Final - Evaluation of NYP 2011 - 2016

Evaluation of The National Youth Policy of Barbados 2011—2016
style components to ensure holistic delivery
and full youth participation.
These activities were necessary to address
the findings of the CARICOM
Commission which highlighted challenges
facing youth such as early sexual initiation
and pregnancy; the incidence of
HIV/AIDS; sexual and physical abuse;
school dropouts; disproportionately high
levels of unemployment; crime and violence;
substance abuse and social exclusion
among a significant minority of
youth in the region. The other efforts to
meet this objective included: community
concerts, testing, psycho-educational
programme; sports training programmes;
cultural arts programmes.
(2) A legal framework should be provided
to prevent discrimination
against people living with HIV/
AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS Commission in conjunction
with other stakeholders have led a
concerted campaign to reduce the level of
discrimination. Messages have been disseminated
via public service announcements
and a variety of other media and
programme interventions. These messages
led to a reduction in the level of stigma
and discrimination as by demystifying
and reducing fear about HIV and AIDS
transmission.
(3) Align the age of consent with the
age of access so that young persons
have the right to get tested
for HIV/AIDS and other Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI)
without their parent’s consent
from age 16.
The DOYA has engaged in discussions
with the Barbados Family Planning Association
on this pertinent issue to
raise the awareness of young people on
the issue. The matter was also debated
in the BNYP. The understanding was
that there was no legislative framework
which prevented a young person from
seeking medical attention without a
parent’s consent. Rather the matter appeared
to be bound by practice and convention.
(4) Revamp the Health and Family
Life Education (HFLE) programme
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