Antigua & Barbuda

Laws enacted

• A Sexual Offences Act passed in 1995.  By this law, the age of consent for the purposes of sex was increased from 14 to 16 years.  Provision has also been made for hearing, in camera, all rape cases and all cases involving minors.  A husband can now be held liable for sexually assaulting his wife. The law also addresses the issue of incest which had not been addressed in the existing Offences Against the Person Act.  Apart from the biological relatives of a child, a guardian or person on whom a child is dependent can be charged for sexual misconduct towards that child.
• The Domestic Violence (Summary Proceedings) Act was passed in 1999.
• Amendment of Labour Code: Granting of maternity benefits; 1995: Sexual Offences Act: Change of age of consent to 16 years for both sexes.

Policies Implemented

• A national Multi-sectoral Committee on the Rights of the Child in place to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the rights of the child.  Both Government and NGO presented a draft bill on “The Child Care and Protection Agency Bill, 2003”.  The bill seeks to protect children of both sexes who may be in situation of abuse.
• 2002 Draft National Policy for the Elderly
• Social Security Act of 1972 amended in 1995 to expand financial assistance coverage to non-pensionable, destitute, elderly persons earning less than EC$ 5000 per year.
• Since 1993: Ministry of Health and Social Improvement’s Home Care for the Elderly Programme.  Social workers visit the elderly, help with the preparation of meals and provide referrals for health and nursing care. Active NGOs: the Antigua and Barbuda Pensioners’ Association and the Senior Citizens’ Association.
• Pension: A non-contributory pension scheme was introduced in 1994 to provide assistance to those in need. Additionally, a relief scheme is operated by the Board of Guardians, which supports those with no other coverage.
• Health Policy revised in 1997 accordingly

Partnerships established

• With encouragement from Government, Private Sector importers and sales representatives have offered discount on RH commodities.
• In 2001, under the auspices of the Directorate of Gender Affairs, the Government  and the OAS, a three year funding project has been established on “Women’s Political Participation: Training in Governance and Democracy” in three countries including Antigua and Barbuda.
• A National Committee was established in collaboration with CARICOM – “The Social Indicators and Millennium Goals Committee”.
• IEC through AIDS Secretariat to increase knowledge on available services.
• Programmes in HFLE and joint project with AIDS secretariat and UNODC.

Continuing challenge