For four decades, The University of the West Indies’ Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) has served as a beacon of progressive change throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region. What began as the Women and Development Studies Group in 1982 has evolved into a premier institution driving gender justice, equality, and research-informed advocacy.
Under the guidance of Dr. Sue Ann Barratt, the institute’s director and senior lecturer, IGDS brings together academic, professional, and technical teams to advance meaningful dialogue, scholarly investigation, and community engagement. Their work illuminates how gender dynamics influence both visible and concealed challenges affecting diverse populations across the nation.
The institute’s intellectual foundations rest upon the pioneering work of Caribbean feminist scholars Professors Patricia Mohammed and Rhoda Reddock, now emerita faculty members. Their extensive scholarship—spanning over 100 publications—has fundamentally shaped Caribbean feminist discourse and women’s movements, providing critical insights into the intersecting identities and experiences of women throughout the region.
Dr. Angelique Nixon, senior lecturer and researcher at IGDS, emphasizes the necessity of intersectional analysis: ‘We do not just exist as one aspect of our identity. These dimensions—race, sexuality, class background, and others—overlap and mutually influence one another.’ This framework reveals how socioeconomic status, education, geographic location, and access to resources collectively determine social positioning and experiences of privilege or oppression.
IGDS has launched numerous transformative initiatives that created tangible societal impact. The groundbreaking ‘Break the Silence’ campaign brought national attention to child sexual abuse and its connections to HIV transmission. Another flagship program, ‘A Sexual Culture of Justice’ led by Dr. Nixon, addressed gender-based violence, homophobia, and bullying through its influential #PullUpYuhBredren awareness movement.
The institute’s reach extends beyond traditional academia through youth empowerment programs like the Reach for Rights camp and a global Massive Open Online Course on feminist transformational leadership that attracted participants from over 80 countries. Current research priorities include climate justice, aging populations, and gender-responsive policy development that informs national planning strategies.
Recently, IGDS commemorated its 40th anniversary alongside the Department of Creative and Festival Arts at their new Gordon Street location in St. Augustine. The institute continues its advocacy through international campaigns such as the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, hosting walks, student exhibitions, and collaborative events with organizations like the Hindu Women’s Organisation.
Through its integrated approach combining scholarship, education, and community engagement, IGDS remains at the forefront of efforts to bridge social divisions, challenge systemic inequalities, and foster a more equitable society for all Caribbean people.