Grenada

Grenada is a small (344-square-kilometer) island nation in the Caribbean Sea that became independent from Great Britain in 1974. Most of the population (90,739 as of June 2009) is black (82 percent) with large minorities of mixed race (13 percent) and European and east Indian (5 percent) people. Roman Catholicism is the most common religion (53 percent) with 13.8 percent Anglican and 33.2 percent other Protestant. Life expectancy for men is 66 years and 69 years for women.

The Grenadian economy is based primarily on agriculture and tourism and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $12,700 in 2009. Women constitute 42.6 percent of the nonagricultural labor force but still suffer from discrimination and generally earn less than men. Traditional role expectations dictate that women are primarily responsible for children and the household and men are to be the head of the family: both constitute barriers to complete equality for women. Domestic violence remains a problem and is often considered a private rather than a police matter.

By 2005, the total fertility rate was 2.4 children per woman, a sharp decrease from 1990 when it was 4.1 children per woman. Government concern about population growth led to widespread provision of family planning services throughout the country in health clinics, which are part of the national health service. About 50 percent of Grenadian women report using contraceptives. However, access to abortion is restricted as it is legal in Grenada only to save the mother's live or to preserve her medical and physical health. Maternal and child healthcare is a high priority in Grenada. Almost all pregnant women receive four or more prenatal care visits and all births are attended by skilled health personnel. Childhood immunization is almost 100 percent for major diseases and the under age 5 mortality of 23 per 1,000 live births has been steadily decreasing since 1990.

As of 2009, women hold 13 percent of the seats in the national parliament and in years past have held over 25 percent of the seats in some years. Several government ministries are also headed by women. This reflects a substantial change from previous cultural and practical barriers to women's participation in government. For instance, until the 1980s women were not allowed to sit on juries in Grenada until they were 35 years old, while men were allowed to serve once they reached the age of 21.