Grenada proposes modernisation of CIM

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, November 5, 2010 – Grenada has tabled proposals to modernise the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) and make its activities more practical and impact more tangibly on daily lives of all women and girls throughout the Americas.

The proposals were presented by Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Gillian Bristol during Plenary of the Thirty-Fifth Assembly of CIM which ended in Mexico City on Friday.

Delegates have been examining amendments to the CIM Statutes, election of new officers, and consideration of the draft Declaration of the Inter-American Year of Women and draft resolutions, among others.

Ambassador Bristol underscored the important mandate and role of the Commission and recognised its accomplishments since its inception 82 years ago.

However, she emphasised the urgent need to deliver concrete improvements in the situations faced particularly by women and girls and proposed that this can be achieved by the adoption of a programmatic and results-based approach.

Grenada’s commitment to gender equality was also reiterated at the Assembly with the presentation of the national report.

“At the regional level, the Government of Grenada pledges to support the work undertaken by CIM in the short term,” the report stated.

More than 80 percent of public workers in Grenada are women and about 95 percent of the persons occupying the highest administrative positions as Permanent Secretaries in the Public Service are also women, including the Cabinet Secretary.

Grenada was the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to establish a Ministry of Women’s Affairs during the period of the People’s Revolutionary Government (1979-1983). For the first time this year Grenada will celebrate International Men’s Day with activities scheduled for November 19.

“The intention of the celebration is to recognise men’s contribution and highlight the need to partner with women in resolving conflicts and dealing with problems in an effort to create a better family life and by extension a more peaceful society,” the report said.

Last Friday, the House of Representatives approved the Domestic Violence Act, 2010 which provides protection for victims of domestic violence. The Act also seeks to protect everyone including men.