Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Marsha Caddle says the country’s new antidiscrimination laws should extend beyond the workplace to schools, homes, housing, and public services.
She made the recommendation as the issue of discrimination and bullying in schools and among peers was raised by students during the Child Rights Symposium panel discussion on Friday.
Minister Caddle said society needed to move beyond mere tolerance, and advocated for diversity to be accepted.
“A lot of what we’re hearing today is what’s happening in the school environment. School is one of the institutions of our society and we bring who we are to school,” she said, noting that biases and preconceived notions often filter into the classrooms, creating an environment where students feel compelled to mask parts of their identity.
To further protect children in schools and their communities, Caddle suggested expanding legislation to address inequities in the workplace to other aspects of society, including schools and households.
“It’s not just about what happens in the workplace. Government has to be at the centre of this to drive a national conversation about how we treat each other,” she said.
Acknowledging that laws alone cannot change attitudes, she noted the need for a national dialogue on how Barbadians treat each other, regardless of appearance, background or beliefs.
Caddle also wants more inclusive schools, where diversity is celebrated and students feel safe to express their identities without fear of judgement.
“Deconstructing and rebuilding how we show up in schools is critical,” she said. “I think we can only benefit from all of us learning and growing together, no matter how we look or where we come from.”
She further urged the youth to lead by example, appealing to students to have these conversations in their homes, schools, and communities where possible.
“Help us make this shift. Help us have that conversation,” she said, reiterating that societal change requires everyone’s participation.
Chiming in, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams called on students to take a stand against bullying and discrimination among their peers, highlighting the responsibility of each individual to enforce children’s rights within their communities.
He stressed that while children’s rights are legally protected, enforcement begins with the actions of young people themselves.
“The rights of the children exist… but who is supposed to enforce these rights?” Abrahams questioned, pointing out that much of the discrimination and bullying happens between children themselves.
He encouraged the students to recognise their power in shaping a more inclusive environment.
Abrahams further challenged the young people to act on what is right instead of waiting for government intervention.
“People keep looking to the government and authorities to enforce but at every single level, whether in schools, communities, or general society, we have the power to make a difference,” he said.
“Don’t step back and wait for somebody else to do the right thing. Each one of us has it within us.”
Encouraging the students in attendance to return to their schools with a commitment to foster respect and inclusion, Minister Abrahams added: “Care enough to not be a coward in your position of strength.
Be somebody who is prepared to speak out on behalf of somebody else who might need somebody to stand up for them.”
