A/HRC/38/12 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-ninth session from 15 to 26 January 2018. The review of Barbados was held at the 9th meeting, on 19 January 2018. The delegation of Barbados was headed by the Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, The Hon. Steven Blackett. At its 14th meeting, held on 23 January 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Barbados. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Barbados: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mexico. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Barbados: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BRB/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BRB/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BRB/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Barbados through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the delegation stated that, despite the many changes that had occurred locally and internationally, the people of Barbados continued to attach great importance to core values, like perseverance, pride and industry, which had made them strong throughout their history. 6. Barbados remained committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as respect for the dignity of all persons. Those priorities were reflected in the investment that the Government had made on education, social services and social security, which continued to consume approximately two thirds of the national budget. Such expenditure did not come easily, a fact that was better appreciated with reference to the current economic climate. 7. Successive administrations in Barbados had championed equality for women. In the workplace, all government employees had equality of pay and promotion was strictly on the basis of merit. Currently, the majority of the heads of ministries and departments in the civil service were women. 8. In Barbados, there were 107 publicly funded educational facilities, which ranged from the nursery level to the post-secondary and tertiary levels. Women were the heads of over 71 per cent of those institutions. 9. The delegation noted that achievements were not limited to the field of education, as women in Barbados were not restricted in the number or type of occupations and posts that they could occupy. They were also free to seek election to the House of Assembly and be elected by the people. 10. Primary care and environmental health services were offered to all Barbadians and permanent residents free at the point of delivery. All pregnant women living in Barbados 2