CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesIt should be noted that some of the female-headed households might have had a male spouse orpartner that also lived in the household. Therefore, the female-headed household should not beequated with the single-female-headed household where the female lives on her own and doesnot have a live-in spouse or partner. Generally, a male-headed household is more likely than afemale-headed household to have a spouse or partner living in that household.There are several issues concerning children that live in female-headed households including,child support or maintenance. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a Maintenance Act whichstates that 'a woman and a man have equal responsibility to provide reasonable maintenance forchildren under 16 years and for children over 16, if they are mentally or physically disabled.'The Act also states that, 'a maintenance order may extend beyond 16 years if a child is in aneducational institution undergoing training for a trade, profession or vocation, whether or not thechild is in gainful employment.' (Ollivierre & McDonald, 1997:57).The Family Court Act was established in 1992, as a response to the concerns of children'smaintenance and other social and behavioural problems in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Thiscourt ‘introduced a new legal approach to addressing family problems and has full responsibilityfor family law matters. It is seen as a means of preserving and strengthening the Vincentianfamily and promoting the most humane and constructive solution where possible.’ (Ollivierre &McDonald, 1997:18). The Family Court 'provides for an application to be made by personsseeking maintenance for children and for the court to provide the machinery for such paymentsto be collected and paid to applicants once the order has been made by the Court.' (Ollivierre &McDonald, 1997:52).8.4 School Attendance 24Education is compulsory for children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the governmentprovides free education for all. Several programmes have been implemented that provideassistance for transportation, books and meals and uniforms, to ensure that children have easy24 Note: Table not included106