St. George’s, Grenada – June 22^nd, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus Grenada, presented the 11^th Annual  Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture Series on June 9^th, 2026. This year’s lecture, “Gender-based  Violence: What Does Action Look Like?”, was delivered by Dr. Petra Roberts, Associate Professor and Interim Associate Director in the School of Child and Youth Care, Faculty of Community  Services at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).  

Since 2015, Co-op Bank has been the main sponsor of the Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture  Series, contributing to a platform where advocacy, dialogue and community engagement converge. “As a bank deeply rooted in the Grenadian community for almost 94 years, we understand that our responsibility goes far beyond simply being a financial institution. We see ourselves as a partner in helping the communities in which we operate to grow stronger, safer and more resilient,”  explained Ericka Simmons-Hosten, Manager, Marketing and Customer Insight Unit. “Supporting initiatives like this lecture is therefore critical, because they bring important issues to the forefront.  But even more important is moving beyond discussion to action. Grenada Co-operative Bank  Limited stands ready to assist in any way possible, because every action counts.” 

According to Keisha Commissiong-Branch, Head of Site UWI Global Campus Grenada, this  year’s topic comes at a time when Grenada “is facing one of the most urgent public health and  human rights challenges of our time – gender-based violence, and which calls us to move beyond  awareness and sympathy and to examine honestly and courageously, the concrete steps required  in our homes, schools, organisations, communities and laws to create real safety and justice.” 

Dr. Roberts, in her lecture, explored how patriarchal beliefs, religious doctrine, education, and socio-cultural norms impact and influence gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). She referenced a regional analysis suggesting that “between one-quarter and nearly  one-half of women in Caribbean countries have experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime.”  However, as Dr. Roberts shared, this fact remains “largely hidden behind a wall of silence.” When compared to other Caribbean countries, Grenada’s low homicide rates contribute to the perception that GBV is less severe, but the data suggest that Grenada is not exempt. She also outlined that while Grenada has established several important legal and institutional frameworks, the system remains fragmented and under-resourced. 

To demonstrate what action looks like, Dr. Roberts shared some of the steps Canada and Trinidad  & Tobago have taken to address GBV. In particular, she highlighted initiatives and groups where 

men support men, the type of action that makes a difference. Dr. Roberts shared that to influence  behavioural change among men, “relational learning intervention based on discussion, peer  reflection, accountability and norm-challenging dialogue were more effective than awareness  campaigns alone.” In closing, Dr. Roberts emphasized that ending GBV in Grenada requires stronger systems, cultural change and proactive reforms.  

The Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture Series remains an integral component of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility mission. Through its community pillars of education, health, sports,  the environment, culture and the performing arts, Co-op Bank continues to invest in the holistic and sustainable development of the nation. 

To view the lecture, click the following link 11th Annual Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture  Series | June 9th, 2026.