Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Karina Powell-Hood, who is the highest-ranked female officer in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), wants more young women to view the police force as a viable career choice. Speaking with JIS News, she notes that while the JCF is male-dominated, it provides the opportunity for women with the right aptitude and qualifications to have a...

Meet Ricardo Allen. His story begins with a challenging childhood, as at the tender age of eight, he faced the emotional upheaval of his father abandoning him and his mother. This pivotal moment shaped his outlook on life and education. “I came to Kingston, and my journey was to find my own path without a biological father,” he tells JIS...

Sexual harassment investigative officer, Averie Allen March, is keenly aware of the awesome responsibility she has in ensuring justice and protection for persons facing sexual harassment in public and private sector entities. As one of 18 persons from the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), who have been trained and certified to investigate reports of harassment, she will play a key...

Adolescent mothers at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) are now benefiting from a new parenting programme, designed to empower them and their babies as well as promote positive parenting practices. Dubbed the Empowered Futures Parenting Curriculum, the programme’s development, which was funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica with an investment of more than $10 million,...

The 2024 Festival Song Winner, Kimiela ‘Candy’ Isaacs, is encouraging more women to enter the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)-organised competition. “Come out and represent your country. The competition is not a man-based thing. It is neutral… women and men. So, women come on out, step up to the game, go for it,” the visually impaired singer declares. This year’s...

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) is saluting women in maritime for their sterling contribution to the industry. MAJ Director General, Bertrand Smith, tells JIS News that it is a timely opportunity to recognise the achievements of women, particularly the trailblazers, who have excelled at both maritime administration and seafaring. He was speaking against the background of the observation of...

The Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Jamaica has made significant strides in fostering inclusivity for women, through the launch of the National WISTA Association, which is geared at creating greater opportunities for women in the maritime sector. WISTA International, which is a global network of over 4,300 female executives and decision-makers in the maritime industry, offers programmes on...

Guidance counsellor and philanthropist, Kerry Ann Thompson, is the 2024 recipient of the Pan-African Leadership Institute (PALI) Global Woman in Leadership Award. The PALI alumna was recognised for her eponymous foundation, which provides support to victims of rape and sexual violence. Ms. Thompson, who is guided by the core values of integrity and authenticity, tells JIS News that she was...