Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Located in the Caribbean, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines comprises 33 islands. The country has transitioned from a European settlement where African slaves worked on plantations, to a British colony, to finally becoming a fully independent Commonwealth Member State. Among the more serious human rights issues facing children are those relating to the justice system, notably the minimum age of criminal responsibility is set at eight years. Other challenges include early marriage and a high rate of teenage pregnancy.