Women's Day

Contributed By Michael Spence    

Today Let me join in congratulating the women and my dear, lovely, and beautiful women—mothers of the nation, on their laudable achievements:

• Women's Rights
• Reading Rights
• Human Rights.

Women are doing their best in Jamaica, being among the most literate in the population.

In 2026 these are the statistics for literacy:

• 80% universal literacy.
• Males 73%
• Females 90%.👍🏾

Before, it was:

• 88% overall
• 83% Males 
• 93% females

Jamaican females fall into the category of 18-20 countries where females top the literacy chart. Our literacy rates have been falling. Male literacy is in crisis, and this will negatively impact national stability.

Literacy must be recognized as the foundation for any meaningful progress, development and increased civilization of any country/people.

On January 10, 2026, I attended my daughter's graduation at UWI. She attended The Moneague Teachers' College.

800 teachers graduated with bachelor's degrees in education. 90% of the graduates were females.

Where have all the young men gone? Are the graduates aware of their awesome responsibilities to the nation?

It cannot be overemphasized that women's rights. human rights, literacy rights, reading rights, men's rights and people's rights are all intertwined.

The nation needs a campaign to enlighten the nation. The nation needs to be conscious and be fully onboard in terms of knowing where we are, where we are going and how we will get there.

Mr. Laing, my lecturer at college, emphasised how to teach. It starts with the subject, the aim, the objectives, and the method. A useful formula I have never forgotten.

Mr. Laing instilled in me to dispense with the 'arms, arms, arms' when making presentations. I still recall him saying, "Mr Spence, how many arms do you have?"

I said, "Two, sir."

He replied, "We do not want to hear of them anymore."

He told me, "Every time you are about to 'aaam' yourself, take a breath then continue". His suggestion works.

Today we suffer from an 'aahm' epidemic at every level of society.

Again, Happy Women's Day to our beautiful Jamaican women, straight—no aaahms.

Mother of the nation, big up.

Michael Spence Micspen2@hotmail.com