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

Do you feel safe at your place of work? The workplace is often a site of conflict and discrimination. For many employees, work is an ends to a need. The workplace can be a source of stress and anxiety. The work environment can also be a safe space where the human rights of all workers are upheld. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 60% of the global population is engaged in work. Therefore, the fundamental right of all workers to a safe and healthy environment is of great importance. A significant portion of our lives is spent in our own workplaces. It should therefore not come as a surprise that both workplace health and safety are now public health concerns. On April 28 of each year the global community observes World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The day is set aside to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. Occupational health encompasses the physical, mental, and social well-being of workers, while preventing workplace-re...

“The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace highlights a fundamental truth: no country can solve today’s challenges alone.”- Secretary- General of the United Nations- António Guterres. The international order which has been in place since the Second World War is under threat. The world is at a critical juncture. Major global wars are dominating the international scene. From Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to the wars in the Middle East, Sudan and beyond, the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter are under direct assault. The international community is experiencing war fatigue from all these raging wars across the globe. Consumers are paying dearly for these wars as their grocery bills and petrol prices are increasing weekly. A global recession is looming. Disturbingly, in the midst of all these wars, a select number of connected groups are benefiting economically. The UN Charter requires that countries with disputes that could "endanger...

“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations.”- U.N. What images are conjured when you hear the word heritage? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines heritage as the cultural, historical and social legacies passed down through generations. UNESCO adds that from cherished historic monuments and museums to living heritage practices and contemporary art forms, culture enriches our lives in countless ways and helps build inclusive, innovative and resilient communities. The definition of heritage is rather wide-ranging. Passing down legacies is one part of the equation. The protection of these legacies for future generations is equally important. As a result, protecting and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage and supporting creativity and dynamic cultural sectors are fundamental to addressing the challenges of our time, from climate change to poverty, inequality, t...

“Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come.”- Michelangelo. Art is often misunderstood. It is debatable whether an aura of mysticism and obscurity is frequently associated with art. Art is an expression from the artist’s view point. What makes art so interesting is the fact that the consumer has the right to interpret the art form. As a result, art can be viewed as subjective at its base core. Art is intergenerational. Art has the ability to connect people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Some will argue that there is a culture of neutrality surrounding art. Art is contextual and should be viewed and interpreted with this in mind. The term “art” is related to the Latin word “ars” meaning, art, skill, or craft. The first known use of the word art is revealed in 13th-century manuscripts. However, the word and its many variants (artem, eart, etc.) have probably existed since the...

“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...

Much has been said regarding the assessment of students. However, educators should never feel pressured not to voice their opinions and views on this important aspect of teaching and learning. Assessment is a two-edged instrument. Students need to know where they are concerning knowledge acquisition and teachers also need to know what the students have grasped. The framework concerning assessment of students must always lend itself to new and diverse methods to cater to multiple intelligences. Unfortunately, too often teachers are pressured to ascribe to a standardized method of student evaluation. Multiple intelligences is a theory by Howard Gardner proposing that human intelligence is not a single ability but a collection of distinct, relatively independent "intelligences" such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and sometimes existential. Gardner’s assertion is grounded in the premise that...

The Digital Age, also called the Information Age, refers to the period starting in the late 20th century when digital technology, such as computers, the internet and later smart phones became central to human life. The Digital Age transformed how humans access information, communicate and work shifting economies from industrial production to knowledge and data-driven systems. In 1969, the foundation of the modern Internet was created. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network ARPANET was created. The development of the transistor allowed computer chips to drastically shrink in size, which allowed computer engineers to make more powerful machines in smaller packages. This paved the way for machines that consumers could easily keep in their homes. At the time, most computers were difficult to use and were marketed toward hobbyists and computer engineers. The first successful personal computer, the Apple 1, was designed for the average consumers. Soon Microsoft, one of Apple’s stron...

“Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy, But lawd, yuh let me dung Me shame a yuh so till all a Me proudness drop a grung.”- No Lickle Twang by Louise Bennett Coverley. The English Language was not the Mother Language on the African continent. The enslaved Africans were stripped of their dignity, including their language during the period of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The English Language was imposed upon them. As a result, for many in the African Diaspora, English Language is the language of oppression. The African Diaspora refers to the widespread dispersal of African peoples across the globe, particularly to the Americas and Europe, primarily as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The struggle is real and constant regarding language, especially our Mother Languages. With anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world's languages. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language. It i...

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For most of us justice is a fleeting and elusive ideal. Justice often feels like a catchphrase grounded in academia, far removed from the lives of most citizens. What is more common and relatable is injustice. The cries of “We Want Justice” are far more common in a world characterized by chaos and injustice. The lack of justice is traumatic and oftentimes is generational. Injustice is frequently rooted in racial and religious discrimination, as well as misogynistic views. Structural inequalities persist, affecting access to decent work, social protection, healthcare, education and a life free from discrimination. This duality in systems is global. Such duality fosters corruption and privilege, allowing only a small percentage of citizens to benefit from government resources. Respect is not afforded equally. Constitutional authority, inherited power, wealth, and privilege often combine to undermine ju...

Do you have a physical radio at home? In a rapidly changing world underpinned by artificial intelligence, the radio is often dismissed as old- fashioned and obsolete. Yet, for more than a century, radio has been a powerful medium, uniting people across borders, cultures, and generations. On February 13, 2026, the international community will once again come together to observe World Radio Day . World Radio Day (WRD) was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 and later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, making it an officially recognized international observance. Each year, we pause to honour the broadcasters who deliver the news, amplify voices, and share stories that matter. World Radio Day commemorates the establishment of United Nations Radio in 1946, established in the aftermath of World War II as a symbol of global communication and cooperation. Since then, radio has remained a trusted companion...

Global education systems often create barriers for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Data clearly states that such discrimination is both systemic and persistent. Unfortunately, the historical legacies of exclusion and discrimination still shape the present where women are underrepresented in areas such as engineering, science and physics. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), women comprise about 35 per cent of STEM graduates globally, a figure that has remained stagnant for over a decade. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), women comprise less than 30% to 40% of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce and graduates. While 60% of tertiary graduates in the region are women, they are significantly underrepresented in engineering (under 31%) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), with only 14% of girls expecting to work in STEM. Underrepresenta...