(GNOW) is the umbrella non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the women of Grenada. It is a vibrant national women’s organisation addressing the needs of all segments of the female population of Grenada and attracting national and international support for gender equality, gender equity, women’s empowerment and involvement in development including economic, social and political dimensions. It was
launched on April 23, 1995 and registered under the Companies Act of Grenada in 1996. CORE VALUES
Developing a culture in which members have a sense of
belonging/ownership of the organisation. Providing a forum for the full and free expression of views and opinions. Facilitating full participation and collective decision-making. Ensuring transparency and accountability in GNOW’s affairs. Adopting clear positions on issues and communicating them without
compromise. Engaging, supporting and strengthening affiliates and members. Creating and promoting awareness for motivating and mobilizing members and affiliates to be proactive and vigilant advocates for women’s rights. Planning for the future of the organisation through documentation and
archival record management for successful leadership transitions. Increasing information on relevant issues within a data bank by conducting
internal research and forging alliances with agencies responsible for
data collection. Identifying challenges facing women and barriers to gender equality and
taking appropriate actions. MAIN TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
The main activities of GNOW include
Lobbying and advocacy, e.g. Representing the voice of women at meetings and consultations
Organising forums for discussion and sensitization on issues related to the advancement of women
§ Training and capacity building, e.g. Developing the skills of personnel and its member organisations to meet growing demands
Providing training to groups and facilitating panel discussions, workshops, etc
Direct intervention, e.g. Facilitating women’s entry into the construction industry
Creating a support network for women experiencing gender-based violence
Holding “Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS” workshops for teachers, conferences for students and sensitization activities for the public
MAIN PROJECTS over the last 5years
Rebuilding Grenada with Gender Equality – This project had several components:
1. Encouraging women to enter the construction industry – over 400 women participated in training courses.
2. Providing Life Skills Training to the participants in various courses run through the USAID Grant. The numbers trained were 280 women and 88 men in Construction courses, and 108 women and 9 men in Hospitality Arts courses.
3. Motivational meetings with women in construction – 58 women and 8 men participated.
4. Conducted research among women trained and working in constructing, looking at their needs, problems, goals, etc.
5. Conducting gender awareness sessions with trainers and builders. Work continues in this field with a “Tools for Women in Construction” project.
1. Conducting Community Leadership Courses – five groups from Grenada, mainly St Mark’s, and several in Carriacou (through the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs) benefited.
2. Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Projects – a behaviour modification and awareness programme aimed at changing the gendered ideologies about s*xuality and empowering women to negotiate safe s*x.
1. Conducted training for HFLE subject leaders and other teachers of secondary and primary schools.
2. Held youth conferences with students of secondary and primary schools.
3. Developed “Women’s Sexual Rights”.
4. Created and distributed informational leaflets and brochures.
3. Creating a support network for women experiencing gender-based violence – This project has begun with three main components
1. Formation and maintenance of an informal Community Support Network of Volunteers throughout Grenada and Carriacou
2. Training of Police Officers on “Responding to Domestic Violence”
3. Developed proposed legislation on s*xual harassment
4. Develop protocols for dealing with domestic violence and s*xual assaults by the police and health care personnel (in progress)
4. Management of CARIWA Project – Accessed funding and implemented a regional project entitled “Dealing with Sexuality and Sexual Rights in the Caribbean – the key to Controlling the Spread of HIV”, involving a regional conference and meetings as well as small individual sub-projects in various countries. MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
Organisations with membership in GNOW are:
o Anglican Mothers Union
o Bahai Faith
o Bellevue, Belmont and Harvey Vale Women’s Group
o Grenada Homemakers Association
o Grenada Netball Association
o Grenada Nurses Association
o Grenada Union of Teachers – Women’s Committee
o Mt Royal, Mt D’or & Top Hill Women’s Group
o Nzingha
o Public Workers Union – Women’s Committee
o Soroptimist International of Grenada
o St Patrick’s Progressive Organisation of Women
o Young Women Christian Association
AFFILIATION
GNOW is affiliated to the Grenada Inter Agency Group of Development Organisations (IAGDO) and the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA). MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Based on the constitution, GNOW has a three-tiered management structure:
1. Executive Committee, made up of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary/treasurer, public relations officer, three floor members and the immediate past president;
2. Management Committee that is comprised of the executive and one member of each affiliate;
3. The Annual General Meeting, which is the highest decision-making body and comprised of delegates of affiliates and individual members. The work of GNOW is facilitated through commissions that focus on specific priority areas. The seven commissions of GNOW are:
o Health and Wellness
o Violence and Conflict Resolution
o Training
o Finance and Fund-Raising
o Membership
o Economic Empowerment
o Governance
OFFICE AND STAFFING
GNOW operates an office from Room Six (6), GRENCODA Resource Complex, St. GNOW also hosts the Secretariat of the Caribbean Women’s Association at its office
