The Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2023/2024 under the theme “30 Years of Advocacy for Gender Justice.”This milestone reflects the IGDS’s achievements in international collaboration, funded research, activism, training, and increased research productivity, aligning with its strategic objectives. With the revision of the UWI Gender Policy in 2024, the IGDS has begun training campus Gender Task Forces (GTF) to facilitate properly implementing this policy.

Regarding accessibility and quality academic programmes, the IGDS has garnered significant student participation across various campuses. For undergraduate registration, a total of 1,147 students enrolled in 27 IGDS courses, with the Mona Campus Unit (MCU) hosting 706 students across 12 courses, Nita Barrow Unit (NBU) registering 120 students in seven courses, and St. Augustine Unit (SAU) accommodating 321 students in eight courses, including 13 minors.

Graduate registration saw 54 students taking various IGDS courses, distributed as 10 in the NBU, 26 in the SAU, and 18 in the Regional Coordinating Office (RCO). An additional 53 students registered for IGDS programmes, with a similar distribution across the three units.

Another highlight is the introduction of new programmes, with the RCO receiving approval for an online graduate certificate titled “Gender Justice, Activism and Development.”The MSc and diploma in Gender Justice, Activism and Sustainable Development and a certificate in Gender for Sustainable Development were also approved for delivery by the IGDS’s International School of Development and Justice (ISDJ).

The IGDS has also engaged in innovative initiatives beyond UWI. The MCU raised awareness about the Sexual Harassment (Prevention and Protection) Act 2021 and the UWI Mona Sexual Harassment Prevention and Protection Policy by involving students in sensitisation exercises that contributed to their coursework.

The NBU received funding from the Maria Holder Memorial Trust for the Blooming Youth Project, which works with Government Industrial Schools in Barbados. It also delivered training on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as part of a climate change initiative in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs). It led the Safer Campus Initiative Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Programme for student leaders in Barbados.

At the SAU, IGDS delivered a course on “Safe Spaces for Children” in partnership with the Bankers Association of T&T, focusing on child sexual abuse awareness. Additionally, it conducted a teacher training workshop on using literature and performing arts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. Two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) were also launched, focusing on feminist leadership and climate justice related to food systems, attracting hundreds of participants worldwide.

Through the RCO, the IGDS adapted the UNESCO Caribbean SHEroes Academy for use in the Bahamas, training over 100 youth leaders in the Youth Leadership Certification Programme and also training eight trainers from the Youth Division.

To enhance the quality of teaching and student development, an IGDS curriculum review meeting was held in January 2024 to align and refresh the graduate and undergraduate programmes. This meeting resulted in the formation of a subcommittee focused on undergraduate curriculum enhancement. This review aims to strengthen the IGDS’s commitment to excellence in education and gender advocacy.