The group was formerly known as WID/GAD (Women in Development / Gender and Development), but recently changed the name to just GAD to dispel the view that the group focuses only on women´s issues. Also, the adopt-a-girl program is no longer in effect due to logistical difficulties.

The group sells a variety of Peace Corps / Panama merchandise, including t-shirts, polo shirts, and soon a series of postcards featuring stunning volunteer photography from around the country. Details including prices and quantities will be coming soon.

Officers:

• President Victoria Flagg (Victoria.flagg[AT]gmail.com)
   
• Vice President Sara Hunt (sarabeth56[AT]hotmail.com)
   
• Secretary Valerie Brender (vbrender[AT]gmail.com)
   
• Treasurer Michelle Pobjoy (freckles0211[AT]yahoo.com)
   
• Education Coordinator Jessie Gellings (gellings.jessica[AT]gmail.com)
   
• Men´s Health Coordinator Robby Alley (robby.alley[AT]gmail.com)

(To use email address above, replace [AT] with "at" sign.)

GAD sponsors activities throughout the year, including national seminars as well as classes and lectures taken directly to local communities that focus on themes affecting women and families on a local and national level. A sample of topics covered include health and nutrition, sexual and reproductive education, alcohol and drug abuse, parenting skills, cross-gender communication, as well as economic empowerment and organizing.

All activities are designed to promote GAD objectives:

1. Promotion of women's rights
2. Increasing awareness of problems and issues that affect men, women and gender relations
3. Problem specific education on health and social problems that touch men, women and families.

GAD Activities

↑  Students from Guanaco Abajo, Los Santos during a presentation of Juntos Si Podemos (Healthy Behaviors and HIV/AIDS education) with Peace Corps and the Red Cross.

←  Sara Hunt and Martha Brabec giving a condom demonstration during a family planning charla in Lajero Arriba, Comarca Ngabe-Buglé