UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 25) The Government of Suriname (Ministry of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs) has submitted the Bill on Equal Treatment in Employment to The National Assembly (the Parliament) in 2019. This Bill prohibits among others discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, LGBT individuals in the labour market and related labour issues.

UN Compilation:
Para 15) The United Nations country team stated that the Government of Suriname had not sufficiently taken the necessary steps to adopt legislative and other measures to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and that it had not intensified measures to prevent and sanction violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. There were also no legal regulations that specifically addressed the status of transgender persons.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 10) JS1 stated that still little progress could be reported towards the enactment and adoption of necessary robust and comprehensive legislation and policies to effectively prevent and punish all forms of rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity in all settings.
Para 35) JS1 stated that the right to family life through marriage was exclusively guaranteed for couples of opposite sexes by Article 80 in conjunction with Article 138 of the Civil Code. It noted that the Civil Code was under review, but that so far no attention had been given to the aspect of discrimination on sexual orientation and gender identity of Article 80.

National Report:
Para 15) The Ministry of Justice and Police is in the process of drafting legislation to revise the Civil Code to address the situation in which women employed by companies in the private sector without the benefit of a Collective Labor Agreement, have no legal coverage for maternity leave services by their employers. Paid maternity leave for the private sector has been added to the draft Civil Code. Some companies have included paid maternity leave in their Collective Labor Agreement. For civil servants, paid maternity leave is covered by law.

Para 34) In the public sector a fixed salary is maintained for officials with similar job functions and positions as mandated by the Functie Informatie Systeem Overheid (FISO). Private companies with a Collective Labor Agreement also have wage ranges. With regard to small companies, mostly family-owned, it is unclear how the wage structure looks like. Measures to increase employment opportunities are directly related to poverty reduction. To eradicate poverty and strengthen social protection, a national social security system has been established through the adoption and implementation, in 2014, of three (3) social laws, namely the Minimum Hour Wage Act, the National Pension Benefits Act and the National Basic Health Insurance Act. Major beneficiaries of these interventions are women, considering they are over-represented in lower income groups, and considering the growing number of female heads of households.

National Report:
Para 42) In the fight against child abuse and in support of the eradication of sexual exploitation, amendments to the Penal Code were adopted, specifically focused on the protection of children. Thus, child prostitution and indecent acts with minors are now punishable under articles 303a and 303b. The existing article on child pornography (art. 293) was expanded, while the addition of articles 295 through 306, also aim at protecting juveniles. A specific act was adopted to supervise all places of special care in order to regulate the establishment of those institutions, and to better protect the minors (Wet Opvanginstellingen, S.B. 2014 no. 7).

Para 52) The national strategy to combat trafficking in persons, titled 'Roadmap Suriname Combating Trafficking 2014-2018', was approved by the Council of Ministers on April 16, 2014 (Order 2014, no. 383). The strategy lays down the common theme through which all stakeholders will work together in the fight against trafficking in persons. Implementation of the policy will be evaluated, in part, based on the following projected outputs:
- The scope of trafficking in persons in Suriname has been adequately mapped in accordance with international reporting obligations;
- A comprehensive and detailed analysis of the stakeholders has been made and partnerships are formalized;
- The community is informed about this phenomenon, nationwide;
- There are formal structures in place to continuously combat trafficking in persons;
- There is a comprehensive legal framework, and relevant conventions have been ratified and implemented.

Para 53) To implement the national strategy to combat trafficking in persons, adoption of new or amended legislation is not necessarily required. The proposal regarding the new government infrastructure for combating trafficking in persons, namely 'CHAIN Structure 2.0' has also been approved. The strategy and the new government infrastructure go together. The new infrastructure is, in fact, necessary to successfully carry out the strategy.

Para 54) When the new government infrastructure, contained in the CHAIN Structure 2.0 comes into effect, all ministries will be compelled to obey the infrastructure in the fight against trafficking in persons.

Para 55) The national strategy to combat trafficking in persons takes into account all victims, including women and children. In preparing for this strategy, the vulnerability of women and children exposed to trafficking was taken into account. In this context, organizations that are committed to the human rights and other interests of women and children, were invited to the stakeholders' meetings. Among these organizations are: Foundation Stop Violence against Women, Maroon Women's Network, Bureau Women and Child Policy, Working Group Integrated Child and Youth Policy, National Commission on the Eradication of Child Labor, Bureau of Rights of the Child and the Foundation for Children.

Para 57) From the statistics obtained from the Public Prosecutor with regard to cases of trafficking in persons occurring in the period 2004 through August 2015, it appears that in this period 40 cases of trafficking in persons were investigated and prosecuted. The suspects were convicted and sentenced for sexual exploitation, forced labor, whether or not including sexual exploitation and smuggling of persons. In 20 of the 40 cases the victims were younger than 18 years of age. Poverty is an important risk factor for trafficking in persons. This was expressed during the treatment of penal cases involving trafficking in persons. The State argues that if people are taken out of poverty, the chance to become a victim of trafficking in persons also decreases. In line of this view, three social laws were adopted in 2014 within the framework of the eradication of poverty. These laws work preventively when it comes to trafficking in persons. 58. Within the framework of prevention of trafficking in persons, the State regularly publishes warnings through the media and the internet to make society aware of misleading calls for job application. With regard to the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking in persons, the State has introduced fast-track proceedings in cases of labor violations involving exploitation in the workplace (Ministerial Order of October 24, 2014, J. No.14/0566, S.B. 2014 no. 1).

Para 58) Furthermore, training and workshops were provided for relevant groups so that cases of trafficking in persons can be detected at an early stage.

Para 59) The government has provided training for, among others, members of the judiciary, law enforcement officials, immigration officers and groups from civil society. The efforts in this area will be intensified. With regard to foreign victims of trafficking in persons, the government is considering various legal alternatives to deportation.

National Report:
Para 47) The Republic of Suriname continues to promote women’s empowerment through different activities.
Para 48) During the period 2016–2020, as a follow-up from a Training of Trainers by WRC (a project organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and UNDP) the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided training on gender, women's rights, violence and other gender-related issues.
Para 49) Since 2016, gender is one of the topics included in the curricula of the annual courses of Civil Servants.
Para 50) Installation of the Gender Platform in the district of Nickerie in February 2019. The Gender Platform Nickerie is a collaboration and consultation structure in which stakeholders (Government organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals) address gender issues in the district to contribute to the achievement of gender equality in different areas and levels.
Para 51) To eliminate gender biases and stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of men and women in the family and society various activities have been carried out.
Para 52) The legislative gaps related to the rights of women and concrete actions aimed at eliminating discrimination against women, the application of the principle of nondiscrimination and improve the rights of women and gender equality, including the participation of women in economic life have been addressed by the Government of Suriname as follows:
Para 53) Suriname ratified the ILO core conventions: (a) the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100); and (b) the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111) in January 2017.
Para 54) The ratification resulted in the inclusion of the principle of non-discrimination in several labour laws enacted in the reporting period such as: (a) the Freedom of Associations Act (S.B. 2016 no. 151)1 ; (b) the Collective Bargaining Agreements Act (S.B. 2016 no. 152)2 ; (c) the Private Employment Agencies Act (S.B. 2017 no. 42)3 and; (d) the Labour Exchange Act 2017 (S.B. 2017 no. 67) .
Para 55) The two latter laws are also based on the ILO Private Employment Agencies Convention (No. 181) which was ratified by Suriname. 56. The principle of equal pay for work of equal value was included in the legislation regarding the temporary agency workers (Private Employment Agencies Act based on the ILO Equal Pay Convention (No. 100).
Para 57) On 11 April 2019, the principle of non-discrimination was incorporated in the Employment Protection Act for parenthood/families which was adopted in Parliament and entered into force on 18 June 2019, (S.B. 2019 no. 64) . The participation of women on the labour market was promoted by the introduction of mandatory maternity leave (16 weeks) and paternal leave (8 days), employment protection related to maternity and paternity leave and the labour conditions of pregnant and lactating women. In order to introduce more WorkLife-Balance in the world of work, which could benefit women who tend to accept relatively more specific family responsibilities, the Government of Suriname submitted the Bill Working Time to The National Assembly in 2019.
Para 58) To promote safe working conditions and prevent discrimination in the workplace, two Bills were tabled in Parliament in 2019 namely: (a) the Bill on Equal Treatment in Employment ; and (b) the Bill on Violence and Sexual Harassment on the Workfloor .
Para 59) In 2018, the Identity Cards (ID Cards) Act 2018, (S.B. 2019 no. 16) was approved by Parliament. This Act contains the rules for identifying citizens, manufacturing, issuing and withdrawing ID cards. With the entry into force of this law, the Identity Act of July 3, 1974 (G.B. 1974 no. 35, as last amended by S.B. 2002 no.19) and the implementing regulation based on this law were repealed. The Identity Annex I (S.B. 1976 no. 10) has been withdrawn. In 2018 a working group was established to revise discriminatory provisions in the Personnel Act (G.B. 1962 no. 195, as last amended by S.B. 1987 no. 93).
Para 60) To raise awareness regarding equal opportunities and responsibilities for men and women, in order to abolish discrimination on the basis of gender which will lead to greater representation of women in positions of responsibility, the State has conducted some activities among others:
Para 61) In 2016 the Bureau Gender Affairs (BGA) implemented various awareness-raising activities regarding the International Day of the Girl Child.
Para 62) Governance and decision- making within private and public life is one of the seven priority areas identified in the Gender Vision Policy Document 2021-2035.
Para 63) The Gender Vision Policy Document contains long term goals to be achieved within five to fifteen years.
Para 64) Suriname does not have a legal quota system for the political decision-making apparatus and in particular The National Assembly. There was discussion on the possibility for introducing quota as a means to increase the number of women in decision-making positions. However, there are still different views on e.g. determining legal quota for appointments.
Para 65) Various campaigns and projects have been carried out to encourage and increase participation of women in political structures. These activities were mainly carried out by NGOs and women’s organisations and took place prior to the 2015 and 2020 general elections. Activities related to women in the democratic process which were implemented were among others: (a) Project “More Women in Decision-making 2015”. (b) The “OokZij” Campaign of STAS International (2014-2015). (c) After the elections of May 2015, the Bureau Gender Affairs also collected and analyzed data on women’s political participation, including in appointed and elected positions.
Para 66) In preparation of the 2020 elections, personnel of the Ministry of Home Affairs was trained in the period 2016 -2017 in the various election processes. This project “Training Institutional Strengthening Election Organization” was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Para 67) Activities regarding the thematic area governance and decision – making are identified in the Gender Action Plan 2019-2020, which are among others, to achieve an increase of gender balance in staff of electoral structures, awareness on the importance of equal participation of men and women in political parties and Surinamese society as a whole as well as gender-friendly polling stations. However, due to lack of finances and COVID-19 measures some of these activities could not be implemented, whereas, the following was conducted: The NGO STAS International implemented an awareness campaign “Balance in 2020”, with support of the UNDP and the Dutch Embassy, with the aim to achieve balance (men/women and young/old candidates) on the candidates lists of the general elections of May 25, 2020. Live television debates with political organizations were also part of this awareness campaign.
Para 68) Upon request of the BGA, the General Secretariat Elections of the Ministry of Home Affairs produced statistics on e.g. candidates, voters by sex, age, and district/resort.
Para 69) As a post - election activity the BGA conducted a gender analysis on documents and other productions produced for the General Elections of May 2020 such as educational material, final report on the General elections, etc.
Para 70) Measures to ensure gender equality and non-discrimination of women in all spheres particularly the presence of women and the eradication of gender discrimination in the labour market are among others: (a) The establishment of a Labour Market Information System, which is currently in progress. (b) The update of the Workers Registration Act.
Para 71) The Republic of Suriname has conducted the following activities to implement outcome-oriented programmes to empower women’s participation in the workforce such as: (a) The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (former Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism), and the Cooperative Savings and Credit Bank Godo, have signed a cooperation agreement in February 2019 to improve entrepreneurship in Suriname. (b) The workarms of the Ministry of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs (former Ministry of Labour) namely Foundation for Productive Works (SPWE) and Vocational Training Institute (SAO), the Council for Cooperatives (RACO) and Trustbank Amanah have agreed to a Public Private Partnership and an MOU has been signed in April 2019 to stimulate micro and small entrepreneurship. (c) The agricultural cooperation “Wi Uma fu Sranan” is the first women’s agro cooperation in Suriname (launched in February 2016). It consists of approximately 40 Maroon women. This cooperation aims at jointly developing the interior of Suriname by increasing employment opportunities for Maroon women and is active in the districts of Brokopondo, Saramacca, Para and Wanica. (d) Markets have been established where the fast majority of the vendors consists of female entrepreneurs among others: The craft market ‘Waterkant’, for the sale of handicraft products made by mainly Maroon and Indigenous women and the ‘Kwakoe Market’ for mainly Maroon women to offer their fruits and vegetables to the community. (e) The Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project (SAMAP) is being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries for a period of four (4) years to strengthen sustainable agricultural development in Suriname through more competitive and safe production and better access to the export market.
Para 128) Within these development frameworks, several national plans and policies have been developed particularly including the focus on women, children and youth, such as: … (g) National Action Plan Trafficking, Gender Action Plan (2019-2020); (h) Gender Vision Policy Document (2021-2035);
Para 129) To eradicate poverty and strengthen social protection, a National Social Security System has been put in place through the adoption and implementation of three (3) social laws namely the Minimum Hour Wage Act (S.B. 2014 no. 112), the General Pension Benefits Act (S.B. 2014 no. 113) and a National Basic Health Insurance Act (S.B. 2014 no. 114). Major beneficiaries of these interventions are women, considering their overrepresentation in lower income groups and the growing number of female heads of households.

UN Compilation:
Para 41) The ILO Committee of Experts noted that according to available World Bank statistics, youth unemployment levels remained high: 15.69 per cent in 2016 and 15.86 per cent in 2017.
Para 42) The United Nations country team stated that young people and women had a disproportional higher unemployment rate. Available data were not collected nationally, but only for the districts of Paramaribo and Wanica. Vulnerability and impact in all 10 districts could therefore not be assessed. No specific action had been taken by the local government to empower women to compete in the labour market on an equal footing with men.
Para 43) CEDAW noted with concern women’s unequal access to economic opportunities and the disproportionately high unemployment rate among women, in particular rural women, Maroon women and indigenous women.
Para 52) The CEDAW noted with concern the extremely high poverty rate among rural women, Maroon women and indigenous women and their very limited access to basic services, including health services, education, clean water, adequate sanitation, energy and communications technologies.
Para 58) CEDAW remained concerned about the inadequate funding of the health sector, resulting in women’s very limited access to basic health-care services, in particular for rural women, Maroon women and indigenous women, who often had to travel to Paramaribo to seek specialist medical treatment.
Para 73) CEDAW remained concerned about limited access for girls from disadvantaged groups, including girls with disabilities, and significant disparities in enrolment rates between rural and urban areas, as well as the poor quality of elementary schools and the lack of secondary schools in rural areas.
Para 74) CRC was seriously concerned about the large number of students who dropped out of school, in particular girls in the interior areas and boys nationally, and the large number of students repeating grades.
Para 76) The CEDAW remained concerned about high drop-out rates, and expulsion rates, due to early pregnancy, and the tendency among young mothers to pursue vocational training instead of returning to school.
Para 89) CEDAW reiterated its previous concern about the significant underrepresentation of women in political and public life, in particular in decision-making positions, including in the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 72) JS1 stated that women, girls, lesbian, bisexual and trans women, women living with HIV, sex workers and migrant women and girls in vulnerable situations experienced sexual and gender-based violence, discrimination and stigmatization in the private and the public domain. It stated that risk factors included young age, low educational level, pregnancy and early cohabitation with a male partner. In addition, social and cultural attitudes contributed significantly to maintaining entrenched gender roles within society.