WILLEMSTAD – A United Nations committee has expressed concern about the protection of women’s rights in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with specific attention to Curaçao. According to the findings, efforts to address discrimination, violence and human trafficking fall short, while access to assistance and protection for victims remains inadequate.
In its report, the committee points to structural shortcomings, including limited shelter capacity for women in need and lengthy procedures that hinder timely protection. Questions are also raised about existing regulations surrounding prostitution, which, according to the committee, may increase vulnerability rather than provide safeguards. In addition, the report calls for stronger guarantees in the area of reproductive health care, including clearer and more protective legislation on abortion.
The committee further notes that economic insecurity and challenging social conditions place additional pressure on the position of women on the islands. These factors, combined with insufficient protection mechanisms, increase the risk of exploitation and exclusion.
The UN body urges the Kingdom of the Netherlands to take concrete steps to improve legislation, enforcement and victim support services. According to the committee, stronger coordination between authorities and better access to care are essential to ensure effective protection of women’s rights.
The findings align with earlier international signals highlighting the need to strengthen legal certainty and protection for women in Curaçao and the wider Caribbean part of the Kingdom.