Barbados - Social development

A national social security system provides old age and survivors' pensions, sickness, disability, and maternity benefits, and employment injury benefits. All employed persons are covered. Unemployment insurance was introduced in 1982 and is funded by equal contributions from employers and employees. Sickness and maternity benefits are provided for employed persons, and all government hospitals and clinics maintain public wards for medical treatments, with costs scaled to income.

Although women are well-represented in all aspects of national life, women's rights advocates cite domestic violence as a serious problem. A domestic violence law requires an immediate police response to reports of violence against women and children. A crisis center staffed by trained counselors is run by the Business and Professional Women's Club. A battered women's shelter was opened by the government. The government has also formed a Child Care Board to monitor and protect the rights of children.

Human rights are protected under the constitution.