Barbados is governed by a parliamentary democratic government elected in 2003 on the basis of universal suffrage in elections deemed free and fair. The incumbent was returned as Prime Minister, and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) gained power for a third successive term, winning 23 seats as against 7 for the opposition. The Governor General is head of state. The Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet, and they have executive power. There are 4 women are in the 30-seat Parliament and 7 in the 21-seat Senate. One-third of Cabinet members are women. No minorities were elected to Parliament, though 3 were appointed to the Senate. The judiciary is independent.

Discrimination on the basis of race, religion or sex is prohibited, and the legislation is enforced. Reports note that police sometimes use excessive force. The government employs approximately 20% of the workforce. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not prohibited, and discrimination is reported in employment, housing and education.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed and respected in practice. An active media expresses a wide variety of views. Access to the Internet is not restricted. The importation of foreign publications deemed pornographic is illegal. Access to government information is provided. Legislation does not address trafficking, which is not reported as a problem.

The government and the ILO have instituted a programme to reduce the stigma of HIV in the workplace. Well-funded programmes assist those diagnosed as HIV/AIDS-positive.

Education is compulsory, free and universal for ages 5 to 16. Most children attend secondary school. The Child Care Board monitors day care centres and provides counselling services, residential placement, and foster care for children who need help. Students filed charges against members of the police for using excessive force during student demonstrations at the University of the West Indies.

A 2-year programme begins at age 3. At this level 17% of education is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 81%. Of the 377 teachers working at this level, 98% are women and 89% are trained (25% of men, 90% of women). The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 16 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 16. Primary school begins at age 5 and continues for 6 years. At this level 11% of education is private. The NER is 97% (49% female). Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 98% reach the last grade of primary school. 1,372 teachers (76% female) work at this level, and 75 % of them are trained. The PTR is 16 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 11 and is completed in 5 years. The Gross Enrolment Rate is 95%. There are 1,264 secondary teachers, 761 (57% female) in lower secondary and 503 (56% female) in upper secondary. In lower secondary school, 60% of teachers are trained, and 65% in upper secondary schools. The PTR is 17 : 1 in secondary education.

Apart from students attending higher education in Barbados, there are 1,511 Barbadian students studying abroad, mainly in the USA (561), the UK (468), Trinidad and Tobago (200), Canada (126) and Jamaica (115).

Equality for all is provided in legislation, but there are no legal provisions specifically covering disabled persons in education or in other state services. Persons with disabilities face discrimination. A group of parents has accused the government of not providing higher education for deaf children. Ministry of Education officials believe deaf students have access to higher education but claim the students have not met required standards. Added fees are assessed for parents of children with disabilities, and transportation has to be provided for children with disabilities to attend public schools.

The government is not a signatory to the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol and has not established a system for providing protection to all refugees and asylum-seekers.

Close to 90% of Barbadians are of African descent. The remainder of the population includes groups of Europeans, small groups of Chinese and an influential group mainly of Syrian and Lebanese descent. All groups have access to education.

Reports do not cite violations of academic freedom.

The Office of Gender Affairs is mandated to ensure equal rights for women. Women are active in all aspects of national life and are well represented in the public and private sectors. They own 30% of small businesses and hold 70% of recent mortgages. Women are increasingly joining the police force as well as other jobs traditionally held by men.

Violence against women continues to be a serious problem. Some programmes are in place to assist victims of violence. Sexual harassment in the workplace is also reported as a problem. The Barbados Workers' Union seeks guidelines and protection from sexual harassment in collective contracts.

The minimum age for work is 16; the provision is enforced. Compulsory primary and secondary education policies reinforce minimum age legislation. Labour inspectors conduct investigations in enterprises to ensure compliance with the law.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions and over 19% of the workforce is unionised. Workers have the right to bargain collectively. Negotiated protocols contain provisions for wage increases based on productivity. Workers in both the public and private sectors have the right to strike. Essential service workers may strike under certain conditions. Forced or compulsory labour is illegal, and none is reported to occur.

Minimum wages are established for domestic servants and shop assistants. Unionised employees earn more than the minimum wage. The work week is 40 hours in 5 days.