CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesMales had more access to insurance than females. In 2001, one in every four males (25.26 percent) had an insurance compared to 21.42 per cent of females. The majority of those who statedthat they were registered with the National Insurance Scheme were males (55.52 per cent).Those with life insurance, and health and life insurance were also more likely to be males, 58.27per cent and 54.10 per cent, respectively. However, there were an equal proportion of males andfemales that had group health insurance. These figures indicate the need for increased healthinsurance coverage overall, and especially for females.11.4 Education, Labour Force Participation and Gender IssuesThe 1980s was considered the decade of women. Strides that women have made over the pastdecades became more evident, with more women joining the labour force and demanding equalpay for equal work, and excelling in academia. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an Equal PayAct that stipulates that it is illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their sex, and thatmen and women should receive equal pay for same or similar work.In 2001, 36.95 per cent of women 15 years or older worked. This is a slight increase compared to1991 when 34.47 per cent worked. The rate among men was much higher, 57.93 per cent.However, there has been a decrease in the proportion of employed men compared to 1991 (65.86per cent).Men generally joined the labour force at a younger age than women. The data revealed the youngmen in the 15 to 24 years age group accounted for 19.52 per cent of the working men, comparedto 17.95 per cent for young women (Table 11.1). Many of them in this age group were probablystill attending school.129