generation unlimited: the well-being of young people in
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Generation Unlimited: the Well-being of Young People in Barbados
Virtual Educational Child Labour SeminarInternational Labour Organisation & Ministry of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Barbados
8 December 2020
Whither Child Labourin Barbados
Children and Adolescents
• The years from birth to 19 years - children defined as up to the age of 18 years; adolescents defined as between the ages of 10-19 years.
• Represents part of a transitional period in the life cycle from: dependence to independence; childhood to adulthood; primary to secondary school to the labour market; pre-pubescence to sexual maturity and relationships.
The successful negotiation of this transitional period is thus crucial to the future well-being of individuals, their communities and wider society.
Threats, risk factors and outcomes
Threats/ Risk FactorsNegative (risky)
behaviour
Negative youth
outcomes
Negative adult
outcomes
Macro-environment → → → ↓
Insufficient employment opportunities
Child labourUn- or under-employment
Unemployment
Poverty/ inequality →School non-
attendance/ Poor performance
→Lack of academic/
vocational qualifications→ Poverty / low earnings
Failings in the Education System
Climate Change
Early sexual initiation
Teenage pregnancy Poor Parenting
Micro-environment → Unsafe sex → Sexual / physical abuse →Unhealthy relationships
with partner and children
Negative peer group pressure Vulnerability to sexual exploitation/
early marriage
Mental and physical health problems
Sexual / physical abuse (abused becomes abuser)
Family → →Child neglect/ abandonment
→ Persistent criminal activtity
Low/ insufficient parental involvement
Substance abuseSocial exclusion
Incarceration
Family breakdown/ parental absence, especially fathers
→Criminal behaviour/
gangs→ →
ProstitutionCriminal behaviour Ill health
Parental substance/ physical/ sexual abuse
Poor nutrition ProstitutionEarly Death
Substance abuse IncarcerationIndividual
Physical/ mental/ learning disability
Obesity/ over-weight↓
→ → → ↑
↑ ← ← ← ← ← ↓
Children and Adolescents in Barbados
Children and Adolescents in Barbados – Population (1)
• Based on the 2010Population and Housing Census, Barbados had a total population of just over 277,821 persons.
• Children (0-17) accounted for 24% of the overall population, and adolescents (10-19) constituted 14%.
• Children (5-17) represent 18% of the total population.
Key Population Groups Male Female ALL% of Total Population
Children (0-17)27,517 26,425 53,942
24
Adults (18+)80,706 91,545 172,251
76
Early Childhood Age (0-4) 7,307 6,955 14,262
6
Primary School Age (5-11)11,192 10,541 21,733
10
Secondary School Age (12-16)
7,479 7,352 14,831
7
Children (5-17)19,470 20,210 39,680
18
Adolescents (10-19)15,513 15,197 30,710
14
Youth (15-24)15,109 15,174 30,283
13
Total Population108,223 117,970 226,193
100
Study Findings
Child Labour in Barbados (2012)
• Child labour among the 5-11 year olds (primary school age) is 3.0 %
• Child labour among 12-14(secondary school age) is 0.6%.
Age/ school groupDefinitions of child labour
(per week)
Involved in child labour
M F All
5–11 years
At least one hour of economic
work or 28 hours of domestic
work per week. 3.1% 2.9% 3.0%
12–14 years
At least 14 hours of economic
work or 28 hours of domestic
work. 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%
All (5-14 years) - 2.5% 2.1% 2.3%
Child Labour in Barbados (2012)
• Based on the 2012 MICS conducted in Barbados, the incidence of child labour is extremely low, no more than 2.3%
• Males have a slightly higher rate than females, 2.5%compared to 2.1%
2.5
2.1
2.3
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
Male Female ALL
% Rate of Child Labour in Barbados by sex (aged 5-14)
Source: 2012, Barbados MICS
2.7
1.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Urban
Rural
%
Rate of Child Labour in Barbados by area (5-14)
Source: 2012, Barbados MICS
• Though the overall rate is low, there are higher instances of child labour among the urban population.
Child Labour in Barbados (2012)
Participation in economic activity among children 5-11 years is negligible.
However, among 12-14-year olds, more girls are involved in all three areas of economic activity surveyed when compared to boys.
1.4
1.1
1.8
3.9
3
2.1
0 1 2 3 4 5
Paid work
Unpaid work
Working for family business
% of children aged 12-14 involved in economic activity
Female MaleSource: 2012, Barbados MICS
1.1 1 1.1
0.2
1.11.4
0
0.5
1
1.5
Paid work Unpaid work Working for familybusiness
% of children aged 5-11 involved in economic activity
Male FemaleSource: 2012, Barbados MICS
Primary and Secondary Education
• In 2018, the primary school enrolment rate approached 100%.
• Similarly the great majority (94%)of children attended secondary school.
• Out of school and over-age rates are very low (around 1%) indicating a low level of drop outs.
• In consequence, virtually all boys and girls are attending primary and secondary school.
93%
95%
98%97%
99%
94%
96%99%
96%
98%
86%
88%
90%
92%
94%
96%
98%
100%
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Primary school Net Enrolment Ratio
Male Female Both sexes
96%
94%
91%
93%92%
95%
98% 99% 98%
96%96% 96%95%
96%
94%
86%
88%
90%
92%
94%
96%
98%
100%
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Secondary school Net Enrolment Ratio
Male Female Both sexes
But the effectiveness of an education system cannot be measured by attendance rates alone.
Poverty among Young People
• In 2016, over 30% of young people were living in poverty.
• This poverty rate is significantly higher than that for the older population (21%).
• Poverty rates increased for all age groups between 2010 and 2016. • Young people now account for one quarter of the poor population in
Barbados – slightly lower than in 2010 due to changes in the demographic structure.
• The number of poor young people increased from 15,000 to 17,000, but the number of severely poor young people decreased by almost two thirds from 7,700 to 2,800.
32% 32%
28%
20%
15%
19%
38%
33%
36%
26%
21%
25%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
0-9 years 10-14 years 15-19 years 20-24 years 25+ years All
2010 2016
24%
28%
31%
25%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Poverty rate Poverty share
2010 2016
Health and Wellbeing
Skipping school and lack of parental engagement have been identified as increasing the risk of delinquent behaviour. The graph shows that these factors affect significant proportions of young adolescents.
24%
69% 65%
20%
71% 75%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Missed classes without permission* Did not have understanding parents** Whose parents did not really knowhow they spent their free time**
Risk Factors, 13-15 year olds, 2011
Boys Girls
Alcohol and Drugs
• Over 40% of 13-15s had first had alcohol before the age of 15 and 47%had had a drink in the previous month.
• Both these results are higher than for older age groups and imply that alcohol use amongst adolescents is on the increase.
• In 2011, around 15% of 13-15 year olds had used marijuana at least once. By 2016, usage was reported to have doubled.
• Two thirds of marijuana addicts had first used the drug when they were at secondary school.
9% 13%
68%
10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Under 10 years 10-11 years 12-16 years 17+ years
Onset of marijuana use, male addicts, 2010-2014
Prolonged and frequent usage alcohol and drugs potentially leads to addiction, and risks leading to other more dangerous substances.
42%47%
22%26%
8%
41%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Tried alcohol when <15 years Had alcohol in last month
Alcohol Use
13-15 years (M/F) 15-19 years (F) 20-24 years (F)
Child Sexual Abuse
• Between 2010 and 2017, reported cases of child sexual abuse averaged 160 annually.
• These cases represented 20% of all reported child abuse cases. • Virtually all victims were female. • In 2017, 55% of victims were adolescents aged between 12 and 16
years; 30% were aged between 5 and 11 years; and 15% under 5 years.
•Around 90% of perpetrators were known to their victims.
•2/3rds of perpetrators were the victim’s partner, parents or other family members.
23%
28%
13%
17%
11%
8%
Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse, 2008/12
Girl's boyfriend
Close family
Other family
Family friends/neighbours
Member of the public
School related
Adolescent (teenage) pregnancy
• Over the last 25 years, around 20% of 15-19 year olds gave birth to their first child.
• Very few girls under 16 years (the age of consent) have given birth.
36%
55% 52%57%
64%
45% 48%43%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
20-24 years 25-34 yrs 35-44 yrs 45-54yrs
Age distribution of teenage births
Under 18 years 18-19 years
• Over time, adolescent births are increasingly concentrated amongst 18 and 19 year olds: two thirds of teen mothers currently aged 20-24 years (2016) compared to 45% for older age groups.
Covid-19 Impacts on ChildrenAnecdotal Feedback
Covid-19 Impacts on Children
Disruptions in children’s education
- Limited instruction, feedback, or interaction with teachers
- Learning less through online classes- Fewer subject being taught- Poor self-discipline- Limited/no parental supervision- Pre-covid challenges magnified for children with
disabilities
Covid-19 Impacts
Digital Divide: Limited Access to Technologies
- Lack of access to computers, internet, and data has left many students unable to effectively engage in remote learning.
- Digital literacy education needed for some teachers and students.
- Inter-generational education inequalities mean that some caregivers with no/low levels of formal education have greater difficult supporting children with home learning.
Covid-19 Impacts
Mental Health Consequences- Many students share feelings of stress, anxiety,
isolation, and depression, which they link to the lack of contact with their school community.
Education Not Free- Many parents are burdened by costs associated with
trying to continue educating their children during school closures/hybrid classes.
Children Living in Extreme Poverty Some parents to these children have lost their meaguesources of livelihoods due to the pandemic, making their already strained living conditions, much worse.
Human Interest Story
Anande’s Story
Anande: Then 14 year old male living in Barbados
Parents: Mother – OECS National/Father – BarbadianFather’s name not on birth certificate so needed a student visa toattend school.
Granny: Main caregiver who paid the visa fees that were provided byAnande’s Dad, until Dad’s new wife objected.
School: Denied Anande entry until fees were paid
Solution: Insertion of father’s name on birth certificate - then no feeswould be necessary.
Outcome: Dad refused based on wife’s objection. Anande out of school fornext 2 years and did odd jobs in community so LabourInspector unlikely to pick this up. A hotel employed him at 17 years old. He has since emigrated to Canada with Mum.
How could Anande’s story been prevented?
National Response
Recommended Action
Low child labour rates but need to recognise specific barriers, including Covid-19 faced by some populations in accessing/maximising education.
Strengthening dialogue, planning, and ACTION between ministries to tackle barriers and to reach the excluded groups - Education, Labour, Finance, Health, Social Protection, Justice
Creation/use of existing coordination mechanism -National Action Committee?
Heather StewartChild Protection SpecialistUNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area, Barbados
Thank you for listening and for your
feedback
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