The University of the West Indies
at Mona, Jamaica
About CGDS Mona Unit
CGDS Milestones/Potted History
The CGDS was formally established by the University of the West Indies on September 1, 1993. It emerged from the pioneering work of the Women and Development Studies Group and a project of Cooperation in Teaching and Research in Women and Development Studies (WDS) between the University of the West Indies and the Institute of Social Studies at The Hague, Netherlands.
Timeline
1960s–1970s:
The Women’s Movement created a global momentum for change
1975–1985:
The UN Decade of Women promoted activities that led to improvements in the status of women and the transformation of gender relations.
1977:
A regional seminar on The Integration of Women in Caribbean Development, held in Jamaica recommended the establishment of a “Women and Development Unit” at the University of the West Indies.
1978:
The Women and Development Unit (WAND) was established in Barbados to build consciousness, capacity and cohesion and to link academics and activists on issues related to women in rural development, in low income households and in trade unions.
1979–1982:
The Women in the Caribbean Project (WICP), from 1979-1982, helped to develop the momentum for change. A meeting of regional educators hosted by WAND, recommended the establishment of a multi-disciplinary teaching programme at the UWI within a five-year period.
Women and Development Studies (WDS) Groups were formed on the three UWI campuses, comprised of women and men at UWI. The aims were to: increase knowledge of gender issues in the Caribbean; prepare an integrated, interdisciplinary programme of Women/Gender and Development Studies and link teaching research and outreach.
1986:
Gender in Caribbean Development, an inaugural seminar organized by the WDS Group, St Augustine held in September 1986, informed the agenda for change.
Gender and Development Studies was institutionalized at UWI with 7-year funding support from a project on ‘Co-operation in Teaching and Research in Women and Development Studies’ funded by the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague. Netherlands; and the Overseas Development Co-operation Division of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme included: undergraduate and graduate students and researchers.
1992:
WDS 10th anniversary symposium, Mona, Jamaica, December 1992.
1993:
CGDS was instituted at UWI (September 1, 1993).
2003:
UWI Mona Academic Conference entitled: Gender in the 21st Century held to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Gender and Development Studies at the UWI.
