UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 30) The Ministry of Labour records no outstanding issues as at 2019, as it relates to cases of inequalities in Pay. The Equal Pay Act 2012 guides the occasional handling of these matters, in addition to the ongoing data collection to track and monitor cases of this nature. The Ministry of Labour is committed to strengthening its efforts in raising awareness to the Equal Pay Act.

National Report:
Para 13) The ratification of the OPs to the CRC is currently under discussion by the government. A review of our legislation was conducted several years ago, and, it was noted that some elements of the legislation would require adjustment as it relates to the OP on children in armed conflict. This is currently being reviewed and the government will consider signing the OPs and declare any possible reservations with regard to children in armed conflict.

National Report:
Para 97) [The Equal Pay Act 2012] defines equal pay as a rate or scale of remuneration for work in which there is no element of differentiation between male and female employees.

Para 98) It ensures equal pay for men and women in the workplace and makes it an offence for an employer or his or her agent not to comply with the law.

Para 99) Moreover, the Act makes a provision for the removal and prevention of discrimination based on the gender of the employee in paid employment, and to provide for related or incidental matters.

Para 100) It empowers a court to order the payment of arrears of remuneration against an employer who is convicted of such an offence.

UN Compilation:
Para 14) The subregional team stated that the Government was currently undertaking initiatives to open the way for encouraging more women into entrepreneurship through programmes supported by multilateral partners, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement. The People's Employment Programme, a poverty reduction programme, had also opened some space for entrepreneurship and asset-building among men and women.

Para 30) The subregional team indicated that, although women participated fully in voting during elections and were very active in political parties, they were still severely underrepresented in political leadership positions, and there was only one woman in Parliament. It also stated that women comprised the majority of civil servants and held senior level roles within Government

Para 39) The subregional team noted that Saint Kitts and Nevis was currently subject to a standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund that left very little space for measures to address the harsh conditions facing the majority of the population, in particular women and children.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 6) JS2 recognized the efforts of Saint Kitts and Nevis in signing and committing to the following Conventions and international instruments: The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women; The Inter- American Convention on the Granting of Civil Rights to Women and the Inter-American Convention on the Granting of Political Rights to Women; The Beijing Platform for Action; The United Nations Millennium Declaration; and Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.

Para 28) JS2 also reported that Saint Kitts and Nevis had made remarkable strides in empowering women through awareness campaigns, programs and policy development, a work executed largely by the Department of Gender Affairs which included training for police, nurses and counselors.