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Help find Shanice Jemmot of Dominica

Having just read on Essence.com about the gang-rape of an 11-year old, I wanted to use this time highlight the case of Shanice Jemmot, a young Dominica who’s been missing for more than a month. There is a $35,000 reward for information on here whereabouts. And, the government has enlisted the assistance of French officials after obtaining information that she may be in Guadeloupe.

Anyone in Dominica, Guadeloupe or any other islands who think they may have seen this young lady should contact their respective police departments immediately.

To find out more about the case visit: http://dominicanewsonline.com/dno/government-seeks-french-assistance-in-locating-shanice-jemmott/

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Spotlight on women, girls and AIDS on Int’l Women’s Day

Much attention will be placed, on today’s observance of International Women’s Day, on the advancements that have been made over the last century.

But a call has come from the Caribbean Coalition on Women, Girls and AIDS (CCWA) for focus on women and girls who are marginalised by the effects of HIV and AIDS.

“According to statistics from PAHO and WHO and UNAIDS, HIV now affects women and men equally and is the leading cause of death among people aged 20-59 years in the Caribbean. However recent data estimate the incidence of AIDS among females at between three to six times higher than that of males in the 15-24 year old age group,” a CCWA press release noted.

CCWA contends that the increasing statistics where females and HIV and AIDS are concerned “is largely due to the unique vulnerabilities of women and girls in becoming infected with the virus. Many of these factors include cultural ideologies, economic constraints and both individual and institutional discrimination that place women and girls at greater risk, particularly HIV positive women.”

Violence and the threat of violence also increase women’s and girls’ vulnerability to HIV, since they can not negotiate safe sex, CCWA said.

CCWA, a regional network of individuals and organisations committed to advocating for improved HIV and AIDS programming for women and girls, has identified four thematic areas for focus.

They are reducing violence against women and girls, given the link between sexual violence and HIV transmission; preventing HIV infection, particularly among adolescent girls, by improving access to reproductive health care including female condoms; promoting universal access to prevention options; and providing support for women’s care-giving work within the household and community and to seek to promote women’s leadership in the AIDS response.

via Antigua Observer Newspaper .

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CARICOM salutes achievements of women in the Region

CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has joined the international community in saluting the achievements of women in the Region, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, being observed today, March 8, 2011.

“We salute the sterling actions and contributions of the many women who laid strong foundations for the principles of equality and justice in our societies and to the overall development of our Region in all spheres of life,” Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite, CARICOM Acting Secretary-General said in a message to mark the occasion.

“The personal histories of these trailblazers are a source of inspiration, especially to young girls as they define their paths to success that best fit their values and aspirations,” the message states.

This year’s celebration of women is focussing on access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including the promotion of women’s access to full employment and decent work.

In her message, Ambassador Applewhaite said International Women’s Day was also an opportunity to “reflect on the gaps to be addressed in order to achieve a deeper and more meaningful sense of social justice, equal rights and dignity for all.”

In this context, she noted the continued efforts for the cause of gender equality by the CARICOM Advocate for Gender Justice, Dr. Rosina Wiltshire.

Given the need to address gender stereotypes which continued to permeate societies, Ambassador Applewhaite said the Region and the international community had responded through mechanisms like the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in safeguarding equality of opportunity in education in areas such as science, technology and innovation.

“The continued implementation of these frameworks will contribute to developing competencies required for the emerging workforce.”

“We must nevertheless remain vigilant in ensuring that our human resource development efforts provide equal access to training and decent work for girls and women,” Ambassador Applewhaite said.

In this centennial year of the observance of International Women’s Day, she said that CARICOM Heads of Government will bestow the Tenth CARICOM Triennial Award on an outstanding CARICOM woman whose work has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the Region. To date, CARICOM has bestowed the award on nine women.

Ambassador Applewhaite said that the Community was looking forward to welcoming the next recipient to this League.

via CARICOM salutes achievements of women in the Region.

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Daniel Craig in drag for International Women’s Day 2011

Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women“.

In a much talked about ad, Daniel Craig (James Bond) takes on the role of a woman as Judi Dench narrates the plight of women in the UK and around the globe. “Women are responsible for two-thirds of the work done worldwide but earn only ten percent of the total income and one percent of total property. It’s not just about money and power.” She goes on to address women’s inability to get an education, sexual assaults committed against women and other crimes. So, are we equal?

For me, this day is a time of reflection on how I contribute to the advancement of women in my adopted country, my homeland and around the globe. I first got into my field because I wanted to be a voice for the usually voiceless: survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. As I get further along, I hope to use my research to continue to advocate for those women, children (and men) who are unable to speak up for themselves.

After all, although this is International Women’s Day, everyone, including men, have a role to play in advancing women’s issues. What are you doing today and every day to improve the lives of women?

 

 

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Mr. Sheen Goes to Haiti

After much talk in the past week about Charlie Sheen’s ranting, the focus has now turned to his plans to join fellow actor Sean Penn in Haiti.

According to the article, “Sean Penn, who has tirelessly worked to bring attention and relief to the earthquake-stricken and impoverished country, invited old friend Charlie Sheen down to the island nation on Friday to lend a hand in the relief efforts.”

“In a statement, Penn said: “I think his energies, intelligence and passion could be both of service and servicing to him, as it is to all who are touched by the struggle of the Haitian people.””

The full article is available at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/05/charlie-sheen-going-to-haiti_n_831770.html