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

“People of all backgrounds deserve access to accurate, comprehensive, and age-appropriate sexual health education and care.”- Nicole Sheitz. Most men do not usually think about the health of their sperm until they are ready for fatherhood. Most of us tend to be reserved and sheepish regarding any discussion about sexuality in general and bodily fluids in particular. Men in particular are not fond of going to the doctor. The duality concerning how we are socialized and the skewed perception surrounding the construction of masculinity and manhood are largely to be blamed for how men view visiting their doctor. Additionally, the prevailing narrative, in some quarters, that men must be void of emotions has led to some men avoiding the doctor at all costs. The medicalization of the human anatomy serves as another barrier that some men must overcome in order to seek medical help at the earliest possible time. Unfortunately, popular and the counter cultures also operate in a space that dis

“To anyone out there who’s hurting — it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength.” - Barack Obama. Mental illness is more prevalent than we think. Suicide is a major public health challenge. It is estimated that there are currently more than 700,000 suicides per year worldwide. Suicide is a preventable tragedy, yet it remains a leading cause of death, particularly among young people. In Jamaica, suicide rates are alarming, especially in the under-45 age categories, where the burden of mental health challenges is often unnoticed. According to recent Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) data, the suicide rate in Jamaica is approximately 2.4 per 100,000 people. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (

“Acquiring literacy is an empowering process, enabling millions to enjoy access to knowledge and information which broadens horizons, increases opportunities and creates alternatives for building a better life.”- Kofi Annan. Despite steady progress made across the world, literacy challenges persist with at least 763 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills in 2020. Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. The importance of our basic human rights to literacy is celebrated and observed on International Literacy Day on September 8 annually. The day is dedicated to promoting the importance of literacy as a tool for empowering individuals and building more inclusive societies. Established by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and

“Inclusive education is a process that requires a profound cultural shift to attain one education system for all learners with the provision of supports, inclusive of all marginalized and/or vulnerable groups.”- The World Bank. As the new academic year begins stakeholders in the education circle must take a reality check in order to come to grasp regarding the learning loss of students that occurred over the summer holidays. However, on the other side we must ask what is being done in our schools across the primary and secondary levels in order to remedy the learning loss. The reality for a significant number of students is one rooted in economics. Most students are forced to work during this time off from school in order to prepare themselves financially to assist in back to school supplies. Unfortunately, another cohort of those students who worked during the summer will not return to school especially young men in the upper grades at the secondary level who are indifferent to the