OVERVIEW OF THE DOMESTIC SITUATION

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SOCIAL SITUATION

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In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), women, whilst they have achieved progress over the years in achieving their rights, face many unique challenges that other persons in society may not experience.

 

Many of these challenges are a result of traditional beliefs about the existence and role of women in society i.e. they are seen as inferior, less than, or weaker than men.

 

As a result, many women in SVG face a range of issues such as emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse; violence and/or exploitation; discrimination; and, poverty.

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LEGAL SITUATION

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In SVG, women have many protections under the law.

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Examples of some laws in SVG that touch on or may be applicable to the rights of women are outlined below:

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• Education Act

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• Equal Pay Act

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• Constitution

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• Criminal Code

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• Domestic Violence Act

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• Criminal Procedure Code​​

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• Protection of Employment Act

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• Married Women's Property Act​​​​​​​​​

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Apart from the aforementioned local laws, SVG has signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women, known as the Convention of Belém do Pará. However, it has not signed nor ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.