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To help ease the high incidence of unemployment among women, the Bureau has initiated a number of small-scale rural economic programmes, including a bammie-making project in St. Elizabeth and a goat rearing project in Manchester. Money for some of these projects has come from the United Nations Voluntary Fund. MATERNITY LEAVE WITH PAY LAW The Maternity Leave With Pay Law was introduced in December 1979. It guarantees three months (12 weeks maternity leave for all working women) two months of this period with full pay. All female workers over 18 years are entitled to this leave as long as they have worked for the same employer for at least one year (52 weeks), and are registered under the National Insurance Scheme. NUTRITION BENEFITS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND BABIES In 1975, a special package providing nutritional benefits for pregnant women and babies was imple- mented by the government. An average of some 82,500 babies between 0-4 years received free nutritional supplements. The results of the Nutrition Programme can be seen In the dramatic reduction of the number of child- ren who die at birth. In 1971, the number of still-births was 35 per thousand. In 1978 the number was reduced to 27 per thousand, NATIONAL DAY CARE PROGRAMME _ This programme was launched in 1975 and the latest figures show that there are some 88 centres now catering to approximately 3,950 children between 0-4 years. Fifty six special home nurseries catering to 500 cnildren are being integrated into the Day Care Pro- gramme. The National Day Care Programme aims to prgyide proper child care facilities for the nation’s Working mothers, a service which will allow women to particj- pate freely in the building of the economy. COMPULSORY REGISTRATION OF FATHER This act is designed to protect the status of Child- ren born to unmarried parents, and goes a long Way to- ward building a more just society, as the majority of children born in Jamaica, are born outside of Malriage, It is expected to give unmarried mothers and thei, children the kind of economic security which is given to married mothers. STATUS OF CHILDREN’S ACT - 1976 This historic act. removes the stigma of ‘bastarq’ from the majority of children born in Jamaica ang has been hailed as one of the most significant victories ever won by the Jamaican people. It means that all children are equal in the eyes of the law and are entitled to the same benefits, oppor- tunities and privileges. FAMILY COURT The Family Court was set up in 1976 and is now considered a model for courts of its kind throughout the developing world. The court deals with problems relating to the home and family, and by so doing takes these sensitive matters out of the criminal courts into a private and sympathetic atmosphere. Among its many functions the court provides counselling services, helps to ensure that maintenance payments for children are met, sees to the custody and guardianship of children and the protection of the property of Juveniles and women. The Family Court The Family Court is located in Kingston with branches in Montego Bay and Lucea. Up to May 1980, 11,870 cases were brought before this Court. September 30th e Printed and Published by the Agency ani for Public Information, 58A Half Way Tree Road, : Kingston 10.