Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report and, more particularly, that contained in the attached national report to the Fourth International Conference on Women (Beijing, September 1995), produced by the National Advisory Council on Women and the Bureau of Women's Affairs, which addresses the Committee's previous queries concerning the education and training of girls and women, as well as the application of Article 3 of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes with interest that, according to this report, the significant progress made in reforming laws and in enacting new legislation has contributed to the improved status of women, as a substantial proportion of the legislative reform measures have eliminated the legal areas of discrimination against women, especially those relating to family life including inheritance, conditions of work, and the status of children. The report points out, however, that women are still not involved sufficiently in decision-making in both the public and private sectors; that the Bureau of Women's Affairs needs to be upgraded and its staffing expanded; that the 1992 National Policy Statement on Women should include a statement on women and education; that an inter-ministerial committee should be established, as envisaged in the National Policy, or that there be an increase of gender focal points in government ministries and departments, with each focal point having the ability to communicate directly with the relevant permanent secretary or head of department; that a policy be adopted to ensure that gender analysis be included in the formulation of government projects and programmes; that efforts be made to ensure that women have access, on a continuous basis, to information relating to the content of legislation, changes in the law and legal advice; that the unemployment rate for women is higher than that of men; that there is a need for a deliberate policy to achieve a higher participation of women in economic and financial affairs and to ensure they are not concentrated in institutions dealing with social issues. Noting that nearly half of the households in Barbados are headed by women, this report also stresses the need to incorporate family life education into the formal educational curriculum and into public education campaigns and makes a number of other suggestions to strengthen family life and to improve women's status in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on any measures taken to implement the recommendations outlined in the national report on women. Noting that the report comments on the tendency of female students to select traditional vocational subjects, which is attributed both to the process of socialization and to the attitude of some teachers, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether particular measures are being taken to encourage girls to pursue studies in science subjects and in technical vocational courses.

3. Please also provide details on any activities relevant to the Convention that are being undertaken by the Bureau of Women's Affairs and furnish a copy of the 1992 National Policy Statement on Women.

4. In its previous comment, the Committee noted that the Government intended to modernize the labour legislation and to enact a comprehensive Employment Protection Act. Please indicate whether there have been any developments in this regard.