kennedy. Not much emphasis and planning is given to men in most societies regarding safe spaces for men where men can go and discuss their problems. There is the tendency to narrowly define and interrogate gender solely as it relates to women’s issues. In some countries there are no support systems in place to address and intervene where necessary, concerning the needs and concerns of boys and men. This lack of a holistic approach to gender affairs is problematic. The lingering effect of this policy undoubtedly will have, and in fact does have implications for women as well. In most societies the over-arching ideology of patriarchy is alive and well. It can be argued that those who make policies place all men in the same category, that of male privilege. This one size fits all approach to gender relations is skewed....

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are 1.2 million deaths and 50 million injuries yearly from road traffic incidents. The physical, psychological, emotional and economic devastation resulting from road traffic injuries is immeasurable. It appears that with each passing year road users become more reckless and daring. Driving on our roads has become a life and death experience. Some of our drivers appear both suicidal and homicidal. There are those drivers who seek attention at all cost; such users of the roads are into stunts and daredevil experiences to the detriment of other road users. We need not mention those who drive under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering drugs. Jamaica and the global community have paid and continue to pay a high price for the uncaring and insensitive behaviour of some of our motorists. No one needs to single out any particular set of motorists; however, we all know those who are at the top of the acrobatic and dangerous l...

When was the last time you checked your blood glucose levels? Most of us know at least one person living with diabetes. People living with diabetes face a number of challenges, such as the cost of medication and the lack of information regarding diabetes. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the world are living with diabetes. World Diabetes Day (WDD) became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of the United Nations Resolution 61/225. This important day is observed on the 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. In 2019 there were over 463 million adults living with diabetes. The research indicates that by 2030 some 578 million adults will have diabetes. In many instances individuals are not aware they have diabetes. Untreated or uncontrolled...

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”- Aristotle. The search for quality is oftentimes elusive. The Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) recently held their Online Media Sensitization Session for the 11th European Development Fund. CROSQ is the regional inter-governmental organization established in February 2002 to facilitate the development of regional standards, promote the harmonization of metrology systems and support the sustainable production and trade of goods and services in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The session is part of CROSQ's trust to bring awareness to the Caribbean region regarding the role of the European Union through the European Development Fund in building regional quality infrastructure, as well as boosting the Caribbean region technical capacity for trade. The European Development Fund was created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome and launched in 1959. The European Development Fund is the European Union’s mai...

“The devil often finds work for them who find none for themselves.”- Benjamin Whichcote. Laziness is a disease. It cuts across gender, educational levels, race, social class and political affiliation. Many folks are convinced that the pathogenicity of laziness can be acquired through how one is socialized. Those who are infected by this social disease soon become slaves to this condition. Laziness is a conditioning of the mind. Once our brains receive a particular message whether good or bad that message is stored forever in the brain’s database. Laziness is a process which occurs over time. Sadly, if this condition is not nipped in the bud it consumes the individual eventually. In any relationship there is a power issue, the same can be said about laziness being the master and those who allow themselves to be mastered are slaves to this disease. Can you imagine anyone in good health, having all their marbles intact yet refusing to work or unable to keep a job? Can you imagine a ma...