GE.19-17999(E)
Human Rights Council
Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Thirty-fifth session
20–31 January 2020
National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21*
Grenada
* The present document has been reproduced as received. Its content does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations.
General Assembly Distr.: General 13 January 2020 Original: English
AACA All Against Child Abuse Program CARICOM Caribbean Community
CAAMP Child Abuse and Awareness Month Pre-programmed CAPI Computer Assisted Personal Interview
CAT Convention Against Torture CCJ Caribbean Court of Justice CDB Caribbean Development Bank CVQ Caribbean Vocational Qualifications
C-EFE CARICOM Education for Employment Project CFS Child Friendly Schools
CREAM Committee on Reintegrated Education for Adolescent Mothers CTI Convention Against Torture Initiative
ECCE Early Childhood Care and Education GBV Gender Based Violence
GEPAP Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan
GNCRC Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child GNTA Grenada National Training Agency
HRC Human Rights Council
ICCAS Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Programme ILO International Labour Organization
JIPA Joint Independent Provider Association JCPC Judicial Committee of the Privy Council JJRP Juvenile Justice Reform Project
LACC Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic
MAREP Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme
MOSDHCE Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment
MTA Medium Term Agenda
NAP National Adaptation Plan
NCC National Coordinating Committee
NCPCSA National Committee for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse NHI National Health Insurance
NHRI National Human Rights Institution
NTRC National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission NTAs National Training Agencies
NVQ National Vocational Qualifications NGO Non-Governmental organization
OHCHR Office of the High Commission on Human Rights OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
PAHO Pan American Health Organization PAM Program for Adolescent Mothers
SMILES Stability Motivating Improving Learning Enhancing Supporting SEED Support for Education, Empowerment and Development SDG Sustainable Development Goals
TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training UNICEF United Nations Children Fund
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities
UPR Universal Periodic Review
USAID United States Agency for International Development
UWI-HEU The University of the West Indies, HEU, Centre for Health Economics WHALES Women’s Health and Life Experiences Study
WHO World Health Organization
WISE Women’s Initiative for Skills and Empowerment
Contents
Page
I. Introduction ... 5
II. Methodology ... 5
III. Developments since the last review in 2015 ... 5
IV. Achievements in the implementation of accepted recommendations ... 7
A. International human rights instruments of accepted recommendations ... 7
B. Sectoral policies programs and instruments ... 9
C. Specific groups ... 17
V. Challenges that require the support of the international community ... 22
VI. Conclusion ... 23
I. Introduction
1. Grenada is pleased to participate in the 3rd Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) and provide a status update on the implementation of the recommendations made during the first and second cycles. Grenada remains committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of its citizens as guaranteed by its constitution and improving its national human rights machinery.
II. Methodology
2. This report was prepared in accordance with the general guidelines for the Preparation of Information under the Universal Periodic Review: Resolution 5/1 (18th June 2007), Resolution 16/21 (25 March 2011) and Decision 17/119 of (17 June 2011). It was collated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its capacity as chair of the National Coordination Committee for Human Rights with support from the Ministry of Social Development, Housing & Community Empowerment, Ministry of Health, Social Security
& International Business, Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Legal Affairs; Royal Grenada Police Force, and Her Majesty’s Prisons. Consultations were also held with a number of stakeholders and civil society organizations including the Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC), Grenada National Counsel for the Disabled, Grenada Human Rights Organization Inc and The Office of the Ombudsman.
3. This report provides an outline of the status of implementation of the recommendations made in previous cycles and their corresponding impact.
4. The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) comprises the abovementioned government ministries, stakeholders and civil society groups. Following the second UPR cycle, the recommendations were divided into corresponding thematic areas which were then disseminated among members of the committee. The various organizations through their focal points were then able to provide information pertaining to the status of implementation and their impact as well as challenges that impeded or slowed the implementation process.
III. Developments since the last review in 2015
Constitution reform
5. During the second cycle of the UPR, Grenada reported on the status of its fourth iteration of constitution reform which was then ongoing. The final package of reforms passed in the parliament sought to incorporate the principle of gender equality into the constitution and to broaden the concept of discrimination to include age, place of birth, ethnicity, religion social class, disability and language.
6. The proposed changes concerning gender equality, discrimination and the equal treatment of all children were directly responsive to concluding observations issued by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the recommendations that came out of Grenada’s 2010 Universal Periodic Review. The proposed changes also included a new chapter titled “Directive Principles of State Policy” which dealt with among other things:
The duty of the state to:
(a) protect the natural resources of the country for the benefit of the people;
(b) protect and preserve the environment and not let it suffer degradation;
(c) protect the country against the adverse effects of climate change;
(d) promote awareness of, and preparedness for natural disasters.
7. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided technical assistance for the constitution reform process to ensure that the revised constitution was explicitly rights based in its orientation, taking into account the specific needs of the vulnerable and specialized populations. Unfortunately, the proposed changes were not approved in the national referendum held in 2016 having failed to secure the required two thirds approval vote by the citizens.
8. In 2018, Grenada had another iteration of constitution reform on the issue of whether Grenada should delink from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) as its final appellate court and accede to the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice CCJ) as its final Court of Appeal. This issue relates to SDG# 16 as the proposed change sought to provide Grenada with a more accessible final appellate court for its citizens. This proposed change did not secure the required two thirds approval in the referendum which was held in November 2018.
Legislative reform
9. Grenada continues to enact and bring into force legislation to promote and protect human rights.
10. Electronic Crimes Act of 2013 came into force on the 18th of September 2016.
11. Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act No 34 of 2014 which seeks to give effect to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children came into force in 2016.
12. The Juvenile Justice Act of 2012 came into force in 2016.
13. SR&O 19 of 2017 Police Standing Order (Amendment 2017) which provides a systematic approach in the administration of justice as it relates to domestic violence came into force in 2017.
Proposed legislative amendments regarding sexual offences
14. Draft bills have been introduced to tackle the issues of sexual offences:
(a) Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019;
(b) Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2019;
(c) Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Advances made in policies, protocols and standard operating procedures
National Strategic Development Plan 2020-2035
15. Grenada has embarked on a strategy for national transformation through the creation of a National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP). The NSDP is the anchor for Grenada’s development agenda and priorities for the period 2020-2035. The plan was developed using a consultative approach and demonstrates the inextricable link between sustainable development and human rights. The issues addressed in the National Sustainable Development are also human rights issues as expressed in the following goals of the NSDP:
Goal #1: High Human and Social Development: Putting People at the Center of Sustainable Development and Transformation.
Goal #2: Vibrant, Dynamic, Competitive Economy with Supporting Climate-and- Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure.
Goal #3: Environmental Sustainability & Security.
16. Recognising the impact of climate change on human rights, Grenada has been accelerating its efforts at addressing issues of climate change and the environment. In this regard, a new Ministry of Climate Resilience, Environment, Forestry, Fisheries, Disaster Management and Information was established to mainstream climate change and environmental issues in 2018.
17. The Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Programme (ICCAS) which ran from 2013–2018 was aimed at mainstreaming climate change into national development planning and in building the private sector and community resilience to the increasing risks of climate change. One notable legacy of the project was its ability to improve Grenada’s access to climate finance. Through ICCAS Grenada became one of the first country in the region to gain approval from the Green Climate Fund to improve its water sector valued at USD 42 Million. Additional Grenada is benefiting from other regional and internal climate fiancé projects aim at strengthening its national infrastructure, physical and community resilience to climate change.
18. Grenada’s strategy defining its climate change profile largely stems from systematic development of its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), National Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Second National Communication (SNC). In November 2017, Grenada became the first CARICOM country to approve a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) a tool introduced by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a way for countries to reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and resilience.
IV. Achievements in the implementation of accepted recommendations
A. International human rights instruments of accepted recommendations
Scope of International Obligations – 72.21, 72.22
Ratify the ICRMW (pending)
19. Grenada supports these recommendations but remains concerned with the burden that is associated with the reporting process and therefore solicits the assistance of the international community in the ratification of treaties as well as reporting.
Institutional and human rights infrastructure and policy measures – 72.28, 72.29, 72.30, 72.31, 72.32, 72.33
Establish a National Human Rights Institution in conformity with the Paris Principles (pending)
20. The Government of Grenada accepted the recommendations of the Working Group at the 2015 UPR to establish a National Human Rights Institution. In its quest to establish the institution, the Government sought technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat to support national stakeholder conferences to raise awareness and garner support for the establishment of an NHRI in Grenada in 2016, June 28-29, 2018 and April 2019.
21. One of the central issues discussed in these consultations was whether, in Grenada, a stand-alone NHRI should be established or whether a hybrid model where an existing national institution is used should be considered. The Office of the Ombudsman was mooted as one such institution.
22. At the end of all the consultations, it was recommended that the best option was to expand and enhance the office of the Ombudsman to enable it to function as the National Human Rights Institution. The Grenada Government has accepted this recommendation and
looks forward to full implementation of this recommendation with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and other international partners.
Cooperation with special procedure – 72.36, 72.37, 72.38
Extend an open invitation to all special procedures mechanism of the UN (noted)
23. While Grenada is willing to cooperate with all human rights mechanism pertaining to open invitation, due to its associated burden and Grenada’s limited resources, Grenada cannot at this time extend an open invitation to special procedures.
Sign and Ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) (full implementation) – 72.14, 72.15, 72.16, 72.17
24. Grenada acceded to the Convention Against Torture (CAT) during the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2019 in keeping with recommendations made during the 2nd cycle of its UPR in 2015. In the lead up to Grenada’s accession, Grenada was the beneficiary of CTI’s technical support which included CTI’s first-ever diplomatic country visit in July 2016 and CTI’s hosting of Grenada’s senior government officials on a study visit in Geneva in December 2016. In celebrating Grenada’s accession to the CAT, Grenada’s Minister for Legal Affairs commented that, “The fundamental principles of the UN Convention Against Torture are enshrined in Grenada’s constitution and in other legislative provisions. Grenada is committed to the rule of law and the fair and effective administration of justice. Acceding to UNCAT will benefit Grenada in establishing a more professional and effective police and criminal justice system.”
25. Regarding the domestication of the Convention Against Torture, Grenada will be receiving technical assistance from the Convention Against Torture Initiative (CTI) for implementation of its post ratification roadmap and to meeting its reporting obligations.
This technical assistance is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2020.
Ratify the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (pending implementation) – 72.25
26. While the convention has not yet been ratified, Grenada has taken several decisions to encourage inclusiveness in the education system. The Education Act of (2002), Section 3 (3) provides the framework to guarantee that the state must provide opportunities for everyone in Grenada to reach their maximum potential. It also provides that the principle and practice of gender equality must be pursued as a specific objective of the Ministry of Education. In 2012, Grenada achieved universal secondary education.
Create a national human rights network, which among other issues would facilitate the establishment of a national system for monitoring international recommendations.
(partial implementation) – 72.26
27. The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) for Human Rights which was established in April 2012 by Cabinet has the mandate to lead the process of implementation and follow up of the Universal Periodic Review. Key achievements of the NCC since its creation include:
(a) Advising Government on the parameters of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), which Government has accepted.
(b) Interventions with the Commonwealth Secretariat through treaty body workshops.
(c) Production of the National 3rd Cycle UPR Report.
Improve data collection methods as well as strengthen the Central Statistics Office (partial implementation) – 72.27
28. In 2015 the Central Statistics Statistical Office modernised its operations by completely transitioning to electronic methods of data collection using the Computer
Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) technique and in 2018 the Central Statistical Office launched its website.
Seek technical assistance in order to submit overdue reports (partial implementation) – 72.34; 72.35
29. Grenada initiated the process of putting structures in place to complete outstanding treaty body reports and in this regard Grenada is receiving technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat to complete its common core document which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.
Cooperation with the Office of the High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) – 72.39
Take advantage of technical assistance available through OHCHR to fulfil obligations to various UN treaty bodies (partial implementation)
30. Grenada has engaged the Commonwealth Secretariat during the preparation of the 3rd cycle review. A working group workshop was held in April, 2019 with the National Coordinating Committee in an effort to provide guidance for the preparation of the 3rd cycle report.
31. Key engagements with the OHCHR include workshops held in Grenada on May 4th - 6th, 2015, a Regional Workshop on UPR Review in Barbados from July 7th-9th, 2015 and assistance with Grenada’s Constitutional Reform in 2016.
B. Sectoral policies programs and instruments
Implement legislative policies and educational measures aimed at eradicating discrimination in all its forms. (partial implementation) – 72.40, 72.41
32. NCC continued to partner with civil society in creating public awareness as it relates to human rights issues with special emphasis on the elimination of discrimination against women, children and persons with disabilities.
33. A key pillar of Grenada’s strategy in eradicating discrimination was the development of the National Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan (GEPAP) which was supported by UN Women. GEPAP was approved by Government in 2014 and covers the period 2014-2024. It is currently in the implementation phase with 2019 being a midpoint year for implementation.
34. The Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan (GEPAP) 2014-2024 overall focus is on gender equality, equity and social justice and sustainable development for the State of Grenada.
35. The GEPAP pledges government’s commitment to equal access to education and training programmes in fields that are considered non-traditional. As a result, within the last five years, Grenada took actions to eliminate discrimination against the girl child and end violations of their rights. Significant actions included promoting education of girls, especially in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
36. To support this thrust, robotics competitions were hosted by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and the Ministry of Education for Girls in ICT Day in 2015, 2016 and 2017. For the three years, a total of 250 girls between the ages of 10 to 18 participated in the robotics competition from primary and secondary schools across Grenada. Additionally, the scope of the programme was extended to provide public awareness sessions on cybersecurity to parent (mostly women attended), to better monitor and control the use of ICT in the homes and discuss parenting in the digital age. More girls are choosing areas in STEM such as, Information Technology, Electronic, Building, Computer and Electrical Technology as career paths.
37. In 2019, with an additional partner SheLeadsIT, a Hackathon for girls at the secondary school level was hosted to empower young girls to be just more than just users of ICT. Over 100 girls from 10 secondary school in Grenada were engaged in a 2-month Webinar training to ultimately develop technological solutions to current social problems such as gender-based violence and climate change.
38. Other key impacts of the GEPAP include:
(a) An increase in reporting, sensitization and range and quality of services related to Gender Based Violence.
(b) The main tertiary level institution in Grenada, T.A. Marryshow Community College, reported that in 2016-17 academic year, female students represented 59% of all students enrolled, with the highest proportion (87%) in Carriacou Campus and the lowest (34%) at the Sauteurs Campus.
(c) The Grenada National Training Agency (GNTA) Strategic Plan reported that
“the proportion of women receiving CVQ/NVQ certification was substantially higher than for men in 2014 (75%), 2015 (70%) and 2016 (78%). The trend remained the same in 2018.
On average, female participation in competency-based training is three times as high as that of men.”
39. The GEPAP advances governments policy regarding a gender responsive disaster risk reduction and resilience building, to this end as part of the Getting Grenada GCF Ready programme, a two-day workshop on “Gender Sensitivity for Climate Finance Project Writing” was held in April 2019 for government, NGO, private sector and other partners.
The objective of this workshop was to enable relevant stakeholders to mainstream gender equality into project proposal writing.
40. A critical mechanism for implementing the GEPAP is the Inter-Ministerial Council of Gender Focal Points which was formed in 2017 and expanded and launched in 2019.
Thirty (30) Gender Focal Points (25 females and 5 males) and twenty-three Alternates (17 females and 6 males) were identified by their various Ministries, Departments and selected Statutory Bodies. The role of the members of this Council (Gender Focal Points) is to promote, facilitate and monitor gender responsiveness in their Ministries, Departments and Statutory Bodies, and the sector in which they operate. This mechanism uses the whole-of- Government approach.
41. Gender equality is also identified as one of the cross-cutting themes in the Medium- Term Agenda (2019-2021) and it is one of the themes in the National Sustainable Development Plan (2020-2035).
Right to life, liberty and security of persons Recommendations 72.44–48 (noted) 42. The Grenada Constitution of 1973 makes provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Part 1 and includes protection of the right to life, protection of the right to personal liberty, protection from slavery and enforced labour.
43. The Death Penalty remains a part of the laws of Grenada; however, a de facto moratorium on the death penalty has been in place since 1978. It is to be noted also that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council the highest appellate court of Grenada has held that the mandatory death penalty is unconstitutional.
44. The courts have been placing an emphasis on the “primacy of the right to life” and the approach that this emphasis requires that, in the language of Saunders JA in Christopher Remy v The Queen, it will be only in the worst and most extreme case of murder that the death penalty should be imposed. It is noted that in the case of Trimmingham where the trial judge held and the Court of Appeal upheld that it was the
“worst of the worst” as a most “exceptional and extreme case of murder…in my view the rarest of the rare” the Judicial committee of the Privy Council disagreed and ruled that the killing was not the “worst of the worst” and did not warrant the death penalty.
Review the legislation criminalising abortion and amend it so that abortion is no longer a criminal offence. (noted) – 72.49
45. Although this recommendation is not being actively considered, the Government continues to deliver sexual reproductive health services and continued public education on sexual health.
Domestic and sexual violence – 72.50 – 54
SR&O No 19 of 2017 (full implementation)
46. Grenada continued to address the vexing issue of domestic and sexual violence through legislative and other policy interventions including the enactment of SR&O 19 of 2017 the Police Standing Order (Amendment) 2017 which saw the repeal and replacement of chapter 17 of the principal Police Standing Orders which deals with domestic violence and sexual violence.
47. The objective of the amendment is to provide a systematic approach in the administration of justice as it relates to domestic violence and reinforces the commitment of the Royal Grenada Police Force to work within an inter-sectorial, collaborative framework to meet the various needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence, including, but not limited to psycho-social support, medical care and social safety nets.
48. The amendment lists the key principles which would guide the RGPF in enforcing the law as it relates to domestic violence and outlines the procedures to be followed when dealing with cases of domestic violence.
49. Another intervention was the Electronic Crimes Act No 23 of 2013 which in section 10 prohibits the violation of privacy by criminalising the capturing, publishing or transmitting of the image of a private area of a person without his or her consent. The Electronic Crimes Act of 2013 came into effect on the 18th of September 2016 and 2018 saw the first person being charged and subsequently fined after pleading guilty to publishing nude photos of a female person with whom he had an intimate relationship on social media.
50. It is noted that the Criminal Code Amendment Act, 2012 which amended the Criminal Code to makes provision for “marital rape”. The first charge pursuant the provision dealing with marital rape in the Criminal Code as amended was laid in 2019.
51. Apart from legislative interventions, the Government continued to address GBV against women and girls through several policy interventions. The Medium Term Agenda identifies “strengthening interventions to combat domestic violence and child abuse’ as a priority for 2019–2021.
52. A National Strategic Action Plan to Reduce Gender Based Violence (2013-2018) which provides strategic direction to reduce the incidence of all forms of gender-based violence in Grenada was developed and approved.
53. The Counselling Unit within the MOSDHCE has strengthened its human resource with the hiring of more Counsellors. One Counsellor is specifically assigned to the Gender Based Violence Unit of the Ministry and to Cedars Home for Abused Women and Their Children.
54. In 2016, the Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic (LACC) which receives funding from the MOSDHCE for the provision of its services received technical support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the Man to Man Programme which is a court- mandated, psycho-educational violence intervention programme designed for adjudicated Gender Based Violence (GBV) offenders. As part of the technical support from the CDB an evaluation of the project was conducted in 2017. Based on Evaluation Team observations, the delivery of the curriculum for the Man to Man Programme was rated very high across all indicators.
55. The results of the evaluation indicate that the Man to Man Programme was very effective in meeting its goals, as evidenced by both the quantitative data that showed
significant positive changes in many of the measured constructs, as well as the qualitative data that revealed an overwhelming positive response from the clients.
56. The Grenada Women’s Health and Life Experiences Study (WHLES) comprised of a cross-sectional survey and qualitative research – interviews and focus groups – that were conducted in 2018 to ascertain the prevalence of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Grenada, the nature of that violence and responses to it. When the results of the WHLES survey become available, they will be used to inform strategies for implementation of activities in the Spotlight Initiative Project (SI) and other interventions by the State to address intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. The Grenada Spotlight Initiative was developed in broad consultation with Government and Civil Society, and an integrated Technical Team from ILO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and PAHO/WHO. The Spotlight Initiative is a multi-year programme of the European Union and the United Nations which is focused on eliminating violence against women and girls and harmful practices.
Administration of justice, including impunity, and the rule of law Juvenile Justice – 72.55, 72.59, 72.60 (full implementation)
Strengthen existing measures to protect the rights of the children and girl child from all forms of abuse and exploitations and also adopt necessary guidelines and procedures to fully enforce the Juvenile Justice Act
57. The ALTERNATIVES Programme is a psycho-educational intervention for young men who are in conflict with the law. The programme was developed in 2015 and offers alternative sentencing options for two types of young persons: Those who have appeared before the Courts and those who are at risk for committing offences against the law. The programme is administered by the LACC aforementioned. An evaluation of this programme in 2017 funded by the CDB, using quantitative and qualitative research revealed that the programme needed improvement as the expected outcomes were not achieved. As a consequence of the findings, a consultant was contracted to develop a new participants manual and train new facilitators, both were completed in August 2019. A second evaluation of the programme is expected to be completed shortly.
58. The Juvenile Justice Act of 2012 which Grenada reported on in the 2nd cycle review, came into effect in 2016. The Act makes provision for a secure residential facility for the reception and rehabilitation of children that have been sentenced. Pursuant to this provision, the Grand Bacolet Juvenile Rehabilitation Treatment Centre (GBJRTC) was opened in 2016, and since its inception, the population has fluctuated between 25 and 42 residents.
The Centre provides treatment, rehabilitative and educational services to its residents.
59. The GBJRTC was built as part of a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the countries of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as part of the Juvenile Justice Reform Project (JJRP). On the 28th of May 2019 USAID, OECS and government signed a memorandum of understanding for phase two of the project which will focus on: strengthening the system of diversion and alternatives to custodial sentencing; rehabilitation underpinned by evidenced-based diagnosis and treatment; and the successful reintegration of children in conflict with the law back into society.
Right to privacy, marriage and family life –
72.61,72.62,72.63,72.64,72.65,72.66,72.67,72.68,72.69,72.70,72.71,72.72,72.73,72.74, 72.75,72.76
Adopt legislation and public policies which effectively prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (noted)
60. Although Grenada did not accept these recommendations, Government remains committed to raising awareness that discourages discrimination. Additionally, GrenCHAP is the key agency working with the LGBTQ community.
61. GrenCHAP has an ongoing campaign called ‘Love Without Fear’ in which they engage communities across the State educating them using the human rights model of respect and inclusion.
62. In 2017, in partnership with the Caribbean Vulnerable Community, GrenCHAP completed a population size estimate of the MSM and SW community in Grenada. In 2018 GrenCHAP reopened its safe-space for the LGBTQI community that it continues to operate and in 2019 GrenCHAP in partnership with the Ministry of Health hosted an anti- discrimination workshop targeting frontline workers within the Healthcare field in delivering services to the LGBTQI and PLHIV community; hosted a training in PITC for Rapid HIV testers from both the public and NGO sector.
63. GrenCHAP is also a Rapid HIV testing site that provides free testing to members of the LGBTQI and SW community that is stigma and discrimination free. This was made possible through GrenCHAPS relationship with the Ministry of Health.
64. As a result of dialogue on child sexual abuse, marital rape and sexual and reproductive health, women and girls are more comfortable engaging in conversations around sex and sexuality which have been considered “taboo” subjects traditionally; as well as more freely accessing testing, treatment and healthcare.
65. GrenCHAP is leading the cause through the creation of safe spaces and outlets for women and men with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and women and men living with HIV/AIDS. An LGBTQI+ Awareness Training of Trainers for Police and Community Service Providers, and a Human Rights Advocacy Campaign on Breaking Barriers funded by Open Society Fund are among platforms created to encourage these very difficult conversations. These were rolled out in 2015 and 2016 respectively by GrenCHAP.
66. The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens as it continues to tackle issues surrounding discrimination.
67. It is worthy to note that the Domestic Violence Act makes use of gender neutral terms, thus making it more applicable to LGBTQI+ victims of domestic violence.
Right to social security and an adequate standard of living – 72.77
Promote poverty reduction for the realization of a balanced and inclusive growth (fully implemented)
Pension Reform
68. The Government continued its efforts to restoring pensions to public officers which was abolished. To this end, on the 18th of February 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of Grenada and the Public Sector Unions and Staff Associations outlining the principles which will govern the restoration and reform of pensions to Public Officers of the Grenada Public Service and members of the Disciplined Forces of Grenada.
69. Although the Unions have taken the matter to court, in October 2019, the Government proceeded to implement the Memorandum of Understanding by upgrading the payments received from the National Insurance Scheme to ensure that the total monthly income of retirees meeting the established criteria is no less than 70% of their last salary.
70. The Support for Education, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Programme is the flag-ship social safety net programme of the Government of Grenada that makes monthly payments to the poorest and most vulnerable households, including households with older persons, persons with chronic illness, school children living in poverty, and persons with disabilities. Since the inception of the SEED programme in 2011 to present, 6109 (1897 male-headed and 4212 female-headed) households have benefitted from the program.
71. The housing initiatives of the Government are also noteworthy strategies for promoting poverty reduction. They include:
(a) Housing Assistance, Home Improvement, Soft Loan Housing Programs.
(b) Provision of affordable housing: there are currently 5 ongoing housing projects on the island, with another scheduled to commence in 2020.
(c) Housing brigades that focus on repairing, constructing and rebuilding houses for vulnerable citizens in society.
72. The Government of Grenada supports the promotion of the reduction of poverty through empowerment and training opportunities, whose goal is the creation of employment and the generation of income that pushes public sector growth or encourages entrepreneurship.
73. Government has several initiatives at various levels that promote poverty reduction;
particularly among vulnerable groups with special emphasis being placed on youth. The IMANI, HOPE, WISE, M-POWER, YUTBIZ, FLY, HYPE, Youth in Agriculture Initiative, MAREP (now SAEP) programmes speak to Government’s attempts at poverty reduction and encouraging economic growth through training and job opportunities.
74. The Government of Grenada has invested in the New Imani Programme which has trained over 3000 young women and young men through job placement in the public and private sectors from 2013 to 2019.
75. The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP), implemented 2011-2017, reported that 191 young persons (59 males, 132 females) received permanent employment opportunities through its vocational skills training component. The project also supported other initiatives, such as providing training and financing to legally constituted groups of farmers, fishers, and other rural entrepreneurs.
76. The Women’s Initiative for Skills and Empowerment (WISE) Programme was developed and implemented by the National Gender Machinery from 2013 to 2017 to provide opportunities for women’s economic empowerment. Approximately 200 unemployed and under-employed women completed this series of training in the following technical skills: commercial food preparation, general construction, restaurant services, bar services, electrical installation, agro-food processing and farming. They also received life skills training. The participants completed with either CVQs or NVQs as assessed by the National Training Agency.
77. The impact of the abovementioned programs is directly felt in the reduction of the rate of unemployment. The 2019 Labour Force Survey indicates that there has been a significant decrease of the unemployment rate from 40% in 2013 to 15.2 % in 2019.
Right to health – 72.78, 72.79, 72.80 (partial implementation)
Adopt adequate measures to improve sexual and reproductive health services for women, particularly education regarding the prevention of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases
Strengthen its National Policy on HIV/AIDS and ensure that young people are educated and engaged about safe sex and reproductive health practices
78. Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is one of the priority areas for the Ministry of Health. The National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and Plan is an attempt by Government, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund to elevate SRH as a key priority area for Grenada’s development, especially as it relates to the goals outlined in International Conference on Population and Development’s Program of Action and the Millennium Development Goals. The SRH Policy and Plan addresses the SRH problems in Grenada by using a comprehensive and sustainable framework, and recommends the strategies that would result in the highest quality and standard of accessible health care and support service delivery to all Grenadians.
79. The Ministry of Health with funding from the OECS has produced public service announcements in 2018 to promote behavioural changes in the population as it relates to sexual intercourse. The Ministry also works in collaboration with various non-
governmental organizations and civil society organizations to educate the public about HIV and AIDS, safe sex practices, and discrimination against seropositive. A “Sister Sister”
workshop was done where women inform other women on HIV and AIDS.
80. The administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is part of the current programme of the Ministry of Health. The public education commenced in 2018, and includes campaigns for students and members of the various Parent Teacher Associations (PTA’s) in schools. The vaccination drive began in 2019 with 431 girls being vaccinated in March and 212 vaccinated in April. The vaccination process occurred in most primary schools. Due to issues with consent for vaccination and the vaccination fears of parents, the HPV vaccination drive has yet to see a 100% vaccination rate as the vaccinations are voluntary.
Leadership and management of sexual and reproductive health service delivery 81. The Ministry of Health has a very strong Maternal and Child Health Programme.
Over 90% of antenatal, intra-natal and postnatal services are delivered by midwives.
Immunization coverage is over 90%. There is also ongoing national refresher training for doctors and Midwives in the area of Maternal and Child Health. There is a Special Care Neonatal Unit at the main referral hospital – the General Hospital which is managed by a well - qualified team of paediatricians, neonatologists and midwives. The Ministry of Health has established partnerships with other health institutions and universities in its efforts to improve service delivery in that particular area.
82. The latest statistical report from the Registrar General Office revealed that for the year 2017, Grenada had a total of 1426 births:
• Live births – 1396;
• Still births – 30;
• Still birth rate per 100 live births – 21.5;
• Infant deaths – 14;
• Infant death rate per 1000 live births – 10.0;
• Maternal deaths – 1;
• Maternal death rate – 0.00025;
• Teenage births – 125;
• Teenage birth rate per 1000 population – 2.9;
• Neonatal deaths – 11;
• Neonatal death rate per 1000 live births – 7.9.
83. STIs including HIV, syphilis and HTLV screening, referral, treatment, education and counselling are being done.
84. The Government of Grenada, in keeping with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030, has outlined in its National Sustainable Development Plan of 2035 an Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG Goal #3 (Health and Well- Being) highlights a National Health Insurance (NHI) programme for Grenada. Consistent with this decision, the National Health Insurance Secretariat was established in 2017. This population-wide, cost effective initiative is being developed to provide access to universal health coverage, and particularly for the socio-economically marginalized segments of the population. The proposed system of health care financing is relevant for Grenada and is responsive to the increasing costs of health care for its residents, with a focus on efficient, quality and affordable care.
85. The discussion on NHI has been ongoing for quite some time in Grenada with support from key regional technical partners including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and The University of the West Indies, HEU, Centre for Health Economics (UWI-HEU) in Trinidad.
86. The Grenada Government has contracted the Miami-based Joint Independent Provider Association (JIPA) to build on the work already started by the University of the West Indies and other stakeholders to assist in determining a model for the NHI and to assist in its roll out. This contract came into effect on October 29th, 2019.
Right to education – 72.81, 72.82, 72.83, 72.84
Implement all possible measures in order to improve the education system (full implementation)
87. The Education Act of 2002 makes it mandatory for all children from 5 to 16 years to attend school.
88. Implementing the Child Friendly Schools (CFS) Initiative was developed by UNICEF for primary schools. There were nine participating schools initially. In 2016, nine more schools became child friendly.
89. Student-centred activities are currently being implemented; while the design of a student -centred curriculum is being undertaken. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) High Scope Curriculum allows children to be a part of decision making and control sharing process.
90. The CARICOM Education for Employment Project (C-EFE) was designed to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in twelve (12) Caribbean countries including Grenada. It targeted National Training Agencies (NTAs) and training providers.
91. The Grenada National Training Agency (GNTA) was established to be the certification agency for competency-based training in Grenada. It supports training institutions that provide TVET by developing industry standards for courses, assessing the institutions’ readiness to deliver those courses, assesses trainees upon completion of those courses and awards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) or Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) at varying levels to those who qualify. It was one of the beneficiaries of the CARICOM Education for Employment Project (C-EFE) funded by the Government of Canada. It supported institutions move to a more responsive, competency-based, demand-driven system that meets the needs of the labour market.
92. The Government has also invested significantly in the refurbishment of schools in an effort to create safe and healthy environments conducive for learning.
93. The Government of Grenada provides assistance for children to attend school. There are various programmes that facilitate this, such as:
(a) School book programme, making the standard text books available to students at the primary and secondary levels;
(b) School uniform programme, which provides vouchers to vulnerable households with school-age children to purchase school uniforms and supplies;
(c) Transportation assistance, provided to children in Grenada, to subsidise their transportation costs.
94. Conditional-cash transfer, to parents and guardians of poor and vulnerable households in Grenada who are eligible for the SEED Programme for their children. These programmes assist the children living in poverty to access school in fulfilment of their right to education.
C. Specific groups
Persons with disabilities – 72.85, 72.86
Continue paying the necessary attention to improve the enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities (partial implementation)
95. The Government has established 3 schools on the island with a view to providing quality education to students with special needs. There is also growing awareness as it relates to improving access to buildings through erecting of ramps.
96. The Ministry of Social Development made information on GBV accessible to persons who are blind by translating informational material “Provisions to Address GBV in Grenada” into Braille. Copies are available at the National Council of the Disabled, the Council for the Blind and the GBV Unit.
97. A needs assessment was conducted in June 2019 and Grenada is awaiting results from PAHO. Additionally, a Community Based Rehabilitation was conducted with the aim of making Community/ Emergency Centres accessible to persons with disabilities.
Women’s rights – 72.87, 72.88, 72.89, 72.90, 72.91, 72.92
Strengthen actions aimed at eliminating discrimination against women, guarantee effective access to education to girls and pregnant teenagers. Promote educational and vocational training, with the aim of getting women out of low-skilled and low-paid jobs (partial implementation)
98. Pregnant teenagers and adolescent mothers experience cultural resistance and other official barriers to mainstream education. The Programme for Adolescent was established to offer support services to teenage mothers. It now operates two centres in Grenada. Since its inception in 1994 to the present, PAM has accommodated six hundred (600) teenage mothers. The institution receives referrals from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Social Development and Housing, the Child Protection Authority and self-referrals. There is a day nursery for the babies of the girls. The Programme is a non-governmental organization, but it receives subventions and other resources from the Government to ensure its continued operation.
99. During 2019, the Programme for Adolescent Mothers encountered challenges regarding management and service delivery. A court ordered eight-member committee has been given authority through a Consent Order to regularise the operations at PAM.
Therefore, the Government of Grenada took the following decisions:
(a) Students in PAM will be offered the option to return to mainstream school or other institutions for education and training and provided with psycho-social, child care and safety net support. These would be coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment and the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Religious Affairs.
(b) Sensitisation of stakeholders and laying the foundation for the provision of education to adolescent mothers in mainstream educational institutions will be undertaken.
A Committee on Reintegrated Education for Adolescent Mothers (CREAM) has been formed. It is chaired by the Division of Gender and Family Affairs (National Gender Machinery) in the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment and is comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Youth, and the Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child, and other representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment. This is also Government’s way of treating with the gaps that exist in the current construct of the Programme.
100. Notwithstanding the fact that women received more certified training in comparison to men, the rate of unemployment in young women remains higher than the national average. To address this, the Government has committed through the National Gender
Equality Policy and Action Plan (GEPAP) to provide equal access to education and training in programmes in fields that are considered non-traditional.
101. Grenada ratified the Domestic Workers Convention by the International Labour Organisation (C189) on November 12th, 2018. It came into force in November 2019. This speaks to decent work for domestic workers. Its implementation will be significant since the majority of domestic workers in Grenada are women.
Take measures to eliminate discriminatory practices and cultural barriers that prevent women’s access to senior and decision-making positions, and take temporary measures to guarantee their equal representation in Parliament and Government (partial implementation) – 72.93
102. This has been a significant achievement for the State of Grenada. The GEPAP addresses the issue of limited participation of women in decision-making positions through a deliberate intervention by Government to remove barriers and promote gender parity or 40 percent female or male in cabinet and parliament, as well as on all boards within the private and public sectors, trade unions and NGOs. Furthermore, it seeks to encourage gender responsive leadership and encourages political parties to increase women’s representation.
103. Forty-seven percent (47%) of the Parliamentary Representatives in Grenada are women. This was achieved in the General Elections of 2018 when the citizens elected seven (7) women and eight (8) men to the House of Representatives of Parliament. This was achieved without quotas of other special measures. In addition, women hold the positions of Governor General who is the Head of State and the first ever woman to hold this post, appointed in 2013; Secretary to the Cabinet who is the Head of the Public Service;
Accountant General who is the Head of the Treasury; and Ombudsman.
104. Over the last five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of women in leadership and administrative positions. Women and girls are now being perceived as capable of holding prominent roles and leadership positions. For example, more women now hold positions as school principals, permanent secretaries and magistrates/judges.
These achievements are significant since traditionally, those roles were predominantly held by men. The antiquated perceptions of a ‘woman’s place’ still exist among many, but the views are steadily regressing, especially among the younger generations.
Children rights – 72.94, 72.95, 72.96, 72.97
Ensure the implementation of the recently adopted legislation aimed at protecting the rights of children, protecting children from abuse and sexual exploitation (full implementation) 105. The National Child Abuse Protocol was launched in 2012, in support of the Child Protection and Adoption Act of 2010. Although passed more than five years ago, they continue to be the basis for programmatic responses for the treatment and eradication of all forms of violence against the child. The legislation requires the mandatory reporting of the abuse of all children by an identified list of professionals. The 2012 Amendment to the Criminal Code further reinforces this policy as it also makes provision in section 27 for
‘mandatory report’ of any abuse of children, both girls and boys.
106. The 'break the silence' campaign, which was also launched more than five years ago is still ongoing and on the activity schedule of all child protection entities both state and non-state. In 2018, the Child Protection Authority up scaled the ‘break the silence’
campaign to a new one entitled: All Against Child Abuse. The Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC), a non-state actor, organises the Child Abuse and Awareness Month Pre-programmed (CAAMP). This programme is mainly school based;
many other programmes are rolled out in community forum, with girls as one of their primary target audiences. Additionally, the publication of a child abuse handbook, and media programmes and discussions on child abuse continue to support the protection of all children against abuse.
107. In 2017, the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (NCPCSA) was established for many considerations, one of which is the rights of every
