International Women's Day 2013 ............ some Jamaican concerns

As today is IWD 2013 I want to recognize our women in Jamaica be they cisgender ones or transwomen who are living their truth as they see fit and must be included in the struggle for rights. Before I get into my post here is the message from our Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller our first female leader in history:

"Jamaica is proud to join the global community in the observance of International Women’s Day on March 8th. The United Nations theme for 2013 - ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women’ is timely and resonates not only with our women but every sector of the Jamaican population.

We cannot ignore the unacceptable and horrible incidents of violence committed against our women and children. With strong commitment and conviction, ending violence against women is a top priority of my Government.

The women of Jamaica are part of the global struggle as for too long women have been victims of violence which impact negatively on their development.

In many instances, senseless acts of violence, including sexual assaults against our women and girls, have rendered many powerless. We must never accept, excuse or tolerate any act of violence against our women and girls.

After 50 years of nationhood and while we celebrate the accomplishments of our women in so many areas, we must do all that is possible so that our women and girls can fully enjoy the benefits of living in a nation where womanhood is celebrated and gender equality is at the forefront of the national agenda.

On this International Women’s Day, it is with renewed commitment that I call on all Jamaicans - political representatives, women and men of influence, mothers and fathers, people of faith, young adults and senior citizens, to be part of the change for a better Jamaica. Let us, as a nation, re-affirm our commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls as well as all other barriers which prevent them from living safe, healthy and productive lives."

The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP

Prime Minister

ENDS

Our same gender loving women however have been going through some serious challenges in recent times since I have been documenting some of the issues and my previous work with JFLAG and other groups, corrective rape has increased sharply over the years with some 4 cases coming to light since April of last year. No rape case is good news but when attempts are made tosupposedly heterosexualise a lesbian by rape it is devastating and as a man I have been moved to tears seeing women struggle after the fact with very little support.

Forced evictions

Same gender loving females also do face this problem as well though not as regularly as their male counterparts but the attacks seem to more pointed to butch identified women with the cultural belief that these women are stealing other women from men in our highly sexualised culture. 

Old songs such as this one above tells the story clearly although female same sex entertainment in the nightclub scenes have greatly increased over the years with not just males paying bucks for on stage explicit scenes but also females as well. Interestingly this track still gets airplay both on mainstream and in the underground dancehall circles. Lyrics are as follows:

Yeh man, mi know she mek yu sick man 

Yu see how she a mek yu a vomit, laugh

Yu see it a das why mi tell yu nuh Brethren 

Yu see me Beenie Man mi a go tell yu something, hear mi

Mi nuh wha nuh Man Royal gal, gal Gimmi di gal dem wid di real born serial Gal come a dance dress up in a man material

All in a dress like she a go funeral-al

A recent case of abuse that comes to mind was an unreported matter in Portmore where a lesbian couple had to move so as to avoid a confrontation with men in the area as they were described as being to open or forward with their relationship in a so called ghetto community. Sadly the visibility of lesbian issues is still a major challenge for me in as far as advocacy is concerned it is still more directed at the MSM community and the buggery law while also excluding transwomen as well.

There needs to be more than a day for recognition and attention to the struggle but an all year round thrust until there is real equality and not just the use of the LGBT call letters to sound good in soundbites but on the ground it is far from such inclusivity.

My female readers celebrate yourselves and know you have support from men .......... real men.

Peace and tolerance

H