The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs was first established in 1991. It was synthesized from differing Divisions and precursor Units, and remained together in this configuration until 1995.

In 1997 the Women's Affairs Division was changed to the Gender Affairs Division, in keeping with International recommendations and a growing mandate. It is important to note that the Ministry was involved in developing the Vision 2020 policy and National Strategic Plan through it representation on the Sub-Committees, for Community Development; Culture; Gender and Poverty.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs is established within the guidelines of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and governed by several pieces of legislation.