Barbados
413. The Committee considered the combined second and third periodic
reports of Barbados (CEDAW/C/BAR/2-3) at its 245th meeting, on 26 January
(see CEDAW/C/SR.245).
414. In introducing the report, the representative of the Government noted
that the country had suffered from the global economic crisis, which had
led to a decline in the gross domestic product and to the introduction
of stabilization and structural adjustment measures that were beginning
to have an effect. The measures had not been painless and women had been
disproportionately affected by them, including through an increased unemployment
rate which was higher than that for men.
415. Educational opportunities were now largely equal and girls were generally
more successful than boys. There had also been significant improvement
in law reform, particularly in the area of family legislation, including
domestic violence and sexual offences. The national machinery, the Bureau
of Women's Affairs, had been supported by the reinstitution of the National
Advisory Council on Women and a project to strengthen the Bureau further
had been approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
General observations
416. In response to a question about the reaction of the public in
general, and especially men, to the economic and social progress achieved
by women, the representative stated that the general public appeared comfortable
with the changes, although some men and some women traditionalists had
experienced difficulty in accepting changes. A variety of strategies had
been pursued to raise the level of consciousness of men and women regarding
changes, including use of the mass media, community organizations and the
normative effect of judicial decisions. The evidence from divorce statistics,
which were declining, suggested that there was increasing, rather than
decreasing, harmony.
417. To the question whether there had been a negative reaction by men,
the representative replied that some negative reaction had been expected,
but an effort had been made to have those reactions expressed in various
forums. It was noted that Barbadian society was affected by a number of
influences, including an African heritage, United Kingdom colonial rule
and proximity to the United States through transnational media. One example
of change was the rapid introduction of coeducation, which had provoked
a reaction among some men who preferred single-sex schools.
418. Replying to a question on consultation with non-governmental organizations
in the preparation of the report and publicity given the Convention and
the reports, the representative referred to the extensive use of media
programmes on gender issues in which references to the Convention had been
frequent. Asked for further details on consultation with non-governmental
organizations, the representative replied that women's organizations and
other non-governmental organizations had all been invited by the Bureau
of Women's Affairs to provide input to the report in their areas of competence,
and that input formed the basis of the report. In addition the media were
involved in advertising the report, which was circulated in the media,
and its content discussed publicly. Its content was also included in the
gender training programme for the leadership of the women's organizations.
Questions related to specific articles
Article 2
419. Responding to a question on the extent to which the Constitution
had been amended as a result of ratification of the Convention to ensure
a constitutional provision for equality and the steps being taken to eliminate
elements of discrimination, the representative noted that under the country's
judicial system, treaties had to be implemented through enactment of municipal
legislation. That was why an effort had been made at law reform, which
had removed most legal obstacles to equality, and 10 major amended statutes
were cited. The Constitution itself provided for equal treatment of all
citizens without discrimination. Legislation was still required in the
area of violence, sexual offences, citizenship and disparities among public
officers.
420. To a question on the implementation of the programme on women in the
1988-1989 development plan, the representative replied that the plan envisaged
a national policy on women, including greater participation in decision-making,
health and employment, work on areas requiring further legislative changes,
training and technical assistance through the Bureau of Women's Affairs,
programmes to facilitate inter-agency cooperation and studies. A new plan
covering the period 1993-2000 had been prepared, emphasizing strengthening
of the Bureau, women's organizations and other policy-making agencies.
Article 5
421. In response to a series of questions about actions to deal with
domestic violence, including, in particular, the Domestic Violence Protection
Orders Act of 1992, the representative noted that the legislation was based
on protection orders and covered both legal and de facto unions. The Sexual
Offences Act of 1992 updated legislation dealing with rape and other sexual
offences. The interpretation and decisions of the courts had clearly indicated
that the legislation should protect against violence. A media programme
for public education and other measures, including training for police
and counselling for families affected by violence, were to be implemented.
422. Another question related to whether the inclusion of women in the
national plan had had any effect in reducing stereotypes. The representative
replied that activities included obtaining data for reports to the Committee
and the Organization of American States, as well as research on the impact
of structural adjustment programmes on women, especially on single-headed
households. Gender training and women's studies were part of the university
curriculum and school texts had been reviewed to eliminate gender bias.
Article 6
423. In reference to issues raised during the consideration of the
initial report, the question was asked whether the Government had taken
measures to curb prostitution as a major vector in the spread of HIV/AIDS
and whether programmes had been established to rehabilitate prostitutes.
The representative replied that trafficking in women was illegal and covered
by the Sexual Offences Act. There was also an effort to curb prostitution
to deal with HIV/AIDS through public education, mass media and training
of medical personnel.
424. Additional questions were asked as to whether prostitution was related
to the tourism industry and whether it was increasing or decreasing. In
reply, the representative stated that prostitution was not an organized
phenomenon and was rather a form of self-employment and for that reason
was hard to quantify. There was no evidence that it was linked to the tourism
industry as was the case in some countries.
Article 7
425. A question was posed regarding the limited number of women in
decision-making positions, especially given the fact that in several age
groups women outnumbered men. The representative stated that there were
no legal barriers to women's participation, women participated actively
in campaigning and voting and there were a number of women in high positions,
including the post of Governor-General. However, in the most recent election,
only one woman had been elected to the House of Assembly, although six
currently served in the Senate, where members were appointed.
426. In response to other questions on government measures to encourage
women's participation, it was stated that there was a contradiction between
the number of women's candidacies and the electorate, which had a female
voting majority. All candidates received the same kind of government support.
The IDB project would provide for workshops to do consciousness-raising
in all sectors and at all levels of the Government and the private sector.
427. Replying to the question whether the policy of having equal numbers
of men and women on several boards would be applied to other boards, the
representative stated that women were still a minority on most boards and,
although there had been some improvement, it was not as significant as
might be hoped. There was no quota system in place and the composition
of boards was related to technical knowledge, although the government policy
now placed emphasis on equity. The Bureau of Women's Affairs was preparing
a directory of resource persons in specific fields which it hoped would
be used to help to equalize the situation.
428. With regard to the relationships between women's organizations affiliated
with the Bureau of Women's Affairs and the Bureau itself, it was stated
that the Bureau was the national machinery for women and had a mandate
to involve all women's organizations. The representative noted that many
social development initiatives came from women's organizations, which were
recognized by the Government and some of which received subventions.
Article 8
429. In response to a question on the measures being taken to enhance
the representation of women in international organizations and at the international
level, the representative stated that there had been some improvement and
that Barbadian women had been active in a number of international forums.
The appointment of women to senior civil service positions meant that there
would be greater representation by women at international conferences and
other activities.
Article 9
430. Regarding action taken to amend the law on citizenship to permit
spouses of Barbadian women to obtain citizenship, the representative stated
that the law was already being addressed and that it would also deal with
the transmission of citizenship by a married woman to her child.
Article 10
431. The question was asked whether the Government intended to implement
a policy to ensure women equal access to vocational training in areas where
men predominated and to encourage girls to enter non-traditional professions.
The representative replied that vocational training and instruction were
equally available to women and men and that guidance counsellors were seeking
to encourage girls to enter non-traditional fields. That was reflected
in the fact that more women were entering those fields in the labour force.
432. Asked about the social science subjects included in the curricula
of schools, the training of teaching staff and the participation of women
in pedagogical and research activities, the representative stated that
social science subjects were included in the curricula at all levels and
that the majority of participants in teacher training were women.
433. Responding to the question whether the subject of human rights had
been introduced into the curriculum and at what levels, the representative
stated that human rights was a component of the family life education syllabus
and was offered as a separate subject at the university level.
434. Concerning the educational measures taken to encourage non-traditional
education, the representative noted the work of women in development units
within the Bureau of Women's Affairs in the development of gender training,
which had had a significant impact; boys were also receiving that training.
There had been a six-month radio call-in programme for public education
on violence against women, and there had been similar discussions on means
and measures taken by the Government on structural adjustment programmes
with a view to providing retraining programmes to develop women's productive
skills and enable them to participate in income-generating activities.
Article 11
435. The question was raised whether there was a guaranteed minimum
wage and an unemployment allowance adequate to ensure maintenance of a
family's living standard, and how the provisions of the ILO Conventions
on equal pay for work of equal value were being implemented and monitored.
The representative stated that the principle of equal pay had been implemented,
there were guaranteed minimum wages for shop assistants and domestic employees
and unemployment benefits were available.
436. Additional questions were asked on the measures taken to implement
the ILO Conventions by legislation and whether there had been any equal
pay cases filed. In reply, the representative noted that implementation
required specific legislation, some of which had been adopted, but that
details would be provided in the next report.
437. As to why more women were jobless than men and what measures had been
taken to address that phenomenon, the representative stated that it was
a result of the changing world economic environment and structural adjustment
programmes, which had affected areas where women predominated. The Government
had taken a number of steps to address the situation, including retraining
and measures to stimulate economic productivity in both export and local
areas.
438. Questions were asked about participation of women in trade unions,
especially in terms of women's membership and participation at decision-making
levels. The representative answered that no restrictions were placed on
women's participation in trade unions, and that women were involved as
members and in decision-making on an increasing basis. For example, some
unions, like teachers' unions, had 50-50 representation at the highest
level. Public workers' unions were seeing an increase in women at management
levels through their efforts to raise the confidence of women about participating
at decision-making levels.
439. To a question on the social allowances and benefits enjoyed by working
women, including child care, organized relaxation and assistance in building
a home and in daily domestic services, the representative replied that
benefits were available under the national insurance scheme, workers' compensation,
severance payments and free medical services in polyclinics. Day care was
also available, public workers could benefit from a housing loan scheme
and there were other programmes available to assist in home purchases or
construction.
Article 12
440. In response to the question whether health-care bodies had improved
their effectiveness in diagnosing and treating cancer since the last report,
the representative stated that there were a number of efforts at early
detection and treatment under the leadership of a non-governmental organization,
the Barbados Cancer Society, as well as educational and promotional programmes.
As a result, the impact of breast and cervical cancers had decreased. The
programmes were projected for expansion into hospice care.
Article 13
441. Asked whether informal organizations that had begun accepting
women members brought them to decision-making levels and whether they were
able to participate in all of the social activities of the Bridgetown Club,
the representative stated that the main service organizations had amalgamated
their men's and women's branches and women served in the leadership of
the clubs. Women now participated in membership and other activities of
the Bridgetown Club.
Article 16
442. To requests for information about the number of divorces, the
trends in single-parent families, the nature of the family as set out in
the law and limits to the free choice by women of a spouse, the representative
responded that no specific studies had been done on fluctuations in divorce
rates but that the incidence of divorce had decreased between 1989 and
1992 and more women than men were filing for divorce. The concept of family
was embodied in all family legislation, affirming that it was the basic
unit of society and providing for counselling prior to any divorce proceedings
and procedures for equitable maintenance, custody of children and equitable
distribution of marital assets. Those provisions were also applied to parties
in de facto unions. There were no limits to the rights of women in the
free choice of a spouse.
443. Another question asked was whether, given the possibility of the same
person having a de facto in addition to a legal marriage, that constituted
a form of polygamy. In reply, the representative stated that, once a person
was married, that took precedence over any other relationship and a person
could only be legally married to one person. However, protection was accorded
to the children of another union.
444. Information was requested concerning the rate of divorce, the reasons
for changes and whether procedures for reconciliation achieved the desired
goal. In reply, it was noted that there was no evidence on the question
but that it merited further study.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Positive aspects
445. The Committee particularly noted positive features in the reports
of Barbados:
(a) That Barbados had ratified the Convention without reservation demonstrated
the Government's commitment to achieving equality for women in public and
private life;
(b) The Committee welcomed the fact that the Government had continued with
its plans of action to improve the status of women in Barbados in spite
of economic problems encountered during the reporting period. The Committee
was pleased that the Government had recognized the need to cushion the
impact on women of its structural adjustments;
(c) The Committee noted that Barbados had enacted most, if not all, the
national legislation required to give effect to the Convention in Barbados;
(d) The Committee praised the Government for its emphasis on education
as the key factor in advancing the status of women in that country;
(e) The Committee also applauded the continued operation of government
machinery which had the responsibility to collect information about the
status of women in Barbados, cooperate with non-governmental organizations
in improving the lot of women, provide programmes designed to assist and
support women in the community and disseminate information designed to
improve women's status.
Principal subjects of concern
446. The Committee expressed concern at the serious lack of female
participation in politics and in the representation of Barbados at the
international level and in other decision-making positions. The Committee
considered that to be of such importance that it wished Barbados to consider
enhanced campaigns to involve women in those positions by applying article
4 of the Convention.
447. The Committee was also concerned, given the importance of tourism
to the Barbados economy, to ensure that the Government was aware of the
potential for an increase in prostitution. More detailed information about
the incidence of prostitution, its control and the provision of health
care for prostitutes should be included in the next report.
448. Finally, the Committee wished to encourage the Government of Barbados
to consult with non-governmental organizations when preparing its next
report and to obtain their assistance in achieving the Convention's objective
of improving the status of women in its country.
Suggestions and recommendations
449. The Committee expressed the wish that in future reports Barbados
would provide more information:
(a) Evaluating the impact of programmes designed to enhance the status
of women and legislation granting women equal status with men;
(b) Evaluating the outcome of the latest plan of action of the Bureau of
Women's Affairs and the educational programmes in schools and tertiary
institutions;
(c) Setting out whether there had been any noticeable improvements in the
status of women such as improved educational standards, decrease in prostitution,
reduction of violence against women and greater participation in decision-making
roles in public life;
(d) Stating whether the Bureau's educational programmes had resulted in
an improved commitment to the equal status of women by both men and women;
(e) Giving more information about women in the workforce, for example their
pay and terms of employment, their participation in trade unions and what
obstacles they faced in employment in such areas as achieving equal pay
with men.
