Saint Lucia

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CountrySaint Lucia
Optional protocolon the involvement of children in armed conflict, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
Safety
Corporal punishmentCorporal Punishment is legal in in the home, alternative care settings, day care, schools and penal institutions.
Overview of the child rights situation

Saint Lucia has done a lot for children in recent years. Among other things, some councils and parliaments have been introduced where children and young people can voice their opinions. However, there is still a lack of implementation of the proposals. Less positive is the finding that an increasing percentage of households are classified as poor.

Female genital mutilation and reproductive rights

While Saint Lucia has a stipulated age of consent for girls with regard to sexual relations, there is not one for boys, which puts them at increased risk of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Discrimination
Situation of children with disabilities

Children with disabilities are not effectively integrated into all areas of social life and there are just a few sufficient and adequate facilities for them. To improve the situation of children with disabilities, the Committee recommends to ensure that schools provide inclusive education and take all the necessary measures to ensure that children with disabilities are fully integrated into all areas of social life.

Situation of asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant childrenThe Committee is concerned about children of foreign migrants in the State party, especially those who are undocumented, and the challenges and discrimination that they may face in accessing education, health services and other social services. Therefore, the Committee recommends to undertake a comprehensive study on all aspects of migration’s impact on children in the country and the role of child protection and social protection systems in providing services for children impacted by migration.
Education
Free kindergartenYes
Free primary and secondary schoolYes
Health
physical health

The Committee is concerned about the state of prenatal and postnatal care, the increase in the number of children born with low birth weight, the increasing infant mortality rate, and the large number of children classified as overweight or obese. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of education programmes for basic child health, and the lack of developmental paediatricians for children with developmental disabilities on the island.
Therefore, the Committee recommends to continue to increase efforts to ensure adequate provision of prenatal and postnatal care, and address the increasing number of children born with low birth weight, the increasing infant mortality rate, and obesity among children, through awareness-raising efforts, and the reasons for these trends.

Concerning drug and substance abuse, the Committee recommends that the State party strengthen measures to address alcohol abuse and drug use by children and adolescents, through education programmes and campaigns.

Relation to other countries
mental health

Saint Lucia has a National Mental Wellness Centre and has undertaken a review of its mental health system. To further improve the situation, the Committee recommends that the State party strengthen available quality services and programmes of mental health for children.

Impacts of climate change

The Committee is concerned that natural disasters have the potential to undermine the social safety net of Saint Lucia, with negative consequences for children and families exposed to poverty. To better protect children, the Committee recommends that the State party develop strategies to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks for children and families which may be produced or exacerbated by climate change.

Business sector

The Committee is concerned about the persistence of child labour in the informal economy and recommends to take measures to prevent children from being economically exploited.

Situation of juvenile justice

The Juvenile justice system of Saint Lucia should be brought into line with the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a holistic and preventive approach to addressing the problem of juvenile offenders and the underlying social factors.

Specific observations

The Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment has initiated a child- and gender-sensitive social protection reform.

Additional background

Concluding observations on the second to fourth periodic reports released on 8 July 2014. More information about education: Education Law and Early childhood education

Last Updated (date)27th of February, 2022