Tag Archive for: Poverty in Grenada

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How Hydroponic Farming in Grenada Can Increase Food Security

Hydroponic Farming in GrenadaAs a small island nation in the Caribbean, Grenada faces challenges with food security and production due to extreme weather events, climate challenges and soil degradation. Extended periods of drought, rising temperatures and Hurricane Beryl in 2024 have further exacerbated these struggles, causing Grenada to import about 70% of its consumed food. Additionally, the agricultural sector comprises 24% of the country’s workforce, meaning difficulties in production affect both food security and poverty simultaneously. Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Green Climate Fund began a readiness project to establish systems for hydroponic farming in Grenada. These systems will primarily benefit local farmers by providing them with an efficient and less weather-dependent cultivation method.

Need for Alternative Farming

Grenada’s traditional cultivation methods remain under constant stress. In 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm at the time of landing, destroyed many buildings on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, including agricultural infrastructure. The yearly dry season from January to May often brings extended droughts, leading to water shortages and groundwater depletion. Increased global temperatures have created advantageous conditions for pests that endanger crops. The inconsistency of Grenada’s rainfall has caused soil degradation. All of these factors necessitate a new system, specifically addressing cultivation with limited soil, space and water.

Why Hydroponics?

Hydroponic farming in Grenada is a viable solution because it offers stability through covered structures, a reduction of soil-borne pests, efficiency of space and reduced water usage. Compared to traditional methods, hydroponic farming uses up to 90% less water. Additionally, farmers can grow crops inside or under cover, using steadily flowing nutrient-rich water rather than soil. Hydroponic systems are also relatively low maintenance and require less physical exertion, as there is no need to till the soil. These factors create a controlled system free of inconsistencies in rainfall and extreme temperatures. Hydroponic farming is also compatible with many fast-growing, edible crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, spinach and kale.

However, the system does have limitations. Upfront costs can be high, as effective systems require a greenhouse, hydroponic system, solar pump and access to electricity. Also, the process relies on a precise flow of water that must be balanced and adjusted over time, so farmers new to hydroponics will need training before managing their own systems. The FAO addressed these concerns by providing local farmers with all of the necessary equipment and training, as well as solar panels to reduce electricity costs. With a concerted effort from the Grenadian government, alongside outside aid, hydroponic farming in Grenada could become a widespread success, particularly for small family farms.

Looking Ahead

In March 2026, Reach Within, a local charity in Grenada, announced it had received funding from Irish Aid to build one hydroponic technology system for training Grenadian youth in food production. Fork Farms, a hydroponic technology company in the Caribbean, will provide the equipment. Fork Farms has also provided hydroponic technology to Barbados, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands through the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator. Reach Within will give 30 children the opportunity to learn job and life skills centered around hydroponic farming in Grenada. As the FAO begins assisting local farmers in building their own systems, this project will provide valuable skills that could alter the future of Grenada’s food production.

– Josh Megson

Josh is based in Albemarle, NC, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Grenada

Renewable Energy in GrenadaGrenada, like many other island nations in the Caribbean, faces a critical challenge: breaking its dependence on expensive, imported fossil fuels. Currently, a staggering 93% of Grenada’s energy supply relies on imported oil products. This costs that country an average of 105 million East Caribbean Dollars (ECD), draining resources that the country could better allocate locally and making the nation particularly vulnerable to global price shocks and supply disruptions. Additionally, imported oil’s monopoly on Grenada’s energy sector causes widespread energy poverty, which is the lack of energy needed to provide basic services, such as heating, cooling and cooking.

Yet, the Spice Island is planning an ambitious new course. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Grenada has pledged a 40% reduction in its 2010 emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of using 100% renewable energy in its transport and electricity sectors. Additionally, new renewable energy initiatives can combat energy poverty by allowing families to own solar panels and generate their own electricity off the national grid. This would lower household costs, keep money in the Grenadian economy, and improve the quality of life for many impoverished Grenadians.

Challenges

Issues riddle Grenada’s path forward. Grenada’s electrical grid currently relies on diesel generators, for which cooling alone accounts for one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, poverty remains high, with 25% of Grenadians living below the poverty line. Additionally, while there has been progress to expand the renewable energy sectors, a vast majority of Grenada’s renewable energy output comes from small-scale projects rather than large-scale government investment.

Progress on the Ground

Despite these obstacles, renewable energy in Grenada has continued to expand. In November 2024, Grenada launched a tender for a major solar project at Maurice Bichop International Airport, and while a company has not won the tender, the project continues to develop, with officials choosing the sites for the solar panels. The winning developer will secure a 25-year power purchase agreement with the state utility, Grenlec, and planners expect the project to meet 40% of Grenada’s energy grid needs.

Grenlec has also announced that the construction of a new substation and upgraded grid infrastructure is underway on the island. Improving the efficiency of the grid and lessening overall waste. This project will also create a resilient microgrid at the airport, allowing for reliable power during prolonged grid outages.

International support also provides optimism for the Island’s future development. In December 2024, the United Kingdom pledged 10 million British pounds to support geothermal energy development in Grenada, aiming to reduce its former colonies’ reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Additional United Nations programs like the Building Effective Resilience for Human Security in the Caribbean Countries and the Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development initiatives work to develop the renewable energy grids of the region and help the impoverished in Grenada.

Tourism

Tourism remains both Grenada’s largest industry and a major contributor to overall emissions, but the sector is beginning to adopt new, climate-friendly policies. A pilot project at the True Blue Bay Resort has demonstrated that replacing conventional air-conditioning units with R290 units, which are both propane-fueled and very efficient, achieved an energy consumption reduction of around 26%. For a nation with a large number of hotels, in which cooling can account for a majority of its energy demand, improvements in cooling efficiency can reduce annual electricity consumption by hundreds of thousands of ECD.

Impacts on Poverty

The transition to renewable energy in Grenada carries large implications for poverty reduction, as about 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate stood at 11.1% in 2023.

Currently, high electricity costs burden low-income households, forcing many to spend large portions of their income on energy. Lowering these costs through renewable sources would free up household income for food, education, healthcare and many other expenses. To combat this, Grenada plans to launch its “Solar for All” Program, which will expand access to rooftop solar and accelerate nationwide adoption of solar energy, particularly for vulnerable households. 

Renewable energy also creates local jobs. The country cannot outsource the installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy sources, and will create many jobs for the country’s unemployed. Unlike fossil fuel imports, which send money overseas, investments in renewable energy will keep capital within the local economy.

The expansion of renewable energy in Grenada has the potential to transform the Grenadian economy and open doors for Grenada’s impoverished.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Politics and The Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Poverty With Renewable Energy in Grenada

Renewable Energy in GrenadaGrenada, a small island in the Eastern Caribbean, has a population of approximately 113,000, nearly half of whom are under 30. Despite a period of economic growth and some poverty reduction according to the World Bank, extreme poverty has worsened between 2015 and 2019, rising from 2.4% to 3.5%. It is particularly prevalent among the youth, who make up two-thirds of this statistic.

The nation is held back by its small, service-based economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture—sectors vulnerable to recent shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly frequent climate-related disasters. These industries are also largely unskilled, offering limited income prospects that keep many Grenadians in unstable economic positions.

Energy Dependence and Its Effects

Adding to the problem is Grenada’s energy situation. More than 98% of the nation’s energy comes from imported fossil fuels. The lack of self-sufficiency and renewable energy in Grenada subjects the population to high, unstable living costs due to international market fluctuations and import taxes in a remote region. It also affects demand and availability through supply chain disruptions. This can exclude remote or impoverished groups from basic resources and create structural challenges for small and family businesses relied upon for survival—forming a vicious cycle of poverty. The dependency on fossil fuels also worsens climate-related challenges, creating a cycle of environmental devastation.

A Focus on Renewable Energy Opportunities

The United Nations (U.N.) outlines that a strategic focus in Grenada should be placed on stabilizing and diversifying the economy, becoming more self-sufficient, and creating jobs and opportunities to unlock the nation’s potential. All of this can be achieved through developing the renewable energy industry. While the current situation is troubling, Grenada is on the brink of opportunity. The nation has access to various international funds and climate finance mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), that can accelerate and actualize the transition to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Grenadian government’s “Grenada Vision 2030” illuminates this potential. “Grenada’s National Energy Policy” proposes to establish a 100% renewable energy target by 2030. The vision statement behind the initiative outlines a desire to “build a competitive green economy that will be affordable and provide universal access to resources to improve the living standards for current and future generations.” This project focuses on developing renewable energy systems and enhancing energy efficiency infrastructure.

Benefits of Renewable Energy Development

The benefits of developing and investing in renewable energy sectors are wide-ranging and particularly beneficial for smaller, remote nations. Broadly, the industry creates sustainable, skilled jobs, as well as labor in installation and maintenance, improving income capacities and opportunities. Energy production also promotes self-sufficiency, eliminating import taxes and foreign dependency while stimulating and investing in the nation’s own economy.

More individually, cheaper and more available energy would boost disposable incomes, leaving more money to be spent on health care, food and education—vital for families at risk of resource deprivation. It would also lower costs for small businesses and local services, supporting communities and promoting local entrepreneurship. The nature of the industry and technological focus would also attract foreign investment and support from organizations involved in promoting renewable energy and sustainability.

The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) exemplifies the fundamental significance of this transition. As a nonprofit intergovernmental institution, CCREEE functions as a technical hub, advisory body and implementation partner for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in the Caribbean. The organization’s core mission is to promote sustainability, reduce fossil fuel dependency and build public knowledge in clean energy and related technologies.

Examples of CCREEE’s work include training in professional renewable energy and efficiency jobs, supporting the creation of green-skill jobs, and advising the region’s governments on energy policies and strategies to help them meet targets such as “Grenada Vision 2030.”

A Tool for Sustainable Poverty Reduction

The initiatives of CCREEE demonstrate how renewable energy in Grenada is a fundamental tool to fight poverty, increase equity and mitigate climate-related shocks. The organization provides a case study for how collaboration, advocacy and research are just as vital in sustainably alleviating poverty as monetary donations. It is largely funded by Caribbean governments and regional bodies such as CARICOM, emphasizing the importance of supporting similar initiatives in nations that need them most.

– Mia Keen

Mia is based in London and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reducing Poverty in Grenada: Social and Economic Reforms

Poverty in GrenadaNestled in the West Indies of the eastern Caribbean Sea, the small island of Grenada is home to approximately 117,300 people. Affectionately known as “Spice Island” for its nutmeg, cinnamon and mace export, Grenada is a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean. However, it is not widely recognized that Grenada has a staggering poverty rate of 25%, which has shown little reduction over the last 15 years. According to the World Bank, despite some progress, poverty levels have remained relatively unchanged since the early 2000s, with the most recent development indicators estimating that one in four Grenadians continues to live below the national poverty line.

Grenada’s Economy and the Face of Poverty

Grenada spans just 132.8 square miles, making it smaller than the United States’ tiniest state, Rhode Island. Its economy is primarily driven by the services sector, especially tourism, which accounts for most of its GDP and employment. Agriculture still plays a role, especially in rural areas, where spices, cocoa and bananas are key exports.

Yet, high unemployment and underemployment continue to drive poverty. Unemployment remains at 11.1% as of 2023, with informal work, seasonal jobs and low-wage employment common across the island. Many Grenadians engage in informal sectors such as tourism services, market vending, salons, agricultural labor and small-scale entrepreneurship. Agriculture employs 13.8% of the labor force, contributing only 2.75% of GDP.

Infrastructure, Social Protection and UN-Led Development

Grenada has partnered with international institutions on several large-scale development projects to address systemic poverty. Infrastructure development is a key pillar in the island’s poverty reduction strategy. In 2015, the World Bank approved a $15 million Development Policy Credit and Loan. It aimed to improve disaster resilience, upgrade public sector management and boost the economy through improved agricultural and tourism networks.

Social protections have also been expanded. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grenada implemented an emergency stimulus package with unemployment benefits, tax relief and support for small businesses. These efforts were backed by more than $28 million in financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Caribbean Development Bank.

Rural Development and the SEED Program

In rural communities, targeted interventions have shown promising outcomes. One major initiative is the Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Program (MAREP), co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Grenada. With a total budget of $7.5 million, this project helped train and fund small-scale rural entrepreneurs, especially among youth and women.

The Support for Education, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Program is critical to Grenada’s social safety net. This program provides conditional cash transfers to low-income families, especially those with school-aged children. SEED supports vulnerable populations by ensuring continued access to education and basic needs while incentivizing school attendance and health checkups. According to The Borgen Project, SEED has been central in reducing short-term poverty and fostering long-term social development in Grenada.

The United Nations Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2024–2025 also recognizes the SEED program as a pillar of Grenada’s social protection network. The CIP supports Grenada in enhancing climate resilience, economic stability and social inclusion, with 38% of plan funding directed toward economic resilience and 10% toward social and justice systems.

Conclusion

Grenada’s efforts to combat poverty reflect a multi-pronged approach—addressing infrastructure gaps, improving social safety nets and supporting rural livelihoods. International aid and government programs have made measurable impacts, from the World Bank’s investment in the nation to the SEED program’s day-to-day support for families. Yet, challenges remain. Persistent unemployment, informal labor and climate vulnerabilities still threaten progress on the Spice Island.

– Jamaya Newton

Jamaya is Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Disability and Poverty in Grenada

Disability and Poverty in GrenadaPoverty in Grenada greatly affects those with disabilities more than those without. However, as poverty as a whole in the country is decreasing, so too are the disproportionalities, improving lives of those experiencing disability and poverty in Grenada. 

Poverty in Grenada

The citizens of Grenada, an island country in the Caribbean, have a high risk of facing poverty because of the country’s infrastructure, access to programs and aid, heavy reliance on food and oil imports and the climate they are in. Grenada is a developing country that has put more money into its industries to create more jobs and reduce its reliance on Grenada’s goods. But because they are in the hurricane belt, the destructive weather can affect these people and industries. In the early 2000s, Hurricane Ivan and Emily damaged agriculture in the rural areas.

In 2008, the poverty rate was at 37.7%, an increase from the 32% in 1998, most likely due to the hurricanes’ damage to land and businesses as people were without jobs. Meanwhile, in 2018, the rates of poverty decreased to 25%. The extreme poverty rate has been on a more significant decline, going from 12.9% in 1998, 2.4% in 2008, but unfortunately rising to 3.4% in 2018.

Tourism and Poverty

Besides agriculture, Grenada has boosted its tourism industry. Tourism contributed about 40% to the GDP. Grenada’s government improved this industry, adding in more jobs and enhancing the island’s economy. In 2014-2019, this helped decrease the rate of poverty and extreme poverty. However, in 2020, the tourism industry rapidly declined because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people were without jobs or income, and most likely fell into poverty.

The Living Conditions in Grenada Report comes directly from the World Bank Group and the Central Statistical Office of Grenada. These organizations created this report in 1998 to report poverty, equity and living conditions, as well as measure Grenada’s Consumer Price Index. The latest report is from 2018 and the next will be in 2028. Although not the most current information, it is being used for reporting, comparing and measuring Grenada’s need for aid.

Poverty and Citizens With Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, have a higher susceptibility to poverty. This vulnerable group has a strained ability to uphold a job/income. In some cases, the individual’s disability prevents them from important actions like walking, which is a movement needed for agriculture and tourism. In 2021, 551 people could not walk, making their lives harder and decreasing the number of jobs they can work in.

Some children with disabilities, physical or psychological, struggle to stay in school. These issues make it harder for the student to participate and graduate. Only about 23% of children with disabilities graduate from secondary school. Lack of education leads to a lack of jobs and opportunities. The lack of income can further hurt the individual and family. There is a need to help people who live with disability and poverty in Grenada.

Care and medical treatment for certain disabilities can be expensive and could be detrimental to the household’s income. Some families cannot afford care. People with disabilities also experience exclusion. For example, Article 25 of Grenada’s Constitution from 1973 determined that a person cannot run to be a senator if they are unable to speak. Those who cannot verbally communicate cannot sit on the board, further propelling the disproportionalities.

Fighting Poverty in Grenada

The Grenadian government has signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure everyone is included while eradicating poverty globally and locally. The government has also enforced the Education Act in 2002, making educational programs that are specifically tailored to individuals with intellectual, communicative, behavioral and/or physical disabilities.

Along with the government, a few nonprofits have been aiding Grenada. Kingdom Workers is directly combating poverty and unemployment by hosting a few events geared towards making education more accessible, like Sensory Day. This event, hosted at the end of 2020, included crafts, toys and specific instructors teaching children with developmental disabilities on ways to communicate, boosting their motor skills.

Kingdom Workers has also provided programs that teach instructors and family members on how to take care of children with developmental disabilities. The understanding of how to treat, teach and communicate with these children further includes them in school. It provides a space where they feel comfortable while learning.

Looking Ahead

Grenada and its economy has improved from where it was in 1998 when The Living Conditions in Grenada Report first began. The overall rate of poverty and extreme poverty in Grenada has decreased. More citizens have jobs, there are more resources to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and to keep them out of poverty, and the economy is growing. Although Grenada is on its way up there is still more to be done to bring the rate down and to provide even more inclusivity, making lives better for persons experiencing disability and poverty in Grenada.

– Emily Ruggiero

Emily is based in Orefield, PA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Poverty in Grenada

Youth Poverty in GrenadaGrenada, an island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, consists of one large island and several smaller ones. Despite its vibrant tropical setting, poverty is a significant issue. Grenada has the highest poverty rate among Eastern Caribbean countries, with youth being the most affected. Half of all children aged 0-17 live in poverty, a rate much higher than the 30% of adults aged 18 and older who face similar conditions. Many youth struggle with unemployment, lack of education and food insecurity, leading them to a state of poverty. However, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working with the Grenada government to diminish youth poverty.

Youth Unemployment

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on Grenadian society. The pandemic led to nearly half of the population becoming unemployed and pushed the extreme poverty rate from 2.4% to 18.4%. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) also declined due to a drop in tourism. Youth, who comprise about 22% of Grenada’s population, were hit particularly hard. Even before the pandemic, around 26% of young people were unemployed. As of June 2023, more than 36% of Grenada’s youth were unemployed, a situation heavily influenced by the pandemic. With the rise of unemployment, more youth are succumbing to poverty.

Food Insecurity

COVID-19 also led to significant food insecurity in Grenada, with food prices soaring and nearly 40% of the population reducing their food intake. The pandemic further weakened the country’s agricultural economy, struggling to recover from abnormal weather patterns and two hurricanes in 2018. The combined impact of COVID-19 and the 2018 weather events has exacerbated food insecurity among Grenada’s youth, driving many into extreme poverty.

Solutions

Despite the extreme poverty faced by Grenada’s youth, assistance is being provided. In March 2023, USAID funded three new programs to support the country’s young people. The first program, Youth Resilience, Inclusion and Empowerment (Y-RIE), focuses on strengthening government-provided social services and enhancing educational opportunities in schools and the workforce.

The second program, Strengthening Evidence-Based Decision Making for Citizen Security 2.0 (CariSECURE 2.0), will provide resources and technical assistance to build the capacity of youth-serving institutions to collect and analyze data to support youth crime prevention and response. Lastly, the third program, Opportunities to Advance and Support Youth for Success (OASYS) will focus on increasing the diversion of youth away from custodial sentences.

The organization also signed a $30 million Development Policy Credit (DPC) to support Grenada’s economic recovery and enhance its resilience to adverse climatic conditions after the COVID-19 crisis. USAID is working to create a better life and future for the youth of Grenada.

Final Note

COVID-19 increased Grenada’s youth unemployment, food insecurity and poverty rates. However, USAID has implemented three programs to curb the situation and help the country rebuild its economy. With sustained effort, these initiatives could significantly improve the lives of Grenada’s youth and contribute to long-term economic recovery.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Elderly Poverty in Grenada

Elderly Poverty in GrenadaIn many Caribbean countries, including Grenada, aging can mean a loss of income, disability and increased vulnerability to ill health. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, approximately 25% of Grenadian citizens live below the poverty line and older adults (65 and above) make up nearly 11% of Grenada’s population.

Elderly poverty in Grenada can be attributed to the difficulty elderly individuals often face in finding employment due to ageism within the workforce, health concerns and varying levels of ability that may prevent them from working. In addition to the risks of unemployment and health concerns, many elderly people in the Caribbean can not afford adequate retirement plans and must rely on support services as income.

However, Grenada’s growing population of older people impacts support services like pensions by limiting its ability to provide aid due to the large number of individuals who must rely on them. Because Grenada is a developing country, social protection systems can only offer minimal assistance to older people, which is not enough to maintain a good standard of living. The amount of financial support that Grenada’s National Insurance Scheme (NIS) can provide is currently struggling to keep up with the number of older adults who qualify for aid.

Limited Access to Health Care

In addition to limited support from pensions and retirement benefits, the elderly in Grenada have limited access to affordable health care services. Because of the lack of access to health care and healthy lifestyle options, some of the leading causes of death among the elderly in the Caribbean are ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. While primary health care is available to individuals in Grenada, access to specialized care for specific health concerns is disproportionately accessible to those with higher incomes. Medications are subsidized for individuals more than 60 years old in Grenada to address this issue. However, when specific medications are unavailable in the public health system, individuals must pay out of pocket for them in the private sector and those who can not afford them usually go without.

Potential Solutions

With that being said, the NIS proposed solutions to address elderly poverty in Grenada and the challenges they have faced in continuing to provide financial support to elderly citizens. These solutions include gradually increasing the pension age to 65 by 2029 and increasing the contribution rate from 500 to 750 by 2028. While these reforms being made to the pension scheme seem exclusive, the NIS still plans to take care of the Grenadian elderly who do not qualify by offering a government grant. By making these changes, the NIS could continue to support the elderly in Grenada rather than ultimately diminish due to the economic issues associated with a rapidly growing population.

Furthermore, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean suggests addressing health care financing, increasing accessibility to specialized health services and limiting out-of-pocket spending would increase accessibility to health care in Grenada. Expanding social health insurance to all workers could also limit out-of-pocket expenses and reduce government expenditures on social welfare by allowing workers’ contributions to fund their own health insurance. Additionally, it would be highly beneficial for non-governmental organizations to advocate for health protection for all citizens of Grenada, especially the elderly.

One nongovernmental organization working to reduce elderly poverty in Grenada is the Grenada Association of Retired Persons (GARP), established in 2010 to offer learning opportunities, social activities and support to elderly individuals in Grenada. In recent years, with the help of other organizations, it has provided food and financial assistance to the elderly.

Final Remark

Since Grenada is a developing country, elderly poverty is caused by various risk factors associated with aging and the government’s limited ability to provide social support services. Individuals aged more than 60 in the nation are among the most vulnerable to poverty, as they must navigate issues associated with aging, such as unemployment, disability, ill health and isolation.

– Elaina Irving

Elaina is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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3 Projects Advancing Women’s Rights in Grenada  

Women’s Rights in GrenadaLocated in the eastern Caribbean Sea, Grenada is an island country with approximately 125,000 people. Like other Caribbean countries, Grenada faces several challenges related to women’s rights. For example, one-third of young women in Grenada, Saint Lucia and Jamaica do not participate in education, employment or training due to family responsibilities.

Though the country has made significant strides towards gender parity, such disparities extend to women’s political representation. Additionally, women in Grenada are more vulnerable than men to financial loss from natural disasters and domestic violence. In response to these women’s rights issues in Grenada, the government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are confronting gender-based oppression head-on. Here are three key projects advancing gender equality and women’s rights in Grenada today.

Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan

GEPAP is one of the Grenadian government’s most comprehensive efforts to improve women’s rights thus far. As the project completes its final year, GEPAP strives to invite the participation of women in every aspect of “all political, economic, social, cultural and environmental [programs] and projects.”

In January 2023, GEPAP took a focus on gender-based budgeting. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance, the Gender Budget Statement expressed the government’s continued commitment to women’s rights in Grenada by ratifying numerous anti-discrimination conventions. The document underlines the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, as the government is allocating financial resources to “address gender gaps in all sectors and at all levels.”

With GEPAP, more women have also taken on leadership positions, particularly in politics, schools and courts. In the 2018 elections, women made up 47% of Parliamentary representatives. In the same year, women held the titles of Head of State, Head of Public Service and the Head of the Treasury.

EnGenDER

Led by multiple organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) Women, Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) is a collaborative effort confronting the disproportionate effects of natural disaster risk on women in Grenada. In the program, food security within the agriculture sector and health and disaster management are highlighted by the National Decision-Making Mechanism for Grenada. Public health crises generally affect women’s food security more than men’s. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2022, the CARICOM Food Security & Livelihoods Survey found that 69% of men “had no difficulties eating” compared to 45% of women.

Changing weather patterns and natural disasters impact Grenadian women similarly, as they are often expected to take on greater household responsibilities. For example, many female farmers accounted for the need to provide for their families when they reported “having less money to spend on climate risk insurance.” The initiative found that this was less of a consideration for male farmers. Single Grenadian women face the impacts of changing weather patterns and natural disasters alongside poverty, making up the “largest segment of the poorest quintile of the population in the country.”

In addition, EnGenDER examines disparities in the medical system in Grenada, as women seek less medical attention but face more reproductive and menstrual health concerns. With its analysis across these sectors, EnGenDER has contributed necessary context to the government’s work on climate resilience for women, encouraging recent developments such as the National Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Plan that work in tandem with GEPAP.

GrenadaInfoSPACE

In 2018, a national survey showed that 29% of Grenadian women would experience gender-based violence during their life. The survey was one of few at the time exploring domestic violence but revealed a prevalent struggle among Grenadian women. The Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls launched GrenadaInfoSAFE in June 2023 to help combat this issue. A digital data system, GrenadaInfoSAFE, is working to gather more information about domestic violence experiences throughout the country.

The platform’s surveys and statistics that follow will help quantify the gravity of the problem. By analyzing the collected data, the project hopes to put a spotlight on domestic violence, which is underreported and neglected in the Caribbean. With more tangible evidence of the specific types of gender-based violence occurring, leaders are better equipped to understand and address the domestic violence challenges undermining women’s rights in Grenada.

As efforts such as GEPAP, EnGenDER and GrenadaInfoSPACE work to bolster women’s rights in Grenada, they empower women everywhere, creating a world and future of greater gender equality.

– Estelle Lee
Photo: Pixabay