WILLEMSTAD--Antillean Minister of Education, Public Health and Social Development Omayra Leeflang (PAR) described in a broad outline the status of affairs on social equality and women’s rights on the islands at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva. She did not avoid the less favourable aspects, but specifically emphasised the positive ones that can be distinguished.
After an announcement on the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles, Leeflang stated that this constitutional process requires substantial time and energy, sometimes overshadowing other matters.
“Nevertheless, the Government of the Netherlands Antilles still remains aware of its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The provisions of this and other treaties on human rights to which the Antilles subscribe are implemented to the best of our ability,” Leeflang reported to the CEDAW UN committee.
“Unfortunately, every now and then we face impediments for a quicker implementation of all provisions regarding these treaties as well as of recommendations and/or general comments from the various committees. We also face difficulties in submitting all reports on time.
“This is certainly not unwillingness on our part -- as we appreciate the comments from you and the other committees -- but the Antillean Government is experiencing difficulties with collecting information due to lack of qualified personnel and available means. Nevertheless, government continues to strive for the reports being submitted on time,” Leeflang informed the committee in Geneva.
She mentioned the progress regarding a law protecting children against pornography (including virtual pictures), prostitution and sexual cruelty.
Leeflang also elaborated on how human trafficking is specifically being tackled by the Antilles and separated from the general revision of criminal legislation regarding abduction, fraud and people smuggling. In this manner, human trafficking can be prosecuted and punished on its own much quicker.
As far as Leeflang understands, the Advisory Council will be handling this next month. Once adopted, a specific law against human trafficking will enable the Antilles to conclude a number of treaties, among which the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
This is in addition to the endorsing of the UN treaty against Trans-national Organised Crime and the Treaty of the European Council regarding action against human trafficking.
Leeflang also announced that the Antilles have a special public prosecutor for domestic violence.
She was proud of the Antilles being the only country within the Dutch Kingdom that had had five female prime ministers until now. The participation of females at both government levels is striking -- also with the recently held Antillean Parliament elections where a party led by a female won on Curaçao and several parties had many female candidates. One party on St. Maarten had had more females than males on the candidates list.
Leeflang further listed various provisions which had been enforced or will be shortly, such as compulsory education from four to eighteen years of age, attention for the boys lagging behind in education, pushing back unemployment and the increased labour participation of females, more flexible rights regarding pregnancy, maternity and breast-feeding, re-introduction of medical provisions for pensioners, increase of the old age pension, recognition by biological fathers of children at the request of mothers or the Guardianship Board and choosing the surname of father or mother.
