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

“Obstetric fistula is not only a health problem, it is a condition that can isolate women and girls from their families, education, and other opportunities.- Ms. Nélida Rodrigues, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Mozambique. The poor and marginalized in every situation suffer the most. Accessing affordable medical care continues to be a serious issue. Global income inequalities are ever- increasing. Medical care is much different in the Global North as against that which exists in the Global South. Undoubtedly, women and girls bear the brunt concerning global inequalities. A global culture lacking in equity serves as a reminder of gross disparities, that health and social systems are failing to protect the health, human rights and dignity of the poorest and most vulnerable women and girls. Obstetric Fistula is the silent crisis impacting thousands of women. Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries. Obstetric fistula is cau...

Are you a lover of tea? Brewing a cup of tea is a simple act that happens multiple times every second all over the world. You place a teabag containing dried leaves into a cup and add hot water. A few minutes later, the tea, full of healthy ingredients, is ready to drink. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world and holds deep cultural, economic, and social significance across continents. The origins of tea stretch back more than 5 000 years. Yet, its contributions to health, culture and socioeconomic development are still as relevant today. Tea is currently grown in every localized area. Additionally, tea supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods. Tea is more than a daily habit. For many people, it is comfort, culture, conversation, and a small pause in a busy day. International Tea Day is a good reminder for all of us to enjoy our tea thoroughly; tea has many health be...

Did you know that there are over 20,700 different bee species (and counting) that have been discovered and described by science around the world? To put this in perspective, that is more than all of the world’s bird and mammal species combined! New bee species continue to be found every year. Some species, such as honeybees, bumblebees and stingless bees, live in colonies, while others are solitary insects. Although some groups, such as bumblebees, are well studied, the vast majority, more than 96% of bee species are poorly documented. Additionally, there are over 600 stingless honey bee species found across the tropical and subtropical regions around the world. These bees live in large colonies, usually in tree hollows, and they make delicious and healthy honey. Since 2018, the international community has been observing World Bee Day. World Bee Day is observed annually on May 20. This day provides an opportunity for all of us whether we work for governments, organizations or civ...

Fair play is a fundamental ethical principle that goes far beyond simply following the rules. It emphasizes integrity, respect, and equal opportunities in competitive environments, requiring participants to treat others honestly, avoid cheating, and gracefully accept both victory and defeat. – (UNESCO). Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool in promoting peace and development objectives. World Fair Play Day is an annual global observance celebrated every year on May 19. It celebrates the core ethical values of sports such as friendship, respect, equality, and integrity both on and off the field. The day was first observed in 2025 after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclamation. By recognizing the spirit of fair play and the values it embodies in both sports and everyday life, the resolution emphasizes the role of sports, including for persons with disabilities, in fostering peace, development, community cohesion, gender equality, and the empowerment o...

International Day of Light is observed on May 16 each year. The date commemorates the anniversary of the first successful laser operation in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. The study of light has led to promising alternative energy sources, lifesaving medical advances in diagnostics technology and treatments, light-speed internet and many other discoveries that have revolutionized society and shaped our understanding of the universe. The theme for the 2026 International Day of Light is "Light for a Sustainable Future’ . This year’s theme highlights how light-based science and technologies drive sustainable development around the world, encompassing advancements in areas like energy-efficient lighting, green manufacturing, and agricultural innovations. International Day of Light is grounded in a global platform to facilitate dialogue and knowledge-sharing, with a focus on the role of light-based research infrastructures in supporting inclusive scientific developm...

In general terms our students especially our boys are not reading. The current education system is skewed towards girls. Globally, boys often lag behind girls in reading and literacy. Globally, students show that boys reading levels have been declining in recent years, with international assessments, such as the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reporting decline in literacy scores across many countries. The Report of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission (JETC) chaired by Professor Orlando Patterson stated that most students at the primary level were barely literate. According to the JETC, the 2019 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam revealed that 33 per cent of students cannot read or can barely do so; 56 per cent of students cannot, or can barely, write; and 58 per cent of students cannot, or can barely find information on a topic. Reading is not about the pronunciation of words. Reading enc...

“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.’- Walter Cronkite. Globally, there is a retreat of press freedom. Journalists continue to be imprisoned and harassed and freedom of speech is more scrutinized. The policing of press freedom is problematic and speaks to a deeper issue. Free press is one of safeguards of a strong and engaging democracy. Wherever the rights of the press are curtailed the lives of the citizenry suffer. The 2026 index indicates that press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years globally, with many countries facing increased censorship and economic challenges. The World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), assesses press freedom in 180 countries and territories. It defines press freedom as journalists’ ability to report independently without political, economic, legal, or social interference and threats to their safety. The Index evaluates five key indicators: political context, legal frame...