WOMEN

WOMEN

Prime Minister Simpson-Miller recognizes the work of Dr Marcia Forbes

The invitation was for me to be a part of a panel discussion pertaining to media images and violence against women and girls. This was the Bureau of Women’s Affairs’ educational thrust. The event was in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to be celebrated two days later on November 25th. After the panel presentation I realized that my work in gender-related areas was to be formally recognized and ‘rewarded’.

Jamaica’s Women’s Coalition marks 1st Anniversary

The 51% Coalition – One Year Later

About fifteen organizations representing a broad cross-section of Jamaican society, including NGOs, the Government and the private sector turned out to participate in a forum hosted to celebrate the first anniversary of the 51% Coalition: Women in Partnership for Development and Empowerment through Equity. This coalition, whose primary thrust is to increase women’s participation in decision-making at the highest levels, now boasts membership of eleven groups, including the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) and the University of the West Indies’ Institute for Gender and Development Studies.

The Internet & Jamaican Inner-City Girls

A Love Affair

"The Internet mean a lot to me, without the Internet I can't survive. It's my life."

"The Internet is the part of the computer I love the most."

"The net is a new world for me that allows me to escape my problems and just talk and hang with friends."

"If I don't have it I would feel different, alone, left out."

"When you can't find information in book you can go to the computer and look up the information...."

What the Internet Means to Me

Women and Girls in ICT

ICT for Women & Girls – Why?

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was May 17th. This year’s theme focussed on Achieving Equality in ICT for Women and Girls. The State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining in Jamaica, Mr Julian Robinson, was honest when he admitted to being challenged to speak on this theme. After all, based on his knowledge, there are many females in ICT. So, why the need for this attention, he wondered aloud.

ICT Women as New Handmaidens?

Women in Jamaica

March 10, 2012
 

International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8. Many will argue that every day is women’s day, especially in a country like Jamaica where women make up at least 70 per cent of university graduates and occupy many middle and top level jobs. Some, like The Independent, a UK newspaper, will even argue that a country like Jamaica is in one respect the ‘best place for women’ since, according to them; women occupy a very large percentage of ‘high-skilled jobs’ – 60%. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us pause for a reality check.

Jamaica 'Best Place for Women Who Want High-Skilled Jobs'

Adele, Celine, Whitney - Melodies that Make Us Cry. Why?

Written Feb. 22, 2012

The 51% Coalition – Development & Empowerment Through Equity

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Written By: 
Marcia Forbes
Abstract: 

‘The 51% Coalition – Development and Empowerment through Equity’, a campaign to increase the participation of women in politics and on boards through a 60/40 quota system, was launched on Tuesday, November 22nd. The organizers were interviewed on several radio programmes in Jamaica the day before the launch and on the actual launch day. Listeners wanted to know what it was all about. Why 51%? Did it mean women now wanted more than a half of everything. At the launch the room was full, mostly women but a few vocal men. The men were concerned, as too were some women. Why quotas? Why not just wait for things to happen naturally?

Women & Politics in Jamaica

Patriarchy in Place

The debate rages on around the world and is about to get really hot in Jamaica. Why do so few women enter politics? With women and men almost equally represented in global population statistics and in Jamaica as well, why does gender imbalance at the level of political representation continue to be such an issue? Patriarchy, the globally entrenched system of male dominance, is deeply rooted and strong. There is no evidence to suggest that it will be uprooted any time soon. While men are not about to cede political power, many want to appear more balanced and forward-thinking since based on studies, it is clear that the participation of women at all productive levels of society bodes well for the greater good.

Women Performed Well in Jamaica’s 2011 Elections

Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Written By: 
Marcia Forbes
Abstract: 

In the recently concluded elections the two major political parties in Jamaica, the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), fielded a total of 19 women, six by the PNP and 13 by the JLP. At the end of vote-counting five of the PNP’s six have been victorious. This includes the party leader Mrs Portia Simpson Miller. Only three of the JLP’s 13 will take a seat in Parliament. Interestingly these three, all very close to or over 60 years of age, are seasoned politicians. They’ve won their seats before. None of the new ‘young’ women in the JLP made it through.

In the recently concluded elections the two major political parties in Jamaica, the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), fielded a total of 19 women, six by the PNP and 13 by the JLP. At the end of vote-counting five of the PNP’s six have been victorious. This includes the party leader Mrs Portia Simpson Miller. Only three of the JLP’s 13 will take a seat in Parliament. Interestingly these three, all very close to or over 60 years of age, are seasoned politicians. They’ve won their seats before. None of the new ‘young’ women in the JLP made it through.

Union of Jamaican Organizations in Atlanta & DeKalb County Honour Dr. Marcia Forbes

August 2011

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