Violence and Political Power on the agenda in St Kitts/Nevis

This position was outlined as part of the National Council of Women of St Kitts’ critique of the Initial, Second, Third and Fourth Reports of St Christopher and Nevis submitted by government to The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The government makes an attempt to assist women fleeing from violence by providing “safe homes” but the period of safeness is limited. Part of the complexities of the problem is that very often the very women whom they are trying to protect refuse to testify against their spouses/partners. This refusal stems from fear of further abuse and the reliance of these women on their partners for maintenance and shelter.

Although there is free legal advice available women often do not know about this service. Another deterrent is that there is no legal aid.

Because of its small size 68 square miles for St Kitts and 32 square miles for Nevis, it is very difficult to institute a shelter for women since anonymity is an essential part of the process.

Victims should therefore be relocated to another island in the OECS. This should not prove to be too difficult since freedom of movement within the region has already been initiated.

Systems have been put in place to gather data, reported and unreported. However, it is not clear what is done with the data collected and whether it is used to guide our actions and the way forward on how to overcome these problems.

On going training could also be extended by the government to social workers, police officers and other providers, such as nurses who have to deal with victims from domestic abuse and violence. There should also be someone on call and a known hotline number that victims can dial like any other emergency number to receive help.

It is strongly recommended that a co-ordinated multi-sectoral approach be taken on domestic violence. This should include hospitals, social workers, Counselors, legal, and housing, to deal with the issues as recommended by the National Conference in order to effect better outcomes and changed attitudes.

On the issue of politics, women’s participation in the political process especially at the top levels came into focus. There are too few women engaged in politics and in positions of decision making. There is currently one female Minister in St Kitts, and one in Nevis. There should be a gender parity policy in politics to ensure that at least 30 per cent, that is three of the eight seats in St Kitts and one of the three seats in Nevis be designated for female politicians.

It is a held view that women are deterred from entering politics due to the mud slinging and abuse generally hurled at them. And there is still a perception that many still believe that “a woman’s place is in the home”. Government should therefore ensure that the political environment is woman friendly.

Men have always hugged the limelight in this particular area and women were content to sit back and even encourage the men to go forward. The mind-set is that only men should enter politics and we have allowed them to do so. It could be too, that there are not enough role models in this area.

Poverty and unemployment have been described as “critical” areas of concern. We are concerned that the issue of poverty especially affecting women was not addressed. Women are still the main burden carriers and as a result the main sufferers of poverty. The unemployment figures relating to women remains a critical concern. However, in the report no action is suggested on how to alleviate this problem. There have been recent developments in the rural area to provide computer training. Ongoing additional employment training should be taking place as well as retraining programmes in non traditional areas, for example construction, metal crafty and carpentry.

Women lag behind in terms of business development in a meaningful way. A large number of women of older women with trays peddle small items as a means of eking out a living. A small number of women own legal practices while there are a number of women self employed in the hairdressing/beauty spa business. However, the majority of women employed by government work as civil servants. While others can be found as shop assistants, in light manufacturing and the hotel industry, but they are not the owners. Therefore, they do not amass any real wealth.

And although more women enrol in the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) they still do not command the top positions in the society.

As stated before not many women are employed in the higher echelons of power or decision-making either in the public or private sector as a result, women earn much less than their male counterparts. However, where the few women excel in achieving this, they are paid the same wages for the same work. Ambassadorial positions have never been bestowed on a woman in the Federation, after almost 19 years of Nationhood.

Another aspect of discrimination against women is the maintenance for children especially for those born out of wedlock. At present the law which is dated in the 1887 provides that children born out of wedlock receive a meager $15.00 per week. However, the Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1992 relieved one of the growing concerns of women. This Law allowed the Magistrates more discretion to dictate the maintenance pertaining to children and spouses. The legal authorities are now asking fathers to pay according to the earnings. But the law of 1887 is still on the books and this needs to be updated to fall in line with the 21st century.

It is suggested that a law be made to have attachment of Earnings where a deduction is made directly from the father’s income. This deduction can then be paid to the mothers for the maintenance of their child/children. Therefore, mothers will not have to depend on the whims and fancies of the fathers as to when their children would receive maintenance.

In the matter of maintenance too, many fathers refuse to pay the maintenance and would rather spend a term of imprisonment, since on their release from prison, they are not made to pay the monies owing to the mothers and the children. This law is still on the books and needs to be removed and amended so those fathers honour their responsibility to support their children even after serving the prison term

The Government has in place excellent Prenatal and Antenatal systems for all mothers in the Federation. Women are encouraged to attend the clinics, which are located throughout the islands, if they cannot afford private clinic. At these clinics, they can receive some medication like iron and vitamins for mothers and their babies. A Medical Doctor is also assigned to the clinics and mothers are given advice and care. Pap smears and mammograms are also available.

In the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis child marriages are not practiced. Anyone marrying under the age of 18 must have the consent of his or her parents. Polygamy is punishable by law; however, many men marry formally and set up other informal “marriages” or households.

The Laws of the Federation do not recognize de facto unions. De facto unions are an integral part of our cultural legacy. Women on dissolution of de facto unions are entitled to a settlement similar to any other person sharing a residence. Legislation should be put in place to ensure that women in de facto relationships enjoy the same rights after a specified number of years as women in de jure relationships.

St Kitts and Nevis can boast of a policy for teenage mothers to continue their secondary education. When the opportunity has been utilized the majority of students have derived maximum benefit. However, some teen mothers do not avail themselves of this opportunity to return to school and opt to attend classes in the evenings to continue their education.

Because of the small size of St Kitts and Nevis, the country is in a position to better handle some of the problems affecting women in the twin-island Federation.

One acknowledges that many of the problems stem from attitudes that are culturally ingrained and change would have to take place from infancy right through to adulthood. St Kitts and Nevis has made significant gains in the area of women’s rights, however, there are areas in which the State lags. The Government is cognizant of some of these areas as highlighted in this critique and must begin to put the machinery in place to deal with these shortcomings.