The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

VULNERABLE AND EXCLUDED GROUPS

National Integrated Development Plan -- Project Background


The National Integrated Development Plan (NIDP) attempts to integrate economic, population, social, and environmental objectives in a simultaneous fashion to obtain a more sectorally balanced and sustainable development pattern.

THE PROBLEM
    In the absence of a Territorial Economic Development Plan many departments/agencies have developed planning processes suited to their own purposes with no established mechanisms to ensure that programmes collectively constitute a coherent and realistic strategy for development. In addition, many of the projects to be carried out by one department or agency may require complementary developments which are the responsibilities of other departments or agencies. Thus it is sometimes possible for one agency to frustrate the intentions of another.

    Within the BVI Government, responsibilities for matters concerning vulnerable groups are shared by several government agencies. Policies are thus advocated on a more or less sectoral basis by such agencies. Since there is very little coordination of policy formulation, the identification of policies over a fairly wide range of social subject matters is rather substantive. 

THE SOLUTION
    The Government of the BVI is in the process of preparing a medium-term integrated development plan which will harmonize sectoral policies, priorities, strategies, programmes and projects in order to ensure that public investment across sectors is coordinated in an efficient manner. The package of strategies and priorities will be the vehicle whereby policies will be transformed into material outputs. Programmes and projects will be the inputs essential for realization of outputs.


Description of the Plan

In physical terms the plan will consist of three (3) main documents or elements namely: 

1. background and analysis of the current sectoral situation, 
   

2. policies, priorities, strategies and implementation strategies; and 
   

3. a Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). 

    The background and sectoral analysis will review the past and current events which got the sector in its present position. The policies and implementation strategies employed will examine the success of past action and recommend appropriate ones anticipating the likely environment. The PSIP will list programmes and projects together with required resources for their implementation.


INTRODUCTION

Some groups in the society are more susceptible to the vagaries of nature and the vagaries of the economic system, especially in times of recession and economic adjustment. At a given state of nature or the economy certain groups may appear to be doing well but their situation can change drastically if there is a drought or the economy goes into recession.

In preparation for the Ministerial Meeting on the Eradication of Poverty, a National Consultation to discuss the status of social development issues and programmes, especially those germane to poverty, was held in the BVI on September 13, 1996. Whilst the meeting recognized that economic indicators identify the BVI as a prosperous nation, it was also accepted that certain sectors and groups are relatively deprived and /or vulnerable to poverty.

Data presented in a statement from the Development Planning Unit, based on the findings of the 1991 Census, indicated that poverty is experienced by some sections of the population in the BVI. The approach used to construct the poverty line was based on proportions of per capita income (PCI) and led to the conclusion that 30% of the PCI would be an appropriate poverty threshold. This would require a family income of US$320 per month. The research concluded that 17% of the population existed at or below this level. Whilst stressing the tentativeness of the research, due to the datedness of the material and some limitations in the census methodology, the study suggests that of the poor in the BVI 72% fall in the following categories:

1. Women in female-headed households as a result of migration or single parenthood, often exposing them to the prospect of sexual exploitation;
   

2. The young who are the most vulnerable victims of poverty;
   

3. The aged for whom the support services are inadequate.
   

4. Disabled persons

It was noted that the majority of these people have no jobs and exist on social security, pensions, and other forms of social assistance.

The Government Social Services for Vulnerable Groups 
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The services of the Social Development Department fall under three main divisions: social casework, community development, and youth development.

Social casework includes the following programmes:

1. Protection services to juvenile delinquents
   

2. Care and protective services to abused and neglected children
   

3. Foster care and adoption services
   

4. Individual and family casework
   

5. Geriatric (or elderly) services
   

6. Rehabilitative services to juveniles
   

7. Prison counseling
   

8. Working with Juvenile Magistrate and High Court
   

9. Adina Donovan Home
   

10. BVI Services|
    

11. Public Assistance
    

12. Services to inmates of Virgin Gorda and East/Long Look almshouses
    

13. Burial of indigents

Community development includes:

1. Sports development
   

2. Senior citizens center
   

3. Community education programme
   

4. Community craft training programme

Youth development includes:

1. Sewing and craft project for school dropouts
   

2. Green-house project
   

3. After school activities
   

4. Commonwealth youth programme activities
   

5. Academic training programme for youths

These services are extended to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke. Constraints such as the spread out-island characteristics of the BVI and limited resources have not permitted the Social Development Department to effectively deliver services required by this growing segment of the population. It is generally felt that the issues of abuse, exclusion and children related services continue to develop in a manner not consistent with Government’s objectives of sustainable development, social integration, inclusion and good governance. (BVI Background Paper and Plan of Action for Sustainable Development, 1994:60)

Public Assistance
Persons suffering from abuse or finding themselves in difficult circumstances such as women and children, are entitled, upon qualification to receive assistance, both in cash and kind, from the Social Development Department. Public Assistance Grants are $50.00 per month per individual: the handicapped and the disabled receive $75.00 per month. Grants for families range from $62.50 for a small-sized family to $75.00 for a large family. The Governor in his Speech from the Throne delivered on September 17, 1996 announced that a measure to increase the level of assistance grants to the needy will be introduced as recommended by the Public Assistance Committee.

WOMEN

This section examines the status of women in the British Virgin Islands and draws heavily on the National Report on the Status of Women in the BVI, July 1994 which was prepared by Multifaceted Development Consultants (Anguilla). The paper seeks to update the data in the said report and report on changes in legislation such as domestic violence legislation, and the election for the first time of two (2) women in the Legislative Council.

Overview

The 1991 population figures report 7,850 women and 8,258 men in the British Virgin Islands. Women make up about 49% of the population and two have been successful in being elected in general elections held in February, 1995. Although statistics seem to indicate that women are more advanced in terms of education than men, by and large men constitute the overwhelming majority of the persons who make the decisions which influence the policy developments. An attempt at legal reform has resulted in some degree of success due to the passing of the domestic violence act of 1996. This is the work of the Law Reform Committee that was set up in 1993. Legal reform is long overdue as many existing laws legitimize discrimination against women and children.

Women in female-headed households as a result of single parenthood are vulnerable to poverty often exposing them to the prospect of sexual exploitation. Related factors are low wages, inadequate day care and public housing facilities and discrimination in the work place. Verbal official reports indicate no inequality in access to personal loans, although some women claim that they were denied business loans because they were not accompanied by a man. There is equal access to education at all levels, but although more women graduate from secondary school and apply for tertiary education, there are more male applicants and graduates with technical degrees.

Health services are generally available but women are calling for more preventive measures. Infant mortality rates and spontaneous abortions have been areas of concern. The Labour Ordinance ensures equality of employment but women are over-represented in the non-administrative positions while men generally occupy the managerial and administrative posts. A crisis centre is being established by a community service organization.

Women in the territory feel that they do not generally get a positive reception or response when they voice their concerns and this acts as a silencer. There is, however, a growing awareness of the issues and a recognition at some governmental and societal levels of the need to affect changes, as the issues are not just women’s issues, but factors which influence the lives of all the people of the British Virgin Islands.


WOMEN’S DESK

The Women’s Desk was established in October 1992 as the governmental machinery for the advancement of women in the British Virgin Islands. The Desk is headed by a Senior Administrative Officer whose major responsibilities are as follows:

Major Responsibilities

1. Sensitize Government Ministries and Departments to gender issues in the planning and execution of certain projects;
   

2. Coordinate the activities of groups which represent various aspects of Women’s Affairs in the Territory;
   

3. Organize and facilitate education programmes and projects for improving he economic welfare of women;
   

4. Liaise with external funding agencies for obtaining financing for specific programmes;
   

5. Facilitate the implementation of the convention for the elimination of discrimination against women;
   

6. Ensure the on-going work and progress of women’s health and development; and
   

7. Promote the legal framework to support and enhance the welfare of women.
   

The placement of the Women's Desk in the Chief Minister's Office for administrative purposes, its physical location in the Department of Information and Public Relations and its staffing by a former Information Officer allowed the division a high degree of visibility, exposure and political viability. The Desk’s first Senior Administrative Officer, Eugenia O’Neal, capitalized on this to accomplish the goals for the Desk and made extensive use of the print and voice media in public awareness efforts. As a result of this, there was a noticeable growing awareness among women and the wider community, as women slowly began to gain the courage to speak up about the slavery of domestic abuse. 

In December 1996, Ms. Rita Frett-Georges was appointed to act in the post of Senior Administrative Officer. She was the chairperson of the Women’s Focal Point, the group which pioneered the establishment of the Women’s Desk in 1992. She previously served as chief nursing officer and joins the desk with a wealth of experience in health and gender matters. Like Ms. O’Neal, Ms. Frett-Georges has to single-handedly face the challenges of the Plan of Action for the Desk. Additional staff and resources are required in order to make the Desk more viable and responsive to women's needs in the Territory and to allow it to initiate the social action and legal change that will impact positively on the lives of women. Currently most of the Desk's activities have been focused on Tortola. It is critical that the programmes and projects be undertaken simultaneously on all the islands in order to avoid the perceptions of bias and favouritism which would only detract from the overall objectives.

The Desk was established at the instigation of the national women’s group and works closely with Non-Governmental Organisations and church organizations including the Family Support Network, a group which provides services for victims of domestic violence. Other groups are the Methodist Women’s Guild, BVI Community Agency on Drugs and Alcohol (CADA), Lions Club of Tortola II, and the Tortola Ladies Club.

Women’s Desk Technical Support Group
This group met for the first time at a seminar on January 15, 1997 for “A Closer Look at Domestic Violence and Child Abuse”. The technical support group plans to meet frequently to deal with on-going social and health problems.

Family Support Network
The Family Support Network (FSN) operates under the auspices of the BVI Christian Council and was started in response to a great concern about the extent and severity of family problems and violence in the BVI. The FSN surveyed community members and realised a need for a comprehensive centre that would be open to all. It was found that there was an acute need for additional counseling services, marriage and parenting workshops, support groups, and a shelter for the abused.

The organisation is currently renovating and furnishing an old building to be used as a permanent base which is scheduled to open at the end of January, 1997. Operating expenses are estimated to be about $70,000 per year. This would cover the salaries of two counselors and a part-time secretary. Volunteers will also staff the facility. Those who can afford services may be asked to pay a small fee, otherwise services will be free. The shelter is a private, non-profit operation, funded through grants, donations and fund-raising activities. So far, there has been extensive community support for the project.

The centre will provide a variety of counseling groups, self-help support groups, discussion groups and workshops open to the general public. Other services are a crisis telephone service, referral services to private and public providers, comprehensive counseling services for walk-in clients, as well as an overnight care facility where people can stay for up to 48 hours.


INDICATORS OF WOMEN’S STATUS IN THE BVI

In preparation for the Fourth World Conference on Women, the United Nations developed eight broad indicators to guide data collection and analysis for the compilation of national reports. These indicators and the Women's Desk’s Draft Plan for Women Till the Year 2000 will be used to assess the status of women in the BVI.

1. The sharing of power and decision-making at all levels.

Goal:
 To sensitize and educate women so that they will be freed from their internalized oppression and both support other women who are willing to be involved in political office and administrative positions and also prepare themselves to share power and decision making at all levels.

Measures:
Strategies for achieving this goal will include forum discussions, leadership and management workshops and the use of media education and programmes. Women will be helped to realize their collective lobbying power. The Women in Politics seminar is crucial.

The Women in Politics Seminar was held on April 15 and 16, 1994. It was designed to enhance women’s knowledge about the ingredients of a successful campaign and to raise women’s credibility as serious candidates. Sponsored by the Women’s Desk, the seminar featured several topics, including developing your platform, leadership skills, Caribbean politics and the role of women, public speaking, fundraising, and running a successful campaign.

In the 1995 General Election, of the thirteen seats contested, two women were elected for the first time. One of the women, territorial representative Hon. Eileen Parsons, gathered the highest number of votes. The only woman in the Executive Council, however, is the Attorney General who is in an appointed position.

There are quite a few women in prominent positions in the British Virgin Islands. Two of the five (40%) Permanent Secretaries are women and slightly less than half of the government departments statutory boards and other agencies are headed by women (Women’s Desk 1994).

2. Mechanisms to promote the advancement of women.

Goal:
To widen the influence and scope of the Women's Desk by increasing staffing and resources, thereby enabling the Desk to impact on women in all the islands of the Territory.

Measures:
Lobbying with government through women's pressure groups. The information in the national report will be discussed with government and recommendations will be made to help improve the status of BVI women.
Women’s Desk is run single-handedly by the Senior Administrative Officer. The restricted office space and the lack of any formal support staff presents some difficulties for the Desk to carry out its mandate, and the Officer in charge has had to rely on the support of the other Department s in the Chief Minister’s Office. 

3. Awareness of, and commitment to, internationally and nationally recognized women's rights.

Goal:
To eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and children by providing a legal framework that will act to protect their welfare.

Measures:
Reviewing laws pertaining to women and children and reforming discriminatory legislation through the Law Reform Committee which was set up in November, 1993. Education via public campaigns, by adding human rights to the school curriculum and examining and modifying textbooks.

The BVI has adopted the 1985 United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Under CEDAW, countries are required to take all steps to end discrimination against women in all areas and fields. The recommendations made by the Law Reform Committee are an attempt to bring BVI law into closer conformity with the Convention. The Law Reform Committee sought to review laws pertaining to women and children and to reform discriminatory legislation. The committee used a 1988 report by Oswell Legall, former senior crown counsel, titled “Women, Discrimination and the Law,” as the basis for the review. The 60-page document was not officially presented to law-makers. “The ideas expressed in this paper are an attempt to bring to the attention of the government instances in the law of such discrimination and for the purpose of stimulating discussion among the various interest groups, which it is hoped will lead to remedial legislative action,” Mr. Legall said in the report.

4. Poverty

Goal:
To improve the circumstances of all women to provide a better measure of social, political and economic equality.

Measures:
Developing programmes aimed at improving job skills. Establishing public supported day-care facilities.

Recent data indicate that women in the BVI are mostly employed in the low paying service areas such as clerks, domestic workers, bar maids etc. (National Report for ICPD 1994). Economic problems are grave for some women because of low educational attainment, low wages, lack of institutional supports such as daycare and the lack of public housing. (1994 interview). A look at the available BVI data indicates, that based on income, female headed households with children are more likely to experience relative poverty. Low income earning women experience discrimination, exploitation and also suffer the health consequences associated with relative poverty. Issues to be addressed include housing, child-care, nutrition and exploitation in the work place.

From the 1991 census, on average, female single heads of households earned $1,092.62 per month while the male single heads earned an average of $1,417.32 per month. This means that the female heads earned only 77.1% of what their male counterparts earned. The minimum wage in the BVI was raised to $3.00 per hour in 1994. 

In recognition of the disadvantaged status of low-income earners in general and low-income immigrant women in particular prompted the Women’s Desk to launch a campaign for the establishment of a Low Income or Domestic Workers’ Association. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Labour Department with assistance from the Social Security Board and the Immigration Department. Assistance is also being sought from the International Labour Organization.

The Desk has experienced some difficulties in getting this project off the ground, largely because of the fear of repercussions by many of the domestics, and immigrant women in particular, and also because these workers have to work long hours and then devote the remainder of their time to the care of their children and households. Indications are that the awareness campaign associated with the project has been effective in that it has drawn the attention of the public to the problem and in addition, many cases of labour exploitation are being brought to the attention of the Desk.

5. Access to and participation in the determination of economic structures and policies and the reproductive process.

Goal:
To eliminate the cultural, institutional, behavioral and attitudinal discrimination which prohibit or limit women’s access to land, capital and other productive resources.

Measures:
Educating women on their rights to have their name on the title of property. Educating women for self-reliance.

Ward-Osborne in her Review of Existing Data Bases in the BVI found that access to credit by women is an area in which conflicting messages were given. Women argued that banks were more receptive when they were accompanied by a man and the banks insisted that they treated men and women equally. Interviews with the managers of three banks, reveal that women are granted loans on an equal basis with men, since the criterion set by all banks is the ability to repay. (Ward-Osborne:13)

There is an express need for women to be more involved in entrepreneurial projects. Workshops focusing on craft, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and personal development are needed to build women’s perceptions of their ability to be successful entrepreneurs.

6. Access to education, health, employment and other means to maximize awareness of women’s rights and the use of their capacities.

Goal:
To provide equality in access to education, health and employment.

Measures:
Public education programmes to make women aware of the possibilities of their involvement in non-traditional occupations. Working with the Labour Department to decrease discrimination against women in the work place (belongers and non-belongers) through the establishment of a Low Income Workers Association. Reducing women's levels of hypertension, diabetes and obesity by ensuring that women's concerns are included in the Health Reform Project.

Education
Statistics from 1992 demonstrate that females outnumber males in enrollment at secondary and tertiary levels. At secondary level the difference is 6 per cent and at tertiary level it is 10 percent.
Although women are gaining more scholarships, they continue to be predominantly in the areas in which women have traditionally served. While opportunities for tertiary education are now being presented more frequently to women who, statistics indicate, are more academically qualified than their male counterparts are to receive them, the choices made by women continue to relegate them to positions subordinate to men.

Health
The leading causes of death in 1992 were heart disease and respiratory disease. Obesity has been a serious health concern and the problem seems to be more prevalent among women than men. A related problem of high blood pressure has also been affecting women almost four times as much as it has been affecting men (14 percent women, 4 percent men). Women have also been identified as the main victims of diabetes (Harney et al, 1992). The Director of Health Services in his January, 1997 address to the Women’s Desk Technical Support Group seminar, confirmed that the situation is much the same in 1997. He said that forty percent of women are obese and twenty percent of women have both diabetes and hypertension. He also stressed the need for education with the increase in breast cancer cases.

Cancer Awareness Month
A workshop designed to inform community leaders about breast and cervical cancer was held on June 15, 1994. It was intended to motivate participants to become involved in a two-month campaign to educate women about cancer. June and July were designated Cancer Awareness Months for Women. Regular breast examinations and pap smears allow for early detection and were promoted during the campaign. A pap smear campaign is conducted during the month of June every year.

Up to the end of March 1994, 27 cases of HIV were reported to the Public Health Department, 12 of which were women. Since 1994, 14 new cases have been reported bringing the total number of persons who have tested positive for HIV in the BVI to 41. Fifteen of these persons eventually developed AIDS and nine of these have died. The statistics tend to show a changing pattern, more females have died of AIDS during the last two years. 

With regard to the 42 people diagnosed as psychotic in 1992, females (22), have surpassed males (20). In 1985 there was a total of 94 such cases 50 female and 44 male. (Source: Rita Frett-Georges, 1986 and Peebles Hospital, 1992.)

Table 1 shows that life expectancy for women has continued to be longer than that for men over the past decade.

Table 1 
Life Expectancy at birth by gender

Source: National Report for ICPD 1994

The crude death rate in 1992 was 6.2 for males and 4.5 for females (National Report, ICPD 1994)


Reproductive Health
Family planning services are available to everyone from the Government programme and from the BVI Family Life Association. Family Planning Services are provided on a daily basis except on Wednesdays at the Road Town Clinic. Two sessions are held, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, offering a full range of contraceptive supplies, diaphragm fitting, pap smear, breast examination, pelvic examination, counseling and education, pregnancy test and referrals to other departments.

The Infant Life Preservation Act permits abortion to preserve the life of the mother, but women’s rights to control their bodies was restricted under the Offences Against Persons Act. This Act makes abortion illegal and negates even the permission to have abortion to save the life of the mother.

7. Violence Against Women

Goal:
To control prevent and reduce the impact of violence on women.

Measures:
Law reform to reduce the incidence of violence through community awareness of legal consequences. Legitimating the use of the Sex Crime's Evidence Kit for rape convictions. Training women in self-defense techniques. Expanding the Women's Studies Library in Tortola and setting up similar libraries on the other islands. Continuing public education programmes for women, men police officers, social worker, and other community groups. Encouraging the establishment of other services for abused women and children including shelters, and crisis centres.

Finding personal and institutional solutions to the problems of domestic violence and rape were the goals of the 9-11 March seminar “Stop The Violence” which was sponsored by the Women’s Desk in 1994. Persons learned how they can prepare for an attack, what to do during an attack, and how to plan for a better life free from abuse or the threat of abuse.

In addition, police officers and other professionals learned what the legal remedies are and the best methods of response to those types of cases. St. Croix police chief Delroy Richards conducted sessions on police interviewing and investigative techniques, writing incident reports and more. Participants at the three-day workshop also learned what communities and individuals can do to stop the violence, how to organize and run a shelter, raise community awareness, the establishment of an advocacy service and what to do if a friend is being abused.

The Domestic Violence Act was introduced in the Legislative Council on the 19th December, 1995 and passed through its remaining stages on 9th February, 1996. It was assented to by the Governor on March 1, 1996. The purpose of this Bill is to introduce protective measures against domestic violence and provides legal remedies in dealing with such violence. “Domestic violence” has been broadly defined as physical abuse and verbal abuse normally perpetrated in the form of threats. 

The Act is divided into five parts, each dealing with separate but related subject matters on the issue of domestic violence. Part I deals with protection orders generally. Among other things, it identifies persons who are entitled to apply for a protection order and the mode of application. Part II of the Act deals with occupation orders which relate to the power of the court to grant an applicant the right to live in the household residence. Under Part III of the Act, provision is made for the making of a tenancy order by the court in the case of a joint or sole tenancy if such is considered necessary for the applicant’s protection or as being in the best interest of a child or dependent of the household residence. Part IV generally deals with provisions relating to occupation and tenancy orders by outlining the procedure in respect of such orders and the court’s power to make ancillary orders regarding household furniture, appliances and other effects. Part V addresses general provisions.

It is hoped that this Act will be a way forward in the efficient and effective curbing of acts of domestic violence in the Territory. It will also serve as a useful working tool for law enforcement officers and agencies.

Legal remedies to the problems of domestic violence and rape include the “Offences Against the Person Act” which prohibits assault and the provision of injunctions or restraining orders which can range from forbidding further abuse to prohibiting the abuser from entering or remaining in the residence or household and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

The first-ever filed case under the Domestic Violence Act of 1996 was decided on Monday, 13 May, 1996 in Magistrate’s Court. The applicant in the case was awarded protection from her husband, from whom she is separated. A protection order prevents the alleged abuser from coming near the victim, the victim’s home, work place, or educational institution.

Unfortunately, the BVI recorded a fatality due to domestic violence when a 22-year-old woman was murdered in East End on August 30, 1996. Neighbourhood residents and acquaintances of the victim point to a history of domestic abuse, from which she had earlier tried to escape. One thing the terrible incident pointed out is the community’s need to be more sensitive to and supportive of victims of similar, potentially dangerous situations before tragedy strikes. It brings to focus, as well, the useful and important work the Women’s Desk had been doing in helping to support women in similar toxic circumstances, and to educate and empower women to better look after themselves.

In his Speech from the Throne delivered at the Second Session of the Thirteenth Legislature of the Virgin Islands His Excellency the Governor made the following statement in response to the incident:

The Government views with concern the recent tragic events related to domestic violence. This problem is already receiving attention at the national level. Government further intends to undertake a major study on domestic violence and to develop a coordinated policy for all the agencies concerned.

8. Identity

Goal:
To help reduce the alienation of immigrant women and to increase unity among women and men in the BVI so that they can work together to improve the plight of women.

Measures:
Public education programmes, workshops, formation of National women's groups.


RESOURCES

The above strategies will be coordinated through the Women's Desk which will be responsible for organizing women to lobby for additional personnel and financial resources to help in the realization of their goals.

Issues and Recommendations

• Gender-Data based statistics

Gender-based data should be the foundation on which policies are formulated and plans, programmes and projects are designed and prepared. Ward-Osborne in her review of existing data bases in the BVI has recommended that a system needs to be designed, developed and implemented which will mandate sectoral data gathering, within the framework gender perspective, which must be fed to the Development Planning Unit as the central data collection and dissemination agency. This may require a policy intervention but would be worth the effort. The reason being that there is no systematic format in gathering or disseminating gender-based data within some sectors, hence by the time the final product gets to the DPU it is too late for improvement or change. In others, information collected remains in files and is not collated in any form.

• Prostitution

Walwyn Brewley elected representative for the fourth district has spoken at length in a Legislative Council Meeting about what he perceives to be a widespread problem with prostitution here. Chief Minister Ralph T. O’Neal in response to the issue said that, “Acts of prostitution will never be made legal by this administration, or, hopefully, by any future administration”. He also said that efforts were being made to curb the problem, but added that the chief of police had admitted that establishing and proving that an act of prostitution has occurred is very difficult, at best. The Chief Minister said the suspected prostitutes come from the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean countries as well as Venezuela. He said that BVIslanders often make a profit by importing the women illegally. Mr. O’Neal promised an interdepartmental investigation of the illegal immigration and said he would report the findings back to the Council.

• Law Reform

The Legal report outlines several examples of some legal mechanisms fostering inequalities:

1. A provision in section 28 of the BVI Constitution states that a woman over 18 and the child of a person who received citizenship by a certificate under Section 16 of the Immigration and Passport Act can lose Belonger status--and the right to hold public office--if she marries a non-Belonger. No similar provision exists regarding a man in the same situation.
   

2. A provision in the same section allows the man in a marriage to be the vehicle through which the wife can become a Belonger. A woman does not have the legal capacity to grant her husband Belonger status.
   

3. A provision in the Immigration and Passport Act of 1977 gives a husband the ability to apply to have his wife and children reside with him here. The wife is not given the same power for her husband and children.
   

4. Case studies suggest that common law and the legal system discriminate against women in domestic violence and rape cases.

The major recommendations of the Law Reform Committee include raising the age of sexual consent to 18 which would mean that consensual intercourse with a 17 year-old would therefore be statutory rape. This recommendation has been made in an attempt to simplify the Offences Against the Person Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act which both assign varying punishments for varying ages e.g. anyone having sex with a child under age 12 is liable to life imprisonment while anyone having sex with a girl between the ages of 12 and 14 is liable only to two years imprisonment.

The Committee is also recommending the legal recognition of common law marriages in the Territory given that the third highest number of births in the Territory, according to information from the latest census, was to women living in common law situations. Under the current legal climate these women and their children have few legal rights.

The Committee further recommends that the Constitution of the BVI should be amended to give women equal rights with men under the law. Under Article 9 of the Convention “state parties shall grant women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their nationality.”

Another major recommendation concerns a prohibition on allowing the defense to introduce testimony about a complainant’s sexual history in a rape trial. Allowing such testimony allows the victim to be blamed for her assault and deters many form coming forward to report the crime.

While most of the recommendations mentioned above concern themselves with criminal law, in some way, the most urgent, the committee has included recommendations on the Matrimonial Causes Act, the Pensions Act, the Infectious Disease Notification Act, the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship of Children Act. In an environment of women’s continued progress in political, economic, health and other fields the Committee considers it imperative that similar strides be made in granting women greater rights in the law.

• Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and can include any unwanted sexual attention, such as leering, pinching, patting, pressure for dates, lewd jokes and comments about personal appearance.

The Law Reform Committee has recommended that guidelines aimed at curtailing sexual harassment in the workplace be included in the revised Labour Code. Presently, Labour does not really have any institutionalised mechanism to deal with the problem of sexual harassment. Beyond calling in the employer and asking if the allegations are true, which they can always deny, nothing more can be done.

Recommendations
Require businesses to develop anti-harassment policies which define sexual harassment and specify procedures for making complaints. Such a mandatory policy would have to ensure no retribution would be taken against the employee who has made a complaint.

If offensive behavior continues after an internal complaint is lodged, the next step would be for the Labour Department to conduct its own investigation. A finding for the complainant should result in a fine or some other penalty.

People who face sexual harassment should keep a record of incidents which they can then present to the Labour Department in the event of a claim.

The Labour Department has indicated that the revised labour code will include guidelines aimed at curtailing sexual harassment in the workplace.


The Virgin Islands Party, which currently makes up the Government, listed in its 1994 development strategy the following measures to improve the status of women in the BVI:

• Review the Labour Code to ensure that wages and work conditions are based on competency and experience and not gender.
  

• Ensure that employment policies are framed to protect women in the workplace form sexual harassment.
  

• Create a National Child care Network and ensure that high standards are implemented and enforced.
  

• Ensure that child support regulations are rigorously enforced.
  

• Ensure that the Health Care system is at a level to ensure the special care needs of women are fully integrated.
  

• Ensure that violence against women is not tolerated in our society by ensuring that the laws are reviewed, strengthened and vigorously enforced to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
  

• Develop a crisis centre for women who have been victimised by domestic violence.
  

• Review the Constitution to ensure that it is gender neutral and that equal protection is granted to women.
  

• Disaggregate all national statistics by gender to ensure that a package of indicators on the progress and status of women is available.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH 

The World Summit for Children held in September, 1990, committed the international community to achieve by the year 2000, a number of goals intended to make substantial improvements to the situation of children and women. These goals are listed below and form the basis for the evaluation of the status of children and youth in the BVI.

1. Reduction of infant and under-five child mortality rate by one third or to 70 per 1,000 live births respectively, whichever is less.

Infant mortality rate is defined as the annual number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. More specifically, this is the probability of dying between birth and exactly one year of age. Under-five mortality rate is defined as the annual number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1,000 live births. More specifically, this is the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age.

Table 2 shows the under five mortality rate per 1,000 live births for the BVI from 1990 - 1994. Even the highest rate for the period, 34.7 per thousand live births, surpasses the goal of 70 per 1,000 live births set by the World Summit for Children. The leading causes of death have been noted as prematurity and respiratory disease syndrome (Harney et al, 1992). The United States rate for 1995 was 7.5 per 1,000. Infant death rates of 40 to 50 per 1,000 are not uncommon in Latin America and the Caribbean. (V. I. Daily News, 3 Jan, 1997, p. 7)

Table 2
BVI Under Five Mortality Rate per 1,000 Live Births

                                                                               Source: Development Planning Unit


Maternal and Child Health services include ante-natal care, post-natal care, family planning, and child health clinic (well-baby-clinic). In child health clinic the growth of the child is monitored regularly, using Caribbean Growth Charts. Immunization is an important part of this clinic and excellent coverage of the children is maintained. Immunizations are given against Diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, against polio, tuberculosis, measles, mumps and German measles. In the BVI, a child development surveillance programme was fully implemented in 1990. Registered nurses are assigned to do developmental histories and examination and record keeping and reporting. A register of birth cohorts is kept by the Nursing Director (Community Nursing) at the Road Town Health Center. Unit health records (dockets) are started for each child at birth and sent to the clinic in their district. Mothers are given appointed dates for developmental screening which are done at ages two (2) months, four (4) months, nine (9) months, eighteen (18) months and three and one half (31/2) years.

School health
Children have physical examinations at 31/2 years, and at 11 plus, which is before entry to high school. On this occasion the eyes are tested and a hemoglobin test is carried out. Health and family life education are subjects on the curriculum of the primary schools where a nurse visits from time to time. Two (2) full-time nurses are employed at the BVI High School.

2. Reduction of maternal mortality rate by half.

Maternal mortality rate is the annual number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate in the BVI has been reported to be 0.0. One death was reported in 1987, 1993, and 1994 respectively.

3. Reduction of severe and moderate malnutrition among under-five children by half.

Information recorded for 1990 revealed there still remains a low rate of malnutrition among pre-school children. Although no recent information is available, malnutrition does not seem to be a problem.

4. Universal access to safe drinking water.

Safe water access is defined as the percentage of the population with reasonable access to safe water supply. Three areas along the south coast of Tortola have piped water -- Road Town, West End and East End -- and the area supplied extends 250 feet up from the coast into the hills. East End has ground water. There is a plan to extend the mains from Road Town to East End so that the whole area within these two places will be able to have a piped water supply. At times the water is brackish (that is, has a high saline content). Other problems cited are low pressure in certain areas, absence of water in some areas and the high cost of the service. It is a legal requirement for all dwelling houses to have a cistern.

The water is chlorinated and the laboratory at the Water and Sewerage Department tests regularly for bacteria and for residual chlorine thus maintaining a constant watch against pollution. The Environmental Health Department Division recently (1996) acquired a potable water testing kit which enables government to analyse water samples on site for coliform bacteria, nitrates, chlorine levels, and the purity of drinking water supplies. The Division monitors water quality in school cisterns, confirms test results performed by the Water and Sewerage Department on potable water, and examines water offered for sale by bottling companies.

5. Universal access to sanitary means of excreta disposal.

Sanitation access is defined as the percentage of the population with access to sanitary means of excreta and waste disposal, including outdoor latrines and composting. There is a sewerage system in Road Town and environs extending from the Water and Sewerage Department to Prospect Reef Resort. There are 300 connections to the sewer. The untreated discharge from the sewer empties in the sea about 600 feet from the shore. In communities not served by the sewerage system, there are septic tanks with the effluent discharging into soak-away pits. There are still a few earth closets. In Virgin Gorda and the other islands there are septic tanks and soak-away pits. The non-sewer systems are monitored by the Environmental Health Officers of the Public Department. Sewerage from holding tanks on boats is disposed of at sea and this is a major problem.

6. Universal access to basic education and completion of primary education by at least 80% of primary school-age children.

Primary education completion is defined as the percentage of the children entering the first grade of primary school who eventually reach the final grade. In the BVI, The Education Ordinance (1977) provides for public education to be compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 years. Table 3 shows that BVI provides excellent coverage for its children and youths of primary and secondary school age. Almost all of its students are provided with education between 5 and 16 years and the vast majority continue in school until age 17 years. 

Table 3
Access to the Four Levels of the Education System: 1990

                                                                                    *Estimates from Department of Education Statistics and Census Data

However, the British Nationality Act which applies in the BVI distinguishes between belongers and non-belongers. The increasing size of the BVI population through migration has meant that in recent years non-belonger children have had restricted access to government schools due to the limited number of school places - belongers are given first preference.

Completion Rates
Previous analysis of the BVI system have shown that the dropout rates at the primary and secondary levels are very low and correspondingly the completion rates relatively high. The main area of inefficiency of the system relates to the repetition of classes particularly of class 5 at the primary level. However, eventually 85 to 90 percent of the children are transferred to secondary schools. (1992 Feasibility Study of the BVI Community College, p. 40.) Again this surpasses the goal of 80 percent completion rate set by the World Summit for Children.

7. Reduction of the adult illiteracy rate (the appropriate age group to be determined in each country) to at least half, with emphasis on female literacy.

The literacy rate in the BVI for persons 10 years and older is over 95%. The Department of Education and Culture organizes Continuing and Adult Education classes which provide many opportunities for persons who cannot read and write, those who want to pursue courses at CXC and GCE levels and for individuals who want to learn certain trades. The Department has recently issued its concern about the number of males taking its Continuing Education Classes -the number of females far out number the males. In 1990 there was a total of 158 adults - 30 males and 128 females enrolled in the various programmes. It could be that in the future some measures would need to be taken to assist boys and men to maintain gender balance.

8. Improved protection of children in especially difficult circumstances.

There is no place of safety or rescue facility for children in trouble. The Social Development Department is organizing the creation of a Home for children who are not receiving proper parental care for whatever reason. For many years the Department has been searching for an appropriate building to accommodate a number of children in need of care and protection.

The BVI recorded a fatality due to child abuse and this is one of the few cases of child death within the Caribbean area. The circumstances are worthy of note because of the fact that the child was a child of a migrant parent and it is indicative of the need for facilities for children in need of care and protection.

Foster Care
There is no legal foster care and children are placed in Foster homes under a fit person order. The foster parent is paid US$200 per month. The problems experienced with the foster care programme are the lack of available foster parents, crisis placements and difficult types of cases.

Local Youth Groups and Programmes

Different aspects of youth work in the BVI are addressed at different points of the bureaucratic machine: Social Development Department, the Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare, the Department of Education and Culture, and Sports Division. In addition, a number of organizations have made a significant contribution to the development of youth in the BVI. For example, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts provide boys and girls with opportunities for sports, social activities, and many other forms of recreation. Churches also play a major role in youth work.

Peer Sexuality Education 
A peer education programme in sexuality and health for young people was developed by the Health Department’s education division, Social Development’s youth section, and the guidance section of the Department of Education and Culture. On the premise that teens generally turn to each other when faced with difficulty, the peer education programme seeks to funnel accurate information and resources directly to the peer network. Adolescents selected as peer educators will be trained in sexuality and health information, decision making, communication and facilitation skills, and in providing structured, supervised opportunities for teens to share information with their peers. The pilot programme is being developed in three BVI communities: in Sea Cow’s Bay for out-of-school youths, the Bregado Flax Educational Center on Virgin Gorda, and the BVI High School in Road Town. Based on the outcome of the pilot programmes, the project will be extended to cover the whole Territory.

Health Needs survey of adolescents and youths
A survey to produce a database for the formulation of the Information, Education and Communication strategies of the Adolescent Health Programme was conducted in 1994. This event was done in collaboration with the Development Planning Unit and Youth Advisory Committee. The survey instrument was the questionnaire which consisted of information on nutrition, alcohol and drugs, interpersonal relationships, crime and violence, personal and family characteristics. The questionnaire was administered to 400 participants between the ages of 12 and 24.

Certificate Course In Youth Work
Twelve BVI students recently completed the first course in a certificate course in youth work provided by the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The programme aims to assist youth workers to develop sensitivity to the experiences of others and a better understanding of the needs of young people and the socio-psychological forces which motivate them. Additionally, it helps participants acquire basic techniques for effective youth work.


Caribbean Youth Day, part of the Guyana-based Commonwealth Youth Programme, is celebrated in the BVI.

SLAM (Stretching Our Lives and Minds) is a television programme produced by young people for young people and airs on public access Channel 3. The show was created to inform the BVI youth about issues that affect the community including the local music scene; Afro-centrism; sex and drugs; and teenage pregnancy. The first episode aired September 15, 1996.

Participation in Regional Youth Programmes

Youth in the BVI participate in annual regional youth conferences such as: Virgin Islands Youth Leadership Conference, sponsored by the St. Thomas-based Youth Experiencing Success, Inc; Caribbean Youth Exchange and Assembly of Caribbean Youth. On August 15-20, 1995, the BVI hosted the Sixth Caribbean Youth Festival. These events provide opportunities for young people to discuss common problems and solutions, and facilitate the development of an identity conducive to regional integration. In addition to social and recreational activities, participants attend workshops on drug abuse, family life, spirituality, sexuality, culture, the environment, and the region’s current affairs.

Issues and Recommendations
British Virgin Islands National Youth Policy

The National Youth Policy is a statement of intent from the Government enunciating principles, proposed strategies and implementation structures required to meet the identified and/or expressed needs of youth. This is in pursuit of their optimum development in preparation for fulfillment of their role and function in the national community specifically and in society in general.

The BVI Youth Policy prescribes the general framework within which action shall be taken in order to achieve its objectives. It also indicates the plans that shall be pursued in order to satisfy the needs of youth and encourage their participation in the process of national development.

The policy was developed by Charles Lindsay Consultancy in October, 1994. The modus operandi of the exercise involved identification, diagnosis and analysis of problems; then to propose remedial measures and recommended strategies, infrastructural arrangements and the logistics required for their implementation.

Main Problems
The main problems and basic needs of BVI youth emerging from the exercise include: inadequacies in education, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency and increase in crime, substance abuse (hard drugs and alcohol ), insufficient recreational facilities, youth harbour feelings of being marginalised in their relationships with the ‘significant others’. There is a feeling of lack of empowerment especially amongst rural youth or those in communities distant from the centre. Many youth display symptoms of low self-esteem and even express such feelings openly. In addition there is:

• inadequate participation of youth in decision-making concerning youth affairs;
  

• need for youths to cultivate the values of self-help and engender an attitude of service to community as resources are not limitless;
  

• a problem of the ‘mendicant approach’ by youth regarding solutions to all their problems. At this stage of their development many BVI youth seem not to be exposed - either by education or professional guidance - to the notion that “it might be good to give a hungry man a fish: it might even be better to teach him to fish”.
  

• a noticeable mercenary approach by youths to participation even in amateur sports or voluntary non-profit-making events e.g. public road cycling. ‘The virtue lies in the struggle not the prize’ generally seems to be an alien notion.
  

• a need for a more unified approach and impetus towards national youth development programmes. Church groups, clubs and non-governmental organisations are definitely making their contribution to the youth effort. There, however, is need for a greater nexus between their activities and organised national youth development.
  

• need for greater recognition and acknowledgment of national achievements of BVI youth whenever they occur.
  

• In some quarters, pursuit of constitutional reform under the British sphere of influence simultaneous with a noticeably increasing ‘Americanisation’ is seen as a potential national identity problem.

Structural Arrangements
It is recommended that the Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare be renamed Ministry of Health, Education, Welfare and YOUTH AFFAIRS. It is further recommended that the centralised youth affairs function be located in a section of that Ministry to be known as the Department of Youth Affairs - with the primary task and specific responsibility for implementation of the national youth policy. This department will be expected to liaise with all other arms of the total infrastructure in the Country dealing with youth affairs. It will be intimately involved with policy formulation, promotion, implementation and evaluation of youth administration on an on-going basis. Such a centralised unit will need to be adequately staffed or buttressed by suitably qualified and experienced professional staff reporting to the political directorate under the principles of unity of direction, and unity of command.

In order to foster greater youth participation in decision-making in the BVI a National Youth Council shall be established to be the focal point of central representation for individuals and district or local groups or councils country wide.

Situation Analysis of Women and Children in the British Virgin Islands, Harney, Roett and Samuel

In 1992 UNICEF conducted one of the most significant studies to date on the situation of women and children the Territory. The recommendations from this study have resulted in a series of activities designed to improve the status of women and children in the context of UNICEF. These activities are being carried out through the Ministry of Health between 1993 and 1998. The British Development Division is also assisting the BVI Government with a comprehensive programme of activities to improve the delivery of health care to all residents in the territory. These include the areas of maternal health care, health policy adjustment and sexual and reproductive health. (ICPD Report 1994)

Recommendations

The BVI needs technical and other assistance to upgrade the Foster Care Programme by doing the following:

1. Developing of minimum standards;
   

2. Getting Government support for the Legal Foster Care.
   

3. Community Education Programme on Foster Care as a methodology of treatment or community care concept.
   

4. Developing staff manuals for daily use.

• The BVI should be assisted in developing a community care programme for children at risk/children in especially difficult circumstances (CEDC).
  

• There is a need to develop participatory methodologies by improving community information sources and helping to develop community development programmes and activities.
  

• A review of Laws affecting children should be undertaken as they relate to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Issues relating to the rights of the child, including the girl child, have been raised by the Community Agency on Drugs Addiction (CADA) in their 1993 recommendations to the Constitutional Review Commission. These urge that the Constitution should be in keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and provide protection for children from physical and sexual abuse or exploitation, discrimination based on parents’ marital status, drug trafficking and drug use. Children should also be assured access to health care and education. In addition, there are calls for the children to be allowed to acquire a nationality, for children born out of wedlock to non-national mothers and national fathers cannot automatically claim citizenship. There continues to be discrimination whether it be legal or socialized regarding the rights of the school-aged girl and boy to continued education after childbirth or pregnancy. While boys are allowed to continue their education, girls are ostracized.
  

• Currently, BVI law holds distinctions on children born to married or unwed parents which could cause problems of inheritance. This law was imposed by British common, a law that Britain has since changed. At large legislator Reeial George withdrew his bill to equalize the law for all children whether born to parents in wedlock or not. He said that he would form a committee to investigate the problem further before returning to Legislative Council with proposed legislation. According to one council meeting’s agenda, Mr. George was to have asked that “legislation be introduced and enacted...to abolish the legal definition disabilities of the illegitimate child in all laws...and to make all children whether born in or out of wedlock to be equal in status, privileges, inheritance and other rights.” The Bill was proposed at the fifth sitting of the second Legislative Council session held on December 12, 1996.
  

• Constitutional laws like the British Nationality Act which stipulate the citizenship of the BVI discriminate against children born in the territory to foreign parents or born out of wedlock to non-national mothers. In addition, common law marriages are not recognized by law, leaving women and illegitimate children at a disadvantage.
  

• The Governor in his Speech from the Throne delivered at the Second Session of the Thirteenth Legislature of the Virgin Islands on September 17, 1996 made the following remarks with respect to children and youth:

“Our youth represent our future and their concerns therefore are of paramount importance. To address these the Government will implement a National Youth policy within the next twelve months.

Consideration will also be given to further measures to protect the rights of children.

Implementation of the Five-Year Education Reform Plan is proceeding satisfactorily. The new classroom blocks at the BVI High School are now operational and have significantly improved the quality of accommodation available to our students. Plans are well in hand for the implementation of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Education Reform Strategy and it is expected that Education Ministers will consider a model Education Bill for adoption in Member countries.

An expanded national sports policy will be laid before you during this Session.”

The Virgin Islands Party, which currently makes up the Government, listed in its 1994 development strategy the following measures to ensure the safety, protection and nurturing of children and youth in the BVI:

• We will create a Department of Youth Affairs and Sports to develop, implement and coordinate programmes to ensure the full development of the potential of our youth.
  

• Ensure that neighbourhoods are safe.
  

• Support the creation of child-care network to ensure a nurturing environment while parents are working.
  

• Focus on the creation of intervention programs to ensure that youth are not tempted to stray.
  

• Improve upon and further develop community based sport programmes to ensure the building of a healthy competitive spirit through sport activities.
  

• Ensure the full development of relevant and extensive education facilities and programs to prepare our children for competition in the world market place.
  

• Building of a controlled care facility for youth experiencing difficulties.
  

• Establishment of a vocational training skills centre.
  

• Ensure the involvement of our youth in the political process.
  

• Ensure the development and maintenance of improved sporting and recreational facilities in all our communities.

THE ELDERLY

Table 4 shows that there were 895 persons 65 and over in the BVI at the time of the 1991 population and housing census. The BVI International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994 Report notes that there have been substantial increases in the old population in recent years. Demographically, the BVI will be considered an “intermediate” population up until 1996 and according to projections, will be classified as a population of old age thereafter. The elderly will tend to increase numerically as the birth rate falls, and life expectancy increases. In the BVI where life expectancy is 74 years the prospect is real. The Report indicates that this will require the expansion of services including “higher national insurance payments, increased and different health services and special recreation targeted at an aging population”. This aging of the population as well as the entry of more women into the formal labour force has created the need for institutional care for the elderly. As more women, the traditional care-givers, are now in the formal labour force they are no longer available to provide the full-time care for aging relatives.

Table 4
Population by Sex, Age Group, and Percentage Distribution, 1991

  Source: BVI National Report, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 1994

Strategy measures to provide for the aging include homes for institutional care in the three major population centres: The Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly in Road Town, and the alm-houses in Virgin Gorda and Long Look. As well, the Social Development Department administers a Senior Citizens Programme in the Sea Cows Bay, East End/Long Look and Carrot Bay communities. The programme is conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and includes physical activities, information on health issues and issues in the community in general. Free transportation is provided to the community centers where the programme is conducted and hot meals are also served. Senior Citizens also make handicraft items which they sell to the public. Health care is provided free for persons 65 years and over and welfare grants are given to those persons who qualify in addition to the benefits from the national insurance system (Social Security). Finally, private sector health care and pharmaceutical items providers offer substantial discounts to persons 65 years and over. (ICPD Report 1994:42).

Social Security is a National Insurance Scheme designed to protect the insured person from financial distress. The Age Benefit is awarded to an insured person who has reached the age of sixty-five years and may be paid as a pension or a grant. A minimum of 500 contributions (or 10 years) to the scheme is needed in order to qualify for a full pension. (A contribution is a week or any part thereof.) The pension is payable on a monthly basis and continues for life, whether or not the insured person continues to be employed. An age grant is a one-time payment to the insured person who has paid between 50 and 149 contributions and is equal to six times the average weekly earnings for every 50 contributions paid.

Many of the aged are not covered by the Social Security scheme because it was fairly recently established (1980). A limited number of people receive a small monthly pension. The coverage is small because the Welfare Department has inadequate funds and inadequate staff to investigate cases of genuine need. Additional research is required to assess the present condition of the elderly in the BVI and the extent to which they are able to access the programmes developed to aid them.

BVI Government Pension Scheme
Civil servants who have worked a minimum of 25 consecutive years are entitled to receive a monthly pension from the Government. A Bill entitled Pensions (Increase Act) Act, 1996 was passed at the Legislative Council meeting on December 20, 1996. Retired Civil servants were given increases ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent depending on the date of retirement. According to the amendment, the rates of increase provided will be retroactive from April 1, 1995.

Chief Minister Ralph O’Neal in his 1996 Budget Address announced Government’s plan to conduct an actuarial review of the pension plan and ex-gratia allowances to include persons who served but were never covered under a pension plan. Actual expenditure on pensions and gratuities was $2.2m in 1994. Government’s expenditure on pensions and gratuities for 1996 is estimated at $3.2m. This expenditure item ranks ninth in the ten largest expenditure heads in terms of recurrent expenditure.

The Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly

The goals of the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly are:

1. To administer and promote quality social and health care services; and
   

2. To assist the residents of the Home to maintain their independence and autonomy in a healthy, warm and supportive environment.

Eligibility for Admission
Anyone who seeks admission to the Home should be:

• in need of temporary accommodation and shelter on account of acute domestic difficulties or an emergency;
  

• in need of rehabilitation or specific skills for coping with certain disabilities sustained either through disease or accident;
  

• in indigent circumstances;
  

• sixty (60) years or older;
  

• deemed to belong to the British Virgin Islands.

Accountability
The Minister of Health, Education and Welfare is responsible for policy development with respect to the Home. The Social Development Department is responsible for advising the Ministry on policy, programme development and the administration of a comprehensive national programme for the elderly which includes the administration of the Home. The management functions, as they relate to the day to day operation of the Home, are the responsibility of the manager of the Home.

Fees
The maximum charge payable by a resident for the services provided is fifty percent (50%) of the estimated cost to keep such resident at the Home. The remaining fifty percent of the estimated cost of upkeep is met by the Government. At least one month’s upkeep is to be paid upon admission, and thereafter payments must be made on a monthly basis.

Social Worker
The Social Worker assigned to the Home assists with the general social needs of residents of the Home. Such services include pre-admission and the development of social plans designed to promote adjustment and lessen the trauma of re-location to a new environment when a resident is admitted into the home.

Issues

• Home Care (Need for home help aides)
  There has been a growing need for the implementation of a Home Help Aides Programme. During 1994, there were eight (8) persons who resided in Peebles Hospital due to the lack of adequate social support at home, and/or lack of space in the Adina Donovan’s Home for the Elderly. The situation is generally one where persons (most being elderly) are admitted to hospital for a medical condition, found out to have several social problems, and when ready for discharge, relatives do not come to get them - therefore they remain as “social cases” in the hospital.
  
  This problem is one of great concern especially since the hospital has a limited number of beds. If the hospital were to continue to accommodate persons who do not need to be hospitalized, then there will be no beds available for the sick. Since relatives and others (including church) have failed to accept their responsibility of caring for the elderly and there is much difficulties in terms of space at the Adina Donovan’s Home, alternate measure(s) must be put in place to combat this problem. A failed attempt to address the problem was made in 1991. The Social Service Unit is getting more and more referrals for (home) care for elderlies (who are generally over seventy years old).
  

• Additional research is required to assess the present condition of the elderly in the BVI and the extent to which they are able to access the programmes developed to aid them.
  

• (See page 36 for other issues)

Disability in the British Virgin Islands

In 1991, 4.4% of the population of the British Virgin Islands reported having one form of disability or another. Of all persons with disabilities, 4.6% reported mental retardation and 12.6%, 3.1% and 2.9% indicated sight, hearing and speech impediments respectively. A number of other impairments were reported by 76.8% of all disabled persons. Just over 59% of the disabled were females.

Table 5
Disability by age of Person, 1991

                                                                                 Source: Development Planning Unit

Almost 80% of all disabled persons had education levels at or below primary level. However, contrary to expectations, in the British Virgin Islands, almost 24% of all disabled persons and 
41. 4% of those in the active age-group (15-64 years) reported being formally employed. Nearly 25% of them were relegated to “Home Duties”, 18.7% were retired and 20.5% were completely incapacitated. With regards to occupations, 13.5% of the disabled were employed in jobs requiring high skills.

Table 6
Disability by Education Level, 1991

                                                                                                 Source: Development Planning Unit

Table 7
Disability by Type of Impairment, and Sex, 1991

                                                                        N.B. Total does not add because persons could have multiple disabilities

Table 8
Disability by Type of Limitation, 1991

                                                                       Source: Development Planning Unit


Disabled Children
The Fort Charlotte School is the main center of service-provision for children with special needs. The age range of children accepted is 5 - 18. The school, which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture, operates for half-day only. It is felt that the school needs a more stimulating programme and that the teachers need to be trained. A volunteer group called “The Friends of Fort Charlotte” gives assistance by providing snacks and helping to arrange medical care, etc. At the age of 18, the students attend the BVI Services Workshop which comes under the Social Development Department.


BVI Services
This vocational rehabilitation programme was established in 1982 and currently accommodates 16 part-time and full time participants. BVI Services falls under the direction of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and is the Government’s effort to establish the disabled or re-establish recovering adults into the society. The sheltered workshop is run by a manager and a supervisor.

The program shapes and sharpens the skills of its workers for re-entry into the workplace, and at the same time, offers the community a number of services. The Acting Manager and Supervisor have recently invited other business to benefit from the services offered at this sheltered workshop. Services include stuffing and sealing envelopes, counting and packaging t-shirts and other merchandise, cutting material, sewing, counting and packaging cloth bags, collating papers, car washing, washing and ironing laundry, re-strapping tropic-tone furniture, preparing bicycle licence plates, and preparing learner “L”. The programme generates income to cover the participant’s salaries and materials.


Caregivers of Children with Special Needs
This support group started meeting in June, 1996 and has so far invited the Director of The Center For Independent Living in St. Thomas, USVI who conducted training on November 20, 1996. The group is currently developing a register of children with special needs and they see the need for a register of persons on island who have any skills/knowledge which can be utilized in a local multi-level training programme. It is believed that there is a wealth of talent, and with a well-coordinated effort, children can benefit greatly. Some of the suggestions that have been raised in the meetings are developing a resource list for caregivers; fundraising so that the group can assist those children who need overseas evaluation; liaison with other service groups in the BVI. In an effort to sensitize the public about special needs, the group has planned a week of activities in February, 1997.


Friends of the Blind is a local organization with international ties which, in the past, has assisted persons who are totally blind or have varying degrees of blindness. The organization is currently inactive.


Social Security Invalidity Benefits
Invalidity benefits are payable to the insured person who: has become permanently incapable of work (either as an employee or as a self-employed person) because of some physical or mental illness; has received sickness benefit for 26 weeks; and has become medically certified as being likely to remain incapacitated. Invalidity benefits may be paid in the form of a grant or pension, depending on the number of contributions paid into the scheme.

ISSUES AND REQUIREMENTS

Teachers at the Fort Charlotte School have identified their main concerns/needs as staff training, and a more suitable facility, so that the school can go beyond being a baby-sitting service. It is felt that the school has a more significant role to play, but the staff needs assistance. The need for training in Behaviour Modification procedures , as well as Independent Living Skills are emphasized as priority areas.

On the question of students with special needs who are in the regular school system a number of suggestions have been made. Efforts need to be made to provide teachers with basic information regarding how to assist students especially those with learning disabilities. Additionally, the need for a register of persons on island who have any skills/knowledge which can be utilized in a local multi-level training programme. It is the belief that there is a wealth of talent on-island, and with a well coordinated effort, children can ben