The End of Oppression for Jamaican Women Women have been oppressed in many places and in many different ways over the years, but in Jamaica this trend continues to be finally stopped. “Sexual or gender inequality represents an essential and integral feature of social relations and the construction of culture in Jamaica, where colonial and imperialist exploitation has governed the development of economic, political and sociocultural patterns and structures for the past four hundred years.” (Harrison: Women in Jamaica's informal urban economy p. 12) Women have different roles in politics, economics and religion than their counterparts. It is important to know not only the general role of women, but also where they come from. Women did not have an important role in politics, were oppressed economically and did not receive equal pay. In Rastafarian culture women are submissive, this is slowly changing. Where does all this leave Jamaican women? A race looking for strong female role models. "Black women have no shortage of heroines or role models. However, they must be rescued from the shadow of selective history." (http://www.internurse.com/marymain.htm) Throughout Jamaica's history there have been great women leaders and musicians, such as Nanny of the Maroons, Queen Omega, Mary Jane Seacole, Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt, and sister Carol. It is very important today in Jamaica for girls to have role models. Not only has Jamaican society and Rastafarian culture repressed women, but other countries have as well. Going back in history to the 1700s you can find a strong woman who is still talked about today. The Maroons' nanny lived in the 1700s when the people who lived in Ja...... middle of paper ......, 1997, URL: http://www.bobmarley.com/life/legacy/rita / ritainterview.html.Steffens, Roger, "Rita Marley", URL: http://hem.passagen.se/perdavid/ritaM.htm. 4/3/00.Timm, Bob, “Interview with Sister Carol,” November 3, 1999, URL: http://ska.about.com/entertainment/ska/library/1999/aa110399b.htm. 4/11/00.United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, “Consultation on Gender and Industrial Policy,” August 1995, URL: http://www.unrisd.org/html/focus/focus1/eng/f1e12 .htm. 4/3/[email protected], "Excellent Nanny of the Maroons", 1999, URL: www.jamaicaway.com/Heroes/NannyPage.html. 4/3/[email protected], "Jamaica Gender and Development", 10 gennaio 2000, URL: http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/americas/jamaica.html. 3/25/00.Whitemanm, Burchell, "Nanny of the Maroons", febbraio 2000. 1998, URL: www.kasnet.com/heroesofjamaica/nan/nan/nan1.htm. 4/3/00.