Ever Growing Ever Changing

Jamaica may boast a high percentage of female university students and managers, but beneath this progress lies a dark reality. From sexual violence and exploitation to the challenges girls face in education, Jamaican women still endure a heavy burden.

Progress

It’s inspiring to see Jamaica’s progress compared to other countries still struggling with women’s representation in education and leadership. According to an ILO study in 2018,  women hold an impressive 59 percent of managerial positions in Jamaica. We are also well aware that more than 60 percent of university students are women. This stands in stark contrast to conversations with women elsewhere, where career limitations placed on them feel much more prevalent. Perhaps due to my own upbringing, I did not experience such limitations in Jamaica. Here, girls are consistently expected to excel as much as, or even surpass, their male counterparts. This is a fact we should all be proud of and strive to uphold.

The Remaining Challenges

But even in Jamaica, the data above do not apply to many women, and for all women, sexual and other gender-based violence remains a concern. The rape of girls is shameful. I don’t just mean the ones who report rape; I also mean those under 16 in sexual relationships with older men. Society often looks at these arrangements with little to no outrage, unless it’s to blame the “force-ripe” young girl. There are even mothers in impoverished communities across Jamaica prostituting their daughters for financial gain. Sexual molestation of young girls by those familiar to them and often trusted relatives also remains a major concern. In the community I hail from in rural Clarendon, the result is often teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and low-wage jobs, creating a never-ending cycle of poverty and desperation.

Violence against women in the context of their households remains extraordinarily high. Far too many men still view women they are not even married to as their property, and take umbrage to the point of murder, if these women dare to leave them. Women are trapped: persecuted if they stay and persecuted if they leave.

The Collective Responsibility to Help

Doesn’t it all seem overwhelming? What can one person possibly do about all this? Isn’t this the prerogative of government or well-funded foundations or NGOs? Why should we even care? It’s easy to think these are not our problems because they don’t affect us directly or that we can do nothing about them, so we ignore them completely or express outrage about the latest act of rape or murder and then move on with our bubbles…I mean…our lives.

It should be enough to want to do something because we are our sisters’ keepers, but if that is not compelling enough,  just think about the implications for all of Jamaica in terms of crime, lack of productivity, and low economic growth when so many citizens are left behind or marginalised and when children are forced to raise children. The effects are already evident. It could only get worse.

So, What Can You Do?

Not everyone is going to be involved in drafting laws, writing government policy, or developing women’s programmes. Not everyone will change the world in a big way. Get over yourself ( I am learning this). It’s not about big projects with big potential that get your name on the list of Prime Minister’s awardees. I have seen my mom and aunts change the lives of others just by caring enough, as ordinary teachers, community workers, and churchgoers. They have a heart for people, and they did what they knew to be the right thing.

There it is then: just do the right thing when the options present themselves. Little things can make a big difference. Beyond Women’s History Month, make it a point of duty to be the change you want to see. Mentor a young girl; volunteer for a church or community programme; listen to other women; or speak a word of encouragement. Challenge harmful attitudes towards women in daily conversations. And if you want to take it further, get involved in advocating for more impactful action against gender-based violence and increased support services for victims.

Wrap-up

The world is becoming increasingly difficult, for all of us, I think, but some people have never known anything but misery. Perhaps we can’t change the world, but helping those who suffer in our families, communities or nation is worth the effort. To whom much is given, of him much is required.

Share some of the ways you help or wish to help other women or girls.