Waking Up To My Own Power (Part 2)

Waking up to my own power has meant being very deliberate about remaining an active part of the global conversation on women's rights and gender. I actively look for opportunities to engage communities, offer support, lend my skills, or just be present in the space - locally, regionally and globally.

When I left university, I continued to volunteer with WMW Jamaica on and off. My main job was working in journalism. I later transitioned into broader communications work across multiple fields.

I knew I wanted to help make a difference for women and girls, but I didn't have a clear idea of what form that would take, or how it would happen. I applied for everything under the sun (and got many rejections, lol). I got one or two yeses (including being selected to be a World Pulse Voice of the Future in 2011 - a milestone moment for me as a baby advocate, and well-needed empowerment at the time). I volunteered extensively wherever I could, and as time passed, my knowledge, skills, and network improved to the point where I was increasingly entrusted with leadership responsibilities.

Some of my favourite moments working in women's rights have been:

- The PPPR-MNIH project 2018-2019: I was hired by the Women's Resource & Outreach Centre as communication officer for the EU-funded PPPR-MNIH project. The project examined what provisions were in place to protect patients' health rights, and explored gaps in the implementation of these provisions, especially as it related to maternal, neonatal and infant health among vulnerable groups. One of our initiatives was the creation of the Civil Society Collaborative Forum - a group of more than 20 nonprofits addressing health rights issues facing their communities. These communities included persons living with disabilities, persons living with HIV/AIDS, women from rural areas, women from inner cities, teenage mothers, women over 35, persons living with sickle cell disease, youth in general, and health professionals. Few jobs have given me as much insight into the lives of such a wide cross-section of communities in Jamaica. I heard their stories first-hand and saw many similarities in the treatment they received at health care facilities. I was immersed for two wonderful years in working to help them share their stories and advocate for legislative change and practical solutions. It was a very eye-opening experience. (MNIH project Instagram, Twitter & Facebook)

 - Representing WMW Jamaica at the MATCH Women's Voices of Leadership Convening meetings in 2019: These meeting were held in Antigua and brought together representatives from Caribbean civil society organisations (CSOs) to provide insight into the challenges they face as nonprofits doing development work. I listened as my fellow Caribbean nationals described situations similar to what WMW was experiencing. I'm always struck by how similar we all are - despite our geographical differences. It always reinforces to me the need to support and encourage each other - because we're all navigating similar circumstances!

- Mentoring with Girls with Goals in 2019-20: Every Saturday, my friend I would pack up our little kits and drive to the Annie Dawson Girls' Home to give back by teaching languages (I taught Spanish, she taught French), helping the girls (ages 7 to 18) with homework, doing fun games and activities, or just discussing life. Our girls were inquisitive, energetic and talkative. They taught us many things as well. Unfortunately, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the home's lack of sufficient technology support, we had to stop meetings in 2020. What stays with me is how much those girls want for themselves despite the start they've been given in life. I'd like to help ensure that they grow up in a world where they can achieve the things they dream about!

- Presenting on advocacy strategies for MSS UWI (June, 2021): I got an invitation from the university's Mona Social Services to do a presentation on advocacy strategies for community-based organisations. I did my presentation to women 18-65 years from several volatile communities. When I asked what issues they wanted to advocate on, the main answer was \"peace\". That hit me hard! So many of us take peace for granted. It seems so simple! Yet these women are fighting for the ability to wake up without fear, to allow their children to play in the yard and not worry that they'll get shot. It's something many war-torn nations wrestle with. No safety, stability, or serenity. Can you imagine the severe mental and psychological implications of that on the children, the women, the men? It should disturb us all.

- Helping coordinate July's #ThursdaysInBlack campaign against GBV and child abuse: The Thursday in Black Campaign is an islandwide one-day campaign against violence against women and girls (VAWG). It was created in response to incidents of femicide and acts of gender-based violence (GBV) directed at women and girls across Jamaica. I helped coordinate the participation of youth groups islandwide in the July staging, which focused on child abuse. I had to send out emails, text messages and make calls to over 100 youth groups across the country. It gave me real joy to see how excited young people were to be part of something meaningful. I was proud of the photos they sent in showing their participation (I've posted a couple here).

- Working on SHEROES Summer School: This is my latest \"gender\" assignment. The SHEROES Summer School on Gender Equality & Development is being jointly implemented by UNESCO and the university's Institute for Gender & Development Studies. It will see three groups of 30 young people 18-30 from the English & Dutch-speaking Caribbean embark on a free one-week journey to learn basic concepts in gender and development and tools for project planning. It officially starts with the first session on September 27. I look forward to working with the SHEROES team to help train these young gender advocates! (Read about the first SHEROES Initiative that led to the summer school here.)

I'm happy that my life is now presenting me with more opportunities to work in gender! I didn't plan this path. Things just turned out this way. Something I share with especially young people wherever I go is: Be deliberate about staying in the space! It doesn't matter how unqualified you feel, or if you're having a bad year/life. Don't leave the spaces that feed your passions.

And don't pressure yourself to perform to gain anyone's approval either. It's okay to be quiet, observe and absorb. There's a season for that, and each person's path to their awakening is different. There will be many slow, uneventful moments. Don't worry about it. Just stay in the space and give each opportunity your best effort. At the right time, you'll find your confidence, your tribe, and your power.

Please read Waking Up To My Own Power Part 1 here.