Issues affecting Jamaican women you don’t usually hear about
Many Jamaican women are faced with issues daily and we don’t usually hear about them. They are faced with all forms of violence, such as sexual harassment, mental health problems, and while having to contend with the many roles of family, work, and personal life, which undoubtedly places a strain on their wellbeing.
I believe that women play a vital role in society by wearing multiple “hats” and are expected to always have a smile on their faces. It is easy to speak of their strength, but not often enough do we highlight the challenges they face.
Some women don’t speak up
Women make up more than half of the educational and workforce landscape in the Caribbean, but interestingly enough, many still struggle with balancing life and work and being underpaid and overworked. Numerous women just don’t talk about their struggles with raising a child or children in a single-parent home, or better yet in a home where the partner provides no form of support but they are too afraid to walk away for one reason or the other. As a single parent myself I can relate to some of the day-to-day struggles.
Many women are breadwinners
Approximately 41% of women in Jamaica are the primary caregivers for their families, meaning; they provide emotional, educational, and financial support. Imagine having to spend an 8–12 hr shift at a low-paying job and then thinking about heading home to take care of your family. While this is seen as a symbol of strength, it also reflects the struggle that many women face today, and yes it does harm their overall well-being.
Seen but not heard
Despite taking up a greater percentage of the workforce, some Caribbean women face several disparities. More value is placed on men and boys over women and girls. Many men believe they have the right to control females, which is evident in the high rates of violence against women.
Here is what we should focus on
A Cultural shift
Maybe the consequences of certain societal norms are unintended, but they are still in the fabric of society. Many mothers still see their sons as pride and joy in the family while girls are seen as mere helpers in the home and this filters into society. For a change to happen it will take the effort of everyone; it is not a matter of thinking that women are here to take over, but be given equal opportunities across the board. Both males and females should be educated on the importance and contribution of women; they have equal value and should be respected. Women are not symbols of sex and domestic life, but a representation of strength, innovation, and contribution. Without healthy women, life becomes stagnant and pointless, which means we can’t live without them. There are laws in place in dealing with acts of violence and inequality, it is up to everyone to ensure that they are enforced.
Women Empowerment -Take charge -Focus on you!
While we work on shifting social norms, all females should become empowered to function successfully. Challenges are inevitable in life and it is important to learn how to deal with them in healthy ways. One’s overall well-being starts with having good mental health. To be able to build resilience we need to understand that our needs come first and become SELFISH. This is not a quick fix scheme and you may struggle to get to the place you need to be from time to time but it is worth the try; Some things that you can start doing now:
· Join a women’s support group
· Exercise regularly
· Do things that you love
· Practice mindfulness- indulge in your faith
· Talk to a counselor or primary caregiver
The bottom line
Eleanor Roosevelt once quoted that “Women are like teabags’. We don’t know our strength until we are in hot water”. There is no one root cause as to why so many females still struggle today and there are numerous empowered women doing great for the country. Jamaica is a democratic country that allows women to freely transcend across boundaries when compared to other countries but, there exists a paradox. The bottom line is that the issues highlighted do place a strain on women’s wellbeing, and we want to focus on lasting solutions to ensure that all females are treated fairly and with respect; we will accept nothing less.
