The Evolution of Social Policy: Women's Advocacy Groups in Barbados



Dame Ruth Nita Barrow, President of the World YWCA 1975 to 1983

 By, Sherill Yvette Ashby

HIST 3030 The Evolution of Social Policy in Barbados



At the beginning of the 20^th century Barbadian women had to make many social and economic adjustments as they determined to move away from the plantation’s tenantry system. During this post-emancipation era women fought against a Victorian gender ideologies which sought to keep them at home doing woman’s work. Due to the decline of the sugar industry in Barbados many of their men folk emigrated to Cuba, Costa Rica and Panama seeking employment. Although women now made up a large proportion of the labour force they were being paid very low wages.

         As women moved into the urban areas, they continued to be active workers in all sector of the economy. In 1911 labour statistics showed that 77% of the employed were females. This also included African-Caribbean workers whom they had to compete against for jobs (Hart1989).  Barbadian women found innovative ways in being self-reliant, those who had learnt a skill while living on the Plantations now offered themselves as seamtresses and nannies. Others found work in the informal sector as higglers, hawkers and roadside vendors. Since many of the areas in which woman now found employment were considered ‘unskilled’ they had to work as domestics. Fathers were willing to spend money to educate their boys while the girls were expected to marry and live as un-paid maids (V. Shepherd 1999).

        By 1920 the island was slowly transforming from an agricultural land into a service provider sector. This now became the largest area in which women could find employment. Women however dominated the domestic services as this was seen by employers as a ‘woman’s domain’. There was clearly some discrimination and gender division as the more ‘manly jobs’ such as gardeners, chauffeurs and butlers were given to men. Women continued to be washer women, cooks and housemaids. The Moyne Commission 1939 highlighted some of the harsh conditions under which the female domestic worked. The Report noted that the female domestic worked from 6 am to 6 pm, and depended on the goodwill of her employer for sick leave or annual holiday (V. Shepherd 1999). Male domestics were paid more money than the female workers.

            Such were the conditions which prompted the report of the National Commission on the Status of Women in Barbados 1978. The Commission was set up to look into, report on and make recommendations about laws, policies and practices as they affected women in Barbados. Three such areas were (a) labour laws in their application to women and the role of women in the labour force, (b) the cultural and historical attitudes which lead to discrimination and prejudice against women making it difficult for them to realize their full potential. (c) Education, including the availability of education for girls and women at all levels of the educational system (Introduction, Report of the National Commission 1978).

        The International Year of Women 1975 and subsequently the Decade for Women1976-1985 had a positive impact on Women’s groups in Barbados. Many women who were not as vocal in their fight for equal rights now spoke in much bolder tones. Some women’s groups put aside their charities and other social events and became advocates for change. A few such groups were the Young Women’s Christian Association or Y.W.C.A, who provided programmes aimed at helping females to develop their full potential. The Girls Industrial Union which original trained women to be proficient housewives, and the Woman’s League of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), led by female activist Mrs. Muriel ‘Nelie’ Weekes. As the years went by other local women groups join the struggle for equal rights and Women’s Organisations were form to highlight and assist in alleviating poverty and discrimination against women.

          The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW in its August 2002 report on Barbados at a sitting of the United Nations Treaty, the representative indicated that women living in poverty were often the sole bread winners for their family and that 44% of households were headed by females. To this end Government had put in please measures to meet the needs of such women. These included welfare grants and childcare services. At a world conference on women held in Beijing, 1995 Barbadian Ruth Blackman in her report on Barbados put forward five areas of priority under consideration for Barbados. Two of these were (a) women and poverty (b) the education and training of women. Hence the Poverty Alleviation Bureau was created in 1998. In 1999 the Ministry of Social Transformation was established and renamed the Bureau for Gender Affairs.

       Relief 2000 is located at the Bureau and offers programmes which trains women in areas such as computer studies, mass communications and bar and wine services, to list a few. The Welfare to Work Programme 2000 provides counseling for women on welfare while inviting them to training sessions. Women may become self reliant through courses in personal development, upholstery and other entrepreneurial activities. Classes are offered up to the CXC level. The National Organization of Women NOW also plays its part in being the umbrella body for many woman advocacy groups.

       There were many challenges for these woman groups especially in the areas of housing, since most land is controlled by the Government and housing is provided by the NHC.  One other hindrance is that organizers of any major programme must at times seek funding from government or the private sector. In all, Woman advocacy groups have done well in their fight to overcome poverty and discrimination against women in Barbados.