Woman laws at Suriname
Here’s a clear and up-to-date overview of women’s legal rights and protections in Suriname, highlighting legislation, institutional support, reproductive rights, leadership breakthroughs, and gaps in enforcement:
1. Constitutional Equality & Employment Protections
Constitutional and Labor Rights
Suriname’s legal framework ensures equal access to education, employment, and property for women. The Constitution establishes:
Equal pay for equal work
Special workplace protections for pregnant women (before and after delivery)
A statutory right to paid maternity leave for working women.
2. Gender-Based Violence & Institutional Support
Domestic Violence Legislation
The Law on Combating Domestic Violence (2009) criminalizes financial, physical, psychological, and sexual violence. Spousal rape is explicitly penalized under the Penal Code.
Penalties for Sexual Assault & Rape
Rape—including spousal rape—is punishable by 12–15 years in prison and up to SRD 100,000 in fines. Domestic violence convictions can lead to 4–8 years of imprisonment
Victim Support Services
The Office for Women and Children Policy (BVK), established in 2007, coordinates policies on domestic violence, sexual harassment, and women's issues, providing training programs and awareness campaigns nationwide .
The Victim Assistance Bureau (Ministry of Justice and Police) offers shelters (serving about 40 clients annually), victim support, awareness programs, and trained police units
UN bodies recommend better data collection, hotlines in rural areas, and victim access to legal remedy .
Sexual Harassment
While there's no specific law, prosecutors utilize general Penal Code provisions to address workplace sexual harassment—though documented cases are rare
3. Reproductive Rights & Abortion Law
Abortion Restrictions
Abortion is illegal in Suriname, except to save the life or physical/mental health of the woman. Women face up to 3 years’ imprisonment, and providers, up to 4 years of jail time
De Facto Tolerance and Access
Despite criminalization, illegal abortions are reportedly accessible via medical professionals. There's a practical, if unaddressed, tolerance within the system
4. Political Representation & Women's Leadership
Trailblazing Women in Law
Several women have held pioneering roles:
Martha Henriëtte Kreps – first female lawyer (1958; bar exam passed in 1933)
Rosemarie Currie – first female notary (circa 1970s)
Héloïse Rozenblad – first female prosecutor and Attorney General (turn of 1997)
Cynthia Valstein-Montnor – first female judge (1998) and Vice-President of the High Court of Justice (2010)
Samantha Gadjradj – first female Dean of the Bar Association (2019)
Gloria Karg-Stirling – first female President of the Constitutional Court (2020), along with first female members in the same year (Wikipedia).
Gender Parity in Politics
Activist Karin Refos spearheaded campaigns like More Female Leadership and Balance. Results include:
25% female representation in the National Assembly in 2015
Increased to approximately 33% female MPs and 35% women in Cabinet by 2020 (Wikipedia).
5. LGBTQ+ Recognition & Marriage Rights
Emerging Legal Recognition
A 2025 court ruling requires the Civil Affairs Bureau (CBB) to register same-sex marriages performed abroad, citing Suriname’s international treaty obligations.
While not full marriage equality, the ruling compels the state to align legislation with international norms (Reddit).
Summary Table
| Domain | Status in Suriname |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Equality | Enshrined; maternity leave and job protections guaranteed |
| Violence Against Women | Domestic violence law exists; spousal rape criminalized; victim support in place |
| Sexual Harassment | Not legislated; addressed through general criminal code |
| Reproductive Rights | Abortion highly restricted; enforcement uneven |
| Women's Leadership | Significant breakthroughs in judiciary and government representation |
| LGBTQ+ Rights | Judicial progress toward recognizing same-sex marriage |
Final Thoughts
Suriname has a foundational legal structure supporting women’s rights—from constitutional protections and anti-violence laws to maternity safety and judicial leadership. Still, gaps remain in sexual harassment legislation, abortion access, and LGBTQ+ equality. Enforcement and awareness efforts, especially for rural and indigenous women, are ongoing needs.
RELATED Blog
0 comments