UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 50) In 2017 the NCD Program launched the Women's Health Improvement Plan (WHIP), a program geared to empower and educate women on how to effectively manage their health and well-being. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP) or “Living Healthy” has been introduced in alignment with the model programme created by Stanford University and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Cervical cancer awareness programmes and free pap smear testing to screen for cervical cancer exist on both islands.
Para 51) Attention has also been concentrated on the Human Papilloma virus (HPV), a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with PAHO, undertook an extensive public awareness programme during the second quarter of 2019 which not only focused on adolescents but also their parents, making them aware of the serious consequences of these viruses. Having completed this exercise, the Ministry successfully launched the administration of the HPV Vaccine to all females leaving the 6th grade level at all Primary Schools within Saint Kitts and Nevis. The administration of this vaccine has been evidenced to drastically mitigate against the incidence of cancer of the reproductive tract and is improving upon its already stellar immunization rate of 97%.
Para 52) Saint Kitts and Nevis continues to take steps to strengthen the prevention, management and control of HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The twin island Federation marked a major achievement in 2017 by being the first country in the OECS to eradicate mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis, as validated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Para 66) The 1997 Cabinet policy decision which clarified the right of teen mothers still attending school to continue their education led to the establishment of Project Viola in Saint Kitts (2002) and the ‘Second Chance Teen Mothers Program’ in Nevis (2007). These longstanding programs, run by the Departments of Gender Affairs, cater to schoolgirls aged 14-19 who become pregnant; and aim to provide an enabling environment in which teen mothers can complete their secondary education. Program activities include workshops on parenting skills and professional development, career exposition and financial assistance to facilitate educational advancement. With support from the Basic Needs Trust Fund, a project was implemented in 2016 to 2017 to enhance the structures and programming of Project Viola.
Para 67) The strategies implemented through this programme have reduced the instances of teen pregnancy. The birth rate to teenage mothers has steadily declined and fell from 95 births in 2016 to 54 births in 2018; a fall of 43%. The programme relies on education and training and while this remains the main focus, there is greater emphasis being placed on families assisting in the process.
Para 68) A project manual was developed and issued to school principals to ensure that they are guided by the process. Social assistance is provided to remove financial barriers to education, e.g. cost of day care for babies, extra tuition, books and uniforms. Support for teenage mothers through the Project Viola and Second Chance Teen Mothers Programmes are two of the most significant poverty reduction initiatives, which have had long lasting and far reaching effects.
Para 69) Although it is a Government funded project, from the onset, the programme has been heavily supported by the private sector. They have played a significant role in providing scholarships for teen mothers for tertiary level education and also provided job attachments, and stipends for their transportation, lunch and school.
Para 70) Private individuals have also helped with the programme by introducing teens to Technical and Vocational Skills. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), after seeing the success of the programme, decided to provide a significant amount of support to the teen mothers. Project Viola is now recognised by UNICEF as a model of best practice across the Caribbean region. Owing to the success of Project Viola, in 2018, five of the 13 teen mothers (38%) were enrolled at continuing and tertiary education institutions.