Beginnings Issue 8.pub - Planning Institute of Jamaica
Beginnings Issue 8.pub - Planning Institute of Jamaica
Beginnings Issue 8.pub - Planning Institute of Jamaica
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September 2006<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 8<br />
Inside this issue:<br />
Sustainable Development<br />
and the Poverty-<br />
Environment Nexus<br />
Off the Bookshelf 6<br />
Measuring Gender Equality<br />
and Women's<br />
Empowerment<br />
Weblinks: Child<br />
Mortality<br />
PIOJ—Sustainable Development & Regional <strong>Planning</strong> Division<br />
<strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong><br />
MDG Watch 10<br />
In Focus 11<br />
Did You Know? 12<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong><br />
1<br />
7<br />
9<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong><br />
Parent and Child<br />
Sustainable Development and the Poverty-Environment Nexus:<br />
A Strategic Approach for Determining Areas for Special Development in<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong>.<br />
Above: Scenes from the Upper Rio Grande Valley<br />
Background<br />
Poverty is one the most pressing<br />
problems affecting <strong>Jamaica</strong>. The 2005<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong> Survey <strong>of</strong> Living Conditions<br />
indicates that 14.8 per cent <strong>of</strong> the<br />
population lives below the poverty line.<br />
This figure has decreased from 35.2 per<br />
cent in 1992. Despite the significant<br />
decline, the incidence <strong>of</strong> poverty remains a<br />
problem for the country and is more acute<br />
in rural areas with 21 per cent (2005) <strong>of</strong><br />
Allison Richards & Camille Dwyer<br />
the population living below the poverty line.<br />
The areas with high levels <strong>of</strong> poverty are<br />
generally characterized by high unemployment;<br />
poor health conditions, low educational<br />
achievements, and limited access to<br />
infrastructure and basic services.<br />
While the incidence <strong>of</strong> poverty is widespread<br />
across <strong>Jamaica</strong>, the eastern parishes <strong>of</strong> St. Mary,<br />
St. Thomas and Portland are <strong>of</strong> particular<br />
concern having consistently recorded high levels<br />
(Continued on page 3)
P a ge 2 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Editorial<br />
The Christmas season<br />
has come and gone and its hard to<br />
believe that we are already in the<br />
second month <strong>of</strong> 2007. As we breath<br />
a sigh <strong>of</strong> relief after a relatively<br />
uneventful hurricane season last year<br />
we should not get complacent as it<br />
regards our preparation for such<br />
events. I n light <strong>of</strong> this,<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong> continues to focus on<br />
risk assessment and vulnerability.<br />
In addition to our coverage <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Millennium Development Goals, this<br />
issue focuses on the impact <strong>of</strong> poverty<br />
on the environment and the need to<br />
identify specific areas in <strong>Jamaica</strong> with<br />
high poverty rates and susceptibility to<br />
environmental hazards.<br />
We wrap up our focus on MDG 3<br />
with Part 2 <strong>of</strong> the article “Measuring<br />
Gender Equality and Women’s<br />
Empowerment” . We also feature<br />
MDG 4 - Reduce Child Mortality<br />
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM<br />
YOU!!<br />
The <strong>Beginnings</strong> team would like<br />
to get your valuable feedback and<br />
response in order to provide<br />
relevant information and links<br />
about issues important to YOU!<br />
Send us your input on sustainable development related<br />
websites, events, projects, articles, workshops etc. and we will<br />
gladly include them in our publication.<br />
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and<br />
colleagues who may find the information useful. Past issues<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Beginnings</strong> are posted on the <strong>of</strong>ficial website <strong>of</strong> the PIOJ<br />
at: http://www.pioj.gov.jm<br />
in MDG Watch. This MDG requires a<br />
reduction in child mortality to 9/1000<br />
births by 2015.<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong> is “lagging” with respect to<br />
this goal and much will have to be<br />
done to change this. Our “Did You<br />
Know?” feature outlines the major<br />
causes <strong>of</strong> death in infants in <strong>Jamaica</strong><br />
and the various government initiatives<br />
geared towards reducing child<br />
mortality.<br />
In Focus presents Part 2 <strong>of</strong> our<br />
account <strong>of</strong> the Central Information<br />
Technology Office (CITO) Regional<br />
Summit, Part 1 <strong>of</strong> which was featured<br />
in our last issue.<br />
As always, this issue would not have<br />
b e e n p o s s i b l e w i t hout t h e<br />
contribution <strong>of</strong> our writers.<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong> extends thanks to<br />
Mrs. Allison Richards and Kamille<br />
Dwyer <strong>of</strong> the PIOJ and the University<br />
<strong>of</strong> the West Indies respectively for<br />
their contributions.<br />
The Editorial Team <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beginnings</strong><br />
would like to thank all its readers,<br />
contributors and supporters who have<br />
encouraged us with their comments and<br />
feedback over the past year. We wish<br />
you a prosperous, productive and<br />
sustainable New Year.<br />
Nadine Jones<br />
PLANNING INSTITUTE OF JAMAICA<br />
MISSION STATEMENT<br />
Editor/Desktop Publisher<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong> Editorial Team<br />
credits<br />
The <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong> is committed to<br />
leading the process <strong>of</strong> policy formulation on economic<br />
and social issues and external cooperation management to<br />
achieve sustainable development for the people <strong>of</strong><br />
JAMAICA.<br />
Toni-Shae Freckleton<br />
Allison Richards<br />
Marcia Blake-Hall<br />
On the cover: Parents and children from around the world.<br />
On the back: Sunset in the Rio Grande Valley<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong> is a quarterly newsletter <strong>of</strong> the Sustainable Development & Regional <strong>Planning</strong> Division, <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong>. The opinions expressed by<br />
our contributors are those <strong>of</strong> the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views <strong>of</strong> <strong>Beginnings</strong>. Please send comments to: The Editor, <strong>Beginnings</strong>, 10-16<br />
Grenada Way, Kingston 6. Tel: (876) 906-4463-4 Fax (876) 906-4465 Email: njones@pioj.gov.jm
P a g e 3 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Sustainable Development and the Poverty–Environment Nexus...<br />
<strong>of</strong> poverty. In 1992, an average 40.9 per cent <strong>of</strong> the population <strong>of</strong><br />
these parishes lived below the poverty line. The parish <strong>of</strong><br />
Portland had the highest incidence <strong>of</strong> poverty with 50 per cent <strong>of</strong><br />
its population living below the poverty line at that time.<br />
The parish <strong>of</strong> Clarendon has also recorded poverty levels above<br />
the national average. The incidence <strong>of</strong> poverty was 42.2 in 1992.<br />
There was a significant decline in 1998 to 13.3; however, the rate<br />
increased to 27.2 in 2002. The negative effects <strong>of</strong> poverty on<br />
these parishes have been exacerbated by their high vulnerability<br />
to natural and man-made hazards.<br />
Some progress has been made in addressing the poverty<br />
situation through the National Poverty Eradication Programme<br />
(NPEP) which (started in 1995) emphasizes strategies <strong>of</strong> human<br />
resource development and employment generation; community<br />
empowerment; geographic targeting; safety net and income<br />
transfers. This is exemplified by the fact that the poverty level <strong>of</strong><br />
the country and the northeastern region has significantly declined<br />
with 19.2 and 28.9 percent <strong>of</strong> the population living below the<br />
poverty line <strong>Jamaica</strong> and the northeastern parishes, respectively,<br />
in 2002. Further progress in addressing the poverty situation in<br />
the country is being hampered by insufficient resources to<br />
effectively address the poverty situation.<br />
“Areas for special development” are<br />
considered to be regions or locales with<br />
pressing social, economic and environmental<br />
problems, affecting both human livelihoods and<br />
environmental resources, and ultimately the<br />
attainment <strong>of</strong> sustainable development. “<br />
The parish <strong>of</strong> Portland continued to record the highest level in<br />
the region with 32.3 percent <strong>of</strong> the population living below the<br />
poverty line in 2002. The Rio Grande Valley in the Parish <strong>of</strong><br />
Portland is <strong>of</strong> particular concern as the valley covers<br />
approximately one-third <strong>of</strong> the parish (286 000 hectares), and its<br />
residents are heavily dependent on the natural environment for<br />
their basic needs. The Rio Grande Valley is an agricultural area<br />
with a combination <strong>of</strong> physical conditions (temperature, rainfall,<br />
and soil type) that gives rise to high agricultural productivity<br />
(Thomas-Hope and Spence 1999). Agricultural produce in the<br />
Valley is principally a variety <strong>of</strong> fruit and cash crops, including<br />
banana, c<strong>of</strong>fee and a wide range <strong>of</strong> ground products. The area is<br />
prone to flooding and landslides due to a combination <strong>of</strong> its<br />
geology, topography, and climatic conditions. Additionally, past<br />
and current farming practices have reportedly exacerbated the<br />
vulnerability <strong>of</strong> the area to these hazards. The situation has been<br />
further compounded by the impact <strong>of</strong> floods and hurricane over<br />
the past 5 years.<br />
Another area <strong>of</strong> concern is the Portland Cottage Community<br />
<strong>of</strong> Clarendon. Portland Cottage is a small low-lying coastal<br />
community (1.51 square km) with fishing as its main economic<br />
activity. Portland Cottage sustained some <strong>of</strong> the most intense<br />
winds from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and storm surges up to at<br />
least 8 feet. There was significant flooding, which resulted in<br />
loss <strong>of</strong> property and the permanent relocation <strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong> the<br />
residents to higher ground in the community.<br />
Given the situation, there is an urgent need to prioritize<br />
geographic interventions across the country. This necessitates<br />
the development <strong>of</strong> an objective basis for determining priority<br />
areas (areas for special development) for intervention. “Areas<br />
for special development” are considered to be regions or<br />
locales with pressing social, economic and environmental<br />
problems, affecting both human livelihoods and<br />
environmental resources, and ultimately the attainment <strong>of</strong><br />
sustainable development. The Rio Grande Valley in the parish<br />
<strong>of</strong> Portland and Portland Cottage in the parish <strong>of</strong> Clarendon<br />
are <strong>of</strong> particular concern because <strong>of</strong> the high incidence <strong>of</strong><br />
poverty in the communities, and their susceptibility to<br />
environmental disasters (See Map <strong>of</strong> Study Area on Page 4)<br />
.<br />
The <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong> has embarked on a study to<br />
develop a set <strong>of</strong> criteria for determining “Areas for Special<br />
Development” in <strong>Jamaica</strong>.<br />
Aims <strong>of</strong> the study<br />
1. To determine the relationship between poverty and<br />
environmental vulnerability<br />
2. To determine the social, economic and environmental<br />
implications <strong>of</strong> environmental vulnerability on human<br />
livelihoods in rural areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong>.<br />
3. To determine, and provide information on specific areas<br />
in <strong>Jamaica</strong> with high poverty rates and greater<br />
susceptibility to environmental hazards.<br />
Objectives <strong>of</strong> the Study<br />
1. To develop criteria for determining areas for special<br />
development in <strong>Jamaica</strong>.<br />
2. To use the criteria developed, to identify special<br />
development areas in the Rio Grande Valley <strong>of</strong> Portland.<br />
(Continued on page 5)
P a g e 4 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Sustainable Development and the Poverty-Environment Nexus...
P a g e 5 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Sustainable Development and the Poverty–Environment Nexus...<br />
(Continued from page 3)<br />
Methodology<br />
Central to the research’s success is the availability <strong>of</strong> historical<br />
and current, and reliable information on poverty and<br />
environmental vulnerability in <strong>Jamaica</strong>. Having identified the<br />
aims and objectives, it is imperative that a well suited<br />
methodological approach is used to achieve the overall intent<br />
<strong>of</strong> the research. The proposed methodology for the study<br />
includes the use <strong>of</strong> both primary and secondary data. Primary<br />
data will be in the form <strong>of</strong> interviews that to be conducted in<br />
the Rio Grande Valley on and in Portland Cottage. A total <strong>of</strong><br />
80 participants will be targeted.<br />
The methodological approach represents a two-tier system;<br />
providing abundant and accurate data for purposes <strong>of</strong><br />
comparison; identification <strong>of</strong> past and current trends and; indepth<br />
analysis <strong>of</strong> the variables contributing to poverty and<br />
environmental vulnerability. The approach is as follows:<br />
Primary Data Sources<br />
The use <strong>of</strong> a standardized Open-ended Interview* will be<br />
employed as the principal means <strong>of</strong> acquiring primary data in<br />
the field <strong>of</strong> research. This method provides a more ‘relaxed’<br />
environment for the ‘free-flow’ <strong>of</strong> information between the<br />
interviewer and interviewee, as there are no predetermined<br />
answers (yes or no). Data collection via the interview method<br />
will be represented in both written and graphical form.<br />
Secondary Data Sources<br />
Documentation review is the approach being used to acquire<br />
secondary data. The <strong>Jamaica</strong> Survey <strong>of</strong> Living Conditions<br />
(JSLC), and the Economic and Social Survey <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong><br />
(ESSJ), published by the <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong> and the<br />
Statistical <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong>, are the main documents to be<br />
consulted, as it relates to the social and economic dimensions<br />
<strong>of</strong> poverty in <strong>Jamaica</strong>. The JSLC and the ESSJ are (expected)<br />
to provide historical and comprehensive information on the<br />
social and economic characteristics <strong>of</strong> poverty. Maps, tables,<br />
charts, and other graphic representations published in the<br />
JSLC, the ESSJ and other documented data sources, are to be<br />
used for purposes <strong>of</strong> identifying poverty trends and patterns in<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong>. The Social Development Commission Office in<br />
Portland will also serve as an information medium, through<br />
the provision <strong>of</strong> detailed socio-economic information on<br />
communities in the Rio Grande Valley (study area).<br />
Information on the relationship between poverty and<br />
environmental vulnerability will be reviewed using publications<br />
<strong>of</strong> The World Bank, and the United Nations. Information<br />
specific to <strong>Jamaica</strong> will be sourced at the National<br />
Environmental <strong>Planning</strong> Agency, Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture and<br />
Land, the Department <strong>of</strong> Geography and Geology, University<br />
<strong>of</strong> the West Indies, Mona and the Forestry Department. Maps,<br />
charts and other graphic data will also be source at the above<br />
Institutions.<br />
It should be noted that urban areas will not be included in this<br />
study.<br />
Findings to be presented in next issue.<br />
WEBLINKS:<br />
Child Mortality <strong>Issue</strong>s<br />
• UNICEF Millennium Development Goals<br />
http://www.unicef.org/mdg/childmortality.html<br />
• Millennium Campaign<br />
Mrs. Allison Richards is the Urban and<br />
Regional Planner in the Sustainable<br />
Development and Regional <strong>Planning</strong><br />
Division at the PIOJ.<br />
Ms. Kamille Dwyer is a graduate student<br />
at the University <strong>of</strong> the West Indies (St.<br />
Augustine Campus). She is pursuing a<br />
Masters in Geography.<br />
http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.asp?c=grKVL2NLE<br />
&b=186384<br />
• Department for International Development Fact sheet—<br />
Child Mortality<br />
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/mdgfactsheets/childmortalityfactsheet.pdf<br />
• Demographic and Health Surveys<br />
http://www.measuredhs.com/topics/infant_child_mortality.cfm
P a g e 6 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Off the Bookshelf<br />
Healthy Women and Children<br />
■ Who's Got the Power? Transforming<br />
Health Systems for Women and Children<br />
This report puts forward that meaningful,<br />
sustainable progress toward decreasing child<br />
and maternal mortality requires an intense<br />
focus on improving health systems. Who’s<br />
Got the Power responds to the challenges<br />
posed by high rates <strong>of</strong> maternal mortality,<br />
continued child deaths due to preventable<br />
illnesses, enormous unmet need for sexual and<br />
reproductive health services, and weak and<br />
fragile health systems.<br />
In addition to identifying the technical<br />
interventions to address these problems, the<br />
report proposes bold and concrete steps that<br />
governments and international agencies can<br />
take to ensure that health sector interventions<br />
have significant effects on all aspects <strong>of</strong><br />
development and poverty reduction.<br />
Who's Got the Power? Transforming Health<br />
Systems for Women and Children<br />
Author: UN Millennium Project/United Nations<br />
Development Programme<br />
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/document<br />
s/maternalchild-frontmatter.pdf<br />
Excluded and Invisible<br />
■ State <strong>of</strong> the World's Children 2006,<br />
The: Excluded and Invisible<br />
The State <strong>of</strong> the World’s Children<br />
focuses on the millions <strong>of</strong> children who<br />
have not been the beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> past<br />
gains, the ones who are excluded or<br />
‘invisible’. The report assesses global<br />
efforts to realize the MDGs, the central<br />
development targets <strong>of</strong> the agenda, and<br />
demonstrates the marked impact that<br />
their achievement would have on<br />
children’s lives and future generations.<br />
It argues that reaching the MDGs should<br />
benefit not only the better <strong>of</strong>f, but also<br />
those children who are most in need,<br />
whose rights are most abused and undervalued and who are currently excluded<br />
from services, marginalized and unprotected by society and the state.<br />
State <strong>of</strong> the World's Children 2006, The: Excluded and Invisible<br />
Author: United Nations International Children's<br />
Fundhttp://www.unicef.org/publications/files/SOWC_2006_English_Report_rev(<br />
1).pdf<br />
For the Children<br />
■ We the Children—Meeting the<br />
promises <strong>of</strong> the World Summit for<br />
Children<br />
This report demonstrates with facts and<br />
figures how the 1990 World Summit for<br />
Children was systematically followed up and<br />
rigorously monitored, resulting in<br />
i m p r e s s i v e a c h i e v e m e n t s .<br />
Part one reviews the commitments made to<br />
children in 1990 at the World Summit for<br />
Children. Part two summarizes the progress<br />
made in implementing the World Summit in<br />
three main areas: health, nutrition, water and sanitation; education and literacy;<br />
children's protection and civil rights. Part three, the final section, <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
perspectives for the future by looking at lessons learned from the past decade.<br />
We the Children—Meeting the promises <strong>of</strong> the World Summit for Children<br />
Author: K<strong>of</strong>i A. Anan, Secretary-General <strong>of</strong> the United Nations<br />
http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/about/sgreportpdf/sgreport_adapted_eng.pdf
P a g e 7 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
MDG 3:<br />
Measuring Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (Part 2)<br />
In our last issue we began to explore the target and<br />
indicators under MDG number 3 and <strong>Jamaica</strong>’s progress<br />
towards meeting the goal. In Part two the author seeks to<br />
analyze the targets and indicators<br />
Analyzing the targets and the indicators<br />
Goal Number 3 <strong>of</strong> the MDGs seeks to promote gender<br />
equality and to empower women. In this regard the target<br />
identified the elimination <strong>of</strong> ‘gender disparity in primary,<br />
secondary education preferably by 2005, and in all levels <strong>of</strong><br />
education no later than 2015’.<br />
In analyzing the target and indicators one has to examine the<br />
extent to which the MDG targets for Goal No. 3 facilitate<br />
equality and empowerment. An overview <strong>of</strong> gender and<br />
education trends, allows us to look at the ways in which<br />
gender inequality is perpetuated and empowerment is<br />
impeded. The target statement, which speaks primarily to<br />
capabilities through educational attainment, gives an<br />
underlying assumption that education can be used as a vehicle<br />
for gender equality and women’s empowerment. At the same<br />
time, this is not necessarily a good indication <strong>of</strong> Caribbean<br />
reality. On this note, Barbara Bailey ( )makes the point that:<br />
education has not proven to be the vehicle for Caribbean<br />
women’s economic, political or personal empowerment. In<br />
By Taitu Heron<br />
spite <strong>of</strong> their overall higher levels <strong>of</strong> participation and performance<br />
at the secondary and tertiary levels <strong>of</strong> Caribbean education systems,<br />
the majority <strong>of</strong> the women in the region continue to be positioned<br />
in the lowest sectors <strong>of</strong> the capital market, earn lower wages than<br />
men, suffer higher rates <strong>of</strong> unemployment, experience greater levels<br />
<strong>of</strong> poverty, are under-represented in decision-making positions at the<br />
meso and macro levels <strong>of</strong> social and political institutions and lack<br />
real personal autonomy. (p.136)<br />
Grown et al (2003) argue that the ratio <strong>of</strong> boys to girls in<br />
school only reflects the input side <strong>of</strong> education and not the<br />
output side, which is more relevant – completion and learning<br />
outcomes. Bailey (2003) contends that the focus on the<br />
quantitative gains that <strong>Jamaica</strong>n women have made in<br />
education masks and undermines the qualitative dimensions,<br />
...the focus on the quantitative gains that<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong>n women have made in education<br />
masks and undermines the qualitative<br />
dimensions, that beyond school, females have<br />
less <strong>of</strong> a competitive advantage than their male<br />
counterparts.<br />
that beyond school, females have less <strong>of</strong> a competitive<br />
advantage than their male counterparts. Higher rates <strong>of</strong><br />
performance and attainment by females do not necessarily<br />
translate into increased labour participation, or increased<br />
involvement in decision-making processes.<br />
A study done by Odette Parry (2001) on students in Kingston<br />
high schools provides evidence that traditional socialisation<br />
patterns such as suggesting subjects such as English Language,<br />
Literature and History are ‘girl subjects’ and subjects such as<br />
mathematics, physics, chemistry etc, are ‘boy subjects’ adds to<br />
the handicapping conditions that contribute to higher male<br />
dropout rates, particularly when the subject <strong>of</strong> English, the<br />
basis <strong>of</strong> participating in all OTHER subjects, is increasingly<br />
perceived as "female". In 2002/2003 the English language pass<br />
rate for secondary high schools stood at 71% for females and<br />
55% for males. The national average was 51% for females and<br />
(Continued on page 8)
P a g e 8 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
“Measuring Gender Equality…”<br />
(Continued from page 7)<br />
38% for males. Since the mastery <strong>of</strong> the English Language<br />
forms the basis for achievement in many other subjects<br />
(and University matriculation), this is a worrisome trend.<br />
It is fairly well researched [Chevannes (1999, 2001), and<br />
Parry (1996)] that the early socializing patterns <strong>of</strong> “male<br />
privilege” (meaning being raised with greater freedom and<br />
less supervision, fewer home responsibilities) along with<br />
the opposite conditions for females, contribute to<br />
perceived patterns <strong>of</strong> greater compliance by girls with<br />
school expectations (following orders, routines,<br />
completing work), and thus produce better academic<br />
results for the females, and lower academic results and a<br />
weaker sense <strong>of</strong> social responsibility for the males.<br />
Some writers on gender and education (eg. Bailey,<br />
Ricketts, Evans, Parry, Chevannes) express concern for<br />
the under-participation and under-achievement <strong>of</strong> boys in<br />
the education system. Gender socialization as pointed out<br />
earlier, along with the treatment <strong>of</strong> boys by teachers, and<br />
the culture <strong>of</strong> portraying boys as s<strong>of</strong>t or nerdish when<br />
they perform well in school, are some <strong>of</strong> the reasons that<br />
have been given. The cultural environment in which<br />
unequal gender relations persist <strong>of</strong>ten create a backlash on<br />
both females and males. This is so, to the point where the<br />
understandable preoccupation <strong>of</strong> male underperformance<br />
and under achievement in the education system, <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
nullifies the challenges that females continue to face.<br />
Concentrating on the share <strong>of</strong> female labour participation<br />
in the non-agricultural sector is useful. However other<br />
related issues that could be considered - such as,<br />
occupational sex-segregation, wage differentials, decent<br />
work conditions, unemployment and work in a largely<br />
unregulated informal sector – are not. Therefore, in spite<br />
<strong>of</strong> relatively high levels <strong>of</strong> educational attainment and the<br />
improved quality <strong>of</strong> female employment as pr<strong>of</strong>essionals,<br />
senior <strong>of</strong>ficials and managers, gender inequality persists<br />
with lower female labour participation, and high-level<br />
employment in low end occupations and concentration in<br />
traditional “female” occupational groups. An ECLAC<br />
Report (2001) points out that:<br />
[a] closer examination <strong>of</strong> the patterns <strong>of</strong> female achievement<br />
within the education system suggests strongly that the<br />
pattern <strong>of</strong> segregation evident in subject selection has<br />
had the effect <strong>of</strong> maintaining the unequal and inequitable<br />
division <strong>of</strong> labour in the home and in the workplace (p. 5).<br />
In <strong>Jamaica</strong>, Labour force statistics indicate that 68.2% <strong>of</strong> the female<br />
employed labour force are clustered in categories which for the most<br />
part attract a minimum wage (clerks, service workers, shop and<br />
market sales and elementary occupations). On the other hand,<br />
although the number <strong>of</strong> women in the ‘Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, Senior<br />
Officials and Technicians’, the highest occupational group, has been<br />
steadily increasing and in 2001 represented 21.64% <strong>of</strong> all employed<br />
women, this grouping includes teachers and nurses; occupations<br />
which although not lower-skilled are under-valued in terms <strong>of</strong> social<br />
status and, therefore, are accorded low levels <strong>of</strong> remuneration<br />
compared with other pr<strong>of</strong>essions in this grouping. Data also indicate<br />
that within this category there is status stratification with women<br />
over-represented in the lower strata and markedly absent from<br />
decision-making positions (Ricketts & Benfield 2000).<br />
In relation to using the proportion <strong>of</strong> seats in national parliaments as<br />
an indicator <strong>of</strong> agency, Grown et al (2003) argue that this not a<br />
sufficient measurement for tracking levels <strong>of</strong> female empowerment.<br />
They posit that this indicator says nothing about whether women<br />
have power to make decisions or whether or not such women are<br />
sensitive to gender issues and can promote a gender equality<br />
legislative agenda. They note that it might be more useful to track<br />
progress that women make at the local level because it is at the<br />
municipal and local level rather than in national elections that women<br />
have been making inroads.<br />
The indicators identified in relation to Goal 3 for measuring<br />
progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment<br />
represent all three domains (capabilities, opportunities and agency)<br />
but, as Grown, Gupta and Khan (2003) point out, progress in any<br />
one domain to the exclusion <strong>of</strong> others is insufficient to meet the goal<br />
<strong>of</strong> gender equality. They point to the fact that, as is the case in the<br />
Caribbean:<br />
(E)ven though education provides women with an essential capability<br />
and has intrinsic value, gender equality and the empowerment <strong>of</strong><br />
women can remain elusive goals without the opportunity to fully use<br />
that capability, for example, in employment, or by participating in<br />
decision making in the political arena. (p. 7)<br />
Forty indicators are used as part <strong>of</strong> the UN Development Assistance<br />
Framework (UNDAF) to guide common country assessments in<br />
countries such as <strong>Jamaica</strong>, in which UN development cooperation<br />
takes place. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are also<br />
(Continued on page 9)
P a g e 9 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
“Measuring Gender Equality…”<br />
included in the UNDAF indicators. UNIFEM’s report on the<br />
Progress <strong>of</strong> the World’s Women in 2000 cautions the duplication<br />
<strong>of</strong> these UNDAF indicators and argued that these are best<br />
understood as a measure <strong>of</strong> an enabling environment in which<br />
obstacles to gender equality and women’s empowerment are<br />
diminishing. This report further stated that the indicators do not<br />
measure “the subjective dimensions <strong>of</strong> women’s empowerment”<br />
(p. 10).<br />
These indicators are not the most suitable for determining<br />
progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.<br />
Stakeholders with interest in MDG3 can rest assured that all this<br />
does not mean a policy straightjacket, and allows for flexibility.<br />
In this light, the Regional Consultation on the MDGs and<br />
Sustainable Development, held in Barbados, 2003, pointed out:<br />
It is possible to critique the goals, targets and indicators on<br />
many grounds and hence the necessity to customize and<br />
contextualize them to make them more relevant to the level<br />
<strong>of</strong> achievement and the aspirations <strong>of</strong> the Caribbean…the<br />
framework can be enhanced by the addition <strong>of</strong> more<br />
qualitative and relevant quantitative measures.<br />
Grown et al (2003) suggest that the identified indicators have<br />
limitations and suggest the following supplementary indicators in<br />
relation to each <strong>of</strong> the equality domains:<br />
• Completion rates in additional to enrolment rates for<br />
all levels <strong>of</strong> education;<br />
• Gender gaps in earnings in paid and self-employment,<br />
sex-disaggregated unemployment rates and<br />
occupational segregation; and,<br />
• Prevalence <strong>of</strong> gender-based violence in addition to<br />
share <strong>of</strong> seats in national parliaments.<br />
There is need to include gender-based violence as threats to<br />
women’s personal security. Violence and conflict reflect in<br />
physical and psychological harm and lessen the ability <strong>of</strong><br />
individuals, households and communities to fulfill their<br />
potential. Violence against women in particular is a major barrier<br />
to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment –<br />
women who are victims are less productive on the job, thereby<br />
decreasing the national output. Violence against women<br />
increases vulnerability to unwanted pregnancies, STIs, HIV and<br />
by restricting ability to negotiate protection or leave unhealthy<br />
relationships. In short, it is disempowering.<br />
Gender equality is multidimensional and multi-sectoral. As<br />
such one <strong>of</strong> the goals for improving the MDG targets would<br />
be to recognize the asymmetries <strong>of</strong> power in relation to<br />
gender inequality and disempowerment. Other goals,<br />
specifically, 1, 4 and 6 are equally important indicators <strong>of</strong><br />
gender equality and also need to be revisited. Additional<br />
targets need to be conceptualized to consider attainment in (i)<br />
advances in sexual and reproductive rights and (ii) the<br />
elimination <strong>of</strong> gender-based violence. The Millenium Project<br />
Task Force has subsequently adopted the capabilities,<br />
opportunities and agency approach, the targets and indicators<br />
should therefore reflect this.<br />
The fact that the policy framework is ever changing is a<br />
positive sign. The inclusion <strong>of</strong> additional targets, namely the<br />
elimination <strong>of</strong> gender-based violence and the achievement <strong>of</strong><br />
sexual and reproductive rights, in the UN Secretary General’s<br />
Report (In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and<br />
Human Rights for All) as specific indicators <strong>of</strong> development<br />
and identified targets <strong>of</strong> achievement, is a welcoming note to<br />
demonstrate the GOJ’s further commitment to gender<br />
equality and women’s empowerment. This would only be<br />
building upon earlier commitments expressed with GOJ’s<br />
ratification <strong>of</strong> other gender-related international instruments,<br />
namely Convention on the Elmination <strong>of</strong> Discrimination<br />
Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Plan <strong>of</strong> Action.<br />
Taitu A. Heron is Manager <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Social Development & Gender Unit<br />
in the Social Policy <strong>Planning</strong> and<br />
Research Division,<br />
THE PLANNING INSTITUTE OF<br />
JAMAICA
P a g e 10 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Sustainable Development Events<br />
MARCH 2007<br />
Financing Of Forest Conservation: Payments For<br />
Environmental Services In The Tropics<br />
Yale School <strong>of</strong> Forestry & Environmental Studies, New Haven,<br />
United States <strong>of</strong> America<br />
Mar 2, 2007 to Mar 3, 2007<br />
Fifth Session Of The Committee For The Review Of The<br />
Un Convention To Combat Desertification<br />
Buenos Aires, Argentina<br />
Mar 12, 2007 to Mar 21, 2007<br />
International Conference on Water and Flood<br />
Management<br />
Dhaka, Bangladesh<br />
Mar 12, 2007 to Mar 14, 2007<br />
World Day for Water 2007<br />
Around the world.,<br />
Mar 22, 2007 to Mar 22, 2007<br />
MDG Watch<br />
APRIL 2007<br />
For details on these and other conferences visit: http://www.sdgateway.net/events/<br />
Seventh Session Of Un Forum On Forests<br />
New York, NY, United States <strong>of</strong> America<br />
Apr 16, 2007 to Apr 27, 2007<br />
Twenty-First Session <strong>of</strong> the UN-HABITAT Governing Council<br />
Nairobi, Kenya<br />
Apr 16, 2007 to Apr 20, 2007<br />
International Conference on Climatic Changes and their<br />
Impacts on Coastal Zones and River Deltas: Vulnerability,<br />
Mitigation and Adaptation<br />
Alexandria, Egypt<br />
Apr 21, 2007 to Apr 25, 2007<br />
Fifteenth Session Of The Un Commission On Sustainable<br />
Development<br />
New York, New York, United States <strong>of</strong> America<br />
Apr 30, 2007 to May 11, 2007
P a g e 11 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
Part II<br />
Background<br />
In our last issue In Focus excerpts <strong>of</strong> the proceedings <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Central Information Technology Office (CITO)<br />
Regional Summit to promote disaster preparedness through<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> Information and Communications Technology<br />
(ICT) were presented. The three-day Summit focused on<br />
utilizing ICT to engender Business Continuity<br />
Management (BCM) in light <strong>of</strong> the growing frequency <strong>of</strong><br />
natural disasters. The last issue looked at the issues <strong>of</strong> Event<br />
Management and the Chief Risk Officer, Business Continuity<br />
Plan and the Role <strong>of</strong> Business Impact Analysis. This quarter,<br />
we conclude our two part story by looking at Local and<br />
Wide Area Networks and Lessons Learned from<br />
Regional Disasters<br />
Local & Campus Communications: LAN/WAN/Voice<br />
The importance <strong>of</strong> ensuring continuity in the operation <strong>of</strong><br />
Local Area and Wide Area Networks(LAN/WAN) was also<br />
highlighted at the summitt. A local area network (LAN) is a<br />
computer network covering a local area, like a home, <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />
or group <strong>of</strong> buildings. On the other hand a wide area<br />
network or WAN is a computer network covering a broad<br />
geographical area. The largest and most well-known example<br />
<strong>of</strong> a WAN is the Internet. WANs are used to connect local<br />
area networks (LANs) together, so that users and computers<br />
in one location can communicate with users and computers in<br />
other locations.<br />
The following factors, among others, were highlighted as<br />
being <strong>of</strong> importance to maintenance <strong>of</strong> a LAN or WAN in<br />
the event <strong>of</strong> a disaster:<br />
• Power - The availability <strong>of</strong> power, reliable backup power<br />
source is essential for faster recovery<br />
• Hardware – equipment should be insured, vendors who<br />
can quickly replace equipment should be identified. A<br />
Contingency Operations Center should be established.<br />
• Security – ensure that network rooms are made with<br />
concrete ro<strong>of</strong>s, with no windows and a reliable cooling<br />
system<br />
In Focus<br />
Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Utilizing Information and Communication Technology<br />
An Account <strong>of</strong> the Proceedings <strong>of</strong> the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) Regional Summit, May 2005<br />
• Wiring – Ensure that building is wired with smoke<br />
alarm systems. A label maker is essential for the labelling <strong>of</strong><br />
cables. A wiring diagram must be kept onsite (preferably<br />
on the wall) as well as <strong>of</strong>fsite. Keep an extra roll <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most used cabling and keep cables <strong>of</strong>f the floor. Where<br />
telephone lines are concerned, know where lines aggregate<br />
and which lines are yours where the service is shared.<br />
Recovery – Ensure that there are regular network, voice<br />
and data back-ups<br />
Lessons Learned from Regional Disasters<br />
This presentation focused on key areas to consider when<br />
creating or updating business continuity plans with<br />
reference to Hurricane Katrina and other major disasters.<br />
Like other presentations, this also highlighted the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> ensuring staff welfare and safety in the event<br />
<strong>of</strong> a natural disaster. Among the focus areas were:<br />
• People – employees must be considered prior to,<br />
during, and after an event<br />
• Communication – the most reliable mode <strong>of</strong><br />
communication in a disaster must be determined be it<br />
cell phones, email, home phones, cordless phones,<br />
satellite phones<br />
•<br />
• Data Availability – utilize electronic media , store<br />
backup data in multiple locations<br />
• Plan Currency - crisis management plan must be kept<br />
current. The plans should also be integrated with IT<br />
and business. The plan should be tested annually.<br />
• Insurance – understand risks, inventorize your assets<br />
The conference was useful as it drew attention to the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> planning for a natural and man made<br />
disasters in the context <strong>of</strong> information technology in the<br />
business. It was also encouraging to see that local IT<br />
businesses and young entrepreneurs attach a great level <strong>of</strong><br />
importance to the disaster management element <strong>of</strong> their<br />
business function.
P a g e 12 B eginnings I s s u e 8<br />
DID DID DID DID YOU YOU YOU YOU KNOW? KNOW? KNOW? KNOW?<br />
The MDG require a reduction in child mortality to<br />
9/1000 births by 2015. <strong>Jamaica</strong> is “lagging” with respect<br />
to this goal. Under five years, mortality was 28.5/1000<br />
births in 1993 and 21.4/1000 in 2003. Perinatal mortality<br />
(estimated at 24/1000) and Infant Mortality (estimated at<br />
19/1000) are the main contributors to the under 5<br />
mortality.<br />
The leading causes <strong>of</strong> infant deaths are:<br />
• Conditions relating to the perinatal period (Birth – 6<br />
weeks)<br />
• Congenital malformations, deformations and<br />
chromosomal abnormalities<br />
• HIV/AIDS<br />
• Nutritional Deficiencies<br />
The leading causes <strong>of</strong> death in children 1 to 4 years<br />
include:<br />
• Conditions relating to the perinatal period<br />
• HIV/AIDS<br />
• Acute respiratory infections<br />
• Accidents and unintentional injuries<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the achievements to date with respect <strong>of</strong> this<br />
MDG goals include:<br />
Infrastructure<br />
• The <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> child heath care services at over 300<br />
public health centres island wide<br />
• NHF approved project for the provision <strong>of</strong><br />
equipment for the diagnosis and management <strong>of</strong><br />
asthma<br />
• Upgrading <strong>of</strong> some parish hospitals to provide accessible<br />
paediatric services<br />
Policy and Standards<br />
• Standardisation <strong>of</strong> the protocol for the management <strong>of</strong><br />
asthma<br />
• Standardisation <strong>of</strong> the protocol for the management <strong>of</strong><br />
rheumatic fever<br />
• Standardisation <strong>of</strong> the protocol for the management <strong>of</strong><br />
acute gastroenteritis<br />
• Development <strong>of</strong> a field guide for the care <strong>of</strong> the newborn<br />
• Legislative support- Immunization regulations and Child<br />
Care and Protection Act<br />
• Regional review <strong>of</strong> perinatal deaths to inform the<br />
management <strong>of</strong> future cases<br />
• Development <strong>of</strong> a National Framework <strong>of</strong> Action for<br />
children based on the world fit for children goals<br />
• Development <strong>of</strong> a National Plan <strong>of</strong> Action for an<br />
integrated response to children and violence<br />
Treatment and care<br />
• Provisions <strong>of</strong> vaccines free <strong>of</strong> charge in public health<br />
facilities as well as the provision <strong>of</strong> two new vaccines on<br />
the immunization schedule (Hepatitis b and Haemophilus<br />
Influenza b)<br />
• Programme for the prevention <strong>of</strong> mother to child<br />
transmission <strong>of</strong> HIV<br />
• Programme for antenatal screening and the management<br />
<strong>of</strong> anemia, syphilis and HIV<br />
• Screening <strong>of</strong> newborn for sickle cell disease<br />
Establishment <strong>of</strong> a programme for treatment and<br />
rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> children who have been sexually and<br />
physically abused (after school care, referral to Child<br />
Development Agency)- Camp Bustamante.