Woman laws at Antigua and Barbuda
In Antigua and Barbuda, women’s rights and laws are influenced by both local legislation and international human rights commitments. Here's an overview of key laws and protections related to women:
🔹 Legal Rights & Protections
Constitutional Rights: The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law regardless of sex.
Gender Discrimination: The Sex Discrimination Act (1997) prohibits discrimination based on sex, marital status, or pregnancy in employment, education, and public life.
🔹 Domestic Violence & Abuse
Domestic Violence Act (2015):
Provides protection orders for victims of domestic abuse.
Covers physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse.
Allows for the removal of abusers from shared homes and offers legal protection and shelter options.
🔹 Sexual Offenses
Criminal Code:
Criminalizes rape, sexual assault, and harassment.
Marital rape is not explicitly criminalized, which remains a significant issue for women's rights activists.
🔹 Employment and Economic Rights
Employment Act:
Protects against unfair dismissal due to pregnancy.
Mandates maternity leave (12 weeks).
Prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace.
🔹 Reproductive Rights
Abortion:
Illegal except to save a woman’s life or preserve physical/mental health.
Access to reproductive healthcare can be limited.
🔹 Political Participation
Women can vote and run for public office.
Representation in parliament and leadership roles is growing but still relatively low.
🔹 International Commitments
Antigua and Barbuda is a signatory to:
CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)
Beijing Platform for Action
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