By the time the Centre for
Gender and Development Studies (CGDS) was formally established within
the University in 1993, the term ‘gender’ had entered
the development and academic debate. The inclusion of ‘gender’
in the name of the Centre was deliberate and acknowledged that women’s
problems were not primarily due to biological differences between
men and women, but rather to `gender’ differences that were
socially determined. It was an attempt to ensure that gender issues,
as manifested between and among different categories of men and
women, would be addressed in the Centre’s teaching curricula,
research and advocacy activities.
BThe CGDS was therefore established in 1993 as an independent,
interdisciplinary Centre with a mandate to:
(a) Question historically accepted theories and explanations about
society, and human behaviour
(b) Seek an understanding of the world which takes women, their
lives and achievements into account
(c) Examine the origins of power differences between men and women,
and the division of human characteristics along gender lines
Specific objectives were to:
1. Develop an integrated, interdisciplinary programme of gender
studies within the University, at both undergraduate and graduate
levels including facilitating the incorporation of gender analysis
in all disciplines.
2. Produce and disseminate knowledge, based on the generation and
analysis of research data on women, men, and gender related issues
in the Caribbean.
3. Establish and maintain linkages with national, regional and
international institutions concerned with gender and development,
provide advisory services, influence policy directions and assist
with capacity building in these institutions.
The Centre for Gender and Development Studies, has managed to discharge
its responsibilities in keeping with its mission in spite
of limited resources. Included among its sterling accomplishments
over the past ten years are:
The Centre for Gender and Development Studies, has managed to discharge
its responsibilities in keeping with its mission in spite of limited
resources. Included among its sterling accomplishments over the
past ten years are:
- Graduate programmes in Gender & Development Studies at
Mona and St. Augustine;
- Minors offered by all three Campus Units;
- Four Summer Institutes (1992-1998) delivered at the Cave Hill
campus which have trained approximately 120 strategically placed
individuals throughout the Region;
- Working Paper Series produced by each Campus Unit.
- Publication of several edited Readers and the development of
Training Manuals for Teacher Educators and Female Entrepreneurs.
- Ongoing collaboration with regional Governments, and NGOs,
as well as regional and international agencies in the development
and implementation of research and training projects.
- Playing an advisory role at international meetings
|
