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(indented)  21.3  0.. l"2Heading1IOC Report Top level heading     0 r2Heading2IOC Report Second level heading 0   p 2Heading3IOC Report Third level heading   r2Heading4IOC Report Fourth level heading   h,TitleIOC Report Second level title @.. ~P0ParaNumItalic paragraph number in left marginX..   213  ..~L0SubItemSecond level hanging indent (lettered)..  2(a)3  0` ..`4MainTitleIOC Report Main title @..  6SetPrinterSettings for IOC LaserJet TmsRmn - IOC final docs.  #dvl*ItemHanging indent - small Roman numerals v 0.. ..  2(i)3  .. &$30.header    <pp:footnote texWD*\  `*Times New RomanTTWWD*\  `*Times New RomanTTWh80frstylevertical - format standard FRUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88C # $#C--$882 X$ &)  o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo!!V(#/... 2'  o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo@1  1  ڀ'  %9417362E 2 0jg (F).A/49/38  (Final - iii-174- - n &)  882^   @ .$    ڄ k &)  882   @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ k &)  882   @ .$    ڄ          n &)  88    @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ h &)   8,    @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ Q &)   @ .$    ڄ &)  h^X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ah  @ .$    ڄ k &)  882   @ .$    ڄ k &)  XXR>4  @ .$    ڄ dTable_A d   ("2$ ͐!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TXX  +88   fXC # $#C--'882^ X'  ++Ӏ  0  /("2$ ͐!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TXX  +88   fXC # $#C--'882^ X'  ++Ӏ  0  / 79?EKQYagoutI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)  CRight ParRight-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)#|d<6X9`(Courierd6X@`7@*\  `*Times New RomanTTXx\  PCXP0  9`("Courier NewTTTTH  @4;@C\( 9`("Courier NewTTTTd\( @;@P  9`("Courier NewTTTTx  @P#;@>\( 9`("Courier NewTTTT^^H\( @N^@2LP  `*Times New RomanTTXXwLP  P7XP94 `*Times New RomanTTg4 P[x P*\  `*Times New RomanTTd\  PCP(͐$UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TXX  +88   fXC # $#C--'882^ X'# e37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)\^)PerfecU ͐!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TXX  +88   fXC # $ C--'882^ X'   $vUKUK.,  TRX3'X3'3' Letter3' LetterTXXX  ++8888 fXC # $$#C--%0882^ 882^0  ݀[Original:English/French/Spanish] X ̀[12April1994]@\\/CONTENTS' 88t882^'Chapter t ParagraphsPage _  .38 8 P"88<3LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL..................................................!!UP"vi  1   I.  MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES...............!!VP"1 [     A.  Generalrecommendation21....................................!!VP"1 -    B.  Suggestions..................................................!!UP"10       Suggestion5.................................................!!UP"10 y     Suggestion6.................................................!!UP"10 K   C.  Othermatters................................................!!UP"12 u     1. ReservationstotheConvention...........................!!UP"12 G     2. AdequatemeetingtimetoconsiderreportsofStates       parties..................................................!!UP"14      3. Overduereports..........................................!!UP"14 |  II.  ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS.....................HHE129!!UP"16 N   A.  StatespartiestotheConvention.................  F12!!UP"16 x     B.  Openingofthesession...........................0  F38!!UP"16J!"##   C.  Membershipandattendance........................0  0##9!!UP"17# $##   D.  Adoptionoftheagenda...........................0  0##10!!UP"17$"&##   E.  Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup..........  D1121!!UP"17 &h$(   F.  Organizationofwork.............................  0  22!!UP"19(:&*##   G.  Compositionandorganizationofworkofthe d* (,     workinggroups...................................  D2329!!UP"19 M+(- 44 III.  REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIESUNDERTAKEN -*/   BETWEENTHETWELFTHANDTHETHIRTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHE . .COMMITTEE............................................ .3035P" .!21 .IV. .CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES . .UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION................... .36776P" .!23 . .A. .Introduction..................................... . .3637P" .!23 . .B. .Considerationofreports......................... . .38776P" .!23̇@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") . . .1. . Initialreports.............................. .38368P" .!23 . . . . Guatemala.................................... .3887P" .!23 . . . . Guyana....................................... .88125P" .!31 . . . . LibyanArabJamahiriya....................... .t126185P" .!38 . . . . Madagascar................................... .t186244P" .!45 . . . . Netherlands.................................. .t245317P" .!53 . . . . Zambia....................................... .t318368P" .!63 . . .2. . Secondandthirdperiodicreports............ .t369728P" .!71 . . . . Australia.................................... .t370412P" .!72 . . . . Barbados..................................... .t413449P" .!80 . . . . Colombia..................................... .t450498P" .!86 . . . . Ecuador...................................... .t499545P" .!94 . . . . Japan........................................ .t546607P" .$!101 . . . . NewZealand.................................. .t608665P" .$!111 . . . . Senegal...................................... .t666728P" .$!120 . . .3. . Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis.... .t729776P" .$!128 . . . . BosniaandHerzegovina....................... .t732757P" .$!128 . . . . FederalRepublicofYugoslavia(Serbiaand . . . . Montenegro).................................. .t758776P" .$!133 .V. .IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION....... .t777783P" .$!139 . .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorking . .GroupII............................................. .t779783P" .$!139 .VI. .WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE .t784823P" .$!140 . .A. .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof . . .WorkingGroupI.................................. . .t805821P" .$!143 . .B. .PlanofactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRights . . .oftheUnitedNationsSecretariat................ .0 .822P" .$!145 . .C. .Feasibilityofpreparinganoptionalprotocolto . . .theConvention...................................0 .0 .823P" .$!145@ .\CONTENTS 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") .4VII. .CONTRIBUTIONSOFTHECOMMITTEETOINTERNATIONAL . .CONFERENCES.......................................... .t824840P" .$!146 . .A. .FourthWorldConferenceonWomen................. . .t824830P" .$!146 . .B. .InternationalConferenceonPopulationand . . .Development...................................... .0 .831P" .$!149 . .C. .WorldSummitforSocialDevelopment.............. . .t832840P" .$!149 .VIII. .PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHEFOURTEENTHSESSIONOFTHE . .COMMITTEE............................................ .t841843P" .$!151 .IX. .ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT...............................0 .844P" .$!153@ .Annexes .I. .StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllForms . .ofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat4February1994............P" .$!154 .II. .MembershipoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscrimination . .againstWomen....................................................P" .$!158 .4III. .DocumentsbeforetheCommitteeatitsthirteenthsession.........P" .$!159 .IV. .Statusofsubmissionandconsiderationofreportssubmittedby . .Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventiononthe . .EliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat . .4February1994..................................................P" .$!161 . .A. .Initialreports..............................................P" .$!161 . .B. .Secondperiodicreports......................................P" .$!167 . .C. .Thirdperiodicreports.......................................P" .$!171 . .D. .Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis....................P" .$!174882^ @ .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL# .4February1994Sir,2 .2Ihavethehonourtorefertoarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,accordingtowhichtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,establishedpursuanttotheConvention,"shall,throughtheEconomicandSocialCouncil,reportannuallytotheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsonitsactivities".2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditsthirteenthsessionfrom17Januaryto4February1994atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.Itadoptedthereportonthatsessionatits258thand259thmeetings,on4February.ThereportisherewithsubmittedtoyoufortransmissiontotheGeneralAssemblyatitsfortyninthsession.2 .2Accept,Sir,theassurancesofmyhighestconsideration.# . (Signed)IvankaCORTI# .Chairperson# .CommitteeontheElimination# .ofDiscriminationagainstWomenHisExcellencyMr.BoutrosBoutrosGhaliSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationsNewYork $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^   @ .` I.MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES@ .( A.Generalrecommendation21(thirteenthsession)@ . Equalityinmarriageandfamilyrelations1.2 .2TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen(GeneralAssemblyresolution34/180,annex)affirmstheequalityofhumanrightsforwomenandmeninsocietyandinthefamily.TheConventionhasanimportantplaceamonginternationaltreatiesconcernedwithhumanrights.2.2 .2Otherconventionsanddeclarationsalsoconfergreatsignificanceonthefamilyandwoman'sstatuswithinit.TheseincludetheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(GeneralAssemblyresolution217/A(III)),theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(resolution2200A(XXI),annex),theConventionontheNationalityofMarriedWomen(resolution1040(XI),annex),theConventiononConsenttoMarriage,MinimumAgeforMarriageandRegistrationofMarriages(resolution1763A(XVII),annex)andthesubsequentRecommendationthereon(resolution2018(XX))andtheNairobiForwardlookingStrategiesfortheAdvancementofWomen.1/882 3.2 .2TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenrecallstheinalienablerightsofwomenwhicharealreadyembodiedintheabovementionedconventionsanddeclarations,butitgoesfurtherbyrecognizingtheimportanceofcultureandtraditioninshapingthethinkingandbehaviourofmenandwomenandthesignificantparttheyplayinrestrictingtheexerciseofbasicrightsbywomen.Background4.2 .2Theyear1994hasbeendesignatedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution44/82astheInternationalYearoftheFamily.TheCommitteewishestotaketheopportunitytostressthesignificanceofcompliancewithwomen'sbasicrightswithinthefamilyasoneofthemeasureswhichwillsupportandencouragethenationalcelebrationsthatwilltakeplace.5.2 .2HavingchoseninthiswaytomarktheInternationalYearoftheFamily,theCommitteewishestoanalysethreearticlesintheConventionthathavespecialsignificanceforthestatusofwomeninthefamily:@ .*Article902 .2 .1. . Statespartiesshallgrantwomenequalrightswithmentoacquire,changeorretaintheirnationality.Theyshallensureinparticularthatneithermarriagetoanaliennorchangeofnationalitybythehusbandduringmarriageshallautomaticallychangethenationalityofthewife,renderherstatelessorforceuponherthenationalityofthehusband.02 .2 .2. . Statespartiesshallgrantwomenequalrightswithmenwithrespecttothenationalityoftheirchildren.  Comment6.2 .2Nationalityiscriticaltofullparticipationinsociety.Ingeneral,Statesconfernationalityonthosewhoareborninthatcountry.Nationalitycanalsobeacquiredbyreasonofsettlementorgrantedforhumanitarianreasonssuchasstatelessness.Withoutstatusasnationalsorcitizens,womenaredeprivedoftherighttovoteortostandforpublicofficeandmaybedeniedaccesstopublicbenefitsandachoiceofresidence.Nationalityshouldbecapableofchangebyanadultwomanandshouldnotbearbitrarilyremovedbecauseofmarriageordissolutionofmarriageorbecauseherhusbandorfatherchangeshisnationality.@ .Article1502 .2 .1. . Statespartiesshallaccordtowomenequalitywithmenbeforethelaw.02 .2 .2. . Statespartiesshallaccordtowomen,incivilmatters,alegalcapacityidenticaltothatofmenandthesameopportunitiestoexercisethatcapacity.Inparticular,theyshallgivewomenequalrightstoconcludecontractsandtoadministerpropertyandshalltreatthemequallyinallstagesofprocedureincourtsandtribunals.02 .2 .3. . Statespartiesagreethatallcontractsandallotherprivateinstrumentsofanykindwithalegaleffectwhichisdirectedatrestrictingthelegalcapacityofwomenshallbedeemednullandvoid.02 .2 .4. . Statespartiesshallaccordtomenandwomenthesamerightswithregardtothelawrelatingtothemovementofpersonsandthefreedomtochoosetheirresidenceanddomicile.Comment7.2 .2Whenawomancannotenterintoacontractatall,orhaveaccesstofinancialcredit,orcandosoonlywithherhusband'soramalerelative'sconcurrenceorguarantee,sheisdeniedlegalautonomy.Anysuchrestrictionpreventsherfromholdingpropertyasthesoleownerandprecludesherfromthelegalmanagementofherownbusinessorfromenteringintoanyotherformofcontract.Suchrestrictionsseriouslylimitthewoman'sabilitytoprovideforherselfandherdependents.8.2 .2Awoman'srighttobringlitigationislimitedinsomecountriesbylaworbyheraccesstolegaladviceandherabilitytoseekredressfromthecourts.Inothers,herstatusasawitnessorherevidenceisaccordedlessrespectorweightthanthatofaman.Suchlawsorcustomslimitthewoman'srighteffectivelytopursueorretainherequalshareofpropertyanddiminishherstandingasanindependent,responsibleandvaluedmemberofhercommunity.Whencountrieslimitawoman'slegalcapacitybytheirlaws,orpermitindividualsorinstitutionstodothesame,theyaredenyingwomentheirrightstobeequalwithmenandrestrictingwomen'sabilitytoprovideforthemselvesandtheirdependents.9.2 .2Domicileisaconceptincommonlawcountriesreferringtothecountryinwhichapersonintendstoresideandtowhosejurisdictionshewillsubmit.Domicileisoriginallyacquiredbyachildthroughitsparentsbut,inadulthood,denotesthecountryinwhichapersonnormallyresidesandinwhichsheintendstoresidepermanently.Asinthecaseofnationality,theexaminationofStatesparties'reportsdemonstratesthatawomanwillnotalwaysbepermittedatlawtochooseherowndomicile.Domicile,likenationality,shouldbecapableofchangeatwillbyanadultwomanregardlessofhermaritalstatus.Anyrestrictionsonawoman'srighttochooseadomicileonthesamebasisasamanmaylimitheraccesstothecourtsinthecountryinwhichshelivesorpreventherfromenteringandleavingacountryfreelyandinherownright.10.2 .2Migrantwomenwholiveandworktemporarilyinanothercountryshouldbepermittedthesamerightsasmentohavetheirspouses,partnersandchildrenjointhem.@ .Article1602 .2 .1. . Statespartiesshalltakeallappropriatemeasurestoeliminatediscriminationagainstwomeninallmattersrelatingtomarriageandfamilyrelationsandinparticularshallensure,onabasisofequalityofmenandwomen:02 .2 .(a) . Thesamerighttoenterintomarriage;02 .2 .(b) . Thesamerightfreelytochooseaspouseandtoenterintomarriageonlywiththeirfreeandfullconsent;02 .2 .(c) . Thesamerightsandresponsibilitiesduringmarriageandatitsdissolution;02 .2 .(d) . Thesamerightsandresponsibilitiesasparents,irrespectiveoftheirmaritalstatus,inmattersrelatingtotheirchildren;inallcasestheinterestsofthechildrenshallbeparamount;02 .2 .(e) . Thesamerightstodecidefreelyandresponsiblyonthenumberandspacingoftheirchildrenandtohaveaccesstotheinformation,educationandmeanstoenablethemtoexercisetheserights;02 .2 .(f) . Thesamerightsandresponsibilitieswithregardtoguardianship,wardship,trusteeshipandadoptionofchildren,orsimilarinstitutionswheretheseconceptsexistinnationallegislation;inallcasestheinterestsofthechildrenshallbeparamount;02 .2 .(g) . Thesamepersonalrightsashusbandandwife,includingtherighttochooseafamilyname,aprofessionandanoccupation;02 .2 .(h) . Thesamerightsforbothspousesinrespectoftheownership,acquisition,management,administration,enjoymentanddispositionofproperty,whetherfreeofchargeorforavaluableconsideration.02 .2 .2. . Thebetrothalandthemarriageofachildshallhavenolegaleffect,andallnecessaryaction,includinglegislation,shallbetakentospecifyaminimumageformarriageandtomaketheregistrationofmarriagesinanofficialregistrycompulsory.  Comment02 .2Publicandprivatelife11.2 .2Historically,humanactivityinpublicandprivatelifehasbeenvieweddifferentlyandregulatedaccordingly.Inallsocietieswomenwhohavetraditionallyperformedtheirrolesintheprivateordomesticspherehavelonghadthoseactivitiestreatedasinferior.12.2 .2Assuchactivitiesareinvaluableforthesurvivalofsociety,therecanbenojustificationforapplyingdifferentanddiscriminatorylawsorcustomstothem.ReportsofStatespartiesdisclosethattherearestillcountrieswheredejureequalitydoesnotexist.Womenaretherebypreventedfromhavingequalaccesstoresourcesandfromenjoyingequalityofstatusinthefamilyandsociety.Evenwheredejureequalityexists,allsocietiesassigndifferentroles,whichareregardedasinferior,towomen.Inthisway,principlesofjusticeandequalitycontainedinparticularinarticle16andalsoinarticles2,5and24oftheConventionarebeingviolated.2 .2Variousformsoffamily13.2 .2TheformandconceptofthefamilycanvaryfromStatetoState,andevenbetweenregionswithinaState.Whateverformittakes,andwhateverthelegalsystem,religion,customortraditionwithinthecountry,thetreatmentofwomeninthefamilybothatlawandinprivatemustaccordwiththeprinciplesofequalityandjusticeforallpeople,asarticle2oftheConventionrequires.2 .2Polygamousmarriages14.2 .2Statesparties'reportsalsodisclosethatpolygamyispractisedinanumberofcountries.Polygamousmarriagecontravenesawoman'srighttoequalitywithmen,andcanhavesuchseriousemotionalandfinancialconsequencesforherandherdependentsthatsuchmarriagesoughttobediscouragedandprohibited.TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthatsomeStatesparties,whoseconstitutionsguaranteeequalrights,permitpolygamousmarriageinaccordancewithpersonalorcustomarylaw.Thisviolatestheconstitutionalrightsofwomen,andbreachestheprovisionsofarticle5(a)oftheConvention.@ .Article16(1)(a)and(b)15.2 .2WhilemostcountriesreportthatnationalconstitutionsandlawscomplywiththeConvention,custom,traditionandfailuretoenforcetheselawsinrealitycontravenetheConvention.16.2 .2Awoman'srighttochooseaspouseandenterfreelyintomarriageiscentraltoherlifeandtoherdignityandequalityasahumanbeing.AnexaminationofStatesparties'reportsdisclosesthattherearecountrieswhich,onthebasisofcustom,religiousbeliefsortheethnicoriginsofparticulargroupsofpeople,permitforcedmarriagesorremarriages.Othercountriesallowawoman'smarriagetobearrangedforpaymentorprefermentandinotherswomen'spovertyforcesthemtomarryforeignnationalsforfinancialsecurity.Subjecttoreasonablerestrictionsbasedforexampleonawoman'syouthorconsanguinitywithherpartner,awoman'srighttochoosewhen,if,andwhomshewillmarrymustbeprotectedandenforcedatlaw.@ .hArticle16(1)(c)17.2 .2AnexaminationofStatesparties'reportsdisclosesthatmanycountriesintheirlegalsystemsprovidefortherightsandresponsibilitiesofmarriedpartnersbyrelyingontheapplicationofcommonlawprinciples,religiousorcustomarylaw,ratherthanbycomplyingwiththeprinciplescontainedintheConvention.Thesevariationsinlawandpracticerelatingtomarriagehavewiderangingconsequencesforwomen,invariablyrestrictingtheirrightstoequalstatusandresponsibilitywithinmarriage.SuchlimitationsoftenresultinthehusbandbeingaccordedthestatusofheadofhouseholdandprimarydecisionmakerandthereforecontravenetheprovisionsoftheConvention.18.2 .2Moreover,generallyadefactounionisnotgivenlegalprotectionatall.Womenlivinginsuchrelationshipsshouldhavetheirequalityofstatuswithmenbothinfamilylifeandinthesharingofincomeandassetsprotectedbylaw.Suchwomenshouldshareequalrightsandresponsibilitieswithmenforthecareandraisingofdependentchildrenorfamilymembers.@ .Article16(1)(d)and(f)19.2 .2Asprovidedinarticle5(b),mostStatesrecognizethesharedresponsibilityofparentsforthecare,protectionandmaintenanceofchildren.Theprinciplethat"thebestinterestsofthechildshallbetheparamountconsideration",hasbeenincludedintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(GeneralAssemblyresolution44/25,annex)andseemsnowtobeuniversallyaccepted.However,inpractice,somecountriesdonotobservetheprincipleofgrantingtheparentsofchildrenequalstatus,particularlywhentheyarenotmarried.Thechildrenofsuchunionsdonotalwaysenjoythesamestatusasthoseborninwedlockand,wherethemothersaredivorcedorlivingapart,manyfathersfailtosharetheresponsibilityofcare,protectionandmaintenanceoftheirchildren.20.2 .2ThesharedrightsandresponsibilitiesenunciatedintheConventionshouldbeenforcedatlawandasappropriatethroughlegalconceptsofguardianship,wardship,trusteeshipandadoption.Statespartiesshouldensurethatbytheirlawsbothparents,regardlessoftheirmaritalstatusandwhethertheylivewiththeirchildrenornot,shareequalrightsandresponsibilitiesfortheirchildren.@ .hArticle16(1)(e)21.2 .2Theresponsibilitiesthatwomenhavetobearandraisechildrenaffecttheirrightofaccesstoeducation,employmentandotheractivitiesrelatedtotheirpersonaldevelopment.Theyalsoimposeinequitableburdensofworkonwomen.Thenumberandspacingoftheirchildrenhaveasimilarimpactonwomen'slivesandalsoaffecttheirphysicalandmentalhealth,aswellasthatoftheirchildren.Forthesereasons,womenareentitledtodecideonthenumberandspacingoftheirchildren.22.2 .2Somereportsdisclosecoercivepracticeswhichhaveseriousconsequencesforwomen,suchasforcedpregnancies,abortionsorsterilization.Decisionstohavechildrenornot,whilepreferablymadeinconsultationwithspouseorpartner,mustnotneverthelessbelimitedbyspouse,parent,partnerorGovernment.Inordertomakeaninformeddecisionaboutsafeandreliablecontraceptivemeasures,womenmusthaveinformationaboutcontraceptivemeasuresandtheiruse,andguaranteedaccesstosexeducationandfamilyplanningservices,asprovidedinarticle10(h)oftheConvention.23.2 .2Thereisgeneralagreementthatwheretherearefreelyavailableappropriatemeasuresforthevoluntaryregulationoffertility,thehealth,developmentandwell-beingofallmembersofthefamilyimproves.Moreover,suchservicesimprovethegeneralqualityoflifeandhealthofthepopulation,andthevoluntaryregulationofpopulationgrowthhelpspreservetheenvironmentandachievesustainableeconomicandsocialdevelopment.@ .hArticle16(1)(g)24.2 .2Astablefamilyisonewhichisbasedonprinciplesofequity,justiceandindividualfulfilmentforeachmember.Eachpartnermustthereforehavetherighttochooseaprofessionoremploymentthatisbestsuitedtohisorherabilities,qualificationsandaspirations,asprovidedinarticle11(a)and(c)oftheConvention.Moreover,eachpartnershouldhavetherighttochoosehisorhername,therebypreservingindividualityandidentityinthecommunityanddistinguishingthatpersonfromothermembersofsociety.Whenbylaworcustomawomanisobligedtochangehernameonmarriageoratitsdissolution,sheisdeniedtheserights.&  @ .hArticle16(1)(h)'  Ԉ25.2 .2Therightsprovidedinthisarticleoverlapwithandcomplementthoseinarticle15(2)inwhichanobligationisplacedonStatestogivewomenequalrightstoenterintoandconcludecontractsandtoadministerproperty.26.2 .2Article15(1)guaranteeswomenequalitywithmenbeforethelaw.Therighttoown,manage,enjoyanddisposeofpropertyiscentraltoawoman'srighttoenjoyfinancialindependence,andinmanycountrieswillbecriticaltoherabilitytoearnalivelihoodandtoprovideadequatehousingandnutritionforherselfandforherfamily.27.2 .2Incountriesthatareundergoingaprogrammeofagrarianreformorredistributionoflandamonggroupsofdifferentethnicorigins,therightofwomen,regardlessofmaritalstatus,tosharesuchredistributedlandonequaltermswithmenshouldbecarefullyobserved.28.2 .2Inmostcountries,asignificantproportionofthewomenaresingleordivorcedandmanyhavethesoleresponsibilitytosupportafamily.Anydiscriminationinthedivisionofpropertythatrestsonthepremisethatthemanaloneisresponsibleforthesupportofthewomenandchildrenofhisfamilyandthathecanandwillhonourablydischargethisresponsibilityisclearlyunrealistic.Consequently,anylaworcustomthatgrantsmenarighttoagreatershareofpropertyattheendofamarriageordefactorelationship,oronthedeathofarelative,isdiscriminatoryandwillhaveaseriousimpactonawoman'spracticalabilitytodivorceherhusband,tosupportherselforherfamilyandtoliveindignityasanindependentperson.29.2 .2Alloftheserightsshouldbeguaranteedregardlessofawoman'smaritalstatus.  Maritalproperty30.2 .2Therearecountriesthatdonotacknowledgethatrightofwomentoownanequalshareofthepropertywiththehusbandduringamarriageordefactorelationshipandwhenthatmarriageorrelationshipends.Manycountriesrecognizethatright,butthepracticalabilityofwomentoexerciseitmaybelimitedbylegalprecedentorcustom.31.2 .2Evenwhentheselegalrightsarevestedinwomen,andthecourtsenforcethem,propertyownedbyawomanduringmarriageorondivorcemaybemanagedbyaman.InmanyStates,includingthosewherethereisacommunitypropertyregime,thereisnolegalrequirementthatawomanbeconsultedwhenpropertyownedbythepartiesduringmarriageordefactorelationshipissoldorotherwisedisposedof.Thislimitsthewoman'sabilitytocontroldispositionofthepropertyortheincomederivedfromit.32.2 .2Insomecountries,ondivisionofmaritalproperty,greateremphasisisplacedonfinancialcontributionstopropertyacquiredduringamarriage,andothercontributions,suchasraisingchildren,caringforelderlyrelativesanddischarginghouseholddutiesarediminished.Often,suchcontributionsofanonfinancialnaturebythewifeenablethehusbandtoearnanincomeandincreasetheassets.Financialandnonfinancialcontributionsshouldbeaccordedthesameweight.33.2 .2Inmanycountries,propertyaccumulatedduringadefactorelationshipisnottreatedatlawonthesamebasisaspropertyacquiredduringmarriage.Invariably,iftherelationshipends,thewomanreceivesasignificantlylowersharethanherpartner.Propertylawsandcustomsthatdiscriminateinthiswayagainstmarriedorunmarriedwomenwithorwithoutchildrenshouldberevokedanddiscouraged.Inheritance34.2 .2ReportsofStatespartiesshouldincludecommentonthelegalorcustomaryprovisionsrelatingtoinheritancelawsastheyaffectthestatusofwomenasprovidedintheConventionandinEconomicandSocialCouncilresolution884D(XXXIV),inwhichtheCouncilrecommendedthatStatesensurethatmenandwomeninthesamedegreeofrelationshiptoadeceasedareentitledtoequalsharesintheestateandtoequalrankintheorderofsuccession.Thatprovisionhasnotbeengenerallyimplemented.35.2 .2Therearemanycountrieswherethelawandpracticeconcerninginheritanceandpropertyresultinseriousdiscriminationagainstwomen.Asaresultofthisuneventreatment,womenmayreceiveasmallershareofthehusband'sorfather'spropertyathisdeaththanwouldwidowersandsons.Insomeinstances,womenaregrantedlimitedandcontrolledrightsandreceiveincomeonlyfromthedeceased'sproperty.Ofteninheritancerightsforwidowsdonotreflecttheprinciplesofequalownershipofpropertyacquiredduringmarriage.SuchprovisionscontravenetheConventionandshouldbeabolished.@ .0Article16(2)36.2 .2IntheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction2/adoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,heldatViennafrom14to25June1993,Statesareurgedtorepealexistinglawsandregulationsandtoremovecustomsandpracticeswhichdiscriminateagainstandcauseharmtothegirlchild.Article16(2)andtheprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildprecludeStatespartiesfrompermittingorgivingvaliditytoamarriagebetweenpersonswhohavenotattainedtheirmajority.InthecontextoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,"achildmeanseveryhumanbeingbelowtheageofeighteenyearsunless,underthelawapplicabletothechild,majorityisattainedearlier".Notwithstandingthisdefinition,andbearinginmindtheprovisionsoftheViennaDeclaration,theCommitteeconsidersthattheminimumageformarriageshouldbe18yearsforbothmanandwoman.Whenmenandwomenmarry,theyassumeimportantresponsibilities.Consequently,marriageshouldnotbepermittedbeforetheyhaveattainedfullmaturityandcapacitytoact.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization,whenminors,particularlygirls,marryandhavechildren,theirhealthcanbeadverselyaffectedandtheireducationisimpeded.Asaresulttheireconomicautonomyisrestricted.37.2 .2Thisnotonlyaffectswomenpersonallybutalsolimitsthedevelopmentoftheirskillsandindependenceandreducesaccesstoemployment,therebydetrimentallyaffectingtheirfamiliesandcommunities.38.2 .2Somecountriesprovidefordifferentagesformarriageformenandwomen.Assuchprovisionsassumeincorrectlythatwomenhaveadifferentrateofintellectualdevelopmentfrommen,orthattheirstageofphysicalandintellectualdevelopmentatmarriageisimmaterial,theseprovisionsshouldbeabolished.Inothercountries,thebetrothalofgirlsorundertakingsbyfamilymembersontheirbehalfispermitted.SuchmeasurescontravenenotonlytheConvention,butalsoawoman'srightfreelytochooseherpartner.39.2 .2Statespartiesshouldalsorequiretheregistrationofallmarriageswhethercontractedcivillyoraccordingtocustomorreligiouslaw.TheStatecantherebyensurecompliancewiththeConventionandestablishequalitybetweenpartners,aminimumageformarriage,prohibitionofbigamyandpolygamyandtheprotectionoftherightsofchildren.Recommendations2 .2Violenceagainstwomen40.2 .2Inconsideringtheplaceofwomeninfamilylife,theCommitteewishestostressthattheprovisionsofgeneralrecommendation19(eleventhsession)3/concerningviolenceagainstwomenhavegreatsignificanceforwomen'sabilitiestoenjoyrightsandfreedomsonanequalbasiswithmen.Statespartiesareurgedtocomplywiththatgeneralrecommendationtoensurethat,inbothpublicandfamilylife,womenwillbefreeofthegenderbasedviolencethatsoseriouslyimpedestheirrightsandfreedomsasindividuals.&  2 .2Reservations41.2 .2TheCommitteehasnotedwithalarmthenumberofStatespartieswhichhaveenteredreservationstothewholeorpartofarticle16,especiallywhenareservationhasalsobeenenteredtoarticle2,claimingthatcompliancemayconflictwithacommonlyheldvisionofthefamilybased,interalia,onculturalorreligiousbeliefsoronthecountry'seconomicorpoliticalstatus.'  42.2 .2Manyofthesecountriesholdabeliefinthepatriarchalstructureofafamilywhichplacesafather,husbandorsoninafavourableposition.Insomecountrieswherefundamentalistorotherextremistviewsoreconomichardshipshaveencouragedareturntooldvaluesandtraditions,women'splaceinthefamilyhasdeterioratedsharply.Inothers,whereithasbeenrecognizedthatamodernsocietydependsforitseconomicadvanceandforthegeneralgoodofthecommunityoninvolvingalladultsequally,regardlessofgender,thesetaboosandreactionaryorextremistideashaveprogressivelybeendiscouraged.43.2 .2Consistentwitharticles2,3and24inparticular,theCommitteerequiresthatallStatespartiesgraduallyprogresstoastagewhere,byitsresolutediscouragementofnotionsoftheinequalityofwomeninthehome,eachcountrywillwithdrawitsreservation,inparticulartoarticles9,15and16oftheConvention.44.2 .2Statespartiesshouldresolutelydiscourageanynotionsofinequalityofwomenandmenwhichareaffirmedbylaws,orbyreligiousorprivatelaworbycustom,andprogresstothestagewherereservations,particularlytoarticle16,willbewithdrawn.45.2 .2TheCommitteenoted,onthebasisofitsexaminationofinitialandsubsequentperiodicreports,thatinsomeStatespartiestotheConventionthathadratifiedoraccededwithoutreservation,certainlaws,especiallythosedealingwithfamily,donotactuallyconformtotheprovisionsoftheConvention.46.2 .2Theirlawsstillcontainmanymeasureswhichdiscriminateagainstwomenbasedonnorms,customsandsocioculturalprejudices.TheseStates,becauseoftheirspecificsituationregardingthesearticles,makeitdifficultfortheCommitteetoevaluateandunderstandthestatusofwomen.47.2 .2TheCommittee,inparticularonthebasisofarticles1and2oftheConvention,requeststhatthoseStatespartiesmakethenecessaryeffortstoexaminethedefactosituationrelatingtotheissuesandtointroducetherequiredmeasuresintheirnationallegislationsstillcontainingprovisionsdiscriminatorytowomen.2 .2Reports48.2 .2Assistedbythecommentsinthepresentgeneralrecommendation,intheirreportsStatespartiesshould:2 .2(a) .Indicatethestagethathasbeenreachedinthecountry'sprogresstoremovalofallreservationstotheConvention,inparticularreservationstoarticle16;2 .2(b) .Setoutwhethertheirlawscomplywiththeprinciplesofarticles9,15and16andwhere,byreasonofreligiousorprivatelaworcustom,compliancewiththelaworwiththeConventionisimpeded.2 .2Legislation49.2 .2Statespartiesshould,wherenecessarytocomplywiththeConvention,inparticularinordertocomplywitharticles9,15and16,enactandenforcelegislation.2 .2EncouragingcompliancewiththeConvention50.2 .2Assistedbythecommentsinthepresentgeneralrecommendation,andasrequiredbyarticles2,3and24,StatespartiesshouldintroducemeasuresdirectedatencouragingfullcompliancewiththeprinciplesoftheConvention,particularlywherereligiousorprivatelaworcustomconflictwiththoseprinciples.@ .B.Suggestions@ .4Suggestion5.Feasibilityofpreparinganoptionalprotocol@ .4totheConvention󀀀  2 .2TheCommitteenotesthattheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsrecommended:02 .2"Newproceduresshouldalsobeadoptedtostrengthenimplementationofthecommitmenttowomensequalityandthehumanrightsofwomen.TheCommissionontheStatusofWomenandtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenshouldquicklyexaminethepossibilityofintroducingtherightofpetitionthroughthepreparationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen."4/andonthebasisofitsdiscussion,itsuggests:2 .2(1) .ThattheCommissionontheStatusofWomenrequesttheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationstoconveneanexpertgroupmeetingtoprepareadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenprovidingforacomplaintsprocedure.Theexpertgroupshouldbecomposedof5to10independentexpertswithaknowledgeofthedifferentformsofcivilizationandtheprincipallegalsystemsandaknowledgeofinternationallawandtheexperienceoftheotherhumanrightstreatybodies,inthepreparationandoperationofoptimalprotocols.2 .2(2) .Theexpertgroupmeetingshouldbeconvenedduring1994.UponthenominationoftheexpertsbytheSecretaryGeneral,thesecretariatoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenshouldseekwrittensuggestionsfromtheindependentexpertsastotheelementswhichtheoptionalprotocolshouldcomprise.Thesecretariatshould,fromthosesuggestions,compileaworkingdocument,whichshouldbecirculatedtotheexpertspriortotheirmeeting.2 .2(3) .TheChairpersonshoulddesignateoneofthememberstoparticipateinthepreliminaryexchangeofsuggestionsandinthecompilationoftheworkingdocument.Thatmembershouldalsoparticipateintheexpertgroupmeeting.2 .2(4) .ThereportontheexpertgroupmeetingshouldbepresentedfirsttotheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenforitscommentandthentotheCommissionontheStatusofWomenforaction.@ . Suggestion6.InternationalConferenceonPopulation@ . andDevelopment󀀀2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,2 .2BearinginmindthattheCharteroftheUnitedNationsreaffirmsfaithinfundamentalhumanrights,inthedignityandworthofthehumanpersonandintheequalrightsofmenandwomen,2 .2RecallingthattheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenstatesthatthefullandcompletedevelopmentofacountry,thewelfareoftheworldandthecauseofpeacerequirethemaximumparticipationofwomenonequaltermswithmeninallfields,2 .2RecallingalsothattheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment,tobeheldatCairofrom5to13September1994,isbeingheldatatimewhenprofoundpolitical,economic,socialandculturalchangesaretakingplaceandwhenitisbeingrecognizedthattheroleofbothmenandwomenisthecentralforceinsustainabledevelopment,thatwomenconstitutethemajorityoftheworldpopulationandthattheinterdependenceoftheirstatuswitheconomicgrowth,theeliminationofpoverty,sustainabledevelopmentandpopulationissues,2 .2NotingthatintheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,heldatViennafrom14to25June1993,itisstatedthatthehumanrightsofwomenandofthegirlchildareaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofuniversalhumanrightsandthatthefullandequalparticipationofwomeninpolitical,civil,economic,socialandculturallife,atthenational,regionalandinternationallevels,andtheeradicationofallformsofdiscriminationongroundsofsexarepriorityobjectivesoftheinternationalcommunity,5/2 .21. .ReiteratestheprovisionsoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenbearinginmindthegreatcontributionofwomentothewelfareofthefamilyandtothedevelopmentofsociety,sofarnotfullyrecognized,thesocialsignificanceofmaternityandtheroleofbothparentsinthefamilyandintheupbringingofchildren;2 .22. .Furtherreiteratesthattheroleofwomeninprocreationshouldnotbeabasisfordiscriminationbutthattheupbringingofchildrenrequiresasharingofresponsibilitybetweenmenandwomenandsocietyasawhole;2 .23. .Reaffirmsthatwomenshouldhave,onthebasisofequality,thesamerightsasmentodecidefreelyandresponsiblyonthenumberandspacingoftheirchildrenandtohaveaccesstocompleteinformationonalternativeformsofsafefamilyplanningmethodsandservices,includingeducationandmeanstoenablethemtoexercisetheserights;2 .24. .Notesthatthereisaviciouscycleofwomen'silliteracy,poverty,highfertilityratesanddiscriminationinformalandinformalemployment,aswellasaninterrelationoftheseissueswithpopulationanddevelopmentissues,andthatdueattentionmustthereforebegiventothisinterdependenceinanypopulationanddevelopmentpoliciesaswellastoallowingwomenequalparticipationintherelevantgovernmentalandnon-governmentaldecisionmakingprocesses;2 .25. .ReaffirmstheobjectiveoftheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmenttoraisethequalityoflifeforallpeople,notablythroughtheguaranteeofhumanrights,thealleviationofpoverty,thecreationofemploymentintheformalsectorandprotectionandaccesstosocialbenefitsofwomenworkingintheinformalsectorandtheimprovementofhealth,education,nutritionandhousing,andconsidersthat,aswomenaregenerallythepoorestofthepoor,eliminatingsocial,cultural,economicandpoliticaldiscriminationagainstwomenisaprerequisiteforattainingthehumanrightsofwomenandforenhancingthequalityoflifeofthepeople,aswellasreducingpoverty,promotingeconomicgrowthandachievingsoundpopulationpolicies;2 .26. .Recognizesthat,inviewoftheincreaseinthenumberoffemaleheadedhouseholdswhoareamongthepoorestsectorsofthepopulation,specialmeasuresshouldbecarriedouttoprovideforthespecialneedsoffemaleheadedfamiliesandthatdueattentionshouldbepaidtotheminallaspectsofpopulationanddevelopmentpolicies;2 .27. .StronglyemphasizesthatoneofthemainobjectivesoftheConferenceistoeliminatediscriminationagainstthegirlchildandincreasepublicawarenessofhervalueasahumanbeing,bothbeforeandafterherbirth;toeliminatetherootcausesofpreferencesforsons;tostrengthenthegirlchild'sselfimageandselfesteemandimprovethestatusofthegirlchild,especiallywithregardtohealth,nutritionandeducation,andtoraisetheminimumageofmarriageofgirlsto18;2 .28. .Takesnoteoftheeconomiccontributionofwomen'sdomesticworkandothernonremuneratedwork,aswellastheproductoftheirfunctionsintheinformalsector,andconsidersthatdueattentionshouldbepaidtotherecognitionofthevalueofthatworkinresearchandincalculatinggrossnationalproduct,whichformsthebasisofdevelopmentandpopulationpoliciesandprogrammes,andtothenecessityofeliminatingalldiscriminatorypracticesimpedingwomen'sworkinthoseareaswhenformulatingdevelopmentandpopulationpolicies;2 .29. .Recommendsthat,intheformulationofsustainabledevelopmentpolicies,particularlyforpoorruralandurbanareas,theneedsandtasksofwomen,andtheirimpactonnaturalresources,shouldberecognizedandthatwomenshouldparticipateingovernmentalandnon-governmentaldecisionmakingprocessesontheseissuesonequaltermswithmen;2 .210. .Notesthatthesevereeconomicsituationfacingmanynations,bothdevelopedanddeveloping,aswellasstructuraladjustmentprogrammesandtheconcomitantreductioninsocialprogrammes,haveseriousimplicationsforthepeople;2 .211. .Alsonotesthatthoseimplicationsoccurparticularlyatthegrass-rootslevel,wherewomenwhocomprisethemajoritysufferdisproportionatelyfromthetransitionandadjustmentperiods;2 .212. .CallsforappropriatemeasurestobecarriedoutbyGovernmentsandinternationalorganizationsandfinancialinstitutionstoalleviatetheburdenimposedinthelifeofmenandwomenandtheirfamiliesinthisrespect.@ .C.Othermatters@ .H 1.ReservationstotheConvention1.2 .2InviewofitsfrequentlyexpressedconcernaboutreservationstotheConvention,andbearinginmindtherecommendationoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthatStatesbeencouraged"toconsiderlimitingtheextentofanyreservationstheylodgetointernationalhumanrightsinstruments,formulateanyreservationsaspreciselyandnarrowlyaspossible,ensurethatnoneisincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeoftherelevanttreatyandregularlyreviewanyreservationswithaviewtowithdrawingthem,"6/theCommitteedecidedtotakefurtherstepstoaddresstheissue.2.2 .2TheCommitteehasonanumberofoccasionsraisedtheissueofreservationstotheConvention.ItrecognizesthattheConventionallowsreservationssothatamaximumnumberofStatescanbecomeparties.However,article28oftheConventionprovides,interalia:"AreservationincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeofthepresentConventionshallnotbepermitted".3.2 .2Atitstwelfthsession,theCommitteerecalledthatithadraisedtheissueofreservationstotheConventionatitsprevioussessionsandthatatitseleventhsessionithadrecommended,interalia,that,inconnectionwithpreparationsfortheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsin1993,StatespartiesshouldraisethequestionofthevalidityandlegaleffectofreservationstotheConventioninthecontextofreservationstootherhumanrightstreaties(generalrecommendation20).TheCommitteesubscribestotherecommendationoftheConferencequotedinparagraph1above.4.2 .2TheCommitteedecidestobringagaintotheattentionoftheStatespartiestheseriousnesswithwhichtheCommitteeconsiderstheproblemofreservationsandrequeststhatthisconcernbeconveyedtotheseventhmeetingofStatesparties.5.2 .2TheCommitteedecidestoamendtheguidelinesforthepreparationofinitialandsubsequentperiodicreports,toincludeasectionindicatinghowtheCommitteewouldlikeStatespartieswhichhaveenteredreservationstoreportonthis.Thetextoftheamendmentwouldreadasfollows:02 .2 .EachStatepartythathasenteredsubstantivereservationstotheConventionshouldincludeinformationonthemineachofitsperiodicreports.02 .2 .Inreportingonreservations,theStatepartyshouldindicatewhyitconsideredthereservationtobenecessaryandwhetherreservationstheStatepartymayormaynothaveenteredonobligationswithregardtothesamerightsinotherconventionsareconsistentwiththereservationstotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,aswellasthepreciseeffectofthereservationintermsofnationallawandpolicy.Itshouldindicatetheplansthatithastolimittheeffectofreservationsandultimatelywithdrawthemand,wheneverpossible,specifyatimetableforwithdrawingthem.02 .2 .StatespartieswhichhaveenteredgeneralreservationsthatdonotrefertoaspecificarticleoftheConventionorreservationstoarticles2and3shouldmakeaparticularefforttoreportontheeffectandinterpretationofthem.TheCommitteeconsidersthesetobeincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeofthepresentConvention.6.2 .2TheCommitteealsorequeststhataspecialletterbesentbytheSecretary-GeneraltothoseStatespartiesthathaveenteredsubstantivereservationstotheConventiondrawingtheirattentiontotheCommittee'sconcern.7.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesoftheCentreforHumanRightsandoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenprovide,onrequest,advicetoStatespartiesonthewithdrawalofreservations.8.2 .2TheCommitteerequeststheSecretariattobringtheCommittee'sconcernaboutreservationstotheattentionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenandtheCommissiononHumanRights,aswellastotheotherhumanrightstreatybodies.9.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrequeststhattheSecretariat,inpreparinganalysesofreportsofindividualStatesparties,includeintheanalysisanindicationofreservationsmadebytheStatetootherhumanrightsconventionsonthesamehumanrights.10.2 .2TheCommitteedecides,forthoseStatespartiesthathaveenteredsubstantivereservations,toincludeintheconcludingobservationsitpreparesfollowingthereviewoftheirperiodicreportsasectioninwhichtheCommittee'sviewsonthereservationswouldbereflected.11.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatanumberofStatespartieswhichconsiderreservationsofotherStatespartiestobeincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeoftheConventionenterobjectionstothereservations.ItencouragesthoseStatestoenterintoadialogueonabilateralbasiswiththeStatestowhosereservationstheyobjectwithaviewtofindingasolution.@ .2.AdequatemeetingtimetoconsiderreportsofStatesparties12.2 .2ThebacklogofreportspendingconsiderationbytheCommitteeisnowverylargeandisgrowingsincethenumberofStatespartiesisincreasing.Moreover,ifaneffortismadetoencourageStateswithoverduereportstosubmitthem,thesizeofthebacklogwillincreasefurther.IfStatescurrentlypartiestotheConventionweretoreportonschedule,theCommitteewouldbeexpectedtoconsider30reportspersession.ThereisnowanaverageofthreeyearsbetweenthetimeaStatepartysubmitsitsreportanditsconsiderationbytheCommittee.ThisisitselfadisincentivetoreportandleadstotheneedfortheStatetopresentadditionalinformationtoupdatethereportwhich,inturn,increasesthevolumeofdocumentationthatmustbeconsideredbytheCommittee.13.2 .2ThelimitationonthedurationofsessionsoftheCommitteecontainedintheConventionhasbecomeaseriousobstacle.Thetemporaryextensionofsessionstothreeweekscannotbeexpectedtoeliminatethebacklog.14.2 .2TheCommitteethereforerecommendsthattheStatespartiesundertaketoamend,onanexceptionalbasisandwithreferenceonlytotheworkingsoftheCommittee,article20oftheConventiontoallowtheCommitteetomeetannuallytoconsiderreportssubmittedinaccordancewitharticle18.ItfurtherrecommendsthattheGeneralAssembly,pendingthecompletionofanamendmentprocess,authorizetheCommitteetomeet,exceptionally,fortwosessionsofthreeweeksdurationeachprecededbyapre-sessionworkinggroupstartingin1995andinthebiennium1996-1997.15.2 .2ItrequeststheSecretariattobringthisrecommendationtotheattentionoftheStatespartiesattheirseventhmeetinginFebruary1994.@ .63.Overduereports16.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithalarmthat38Statespartieshavenotyetsubmittedinitialreports.ItrecallsitsdecisiontopermitStatespartieswhosereportsarelongoverduetocombinereports.ItrequeststheSecretariattobringthismattertotheattentionoftheseventhmeetingofStatespartiesand,incooperationwithrelevantorganizationsoftheUnitedNationssystem,toprovideadvisoryservices,onrequest,tocountriesinpreparingtheirreports. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^   $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^   @ .   II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@ . A.StatespartiestotheConvention1.2 .2On4February1994,theclosingdateofthethirteenthsessionoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,therewere132StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,whichwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution34/180of18December1979,andopenedforsignature,ratificationandaccessioninNewYorkinMarch1980.Inaccordancewitharticle27,theConventionenteredintoforceon3September1981.2.2 .2AlistofStatespartiestotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@ .B.Openingofthesession3.2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditsthirteenthsessionatUnitedNationsHeadquartersfrom17Januaryto4February1994.TheCommitteeheld27plenarymeetings(233rdto259thmeetings)anditstwoworkinggroupseachheld6closedmeetings.Athirdinformalworkinggroupmetfourtimes.4.2 .2ThesessionwasopenedbytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,IvankaCorti,whohadbeenelectedatthetwelfthsessionoftheCommitteeinJanuary1993.5.2 .2Inheropeningstatement,theSecretary-GeneraloftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenstatedthattheCommitteewasconsideredoneofthepreparatorybodiesfortheConference.TheConference,tobeheldinBeijingin1995,wasanopportunityfortheCommitteetoassesstheimplementationoftheConvention.6.2 .2TheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,adoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsin1993,hadunderlinedtheimportanceofwomen'srightsashumanrights,whileatthesametimeexpressingconcernthat,althoughwomenhadthesamehumanrightsasmen,theydidnotenjoythemasmuchasmendid.TheDeclarationhadalsounderlinedtheimportanceoftheintegrationandfullparticipationofwomen,asahumanright,inthesustainabledevelopmentprocessbothasagentsandbeneficiaries,andhademphasizedthatnewproceduresshouldbeadoptedtostrengthenimplementationofthecommitmenttoequalityandhumanrightsastheyrelatedtowomen.TheConferencehadaskedboththeCommissionontheStatusofWomenandtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomentoexaminethepossibilityofintroducingtherightofindividualpetitionthroughthepreparationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionandhadaskedtheCommitteetocontinueitsreviewofthosereservationsthatrancontrarytotheobjectandpurposeoftheConventionorwhichwereotherwiseincompatiblewithinternationaltreatylaw.7.2 .2ShesaidthatLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanhadbecomethefirstregionwhereallStatesMembersoftheUnitedNationswerepartiestotheConvention,andexpressedthehopethatotherregionswoulddolikewisepriortotheConference.Itwouldbeagreataffirmationoftheworld'scommitmenttotheprotectionandimplementationofhumanrightsastheyrelatedtowomenif,bythetimeoftheConference,theConventionbecamethefirsthumanrightsinstrumenttoachieveuniversalratificationwithoutreservations.̇8.2 .2ThepreparationsfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenmeantthatitwouldnolongerbe"businessasusual"inprogrammesdealingwiththeadvancementofwomen.AsoneofthepreparatorybodiesfortheConference,theCommitteecouldcontributetoitspreparationbyprovidingguidelinesonhowbesttoensurethatthehumanrightsofwomencouldbeenjoyed.@ .BC.Membershipandattendance9.2 .2AllthemembersoftheCommittee,withtheexceptionofRyokoAkamatsu,attendedthethirteenthsession.KongitSinegiorgisattendedthesessionfrom26Januaryto4FebruaryandRoseN.Ukejefrom20Januaryto4February1994.ForthemembershipoftheCommittee,seeannexII.&  @ .D.Adoptionoftheagenda10.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagenda(CEDAW/C/1994/1)atits233rdmeeting,on17'  January.Theagendaasadoptedwasasfollows:882 2 .21. .Openingofthesession.2 .22. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .23.0 .ReportoftheChairpersonontheactivitiesundertakenbetweenthetwelfthandthethirteenthsessionsoftheCommittee.2 .24.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .25.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .26.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .27.0 .ContributionsoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomentointernationalconferences.2 .28.0 .Provisionalagendaforthefourteenthsession.2 .29.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenonitsthirteenthsession.@ . E.Reportofthepre-sessionworkinggroup11.2 .2TheCommitteehaddecidedatitsninthsession7/toconveneapre-sessionworkinggroupforfivedaysbeforeeachsessiontopreparelistsofquestionsrelatingtothesecondandsubsequentperiodicreportsthatwouldbeconsideredbytheCommitteeatthesession.12.2 .2TheCommittee,wishingtoreflectinthoseliststheideasandviewsofvariousmembersoftheCommittee,decidedthattheyshouldcontinuetosubmittotheSecretariatdraftquestionsonspecificcountriesandarticlesoftheConventionpriortothemeetingoftheWorkingGroup.̇13.2 .2FollowingtherequestoftheCommittee,theSecretariatpreparedananalysisofeachStateparty'sreportbasedontheinformationpresentedintheinitialreportandinsubsequentreports,andusingsupplementarystatisticaldatafromotherUnitedNationssources,inordertoprovideinformationinrespectofquestionstowhichanswerswerestillpending.Incompliancewiththerequest,theanalysesalsodrewonotherreportsaboutthecountrythatwereavailable,preparedbyotherhumanrightstreatybodiesorinaccordancewithconventionsofthespecializedagenciesoftheUnitedNationssystem.Theanalysesalsocontained,whereappropriate,informationspecificallyprovidedbythespecializedagenciesandextractsfromthestatisticsoftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF).14.2 .2TheCommitteehadproposedfivememberstoformthepre-sessionWorkingGroup.Thememberspresentwere:CarlotaBustelo, .NormaMonicaForde,X .X TatianaNikolaevaand . AhouaOuedraogo.Thefifthmember,SalmaKhan,wasnotabletoattend.2 .215.2 .2Thepre-sessionWorkingGroupheld10meetings,including3draftingsessions,atUnitedNationsHeadquarters,from10to14January1994.NormaMonicaFordewaselectedasChairperson.16.2 .2AccordingtotheprovisionalagendaoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1994/1),theWorkingGrouphadtopreparelistsofquestionsforsevencountries:Australia,Barbados,Colombia,Ecuador,Japan,NewZealandandSenegal.17.2 .2Forthepreparationofthelists,theWorkingGrouphadbeforeitthereportsofthosesevencountries;thegeneralguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofperiodicreports(CEDAW/C/7);thegeneralrecommendationsadoptedbytheCommittee;andthedraftlistsofquestionsreceivedfromsixmembersoftheCommittee.Furtherreferencematerialsincludedthedeclarations,reservations,objectionsandnotificationsofthewithdrawalofreservationsrelatingtotheConvention(CEDAW/SP/1994/2);theanalyses,preparedbytheSecretariat,ofthesecondperiodicreportsofAustralia,Ecuador,Japan,NewZealandandSenegal;thecombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofBarbadosandColombiaandthethirdperiodicreportsofEcuadorandJapan,aswellasinformationmaterialreceivedfromnon-governmentalorganizations.18.2 .2Inpreparingthelistsofquestions,thepre-sessionWorkingGroupfollowedthesuggestionoftheCommitteetoconcentrateonalimitednumberofquestions,tofocusonanalyticalandqualitativeaspectsratherthanonspecificquestionsandtounderlinetheachievements,remainingobstaclesandmattersinrespectofwhichfurtherinformationshouldbeprovided.TheWorkingGroupendeavouredtoincludequestionsthatreflected,asfaraspossible,theCommittee'smoregeneralconcernsastheyappliedtothereportunderconsideration.19.2 .2Asinpreviousyears,theWorkingGroupallocatedtoeachofitsmembersthemainresponsibilityforandcoordinationofthepreparationofapreliminarylistofquestionsononeortwocountries.Eachdraftwassubsequentlydiscussed,revisedandamended.20.2 .2ThelistsofquestionsdrawnupbytheWorkingGrouparecontainedinthereportofthepre-sessionWorkingGroup(CEDAW/C/1994/CRP.2),whichtheCommitteehadbeforeit.TheWorkingGroup,asauthorizedbytheCommittee,transmittedeachlistdirectlytotheStatepartyconcernedon14January1994.21.2 .2TheWorkingGrouppaidtributetoandrecognizedthevalueoftheworkdonebynon-governmentalorganizationsinprovidingadditionalinformationmaterial.TheWorkingGroupcommentedonthelengthofsomereportsandtheproblemsrelatedtothelatesubmissionofadditionalorrevisedreportsbysomecountries.@ .<F.Organizationofwork22.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidereditsorganizationofwork(CEDAW/C/1994/CRP.1)atits233rdmeeting.̀G.Compositionandorganizationofworkofthèworkinggroups23.2 .2Atits233rdand238thmeetings,on17and19January,theCommitteeagreedonthecompositionofitstwostandingWorkingGroups:WorkingGroupItoconsiderandsuggestwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommitteeandWorkingGroupIItoconsiderwaysandmeansofdischargingitsresponsibilitiesunderarticle21oftheConvention,inparticularthroughitsconsiderationofarticles7and8.24.2 .2WorkingGroupIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:EmnaAouij,DoraBravoNuezdeRamsey,NormaMonicaForde,LilianaGurdulichdeCorrea,ZagorkaIlic,LinShangzhen,PirkkoAnneliMkinen,ElsaVictoriaMuoz-G;mez,TatianaNikolaeva,AhouaOuedraogo,HannaBeateSchpp-Schilling,KongitSinegiorgis,MervatTallawyandRoseN.Ukeje.25.2 .2WorkingGroupIIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:CharlotteAbaka,GlAykor,CarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal,SilviaRoseCartwright,IvankaCorti,EvangelinaGarca-Prince,SalmaKhanandTeresitaQuintos-Deles.26.2 .2Atits237thmeeting,on20January,theCommitteealsodecidedtoorganizeWorkingGroupIIItodealwithissuesconcerning,amongothers,theViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.WorkingGroupIIIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:SilviaRoseCartwright,IvankaCorti,NormaMonicaForde,ZagorkaIlic,HannaBeateSchpp-Schilling,KongitSinegiorgisandMervatTallawy.WorkingGroupI27.2 .2TheCommitteeagreedonthefollowingdraftprogrammeofworkforWorkingGroupI:2 .2(a) .ReservationstotheConvention;2 .2(b) .AdequatemeetingtimetoconsiderreportsofStatesparties;2 .2(c) .Overduereports;2 .2(d) .SecretariatservicingoftheCommittee;2 .2(e) .Venueofthesession;2 .2(f) .Reviewoftherulesofprocedure;2 .2(g) .FormulationofCommitteecommentsonthereportsofStatesparties;2 .2(h) .OrganizationofthefourteenthsessionoftheCommittee;2 .2(i) .Reportstobeconsideredatthefourteenthsession;2 .2(j) .Provisionalagendaforthefourteenthsession.WorkingGroupII28.2 .2TheCommitteeagreedonthefollowingdraftprogrammeofworkforWorkingGroupII:2 .2(a) .Analysisofarticles7and8oftheConvention;2 .2(b) .ContributionoftheCommitteetotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen;2 .2(c) .ContributionoftheCommitteetotheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment.WorkingGroupIII29.2 .2TheCommitteeagreedonthefollowingdraftprogrammeofworkforWorkingGroupIII:2 .2(a) .RelationswiththeCentreforHumanRights:2 .2(i) .NextmeetingoftheHumanRightsCommittee;̀(ii) .Appointmentoftheofficialrapporteuronviolence;̀(iii) .PlanofactionoftheCentreforHumanRights;̀(iv)0 .Humanrightseducation(replytotheAssistantSecretaryGeneralforHumanRights);2 .2(v) .IssuestobedealtwithatthenextmeetingofChairpersons;̀(vi)0 .Improvementofcooperationbetweenhumanrightscommitteesandtheirsecretariats;2 .2(b) .Input(suggestions)totheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment;2 .2(c) .Feasibilityofdraftinganoptionalprotocol.ǀIII.REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIESUNDERTAKEǸBETWEENTHETWELFTHANDTHETHIRTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHÈCOMMITTEE30.2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,theChairpersonoftheCommitteegaveanoverviewoftheactivitiesundertakenduringthepast12monthsandtheresultsachieved.InanefforttoincreasethevisibilityoftheCommittee,shehadparticipated,inhercapacityaschairperson,inthethirtyseventhsessionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,theWorldConferenceonHumanRights,themeetingsoftheThirdCommitteeoftheGeneralAssemblyduringitsdiscussionoftheagendaitementitled"Advancementofwomen"andotherinternationalconferencesandevents.ShehadfrequentlybeenconfrontedwitharegrettablelackofknowledgeabouttheConventionandtheCommittee.Thelimitedfinancialandhumanresourcesofthesecretariatwereoneofthereasonswhysofewoutreachactivitiescouldbeundertakeninthepast.31.2 .2Inhercontactswiththespecializedagencies,inparticulartheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO),theUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA),UNICEFandtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),shehadreceivedpositivefeedbackandindicationsofpossiblecooperation,forexample,inthefieldofhumanrightseducationandthetreatmentoftherightsofthegirlchild.Sheemphasizedtheimportantactivitiesundertakenbynon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinwomen'srightsandsuggestedinvestigatingwaystoutilizetheircontributionsmoreactively.32.2 .2TheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsheldatViennarepresentedamilestonefortherecognitionofthehumanrightsofwomen.Shenotedthatsuggestion4oftheCommitteehadbeenausefultoolindrawinguptheresolutionelaboratedbytheCommissionontheStatusofWomenfortheConference,andshesupportedtheeffortsofnon-governmentalorganizationsinamendingthefinaldocumentoftheConference.TheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionrecognizedtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasanimportantinternationalinstrumentinthefieldofwomen'srights.ItalsoputtheCommitteeonanequalfootingwithotherhumanrightstreatybodies.ConcerningtheplansbeingelaboratedbytheCentreforHumanRightsoftheUnitedNationsSecretariatfortheimplementationoftheViennaDeclaration,shesaidthattheCommitteeshouldreactimmediatelyandsuggestactionontheareasrelevanttoitswork.33.2 .2ConcerningtheworkingmethodsoftheCommittee,theChairpersonsuggestedintroducinganewprocedurefortheexaminationofthereportsofStatesparties,inparticularfortheformulationoffinalobservations,followingproceduresadoptedbyotherhumanrightstreatybodies.ShesuggestedthattheCommitteeconsiderentrustinganexpert,orexperts,totaketheleadinstudyingeachreport.TheCommitteemightconsiderpreparingquestionsoninitialreportsinthesamewayasithadpreparedquestionsforsecondandsubsequentreports.34.2 .2WithregardtoreservationstotheConvention,neithertheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionnortherecommendationsofthepersonschairinghumanrightstreatybodieshadgonefurtherthanthepreviousproposalsforreconsiderationandwithdrawalofreservationsbyStatesparties.However,theCommitteehadtolookintothematterseriouslyandgiveitsownopinionandsuggestionsonthatimportantissueconcerningtheConvention.35.2 .2DelayinthesubmissionbyStatespartiesofreportsdueshouldbeconsideredaviolationofinternationalobligationsandshouldnotpreventtheCommitteefromexaminingthesituationinaparticularcountryandreachingfinalconclusions.ShepointedouttheneedtopreparetheCommittee'scontributiontotheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentandtotheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment.TheCommitteemightalsowishtoreflectonitsinputtotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,inadditiontothecompendiumalreadyforeseen.Sheemphasizedtheneedtogiveeffectiveexpressiontotherecommendationsconcerningarticles9,15and16oftheConvention,andsuggestedthattheagreedtextmightbeeditedtomakeitmoreaccessible,conciseandflexible. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     ؀IV.CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES̀UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION@ .A.Introduction36.2 .2Atitsthirteenthsession,theCommitteeconsideredthereportssubmittedby13Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention:fourinitialreports,twocombined8/initialandsecondperiodicreports,fivesecondperiodicreports,twocombined8/secondandthirdperiodicreportsandtwothirdperiodicreports.TheCommitteealsoconsideredtworeportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis.TheCommitteedecided,forthefirsttime,toprepareconcludingcommentsoneachreportconsideredbut,owingtoitstightschedule,itwasnotabletopreparecommentsonallthereports.ForthestatusofthesubmissionofreportsbyStatesparties,seeannexIVtothepresentreport.882  37.2 .2TheCommittee'sconsiderationofthereportsoftheStatespartiesissummarizedbelow,withasummaryoftheintroductorypresentationsbytherepresentativesoftheStatesparties,oftheobservationsmadeandthequestionsaskedbythemembersoftheCommittee,aswellasoftherepliesgivenbytherepresentativesoftheStatespartiespresentatthemeetings.ThesummaryrecordsprovidemoredetailedinformationonthereportssubmittedbyStatesparties.Accordingtorule49oftherulesofprocedureoftheCommittee,whenthereportofaStatepartyisbeingexamined,therepresentativeoftheStatepartyshallbepresentatthemeetingoftheCommitteeandshallparticipateinthediscussionandanswerquestionsconcerningthereport.@ .tB.Considerationofreports@ .1.Initialreports*@ .*Guatemala38.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofGuatemala(CEDAW/C/GUA/12andCorr.1andAmend.1)atits242ndand246thmeetings,on24and26January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.242and246).39.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentsaidthatunfortunately,owingtofinancialconstraints,thepersonsmostqualifiedtopresentthereportcouldnotcometoaddressthemeeting,butthatalltheCommittee'scommentsandrecommendationswouldbeanalysedandtakenintoconsiderationfortheelaborationoffuturepoliciesandinthepreparationofthesubsequentreport.Genderbasedstudieshadbeenundertakenandcertainaspectshadundergonechangesowingtothesuccessivechangesinadministrationandgovernmentpolicy.ShegaveupdatedinformationconcerningtheGovernmentanddemographicdata.On5June1993,thestateoflawhadbeenrestoredand,withthenominationofthenewPresident,democracyhadbeenreinstated.Accordingtothemostrecentprojections,womenmadeup49.5percentofthepopulation,ofwhich62percentlivedinruralareas.SheassuredthemembersthatthenewPresidentplacedspecialemphasisontheprotectionofhumanrights._________________________2 .2* .Includingsubsequentreports,ifsubmitted,inthosecaseswheretheinitialreportoftheStatepartyhadnotyetbeenconsideredbytheCommittee.̇Generalobservations40.2 .2MemberswelcomedtheratificationoftheConventionwithoutreservationsandthewellstructured,extensiveandfrankreportthathadfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelinesandreflectedtheGovernment'sefforttointegratewomenintothelifeofthenation.Itwasnotedthatallsectorsofsocietywererepresentedinthepreparationofthereport.However,itwasfeltthatthereportcouldhavebeenmoreanalyticalandthatitlackedinformationonthedefactosituationandonpoliciescarriedouttoenactrelatedlaws.ItwassuggestedthatthereportdidnotclearlyindicatewhetherprogresshadbeenmadesincetheratificationoftheConventionorwhethertheadvancementofwomenhadencounteredmanyobstacles.Thereportwassaidtolackinformationonnationalprogrammestoimplementthepolicyofnondiscrimination.( # $((241.3  2 .2Regretwasexpressedthatnoonefromthebodywhichhadpreparedthereporthadbeenabletoattendthemeeting.Whilethereportstatedthatwomenwerenotdiscriminatedagainstinthecountry,itwasnotedthatthecountrywasdividedintermsofclassandraceandthattherewasdiscriminationagainstindigenouswomen.ExpertsaskedwhethertheNationalOfficeofWomen'sAffairswastakinganymeasurestocounteractthatphenomenon.MembersalsodrewattentiontothefactthattherewasnoreferencetotheshortcomingsintheCivilCode,whichcontainedprovisionsthatwerediscriminatorytowomen,althoughtheyhadbeenobjectedtobynongovernmentalorganizations.242.3  2 .2TheGuatemalandelegation'sanswerstothequestionsputbytheCommitteewereprovidedbyapersonwho,accordingtoamemberofthePermanentMissionofGuatemalatotheUnitedNations,representedanongovernmentalorganizationactiveintheareaoffamilymatters.243.3  2 .2InreplyingtotheobservationsoftheCommittee,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentemphasizedthepriorityattachedtowomen'sissuesinthecountryandsaidthat,owingtothecurrentausterityplan,itwasdifficulttosendGovernmentrepresentativesfromthecountrytointernationalmeetings.ThesocioeconomicandpoliticalcontextinwhichtheConventionwasimplementedhadtobetakenintoaccountinordertodeterminewhethernationallawsandtheirapplicationwereappropriateandwhetherornottheyshouldbeconsidereddiscriminatorytowomen.ShesaidthatanappealhadbeenmadetotheConstitutionalCourtregardingtheunconstitutionalityofcertainprovisionscontainedintheCivilCode.Shereadoutthejudgementthathadbeenconsequentlyhandeddown,inwhichtheConstitutionalCourtsaidthattheConstitutionprotectedthepersonandthefamily,guaranteedfreedom,thedevelopmentofthehumanbeing,liberty,equalrightsandequalopportunitiesandresponsibilitiesforwomenandmenandstipulatedtheprotectionofmotherhood.Thejudgementrejectedtheclaimofunconstitutionalityanddeclaredfullyjustifiedthestatus,circumstances,functionsandrolesofmenandwomen,whosediscriminatorynaturegaverisetotheapplication.Uponratification,aninternationaltreatysuchastheConventionautomaticallybecamepartoftheConstitutionandmadeitmandatoryfortheStatetoadoptonlylegalmeasuresthatwerenotdiscriminatorytowardseithersex.Accordingtothatruling,noneofthelegalprovisionscontainedintheCivilCodewasunconstitutional,andthereforecontrarytotheprincipleofnondiscrimination.244.3  2 .2ThemembersoftheCommitteeindicatedthatthereadingofthejudgementandtheviewsexpressedbytherepresentativeoftheGovernmentincreasedtheirconcernatthediscriminationinstitutionalizedinlawandgivenexpressioninvaluesandmores.Intheirview,itwasnotonlyamatterofaflawedreport;theexistingsituation,inwhichthefundamentalhumanrightsofGuatemalanwomenwerebeingviolated,mustbedealtwithmoredecisively,onthebasisofanupdatedapproachinkeepingwiththeinternationalcommitmentsoftheGovernmentofGuatemala.245.3  2 .2Memberspointedoutthatnoinformationwasgiveninthereportaboutanyfamilyplanningpolicyoraboutstepstakentoupgradethehealthofwomenandchildren.Itwasalsonotclearfromthereportwhetherthemachinerytoimplementpoliciestopromotethestatusofwomenhadbeenupgraded.246.3  2 .2MembersnotedthesignificantresponsibilitiesofwomeninGuatemala,includingthoseforhealth,hygieneandfamilynutrition,butthatwomenwerenotgiventhesameimportanceasmeninoutsideworkandinpolitics.247.3  2 .2Itwasobservedthatpoliticalviolenceconditionedpeopletotolerateviolenceingeneral,whichhadaneffectonattitudestowardsviolenceagainstwomen.Politicalviolencehadtostopsothatwomencouldonceagainenjoyharmonyandfindtheirrightfulplaceinsociety.TherepresentativeexplainedthattheGovernmentwascurrentlytryingtoconsolidatepeaceinordertoensurethatwomencouldenjoywellbalanceddevelopmentfreefromviolence.248.3  2 .2MembersexpressedalarmattherulingoftheConstitutionalCourt,especiallyinacountrywherethecontentofaninternationaltreatybecamepartofdomesticlaw,oncethetreatyhadbeenratified.TheysaidthatifthecountrywishedtoimplementtheConvention,itoughttoamendsomeofitslaws,particularlytheprovisionsregardingfamilylawandgenderstereotypes.ThepresentationofthereportshowedthattheGovernmentdidnotattachmuchimportancetowomen'sissuesandtherepliesgiveninthereportonlyincreasedtheCommittee'sconcernsaboutthediscriminatorynatureoftheCivilCode.TherewasincompatibilitybetweentheobligationsundertakenbyratifyingtheConventionandtheactuallegalsituationaswellasitsinterpretationbytheConstitutionalCourt.MembersnotedthatthissituationwascompletelyunacceptableandsuggestedthattheGovernmentshouldseekassistancefromtheUnitedNationsincorrectingitslegislationandinpreparingitssubsequentreport.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article5249.3  2 .2Withreferencetothetraditionalroleofwomeninsociety,membersexpressedtheneedfortheGovernmenttoextendmoreeducationaleffortstowomen.TheyaskedwhichmeasurestheGovernmentornongovernmentalorganizationshadtakentopromotetheimplementationofarticle5notonlyinrespectofchangingthelaws,butalsoinrespectofdoingawaywithsocio-culturalstereotypesvis--viswomen.Therepresentativesaidthat,intheopinionofsomeelementsofsociety,theroleofwomenwasconsideredtobeinferiortothatofmen,whereasinrealitythatwasnotthecase.Educationprogrammeswerecurrentlyunderwaytoteachmentoacknowledgetheparticipationofwomeninsocietyandtosharetheresponsibilityforeducatingthechildren.250.3  2 .2Membersalsoaskedwhetheranyspecificmeasureshadbeencarriedoutinruralareas.Whenmembersrequestedmoredetailedinformationontheissueofviolence,therepresentativesaidthateducationcampaignswerecurrentlybeingcarriedouttoeradicateviolenceagainstwomenandthatthesubsequentreportwouldcontaininformationontheresultsofthosecampaignsandstatisticaldata.̇2 .2Article6251.3  2 .2ConsideringthatGuatemalansocietyappearedtoviewprostitutionwithindifferenceandtendedtoblameprostitutiononthewomenthemselveswithouttakingintoconsiderationthesocialandeconomicenvironment,suchanattitudeentailedtheriskofexploitationbymen.Societyshouldconsiderthereasonswhywomenwereinthatsituation.Membersrequestedstatisticaldatarelatedtoprostitution,includinginformationontheagebracketandthesocialstrataofthewomeninvolved,andaskedwhetherhealth,educationandrehabilitationserviceshadbeensetupforthosewomen.252.3  2 .2TherepresentativewasconvincedthatthoseevilswerecausedbylackofadequateeducationandsaidthattheaimoftheGovernmentwastofindtrainingandnewworkingopportunitiesforthosewomen.Nongovernmentalorganizationshadelaboratedspecifictrainingprogrammes.2 .2Article7253.3  2 .2Satisfactionwasexpressedthatilliteratewomenwerenolongerdiscriminatedagainstintheirvotingrights.Membersrequestedstatisticaldataonthenumberofwomenwhoparticipatedinelectionsandonthepoliticalinclinationsofwomenandaskedwhetherwomeninruralareaswererestrictedinexercisingtheirvotingrights.2 .2Article10254.3  2 .2Membersaskedwhatmeasureshadbeentakentoreviseschoolbooksortraineducatorswithaviewtoeliminatingdiscriminatoryconceptsandwhathadbeendonetoreducefemaleilliteracy.Therepresentativesaidthattheconceptofcomplementarityandgenderequalitywouldbepromotedthrougheducationandthatthesubsequentreportwouldcontaindetailedinformationonthemeasurestakeninthatrespect.255.3  2 .2Membersinquiredwhetherthegenderspecificschoolsthathadbeenmentionedinthereportstillexistedbothinurbanandinruralareasandwhethereconomicfactorshadnotledtoacoeducationalschoolsystem.Therepresentativeexplainedthatparentshadtherighttochoosetheformofeducationthattheypreferredfortheirchildren.Therewasnodiscriminationinvolved.256.3  2 .2Bearinginmindtheculturaldiversityofthecountry,withsome23differentlanguagesspoken,membersaskedwhethertheeducationalprogrammestookthoseculturesintoaccount.257.3  2 .2Furtherdatawererequestedonthegenderdistributioninthevariousfieldsofstudy.2 .2Article11258.3  2 .2AsthecountryhadratifiedConvention100oftheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),memberswouldwelcomeassurancesthatitsprovisionswerealsobeingimplementedandrequestedmoreinformationonthematter.259.3  2 .2Whilewomenworkingintheformalsectorwerecoveredbythesocialsecuritysystem,themajorityofwomenworkedintheinformalsectorandindomesticserviceandlackedsocialsecuritycoverage.Itwassuggestedthatrelevantpoliciesshouldbemodelledonthoseofothercountrieswherewomenworkingintheinformalsectorwereincorporatedintothesocialsecuritysystem.Regardingthelawgoverningthesupplyofchildcareservicesforenterpriseswithmorethan30workers,itwassaidthatthenumbershouldnotbelimitedtofemaleworkers;otherwise,employerswouldnothirewomensoasnottohavetocomplywiththeobligations.260.3  2 .2MembersrequiredfurtherclarificationonthereasonsforthewagediscriminationagainstwomenandaskedwhetherwomenweremobilizingthemselvestodefendtheirrightsundertheConvention.Membersalsoaskedwhetherthedifferencesinwagesbetweenwomenandmenwereequallylargeintheformalandtheinformalsectors,whetherwomenworkingintheinformalsectorwereentitledtomaternityleaveandpensionsandcouldjointradeunionsandwhatprogrammeshadbeenestablishedtoimprovethesituationofwomenintheinformalsector.261.3  2 .2Accordingtothereport,finesforfiringawomanforbecomingpregnantweresolowthatemployerssimplypaidthefineandfiredthewoman.Itwashopedthatfuturereportswouldaddressthatsituation.Membersaskedwhetherwomen'sworkintheinformalsectorwasreflectedinnationaleconomicstatisticsandwhattheworkingconditionsofwomeninthegarmentindustrieswere.262.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatwomencouldorganizethemselvesfreely.Thefactthattherewerenotmanygroupswasaresultofculturalfactorsandshowedthesatisfactionthatwomenfeltwiththeirsociety.2 .2Article12263.3  2 .2MembersinquiredabouttheGovernment'sfamilyplanningpolicyandaskedwhethertheprogrammesweregearedonlytowardsruralwomenoralsodirectedtowardswomeninurbanareasandindigenouswomen.264.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatthefamilyplanningpolicywasgivenwidepublicityandwasopentoanybody.Everysmallcommunityhadfamilyplanningservices.Indigenouscommunitieshadequalaccess,buttheyconsideredthepracticesharmfultotheirtraditionsandhabits.Theyalsotendedtoobjecttousingcontraceptivesbecausetheythoughtthattheirusewasabirthcontrolmethodspecificallytargetedatthemtoexterminatetheircultureandpeople.Therepresentativeexplainedthatfamilyplanninghadnegativeeffectsonthepopulation.Womenhadbeenstronglydiscriminatedagainstinthatallofthepreventivemethodshadbeendirectedonlyagainstthem.Indigenouswomenwerenotgiveninformationabouttheeffectsofcontraceptivesontheirbodiesandsometimesthedonationoffoodwaslinkedtotheuseofcontraceptives.Birthcontrolledtothebreakdownofthesocietyandthefamily.Italsohadanegativeeffectonyouthandincreasedthenumberofhouseholdsheadedbysinglewomen.265.3  2 .2Therepresentativestatedthathercountrywascomposedofmanyethnicgroupsandwascharacterizedbyasenseofsolidarity,familysupportandunderstandingandthat,consequently,itwouldbedesirableifeconomicsupportforpopulationcontrolweredirectedtowardseducationprogrammes,whichwouldimprovelivingstandardsandleadtoamorebalancedgrowthofthepopulation.266.3  2 .2Asabortionwasapunishableoffence,membersaskedwhatthesentenceswere.2 .2Article14267.3  2 .2Membersexpressedconcernattheunequaldistributionoflandinruralareasandinquiredabouttheexistenceofanyindenturedconditionsunderwhichwomenworked,whetherruralwomenhadaccesstochildandhealthcareandwhethertheycouldownlandandhaveaccesstocredit.268.3  2 .2MemberscommentedthatinGuatemalasexistnotions,suchasthe"natural"roleofwomeninthecontextofprocreation,werestillbeingreinforced.Ifsuchsexistattitudesprevailed,theywouldhaveadverseeffectsonthefutureofgirlswhowouldchooseonlytraditionalfemininecareers.Membersinquiredaboutconsciousnessraisingcampaignsthatshouldenhancethesocialandeconomicroleofwomenratherthantheirroleinthefamily.Therepresentativestatedthatthenotionsoftheroleofwomeninthefamilyshouldnotbechanged.Amisunderstandingofequalitywouldnotbenefitanysociety.Itwasmoreimportanttoencouragetheideaofthecomplementarityofmenandwomen.2 .2Article16269.3  2 .2Commentingontheminimumageformarriage,whichwas14forgirlsand16forboys,expertssaidthatsuchaprovisionencouragedchildmarriagesandshouldbeabolishedwithaviewtosettingthesamelegalageforbothpartners.Inherreply,therepresentativequotedthejudgementmadebytheConstitutionalCourtaccordingtowhichcivilrightswereacquiredwiththeattainmentofmajority.Entranceintomarriagerequiredthatthecouplehadreachedmajority.Thedifferentagerequirementsforboysandgirlswerebasedonphysiologicalandbiologicalfactorsandontheinterestsofsociety.Consequently,thedifferenceinminimumagewasnotconsideredtobeunconstitutional.270.3  2 .2Regardingtheconcernexpressedbymembersaboutthefamilylaw,whichwasdiscriminatorytowomenasitcontainedarigiddescriptionoftherolesofwomenandmen,thusreinforcingexistingstereotypes,therepresentativestatedthatthelegislaturesoughttoprotectthefamily,asitwasthefoundationoftheState.271.3  2 .2Membersexpressedtheopinionthatthelegalprovisionaccordingtowhichthehusbandremainedtheheadofthefamilyandawomanneededthehusband'spermissiontotakeupoutsideactivitieswascontrarytotheprovisionsoftheConventionandextendedthepatriarchalsystem.Itwasasourceofbasicdiscriminationagainstwomenand,althoughtheConstitutionprovidedfortherighttowork,the"husband'slaw"seemedtobesuperiortothebasiclaw.Likewise,thefamilylawspokeonlyoftheobligationofwomentolookafterthechildrenandtakecareofthehousehold,withoutalsomentioningthehusbands.272.3  2 .2InreplytherepresentativereferredtotherulingoftheConstitutionalCourtwhichsaidthatmenandwomenhadequalfamilyresponsibilitiesinprotectingthechildren.Thelawthatgavethehusbandtherighttorepresenthisspouseinnowayharmedthewife,especiallyastheroleofheadofthefamilycouldbeassumedbythewifeifthehusbandwasunabletodosobecausehehadeitherabandonedthehouseholdorbeensentencedtoimprisonment.Theadministrationofpropertywascarriedoutbycommonagreementbetweenthespouses.Therepresentativesaidthattheprovisionsaccordingtowhichthehusbandhadtoprovideassistancetothewifeandthewifehadtherightanddutytocareforminorchildrenwereinnowaydiscriminatory;theywereonlymeanttoprotectthewife.Neitherofthetwospousescouldavoidtheirresponsibilitiestowardstheirchildren.Womenwerenotprohibitedfromtakingonoutsideactivitiesaslongassuchjobsdidnotpreventthemfromtakingcareoftheirminorchildrenandthehouseholdandwerenotcontrarytothepurposeofmarriageandtheobligationsinherentinmaternity.273.3  2 .2Whenmembersaskedwhetherwomenhadtakencourtactiontoclaimtheirrights,whetheranyamendmentofthelawwasplannedandwhatthereactionofwomen'sgroupstothatlawwas,therepresentativesaidthatnoclaimshadeverbeenenteredtoopposethehusbandastherepresentativeofthefamily.274.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatitwasnecessaryforwomentoeducatetheirsonstorespectgenderequalityandthattheresponsibilityforeducatingthechildrenwasshared.275.3  2 .2Inreplytothecommentbythemembersthatthecriminalcodewasdiscriminatoryasitpenalizedwomenmoreheavilythanmenforcommittingadultery,therepresentativesaidthattheGovernmentwascurrentlytryingtoamendthediscriminatoryprovisionsofthecode.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Positiveaspects276.3  2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentofGuatemalaforhavingratifiedtheConventionwithoutreservations,andtheyexpressedgreatinterestintheinitiativesundertakentobringaboutlegalchangeswithaviewtoachievingequalityofGuatemalanmenandwomeninthecontextofeffortstorestorepeace.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern277.3  2 .2TheCommitteeindicatedthattheGovernment'sfailuretocooperateinfundingtravelforthepersoninGuatemalaresponsibleformattersrelatingtowomenshowedthatitattachedlittleimportancetothesubject;suchsituationsprobablydidnotariseinconnectionwithGuatemala'sobligationsunderotherhumanrightstreaties.278.3  2 .2IntheircommentstheCommitteemembersmostlyindicatedthatdespitetheeffortsmadetherewasaclearlydiscriminatorysituationinGuatemalainwhichextremelystereotypedsocial,economic,politicalandculturalroleswereassignedtomenandwomen;thatsituationresultedinsubordinationofGuatemalanwomeninvirtuallyalltheareasandatallthelevelscoveredbythearticlesoftheConvention.InformationwasrequestedwithrespecttotheapplicationfiledbytheProcurator'sOfficeinGuatemala,ongroundsofunconstitutionality,forrescissionofanumberofarticlesoftheCivilCode.279.3  2 .2AlmostallthememberssaidthatGuatemalanlegislation,particularlytheCivilCode,mustbebroughtintolinewiththeConvention,andthatasamatterofpriorityitwasnecessarytofocusontheprovisionsofarticle16;theCodecontainedhighlydiscriminatoryprovisionsthatrestrictedorviolatedthefundamentalhumanrightsofGuatemalanwomen,whichtheStatewasunderanobligationtoprotectasaresultofitsaccessiontotheConventionandotherhumanrightsinstrumentssafeguardingtherightsinquestion.ThemembersvoicedsimilarconcernswithregardtotheCriminalCode.280.3  2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernatthediscrepanciesthatexistedtothedetrimentofwomenwithregardtoeducationandemployment,remunerationandinvolvementineconomicactivity;theyalsoexpressedconcernaboutwhatwasbeingdonetopreventandpunishviolenceagainstwomen,andaboutwaysofdealingwithprostitution.̇281.3  2 .2Inshort,themembersoftheCommitteecommentedthatwomendidnotappeartobeapriorityfortheGovernment,thattherewasfarreachinglegaldiscrimination,andthattherewasnoinformationoninitiativestocombatdiscriminationresultingfromhighlystereotypedculturalpatternsorontheactualsituationofwomenamongindigenousethnicgroups.Ingeneral,theyregardedthereportasinadequateinthelightoftherecommendationsmadebytheCommitteeinthatconnection.Theyexpressedtheviewthattheverywordingofthereportwassometimesdiscriminatory;thatshowedthattheGovernmentneededtoreviewandadjustitsapproachsoastoimprovethesituationofGuatemalanwomen.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations282.3  2 .2TheCommitteeindicatedthatthefollowingstepsshouldbetakentoimprovethepresentationoffuturereports:2 .2(a) .Reportsshouldgiveamoredetailedanalysisofactualsituationsandprovidefiguresandindicators;theyshouldbelessdescriptiveandfocuslessonregulatorymatters;2 .2(b) .ReportsshouldprovideananalysisofallarticlesoftheConventionanddemonstratewhatchangeshadtakenplaceintheimplementationoflawsandprogrammes;2 .2(c) .Theanalysisshouldcoverruralurbanandethnicdifferences,whichareamatterofgreatimportanceinGuatemala.283.3  2 .2Asamatterofurgency,theGovernmentofGuatemalamustbringitsinitiativesintolinewiththeConvention.ItmustmakeaspecialefforttoensurethatjudgesandotherindividualsinvolvedintheinterpretationandimplementationofGuatemalanlegislation,includinglegislatorsthemselves,arefamiliarwiththeConvention,whichisanintegralpartofGuatemala'slegislation,withaviewtobringingtheprovisionsoftheConstitutionconcerningequality,aswellaslegislation,judgementsandprogrammeinitiatives,intolinewiththeConventionandotherinternationalinstrumentssafeguardingthehumanrightsofwomen.284.3  2 .2TheCommitteewishedtoknowmoreaboutthestatusandcapacitiesofnationalmachinery.285.3  2 .2Asamatterofpriority,Guatemalamustmakethemosturgentlegalchangessoastoguaranteeequality,particularlywithregardtoarticle16oftheConvention.286.3  2 .2TheCommitteethereforerequestedtheGovernmentofGuatemalaurgentlytotakeallnecessarymeasuresandadoptpoliciestoimprovethesituationofwomeninGuatemalaincompliancewiththeConventionandtoreportonthosemeasuresinitssubsequentreport.287.3  2 .2ItwassuggestedthattheGuatemalanGovernmentcouldrequesttechnicalsupportforthepreparationofitsnextreport.@ .&  Guyana288.3  2 .2TheCommittee'  ԀconsideredtheinitialreportofGuyana(CEDAW/C/5/Add.63)atits235thand239thmeetings,on18and20January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.235and239).289.3  2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeofGuyanaemphasizedthattheglobaleconomiccrisisofthe1980sandtheconcomitantrecessionhadhithercountryhardasitwasoneofthemostvulnerable.FortypercentofthepopulationinthecountriesofLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanwerelivingunderconditionsofpoverty,unabletosatisfybasicneeds.Owingtotheirvulnerablepositioninsociety,womenweremoreharshlyaffectedbythesocio-economiccrisis.Thefactthatpovertyaffectedwomenmorethanmenwasacommonphenomenonintheregion.290.3  2 .2Asaresultoftheeconomicproblems,commencingwiththeoilcrisisinthe1970s,the"cooperativesocialism"thathadbeentheofficialpolicyofthecountryhadundergoneacriticalperiod,whichhadledtoacontinuousbreakdownofthebasicinfrastructure.Growingunemploymentandlowwageshadledtoincreasedinternalmigrationandemigrationofmen.Female-headedhouseholdshadincreasedfrom24.4percentin1980to29.5percentin1992.Thepercentageofpermanentfemaleemigrantshadalsoincreasedinthelastyears,resultinginahighernumberofmaleheadedsingleparenthouseholds.Theinfluxofwomenintothelabourforcehadbroughtwithitthemostprofoundchangesinthelabourmarket.291.3  2 .2GuyanahadbeenratedasoneofthepoorestcountriesintheWesternhemisphere.ThewidespreadimpoverishmentofthemajorityofGuyanesehadbroughtwithitacontinuousdeclineinpercapitaproductionandrealwageswhilepricesofbasiccommoditieswererising;aseverereductioninthequalityoftheeducationalsystem;hunger,malnutrition,homelessnessandanincreasingnumberofstreetchildren;inadequatehousingandadeclineinthepublichealthservices.Asaresultofsuchneglectofthedevelopmentofhumanresources,thelastfewyearshadwitnessedadrasticdecreaseinlifeexpectancyandariseininfantmortality.292.3  2 .2Structuraladjustmentprogrammes,introducedinresponsetotheeconomicproblems,hadbroughtaboutnewformsofstress,whichaddedtothecrisiscreatedbypriormismanagement.Severeshortagesinthebasicfoodsupplyhadhadanimpactonwomenwhowereforcedtoqueueforlonghourstopurchasebasiccommodities.Cutsinpublicexpenditurehadbroughtaboutadeclineinsocialservices,particularlyhealthandeducation,aswellasininfrastructure,includingtransportation,watersupplyandelectricity.Women,asprimaryhouseholdmanagersandincomeearners,wereparticularlyaffected.Generalobservations293.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewelcomedtheverycandidreport,whichhadbeenpresentedwithfranknessbyahighlevelpoliticalrepresentative.TheyrecalledthatGuyanahaddemonstratedalongcommitmenttotheConventionandwasamongthefirstMemberStatestosignandratifytheConventionwithoutreservation.IthadalsobeenthefirstcountryoftheregiontopresentacandidateformembershipoftheCommittee.294.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewelcomedthepoliticalwilltoimplementtheConvention,butwereawareofthecultural,socialandeconomicconstraintstoitsimplementation.AskedwhetheralltheprovisionsoftheConventionwerefullyimplementedinthelegislationofthecountry,therepresentativeexplainedthatcertainarticlesoftheConventionweredealtwithinstatutes,whichwereenforceableinthecourts.TherewasnotardinessonthepartoftheGovernmentinreducingdiscriminationagainstwomen,sincethe1980Constitutionalreadycontainedprovisionswithrespecttoequalityforwomen.In1983theChildrenBornoutofWedlockActwasadopted,whichremovedanydiscriminationagainstchildrenbornoutofwedlock.In1990,theEqualRightsActwasadoptedbyParliament,givingwomentherighttoseekredressfordiscriminatorypracticesonthebasisofsex.TheimplementationoftheConventionhadimprovedthestatusofwomengenerally,raisedconsciousnessabouttheissueinwomen'sorganizationsandinmaledominatedinstitutions,andfocusedattentionontheremainingobstacles.295.3  2 .2MemberswereinterestedtolearnwhethertheConventioncouldbeinvokedintheeventoftheviolationofwomen'srights,andwhatwastherelationshipbetweennationallegislationandtheConvention.TherepresentativerepliedthatunderthelawwomeninGuyanaweregivenasignificantdegreeofprotection.Women'saccesstothecourtswasaffordedbywayoftheconstitutionalandmunicipallawprovisions.296.3  2 .2Concerningaquestionaboutthetimeframeoftheprogrammefortheadvancementofwomen,therepresentativerepliedthatanationalpolicystatementonwomenexisted,butthatseveralongoingprogrammesfortheintegrationofwomenindevelopmentcouldnotbefullyimplementedbecauseofeconomicconstraints.297.3  2 .2Membersnotedthatthereportemphasizedeliminationofdejurediscrimination,butthatmoreinformationwasneededonthedefactosituationofwomen.Inparticular,morestatisticaldatashouldbeprovided.TheyinvitedtheGovernment,whenpreparingsubsequentreports,torefertoexistingnormsandfactsandtointerpretchangesthathadtakenplace.Thatwouldavoidanycontradictionsthatmightappearinthepresentreport.TherepresentativesaidthatherGovernmentwasfullyawareofthedeficienciesinthecollectionofdataandstatisticsandwassearchingforassistancefrominternationalagenciestoremedythesituation.298.3  2 .2Askedwhethernongovernmentalorganizationshadbeenconsultedwhenpreparingthereport,therepresentativestressedthattheWomen'sAffairsBureau,asthenationalmachinery,wasindirectliaisonwithwomen'snon-governmentalorganizations,andhadbeenlargelyresponsibleforthepreparationofthereport.299.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewelcomedthecleardescriptionofthenegativeimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomen,whichillustratedhowpoliticalandeconomicchangewouldaffectwomennegatively,ifhumanresourcedevelopmentwasnotconsidered.MembersaskedforfurtherinformationonactionstakenbytheGovernmenttomitigatethenegativeimpactofsuchprogrammesonwomenandchildren.Therepresentativementionedthat,undertheSocialImpactAmeliorationProgramme,periodicpaymentsweremadetoelderlywomenandpregnantandlactatingmothers,foralimitedperiodoftime,tocushiontheeffectsofthewithdrawalofgovernmentsubsidiesofbasicgoods.GuyanareceivedassistancefromanumberofUnitedNationsprogrammesandspecializedagenciesandotherdonors.Seventeenhealthcareprojectshadbeencarriedout.However,significantdelaysintheimplementationofprojectswereexperienced,andtheGovernment'scapacitytoabsorbfurtherbadlyneededassistancewaslimitedbyitsinabilitytoprovideadministrativeandfinancialcounterparts.88  2100.3   .MemberspraisedtheactiverolewomeninGuyanahadplayedinthestruggleforindependence,whichshouldguaranteethemtherighttoenjoyfundamentalrightswithoutconditions.AskedwhythebasicrightsintheConstitutionwerelinkednotonlytorespectfortherightsandfreedomsofothers,butalsotorespectforthepublicinterest,therepresentativesaidthatthisdidnotleadtoabuseandinjusticesincethecourts,asguardiansoftherightsofindividualsundertheConstitution,couldbeapproachedbyanyaggrievedpartyseekingredress.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles .Article22101.3   .GiventheexistenceofdifferentethnicandindigenousgroupsinGuyana,memberswantedtoknowiftheyhadpreservedtheirculturalroots,becauseculturecouldbeusedasaunifyingforceindevelopment.Moreinformationwasrequiredontraditionalcustomsandreligioustraditions,andthewaytheyaffectedwomenandunderminedtheprovisionsoftheConvention.TherepresentativerepliedthatthelargestethniccommunitiesweretheEastIndians(49.5percent)andtheAfricans(35.6percent);theindigenouspopulationofAmerindiansmadeup6.8percentofthepopulation.Asaresultofthedivide-and-rulepracticeofcolonialism,thetwomajorracialgroupsweredividedinthelate1950sandagaininthe1960s.Amerindianshadoriginallyhadtheirownculture,buttheprocessofsocializationhadalteredsomesectionsoftheindigenouspeople,whohadbecomeinvolvedinnationallifeinthefieldofeducation,healthandtraining.UndertheConstitution,allcitizenshadtherighttopractisetheircustomsandreligion.Somereligiousnormswereusedtokeepwomendown,notgivingthemtherighttochosetheirhusbandsandnotallowingthemintomaledominatedreligiouspositions.However,thefundamentalproblemofmaledominationoverwomenwasinherenttoallracialgroups. .Article32102.3   .MembersoftheCommitteeappreciatedtheappointmentofaministerfortheadvancementofwomenandrequestedfurtherinformationonthemandateoftheMinister,thelimitsimposedonherworkandtheexistenceoffocalpointsinthevariousotherministries.TherepresentativerepliedthattheMinistryofLabour,HumanServices,SocialSecurityandHousinghadaSeniorMinisterinchargeofLabourandHousingandaJuniorMinisterresponsibleforHumanServicesandSocialSecurity,whichincludedwomen'saffairsasoneof11areasofresponsibility.NolimitswereimposedontheworkoftheMinister.Withregardtothenationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomen,theMinisterwascollaboratingonaweeklybasiswiththeadministratorsoftheWomen'sAffairsBureau. .Article42103.3   .Itwasaskedwhichtemporarymeasureshadbeentakentoacceleratedefactoequalitybetweenmenandwomen.Membersalsoinquiredaboutexistingprogrammestoincreasethenumberofwomenindecision-makingpositionsatalllevels.2104.3   .TherepresentativerepliedthattheWomen'sAffairsBureauwasengagedinprojectmonitoringandtheimplementationofprojectsdirectlytargetingwomen,inparticularintheacquisitionofskillsandeducation,traininginsmallbusinessmanagementandhealth.̇ .Article52105.3   .Assumingahighincidenceofviolenceagainstwomenasinanysociety,membersaskedforinformationontheextentofviolenceinallitsforms,themeasurestakenbytheGovernmenttoeliminateviolence,policeinterventionandcourtprocedures.Therepresentativerepliedthatviolenceoccurredatalllevelsofsocietyandthatabout48percentofwomenhadbeenphysicallyassaultedin1993.Onlyrecentlyhadwomenstartedtoreportassaultscommittedagainstthembytheirspousesorcommon-lawpartners.Whilearrestingtheperpetrators,malepoliceveryoftendisplayedreluctancetoinstitutechargesandconsideredtheassaultsapurelydomesticmatter.Women'sorganizationshadthereforecalledforfemaleinvestigators.Refugesandsheltersforabusedwomen,aswellasahotline,hadbeenestablished.AdraftDomesticViolenceBillwastobeplacedbeforeParliament,followingtheformatofsimilarbillsinotherCaribbeancountries.TheGovernmentandnongovernmentalorganizationswereplanninganeducationprogrammetosensitizeyoungpeopleaboutotherformsofconflictresolution,self-esteemandrespectforfemales. .Article62106.3   .Memberssoughtmoreinformationonprostitutionandrelatedactivitiesandwantedtoknowwhetherlawsandspecificprogrammeshadhadanimpactonreducingthenumberofprostitutes.Therepresentativestatedthatthelawpenalizedanymalepersonforknowinglyliving,whollyorpartly,ontheearningsofprostitutionorsolicitingforanimmoralpurpose.Topreventtheincreaseofprostitutionlinkedtotheurbanmigrationofyoungwomen,effortswerebeingmadetoraisethelivingstandardsinruralareasandtoencourageyoungwomentheretoundertakeincome-generatingactivities. .Article72107.3   .Notingthatthereportgavefiguresonthepercentageofwomenincertainhigh-levelpositions,membersaskedfurtherinformationonthenumberofwomeninmiddle-levelmanagementpositions,andonwomen'sparticipationinnon-governmentalorganizations,politicalpartiesandlabourunions.Therepresentativerepliedthatwomenconstitutedasmallbutgrowingpoolofmiddleandlowerlevelmanagersandthattheirparticipationhadrisenfrom14.9percentin1985to25.4percentin1993.However,women'srepresentationattheexecutivelevelhaddecreasedsharply,from25.5percentto12.4percent,duringthesameperiod.Onlyinthelow-payingservicesectorandtheteachingprofessionsdidwomenplayasignificantroleindecision-making.Womenwereactiveinthetradeunions,inboththeprivateandthepublicsector,holdingafewhighpositionsinmanagementandtheexecutivebranches.Exclusivelyfemaletradeunionorganizationsdidnotexist.2108.3   .Shestatedthatwomenwereaclearminorityatthehigherechelonsofpublicandpoliticallifeandweregrosslyunderrepresentedintoppositions.Femaleparticipationintheparliamentaryassemblyhadincreasedsignificantly,from14percentin1980to22percentin1985,butdecreasedto15.7percentin1993withthechangeofGovernment.Theimbalanceinmale-femalerepresentationinParliamentwasalsoreflectedintheGovernment,whereonlytwowomenhadbeenappointed,oneasHealthMinisterandtheotherasMinisterforLabour,HumanServices,SocialSecurityandHousing.However,inotherdecisionmakingpositionsintheGovernment,thesituationhadimprovedwithanincreaseinthenumberofpermanentsecretariesandotherhighlevelpositions,from21.4percentin1987to33.3percentin1993.Attheregionallevel,thepercentageoffemalemayorshaddeclinedfrom40percentin1980to20percentin1986and16.7percentin1993.2109.3   .Withregardtowomen'sparticipationinpoliticalparties,sherecalledwomen'shistoricalinvolvementinpoliticallife,especiallyintheworkofpartiesandduringelections.Themajorproblemwasthatonlyafewwomencouldattainleadershiprolesintheirpartiesowingtomalecompetition,lackofassertivenessandtheiradditionalburdenofchild-rearing. .Article82110.3   .Membersacknowledgedthefranknessofthepartofthereportunderdiscussion,butaskedforadditionalexplanationabouttheobstaclesthatpreventedwomenfromparticipatingindecision-makingandwhethertherewasactualequalityofopportunityforwomeninaccesstopowerinpubliclife.Therepresentativerepliedthatthestereotypicalattitudesofwomenandmeninhibitedwomen'saccesstodecision-makingpositions.Asmorewomenenteredprofessionallife,itwastobehopedthatthattrendwouldchange. .Article102111.3   .Askedforfurtherdataonschooldrop-outratesforgirls,therepresentativestatedthatonly18.9percentofwomendroppedoutatthetertiarylevel,comparedto81.2percentformen.Nodatawereavailablefordrop-outratesattheprimaryandsecondarylevelsbuttheywouldbesuppliedinthenextreport.Drop-outsweregivenasecondchancetopursuehigherstudies.Inresponsetothequestionwhethertheprogrammesmentionedinthereportwereaimedatstereotypicalvocationalskills,shestatedthatprogrammeswereopentobothsexes,butthewomenoptedfortraditionallyfemale-orientedprogrammesofstudy. .Article112112.3   .Moreinformationwassoughtonequalaccesstotraining,jobsegregation,women'semploymentinhealth,educationandtheindustrialsectorandtheircontributiontoagriculture.2113.3   .Therepresentativesaidthatwomenhadequalaccesstoeducationandtraining.Trainingwasanintegralpartofwomen'sinvolvementinwork.Thegender-specificdivisionoflabourwaslinkedtothetraditionaldefinitionofwomen'seconomicroles,themajorityofwomenbeingemployedintheclerical,salesandservicesectors.Alowpercentageofwomenfoundemploymentintheagriculturalsector,wherewomen'sinvolvementinhouseholdsubsistencefarmingandpoultryrearingforadditionalfamilyincomewasnottakenintoaccount.2114.3   .Ahighproportionofeconomicallyinactivefemaleswasinvolvedindomesticduties,butthefigurehaddeclinedowingtothechangingroleofwomen,whoneededtosupplementfamilyincome.2115.3   .Memberswishedtoknowifwomenhadequalopportunitywithmeninobtainingfulltimejobs.Therepresentativenotedthatalthoughwomenhadequalopportunitywithmen,theywereburdenedbychild-rearingactivitiestraditionallyconsideredafemaleresponsibility.Thelackofchildcarefacilitiesaffectedwomen'sparticipationinthelabourforcenegatively,inparticulariftheycouldnotrelyongrandparentsorelderlyrelatives.TheGovernmentandnongovernmentalorganizationswereprovidingsomedaycareforchildren.̇2116.3   .Inreplytothequestionaboutequalremunerationformenandwomen,therepresentativequotedthe1990EqualRightsAct,whichprovided,interalia,thatwomenandmenshouldbepaidequalremunerationforthesameworkorworkofthesamenature.Althoughingeneralwomenwerepaidthesameasmen,insomeprivatesectororganizationswomenwithsimilarqualificationsandperformingthesametaskswerestillpaidless. .Article122117.3   .MembersrequiredfurtherinformationonprogrammestocombattheAIDS/HIVpandemicandonexistingfacilitiesforinfectedwomen.TherepresentativestressedthattheincreaseinHIVinfectionamongwomenfarexceededthatofmen,althoughfewerwomencarriedthevirusthanmen.TheGovernmenthadlaunchededucationprogrammestocombatthespreadofAIDSamongyoungpeople,encouragingtheuseandacceptanceofcondoms.Discussionsonremovingtaboosassociatedwithsexualbehaviourhadtakenplace.ShealsoreportedoneffortsbeingmadetoendthestigmatizationofAIDSvictims.2118.3   .Referringtothesevereproblemofanaemia,averyincapacitatingillnessforwomen,memberswantedtoknowiffemalemalnutritionresultedfromthetraditionaldiet,lackofvarietyoffoodsorpoverty.Giventhedecreaseinlifeexpectancy,membersaskedforthecommoncausesoffemalemortality.Therepresentativestatedthathighriskpregnancies,lackoftrainedmedicalattendants,malnutritionandabortionweresomeofthecontributingfactors.A50percentdecreaseingovernmentspendingonhealthserviceshadhadanimpactonthe86percentofthepopulationconsideredtobelivingunderthepovertyline,andonwomeninparticular.2119.3   .Concerningfamilyplanning,membersrequestedinformationontheexistenceofanationalfamilyplanningprogramme,onaccesstospecialmaternityservicesandontheavailability,useandgeneralacceptanceofcontraceptives.TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatfamilyplanningadviceandcounsellingwasconductedat166clinicsacrossthecountryandincludedtheprovisionofvariousformsofcontraceptives,prenatalandpostnatalservices,immunizations,papsmears,pregnancytests,infertilityandfertilitycounsellingandtreatment.Women,ingeneral,acceptedfamilyplanningverywell.Aresponsibleparenthoodorganizationwasconductingeducationalprogrammesforyoungpeople.TherepresentativealsosaidtherewasnogovernmentpolicyonfamilyplanningowingtothedemographictrendsofhighmortalityandemigrationinGuyana.2120.3   .Ontheincidenceofabortion,therepresentativestatedthatthenumberofillegalabortionswashighasabortionwasoftenusedasaformofcontraceptionbywomenhavingnoaccesstootherfamilyplanningmethods.Thehighestnumberofabortionsoccurredinthe2429yearagegroupandamongEastIndianwomen,followedbyBlackwomen.TherewasanongoingdebateonthedecriminalizationofabortionasproposedinabilltabledinParliament. .Article142121.3   .MembersoftheCommitteewelcomedthepolicyofdecentralizationandwishedtoobtainfurtherinformationontheinvolvementofwomenatthedistrictlevel.Therepresentativerepliedthatwomenweregenerallyinvolvedinallsectorsofrurallife.Afterthe1992elections,therehadbeenaresurgenceofcommunitydevelopmentgroups,inwhichwomenplayedanimportantrole.  &   .Article162122.3   .Withregard'  Ԁtoreformofthefamilylaw,membersexpressedtheopinionthatamorecomprehensiveapproachshouldbepreferredtoasegmentedprocessofamendment.HarmonizationwiththerestoftheCaribbeancountriesshouldbegivenspecialattention.Therepresentativeagreedandaddedthattheestablishmentofafamilycourthadbeencalledforbywomen'sorganizationsoverthepastdecade.ShealsoinformedtheCommitteeabouttheMarriedPersonsPropertyAmendmentActandtheFamilyDependantsProvisionActadoptedin1990,whichchangedthelawsrelatingtothedivisionofthepropertyofspousesuponthedissolutionofmarriageorthebreakupofacommon-lawrelationship.Inreplytoaquestionontheequaldivisionofmaritalpropertyincaseofdivorce,shestatedthattheMarriedPersonsPropertyAmendmentActmadeprovisionsfortheservicesofthewifeinthehometobequantifiedinassessinghercontributiontotheacquisitionofmaritalproperty.2123.3   .Moreinformationonfemale-headedhouseholdswasaskedfor,inparticularontheincidenceindifferentethnicgroups,ontheirculturalacceptanceandgovernmentprogrammesforprovidingassistance.Therepresentativeregrettedthatnodataonfemaleheadedhouseholdswereavailable,butpromisedthatthesecondperiodicreportwouldsupplythatinformation.Althoughtheincidenceoffemaleheadedfamilieswaswidespread,itwashighestamongtheAfroGuyanesepopulation.2124.3   .SpecificinformationwassoughtontheEqualRightsActthatenabledcourtstodefinediscriminationandonanyinstanceswhenthelawhadbeenapplied.TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattheActdidnotdefinediscriminationandhadneverbeenconsideredinthecourtsowingtoitsrelativelyrecentpassage.Nocasesallegingdiscriminationhadbeenbroughtupsofar.2125.3   .TheCommitteedeferreditsconcludingcommentsonthereportofGuyanauntilitsfourteenthsession. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     &@ .LibyanArabJamahiriya126.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportoftheLibyanArabJamahiriya(CEDAW/C/LIB/1andAdd.1)atits237thand240thmeetings,on19and21January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.237and240).127.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentoftheLibyanArabJamahiriyaapologizedforthefactthattheAssistantSecretaryoftheGeneralPeople'sCongress,whowasawoman,wasnotabletoattendandpersonallyhaveadialoguewiththemembersoftheCommittee.Hegaveanoverviewofthestructureofthereportandhighlighteditsmainpoints.Hesaidthatinhiscountrytherewerenolawsthatwereinanywaydiscriminatoryagainstwomen.Libyanlegislationcontainedtheprincipleofequalityofwomenandmen.TheShariahequallyemphasizedtheimportanceofwomeninsociety.128.2 .2Hementionedthemodifiedschoolcurriculathatensuredtheeliminationofstereotypesandsaidthatwomenreceivedthesameeducationasmenandwereencouragedtoenteranykindofoccupation.Prostitutionwasprohibitedandtherewerenoobstaclestotheparticipationofwomeninpoliticalandpubliclife.Womenhadthesamerightsasmentoparticipateinprofessionalassociations,andtheGeneralUnionofWomen'sAssociationshadbeencreatedforthepromotionofwomen.Thepercentageofwomenineducationwasincreasingandwomenweresometimesprovidedwithbetterfacilitiesthanmen.Maternityhadnoeffectonseniority,socialallowancesandthejobsituation.However,womenhadnotyetreachedthesamepositionsasmenathighlevels.129.2 .2Womenwereconsideredasthecornerstoneofthesociety.Theywereequaltomenbeforethelaw,theyhadequalrightswithregardtothecustodyoftheirchildrenandtheywerethepartnersofmenincivil,culturalandsociallife.Womencouldwritetheirownwills,independentofmen,andhadtherighttochoosetheirhusbands.Womenhadmadebigstridesinthelast25years,consideringtheconditionstheyhadpreviouslyexperiencedinthatregionand,astheyhadpenetratedallspheresoflife,thecountryhadlaidafirmbasisforequality.Generalobservations130.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteecommendedtheaccessionoftheLibyanArabJamahiriyatotheConvention.WhilethankingtherepresentativeforhavingappearedbeforetheCommittee,theyindicatedconcernthatLibyanwomencouldnotbepresentthemselvestotalkabouttheirexperiences.Generalandseriousconcernwasexpressedaboutthereservationthathadbeenenteredatthetimeofaccessionandaboutthefactthatthereservationwasnotatalltoucheduponinthereport.MembersaskedwhethertheGovernmenthadnottakenintoconsiderationtheobjectionsthathadbeenraisedbymanycountrieswithaviewtoreconsideringtheissue.BearinginmindthattheShariahhadgivenequalitytowomen,asmentionedinthereport,itdidnotseemclearwhythereservationwasstillmaintained,particularlyasitconstrainedtheGovernment'sabilitytocomplywitharticle2oftheConvention.MembersfeltthattheinterpretationoftheKoranhadtobereviewedinthelightoftheprovisionsoftheConventionandinthelightofthecurrentsocialenvironment.Itwasnotpossibletospeakofequalrightsofwomenandyettomaintaingenderdifferentiationandsexualstereotypes,suchasinsistingontheroleofwomenashousekeepers.131.2 .2Inreplyingtotheconcernsofthemembers,therepresentativeoftheStatepartyexplainedthattheIslamicreligionwasdesignedtoemancipatemenandwomenfromallformsofslaverybyprohibitinginjustice,makingthepromotionofwomenapreconditionfortheroadtoparadiseandcallingforequalityamongallhumanbeings.Anygenderdifference,ifconsideredobjectively,didnotconstitutediscriminationbasedonsex.ReservationswereenteredbyIslamiccountriesinordertoavoidembarrassmentinviewoftheliteralmeaningoflegaltexts.HeassuredtheCommitteethatitsconcernswouldbeconveyedtothecompetentauthorities.132.2 .2Inadditionalcomments,membersobservedthattheywerestillunclearaboutthereasonsforthecountry'smaintenanceofitsreservationtotheConvention.TheysaidthatthereservationwasverymuchrelatedtothequestionofinterpretationoftheShariah.TheyfeltthattheShariahwasverysupportiveofwomen'sequality,rightsanddignity.However,ithadcomeintoforce1,500yearsagoandwasnotimmutable.TheShariahitselfgaveequalitytowomen,buttheproblemthathadtobeovercomewasthatofinterpretation.Religionsshouldevolveovertime,buttheevolutionortheijtihad,theinterpretationoftheShariah,hadcometoastandstillthreecenturiesago.Thethinkingaboutsomereligiousroleshadnotevolvedfromthattimeanditwasnotpropertoapplyastandardthathadappliedseveralcenturiesagotothepresentworld.InsomecountriestheShariahhadbeeninterpretedinamoreprogressiveway,asaresultofthepoliticalwilloftheGovernment.TheKoranpermittedtheijtihadfortheinterpretationoftheIslamicreligion.Therefore,effortsshouldbemadetoproceedtoaninterpretationoftheShariahthatwaspermissibleanddidnotblocktheadvancementofwomen.TheGovernmentwasurgedtotakealeadingroleinitsinterpretationoftheShariahasamodelforotherIslamiccountries.ReservationsthatwereincompatiblewiththegoalsoftheConventionwerenotacceptable.133.2 .2AlthoughmemberscommendedtheGovernmentforthetimelysubmissionofitsreport,theycriticizedthefactthatcertainarticlesoftheConventionhadnotbeendealtwithseparatelyandlackeddetailedinformation,thatthereportappearedtobemoretheoreticalanddidnotcontaininformationonthedefactosituationofwomenandthatitcontainedtechnicalerrorsandcontradictions.Oneofthoseerrorspertainedtotable2andwasexplainedbytherepresentativeasatypographicalerrorinthetranslatedversion(itshouldread1984andnot1974).MembersoftheCommitteepointedoutthescarcityofstatisticaldata,inparticularregardingtheissuesofviolenceagainstwomen,migrantwomen,womenmigratingtourbanareasandthedrop-outrateforfemaleschoolattendants.134.2 .2Whilethelawrelatingtodisabledpersonswaspraised,furthercommentsonitslegalprovisionswererequested.Itwasaskedwhichnewlawshadbeenadoptedsincethecountry'saccessiontotheConventionandwhichlawsgaveprioritytowomen.135.2 .2Memberssaidthattheimplementationofananti-discriminationpolicyrequiredthatpoliciesbecoherenteventhoughtheytoucheduponreligiousandideologicalissues.Truegenderequalitydidnotallowforvaryinginterpretationsofobligationsunderinternationallegalnormsdependingoninternalreligiousrules,traditionsandcustoms.Clarificationwasrequestedfortheconceptof"women'snaturaltasks",asreferredtointhereport.136.2 .2WithregardtotherequestforfurtherinformationontheGreatGreenDocumentonHumanRights(A/44/331,annex),therepresentativereferredtoparagraph21thereof,whichcalledforequalitybetweenwomenandmen.137.2 .2Membersnotedwithsatisfactionthemanypositivedevelopmentsontheroadtoachievingequalitybetweenwomenandmen,suchastheadmissionofwomenintothejudiciary,theentryofwomenintothearmedforces,thecreationofacentreforwomen'sstudies,thefixingofthesameminimumageatmarriageforwomenandmen,theamendmentofschoolbooks,theplacementofrestrictionsonpolygamy,thepublicitygiventotheConventioninthemedia,thesettingupofadepartmentofwomen'saffairsandthesupportgiventowomen'snon-governmentalorganizations.However,theimageofwomeninthemedianeededtobechanged.138.2 .2TherepresentativeexplainedthatthemaintasksoftheAssistantSecretaryoftheGeneralPeople'sCongresswerethecollectionofdataanddocumentationandtheevaluationandanalysisofissuesrelatingtowomen;theelaborationofplanstointegratewomenintoallsocial,cultural,economicandpoliticalspheresoflife;theremovalofexistingobstacles;thecoordinationanddisseminationofinformationregardingtheachievementsofwomenandthepromotionofwomen'saccesstointernationalandnationalpoliticalforums.Additionalcoordinationofficeshadbeenestablishedtoassistinraisingtheawarenessandconsciousnessofwomen.139.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteesympathizedwithwomenandmeninthecountrybecauseoftheirsufferingsasaresultofSecurityCouncilresolution748(1992)concerningtheaerialembargo,andsaidthatsuchsanctionsalwayshadastrongimpactonthestatusofwomenandchildren.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles̀2 .2Article2140.2 .2TherepresentativesaidthattheprincipleofgenderequalitywasclearlyspelledoutintheConstitutionandintheGreatGreenDocumentonHumanRights.Libyanlegislationprotectedtherightsofallcitizens,regardlessofgender,particularlyinthefieldsofeducation,health,andsocial,cultural,professionalandpoliticallife,andsetoutcorrespondingmeasurestoguaranteethoserights.141.2 .2Replyingtoquestionsrelatedtowhatkindofrecourseactionwasavailabletowomenwhohadbeendiscriminatedagainst,hestatedthattheSupremeCourthadstressedtheprincipleofequalityasafundamentalhumanrightandthatallcitizenshadtherighttoresorttothecourtsintheeventofanyviolationofthatfundamentalright.Hepointedoutthatanylawsthatdiscriminatedagainstwomenhadbeenabolishedandthatpenallawdidnotcontainanydiscriminatoryprovisions.2 .2Article3142.2 .2TherepresentativeexplainedthattheGovernmenthadadoptedmanyexecutiveandadministrativemeasurestosafeguardwomen'sexerciseoftheirrightsandfreedomsinthesamewayasformen.Womenenjoyedtheirnaturalrightsinprofessionalassociationsandsyndicatesandcouldassumetheirnaturalrolesinsociety.2 .2Article4143.2 .2MembersfeltthattheGovernmenthadtakensomespecialmeasuresalthoughtheywerenotreflectedassuchinthereport.Membersweredoubtfulwhetherthemeaningofarticle4hadbeenproperlyunderstood.Theyexpressedthehopethatthesubsequentreportwouldtakethoseobservationsintoconsideration.MembersaskedhowthenewDepartmentofWomen'sAffairsinthesecretariatoftheGeneralPeople'sCongresscooperatedwithnon-governmentalorganizationsandwhetherthedepartmentwasconsideringtakingtemporaryspecialmeasures.144.2 .2Replyingtothosequestions,therepresentativesaidthatspecialmeasureshadbeentakenattheexecutivelevelingivingwomentherighttotakepostsinthejudiciary,toparticipateinfemalebasicpeople'scongressesandotherconferencesandincreatingamilitaryacademyforgirls.2 .2Article5145.2 .2Althoughmemberscommendedtheprohibitionofviolenceagainstwomen,theyaskedwhatmeasureswereestablishedforpreventingsuchviolenceandforprotectingthevictims,andwhetherwomenwereallowedtoleavetheirhusbandsintheeventofviolentacts.Therepresentativestatedthat,accordingtothelaw,violenceagainstwomenwithinmarriagewasprohibited.Incasesofactsofmaritalviolence,womencouldseekseparationincourtandunmarriedwomenwhobecamevictimsofviolencecouldalsoresorttothecourts.Nostatisticaldatawereavailable,butviolenceagainstwomendidnotconstituteadangerousphenomenoninthecountry.146.2 .2Regardingquestionsconcerningfemalecircumcision,therepresentativestatedthatthepracticeoffemalecircumcisiondidnotexistinthecountry.147.2 .2Referringtotraditionalattitudes,membersqueriedtheconceptofstereotypesinthecountry.Althoughthereportstatedthatstereotypeshadbeeneliminatedintextbooks,itsuggestedthattheconceptwasmaintainedwithregardtowomen'srolesinsociety.Whenaskedwhichcustomsjeopardizedtheadvancementofwomenandwhatmeasureshadbeentakentoremovesuchnegativetraditionalattitudes,therepresentativesaidthatwomen'sconcernsweretakenintoconsiderationinalldevelopmentplans,suchasinthedevelopmentofschoolcurriculafavourabletowomen.Women'seffortstoacquireknowledgeandenterintojudicialanddiplomaticposts,aswellastopursuetrades,undertakevocationaltrainingandtraveloutsidethecountryweremanifestationsofchangesintheattitudesofLibyansociety.2 .2Article6148.2 .2WithreferencetothegeneralrecommendationsoftheCommitteeregardingtheissuesofviolenceagainstwomen,HIV/AIDSandtheDeclarationontheEliminationofViolenceagainstWomen,membersrequestedmoredetailedinformationontheimplementationoftheirprovisions.149.2 .2Consideringthatprostitutionwasawidespreadphenomenon,memberssoughtmoreinformationonthedefactosituationandtheexploitationofwomenbywayofprostitution,andaskedforrelevantstatisticaldata.Concerninglaw70of1973,itwasaskedwhetherthesanctionunderarticle407appliedtotheprostituteortotheclient,whatthecriteriawereforan"indecentact"underarticle408,whethermaleprostituteswereputunderthesamesanctionsasfemaleprostitutesandwhatthesanctionsforoffencesunderarticles415and416were.150.2 .2Therepresentativerepliedthatsincetrafficinwomenandforcedprostitutionwerepunishablecrimes,nopolicymeasuresregardingprostitutionexisted.151.2 .2Inadditionalobservations,membersrequestedclarificationoftherightsofprostituteswhowerealsowomenand,assuch,shouldbecoveredbytheConvention.152.2 .2Membersinquiredwhysanctionsagainstprostitutionwerelinkedtothoseagainstadultery.153.Therepresentativeexplainedtherewasnodiscriminationinthepunishmentforadultery,whethercommittedbymenorwomen.154.2 .2Addressingquestionsregardingartificialinseminationtherepresentativeapologizedforthemistakeofincludingtheissueunderarticle6andsaidthatartificialinseminationwaspermissibleonlybetweenhusbandandwifeandthatitrequiredtheconsentofboth.̀2 .2Article7155.2 .2Clarificationregardingthepoliticalorganizationofthecountrywassought,andmembersaskedfordetailedstatisticalindicatorsinsubsequentreportsinordertoillustratetheprogressmade.156.2 .2Membersinquiredwhetherwomen'sorganizationsweresetupbytheGovernmentorattheirowninitiative,andwhetherwomenhadtherighttovote.Theyfeltthatwhatwasstatedinthereportunderarticle7reflectedthepatriarchalstructureofLibyansocietyanditsdiscriminatoryspirit,inthatdecisionsregardingwomen'sissuesweretakeninspecialfemalebodies.Furthermore,theyinquiredabouttherelationshipbetweenthePeople'sGeneralCongressandthefemalebasicpeople'scongresses,andaskedwhetherthefemalecongresseshaddecision-makingpowerovernationalissuesand,ifso,whichones.Membersalsoaskedwhichpostswereexclusivelyreservedforwomen,becausesuchmeasurescouldalsobediscriminatoryagainstwomen.157.2 .2Therepresentativeexplainedthattheincumbentsofthevariouspoliticalpostsmentionedinthereportwereelected,notnominated.Womenwereadmittednotonlytothefemalebasicpeople'scongresses,butalsotootherforums.Itwasdifficulttoquantifywomen'sparticipationinpoliticallife,buttherewerespecialprogrammesforraisingpoliticalawarenessamongwomen.158.2 .2Regardingthestatementinthereportthat"nopoliticalconcentrationcamps"existedinthecountry,therepresentativesaidthatthecorrecttranslationshouldread"nofemalepoliticalprisonersexistinthecountry,atthetimeofwritingthisreport".159.2 .2Inadditionalobservations,membersexpressedconcernaboutthefactthatwomencouldparticipateequallywithmenintimesofwarandcarryweaponsbutthat,oncetheconflictwasover,theirpoliticalrightswereoverlooked.2 .2Article9160.2 .2Inreplytothequestionwhetherwomenweremadeawareoftheirrightsunderthelawconcerningnationality,therepresentativesaidthatalllawswerepublishedintheofficialgazetteandcouldbeconsultedbyanycitizen.2 .2Article10161.2 .2Regardingcommentsmadeonthegapinenrolmentfiguresbetweenboysandgirlsinsecondaryeducationandregardingquestionsaboutthereasonsforthatphenomenon,therepresentativesaidthatitwouldbenecessarytoupdaterelevantstatisticsandtoinvestigatethereasons.Noinformationwasgivenaboutprogrammesforgirlswhodroppedoutofschool.162.2 .2Membersexpressedconcernaboutcertainstereotypicalattitudesinschooleducation.Theyaskedforclarificationoffamily-lifeeducationandwhethereducationwasgearedtogirlsandyoungwomeninsuchawaythattheycouldtakeadvantageoftheirrights.Therepresentativesaidthatcoeducationexisted.2 .2Article11163.2 .2Membersrequesteddataonalloccupations,brokendownbysex,andonfemaleunemployment.Theywantedtoknowinwhichbranchesofactivitywomenwereinthemajorityandwhetherasmanywomenwereemployedintheprivatesectorasinthepublicsector.164.2 .2Commentingontheprovisionthatemployerswithaworkforceofover50womenwererequiredtoprovidechild-carefacilities,memberssaidthatineffectitpreventedtheopeningofchild-carefacilitiesbecauseonlyafewenterpriseshadmorethan50workingwomen.165.2 .2Regardinginquiriesabouttheprofessionsthatweredeemeddangeroustowomenandtherequestforexplanationsconcerningtheprohibitionofnightworkforwomen,therepresentativesaidthatthelistofdangerousprofessionswasnotavailableandthatthepolicyhadbeenadoptednottodiscriminateagainstwomen,buttoprotectthem.2 .2Article12166.2 .2QuestionsunderthisarticlereferredtothegreaternumberofmenthanwomenlivingintheLibyanArabJamahiriyaandwhetherthatwastheresultofthehighermortalityrateofwomen;theissueofteenagepregnanciesinthelightofthehealthrisksinvolvedandtheirconsequencesforwomen'sadvancement;thepositionofdisabledwomenandthereasonsfortherulethatthehusband'sapprovalwasnecessaryincasesoffamilyplanning.167.2 .2MembersnotedthatthelargenumberofnursesconfirmedthatwomenmostlytookuptraditionalfemininecareersandtheyrequestedstatisticsontheincidenceofHIV/AIDSandinformationonpoliciesandmeasurestopreventthatdisease.2 .2Article14168.2 .2Membersaskedwhatunpaidagriculturalworkwas.2 .2Article16169.2 .2MemberssoughtclarificationforthecontradictorystatementsinthereportreferringtocustodyandtutelageafterdivorceandinquiredwhethertheGovernmentintendedtoremovesuchdiscriminatorypracticesasthepassingofcustodyofthechildrentothefatherafterdivorce,thelossofallthewoman'srightsandtheobligationtopaycompensationincaseofdivorcebythewife.Clarificationwasalsorequestedfortheprovisionunderwhichawomanhadtherighttochooseherhusbandandenterintomarriageafterconsultingherlegalguardian.170.2 .2Regardingquestionsaboutmarriagesbetweencloserelativesandtheirpercentages,therepresentativesaidthatmarriagetothemother,sister,nieceandauntwasbanned.However,othermarriagesbetweencloserelativeswerepermitted.171.2 .2Consideringthatitwasstatedinthereportthathusbandandwifehadequalrightsbutdifferentresponsibilities,membersaskedwhethersuchaprovision,aswellastheprovisionsregardingdowry,diminishedtheexerciseofequalrightsforwomen.172.2 .2Concerningthe"limitedframework"regardingpolygamy,therepresentativeexplainedthatLibyanlegislationpreferredmonogamyandthatpolygamywastheexceptiontotheruleandonthedecrease.Marriagetoasecondwifewaspossibleonlyuponwrittenpermissionbythefirstwifeorbythecourtsand,furthermore,onlyifthehusband'shealthandfinancialsituationallowedit.Regardingthereactionofwomentothepracticeofpolygamytherepresentativesaidthattheyhadthechoiceofobjectingtoitoracceptingit.Membersquestionedwhetheranywomanwouldagreetosuchanarrangementexceptunderthethreatofdivorceorotherformsofcoercion.173.2 .2Regardingtheadoptionofchildren,therepresentativeexplainedthatitwasnotlegitimateinIslam,becauseIslamiclawdidnotpermitgivingapersonanameotherthanthatofthefather.Careofachildwasacceptablewithoutchangingitsname.174.2 .2Heexplainedthattheprovisionunderwhichfemalechildreninheritedhalfofwhatmalechildreninheritedwasnotdiscriminatorytowomen,sincewomenacquiredthatpartoftheinheritancewithoutcommitments,whereasmenhadtotakeoveralltheconcomitantobligations.Therefore,theShariahshouldnotbeinterpretedasdiscriminatory.Themembersconsequentlyfeltthattherewasnoneedtoenterareservation,because,withthatinterpretation,womenweretreatedequallywithmen.175.2 .2Inthecourseofadditionalobservationsmembersexpressedconcernabouttheissuesofinheritanceandadoption.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction176.2 .2TheCommitteecongratulatedtheStatepartyontheinformationcontainedinthereportandtheadditionaldetailsprovidedtoitorally.TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatthereporthadbeensubmittedwithintheprescribedtimelimitandthat,ingeneral,itrespectedtheguidelinesforpresentationofreports.TheCommitteeappreciatedthecooperationshownbytherepresentativeoftheStateparty,aswellastherepresentative'swillingnesstoanswerthemanyquestionsraisedbyitsmembers.However,theCommitteeregrettedthatthereportprovidednoinformationonthedefactoapplicationoftheConvention,oronobstaclesanddifficultiesimpedingitsimplementation.2 .2Positiveaspects177.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithinteresttheprogressivedejuremeasuresadoptedbytheStatepartytopromotetheintegrationofwomenintoallareasofdevelopment,particularlyeducationandthearmedforces.178.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedthepoliticalwilltoimprovethestatusofwomendemonstratedbytheStateparty,aswellasitsdeterminationtopersistineffortstospeedupsuchimprovement.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern179.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedbytheStateparty'sdeclarationofageneralreservationonratifyingtheConventionandconsideredittobeincompatiblewiththeConvention'spurposeandobjective.180.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernacontradictionintheStateparty'sreport.WhiletheStatepartywasontheonehandintroducingrevolutionarymeasuresfortheemancipationofwomen,itwasontheotherhandemphasizingtheirroleasmothersandhousewives,thusreinforcingwhatwasalreadystiffculturalresistancetosubstantialchange.181.2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedthelackofanyspecificinformationintheStateparty'sreportontheimplementationofarticles2and5oftheConvention.182.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedascarcityofinformationontheparticularproblemsofwomeninruralareasandtheimportantroletheyplayedinthefamilyeconomy.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations183.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartytakeallthenecessarymeasurestoreconsiderthegeneralreservationenteredonitsratificationoftheConvention.184.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,initsnextreport,theStatepartyfollowtheorderofarticlesassetoutintheConvention,soastoprovidealltheinformationrequiredfortheirapplicationinpractice.ItshouldalsoprovideinformationontheCommittee'srecommendations,inparticularonviolenceagainstwomen,aswellasstatisticsonwomen'sparticipationinallspheres.TheStatepartyshouldtakeallappropriatelegislativeorothermeasuresandintroduceallthereformsrequiredtobringitsnationallawsintolinewiththespiritandtheprovisionsoftheConvention.Itshouldinparticularensurethatsocialandculturalprejudicesdidnotraisenewobstaclestowomen'sdevelopment,especiallyinruralareas.185.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattheStatepartystrengthenexistingmechanismstoadvancethestatusofwomen,withavieweventuallytoeliminatingallformsofdiscrimination.@ .Madagascar186.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofMadagascar(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65/Rev.2)atits236thand237thmeetings,on18and19January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.236and237).187.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheStatepartypointedoutthatthereportsufferedfromcertaingapsandoutdatedinformation.Shenotedthattherewasagenerallackofstatisticaldataandthatthelastnationalcensushadbeentakenin1975.Sheprovidedinformationaboutrecentmeasurestakentoimprovethesituationofwomen,includingamendmentstolawsandactivitiesundertakenbytheDirectorateforWomen'sandChildren'sAffairsoftheMinistryofPopulation,workinginconjunctionwithnon-governmentalorganizationssuchasthe8thofMarchAssociation.ShestatedthatthenewConstitutionguaranteedcompleteequalityforwomenandthataprocessofdemocratizationhadbeeninprogresssince1991.188.2 .2Thecountry'seconomyhadsufferedasaresultofstructuraladjustmentprogrammes,sothatworkerswerethelowestpaidintheworld.189.2 .2HercountryhadparticipatedinanAfricanRegionalPreparatoryMeetingfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenandanationalworkshophadbeenorganizedinSeptember1992,whichwasbeingfollowedupbyregionalworkshopswithinthecountry.190.2 .2Traditionsandcustomsinthecountrywereimportantandincertaincasesconstitutedobstaclestowomen'sachievementofequality,whileinothercasestheyfavouredwomen.191.2 .2Shenotedthatthereportdidnotprovideinformationonarticles1,2and3becauseitwasconsideredthatthearticleswerephrasedtoogenerallyforspecificcomment.Generalobservations192.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteeexpressedconcernthatthereportlackedstatisticsthatcouldindicatethedefactosituationofwomenandnotedthatitlackeddetailsonmanypoints.Inresponse,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentnotedthatthenextreportwouldcontainmorestatisticsandwouldgointogreaterdetailaboutissues.Inmanyrespectsthecountryhadlackedsufficientadministrativeinfrastructuretoprovidemuchinformation.193.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteestressedtheirconcernabouttheeffectsofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomen'sadvancement.194.2 .2Referringtothequestionoftraditionsandcustoms,itwasalsopointedoutthattraditionsweredeeplyrooted;however,modernizationdidnotmeanabandoningthembutadaptingthem.Womenwerenotjustavulnerablegroupbuthalfofthepopulationandthatfacthadtobetakenintoaccountwhentalkingaboutprogress.195.2 .2Thequestionwasaskedwhethertherehadbeenanybenefittothecountry'shavingratifiedtheConvention.Inresponse,therepresentativenotedthatratificationhadresultedinarticle6ofthenewConstitution,whichensuredthattherewouldbeequalitybetweenmenandwomen,andaspecialpreambularprovisionintheConstitutionrelatedtotheConvention.Thatmeantthat,underthepositivelawdoctrineinforceinthecountry,theConventionwasincorporatedintoalllaws.Inafollow-upcomment,membersnotedthattheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenwasnotspecificallymentionedintheConstitution,incontrasttootherhumanrightsinstruments.ItwasobservedthattheConventioncouldhelpinimprovingthesituationofwomen,particularlythroughtheimplementationofarticle4.196.2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionabouttheextenttowhichnon-governmentalorganizationswereinvolvedinpreparingthereport,itwasstatedthataneffortwouldbemadetoconsultwithsuchorganizationsinpreparingthenextreport.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2197.2 .2Havingnotedthatnoreporthadbeenmadeonarticle2,membersoftheCommitteestressedtheparticularimportanceofthearticle,whichcontainedtheentirenormativeinfrastructureoftheConventionandestablishedthebasisfortheConvention'simplementation.Itwasnotedthatthereportreflectedapatriarchalinfluencethatwouldhavetobeaddressedstepbysteptoupdatetheroleofwomen,inordertoraisetheirstatusinthecountry.Inthatrespecttherewasaneedforchangesandneworientation.198.2 .2Inreply,therepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattheGovernmenthadthoughttherewasnoneedtoprovidedetailsastheywouldhaveemergednaturallyfromthedevelopmentofthefollowingarticles.Shestatedthattheinformationwouldbeincludedinthenextreport.ShealsonotedthattherewasaconstitutionalprohibitionagainstdiscriminationbasedonsexandthattherewasaprovisionforappealstotheConstitutionalCourt.2 .2Article4199.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthatnospecialmeasureshadbeentaken.Membersexpressedsomeconcernaboutthatmatter,referringespeciallytothefactthat,initsreportonarticle8,theGovernmenthadindicatedthattherewasnoprohibitionwithregardtopublicservice.Thatwasinsufficientandamoreproperreplywouldbetotakepositivemeasures.Therewasatendencytoseeonlydejurematters,whereasdefactochangewasasimportant.Itwasnotedthatinfactitseemedthatsomespecialmeasureshadbeentaken.200.2 .2Inreply,itwasnotedthattheworkshopin1992mentionedabovehadrecommended50percentparticipationbywomenindecision-makingandthat,in1993,the8thofMarchAssociationhadcalledfora25percentquotaforwomenintheNationalAssembly,althoughthathadnotyetbeenachieved.2 .2Article5201.2 .2Inassessingtheimplementationofthearticle,therepresentativenotedthatitwasdifficulttospecifywhetherchangesinattitudeshadoccurred.TherewasaprojectundertheMinistryofPopulationwithUNFPAfundingthatwasconcernedwithfamily-basededucationandincome-generationbywomen,whichincludedtellingwomenabouttheirrights.Shealsonotedtheimportantroleofnon-governmentalorganizations,particularlywomenjournalistsandtheAssociationofWomenJurists.202.2 .2ItwasaskedwhethertheGovernmenthadapolicytoeliminatediscriminationinthelabourforceandwhethertherewasaplan.203.2 .2Inreply,therepresentativenotedthecentresthathadbeenestablishedtobeusedforeducationandtraining,whichsoughttomobilizewomenforaction.TheGovernmenthadtwoprogrammesontheradiotoprovideeducationonfamilylaw.2 .2Article6204.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthattheproblemofprostitutionwasfoundintheinformalsectorandwasrelatedtopoverty.Itwasalsorelatedtorural-urbanmigrationandurbangrowth.Whileitwasillegal,lawsweredifficulttoenforcebecauseofaninabilitytorecruitadditionalpolice.205.2 .2TheattentionoftheGovernmentwasdrawntotheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendation19onviolenceagainstwomen,andinformationwasrequestedonwhetherwomenandwomenprostituteshadthesamerightstoprotectionagainstviolenceasotherwomenandaccesstohealthservicesandHIV/AIDSprogrammes.Inreply,therepresentativestatedthatprostitutionwasgenerallydisapprovedofbutthatthesocietywasflexibleincondemningwomenbecauseoftheexistingpovertyandtheneedtosurvive.Violencewasconsideredabreachofthelawwhetheritinvolvedprostitutesorotherwomen,buthaddegreesofseriousnessthatwerepenalizedappropriately,rangingfromfinestoimprisonment.2 .2Article7206.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatwomenenjoyedequalrightswithmenwithregardtovotingandholdingoffice.Therewere7womendeputiesoutof138intheNationalAssembly,althoughonlyonefemalememberoftheGovernment,theStateSecretaryforHigherEducation,wasawoman.ThePresidentoftheAppealsCourtswasawoman,aswellasoneofsixuniversityrectors,andwomenwerefoundatotherlevelsofthegovernmentadministration,includingtheOfficeoftheController,whichwasheadedbyawoman.InAugust1993,acampaignhadbeguntoputwomenattheheadofelectorallistsforthenextelectionsin1994.207.2 .2Moredetailswererequestedinthenextreportontheissueofwomenanddecision-makingaswellasinformationaboutthecausesfortheirlimitedparticipationinthatfield.2 .2Article8208.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthattherewasnoprohibitionagainstwomenrepresentingthecountryatinternationallevels,butnowomenhadbeenappointedambassadorsinceindependence.209.2 .2Commentingonthatmatter,membersoftheCommitteeraisedquestionsabouttheactualsituationandthemeasurestakentobringtheequalityinlawintopractice.2 .2Article9210.2 .2Regardingthequestionofnationality,therepresentativesaidthatequalitywasnotaproblem.211.2 .2ReferringtotheexceptionalcircumstancesinwhichthenationalityofaMalagasymothercoulddeterminethenationalityofherlegitimatechildren,thequestionwasaskedwhatwouldbethesituationofachildwhohadtowaituntilsheorhewasofagetoclaimthemother`snationalityiftheparentsdivorced.Itwasaskedwhethersheorhewasstillpreventedfromreceivingthemother`snationality.2 .2Article10212.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatequalityofaccesstoeducationwasstressed.Shenotedthatintheprovincesfemaleenrolmentwashigherthanmaleandthat,ingeneral,thesuccesslevelwashigherforgirlsthanforboys.Thesituationhadbeenjeopardizedbytheacuteeconomiccrisisbecause,whenindividualchoiceshadtobemadetosendonlysomechildrentoschool,boyswouldbegivenpreference.2 .2Article11213.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthatlawsguaranteedequalrightsinemploymentinboththepublicandtheprivatesectors.In1993agrowingnumberofwomenhadbegunworkinginfactories,especiallyintheexportprocessingzoneandinclothingmanufacturing.Therehadbeensomeharassmentofwomenreportedintheexportprocessingzone,aswellasthreatsbycompanies.Thesalariespaidwereatthelowestlevelsintheworld.214.2 .2Differenceswerenotedbetweenthebenefitsprovidedinthepublicandintheprivatesectorwithregardtomaternityleaveandthereasonsforthatweresought.Inreplytherepresentativenotedthatthedifferenceswereduetothenatureoftheemployer.ItwaseasiertohavetheGovernmentcomplythantheprivatesector,althoughtheattitudesthatledtothedifferencesshouldbedeplored.2 .2Article12215.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthattherewasalsoequalitybetweenmenandwomeninhealthissuesbutanincreaseinmaternalmortalityhadbeennotedinrecentyears.216.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewereconcernedbythesituationofruralwomenandtheiraccesstohealth,andquestionedthemethodusedforfamilyplanningandthehighlevelofwomen'smortality.Therepresentativestatedthatbothmenandwomenenjoyedthesamerightsconcerninghealth.Nevertheless,twofactorsaffectedwomen'shealth:insufficientmedicalassistanceandfamilyplanning.Thosefactorshadthusdeterminedtheobjectivesofthenationalpolicyonpopulation.217.2 .2Inansweringaquestionwhethertherewerespecialprogrammesforwomen'shealth,therepresentativestatedthatthereweresomeprogrammes,suchasthatrelatingtobreastcancer,andthatHIV/AIDSwasnotamajorprobleminthecountry.Inresponsetoaquestiononfemalecircumcision,shesaidthatitwasnotpractised.218.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedanassessmentoftheresultsoftheimplementationofhealthpoliciesineffectandhowtheyinfluencedyoungpeople,theuseofcontraceptivesbywomenandtheinvolvementofnon-governmentalorganizationsinthoseprogrammes.TheCommitteealsoexpressedinterestinlegalliteracytoenablewomentodefendtheirownrights.2 .2Article13219.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatwomenhadguaranteedequalrightstoassistanceprovidedtothefamilyandfacilitiesforcreditaswellasfortheirparticipationinculturalandsportsactivities.2 .2Article14220.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatwomenwereguaranteedarighttoparticipateequallyinagriculturalactivities.221.2 .2Takingintoaccountthefactthatthemajorityofthepopulationlivedinruralareas,informationwasrequestedonmeasuresthathadbeentakeninrespectofagrarianreform,irrigation,creditsystemsandotheragriculturalinputs.Therepresentativestatedthatwomenintheruralareascouldparticipatefullyinorganizationsaimedattheiradvancementandthattheycouldownland.222.2 .2Inreplytoaquestionraisedinconnectionwiththeestablishmentofabankfordealingwithcreditintheruralareas,therepresentativestatedthatitwasamajorconcerninthecountry.However,thebankthatwoulddealwiththatissuehadnotbeenestablished.Therewasaprojectforwomenwhichhadsetupasavingsbankinmid1993;noassessmenthadbeenmadeasyet.2 .2Article15223.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattherewasnodiscriminationagainstwomeninthejusticesystemandtheyenjoyedlegalprovisionsonequaltermswithmen.Womencouldappearincourtandrepresentthemselves,representothers,becomemembersofthejury,havegeneralaccesstolegalrecourse,executeawillandbewitnesseswithoutinterferencefromtheirhusbands.However,incertainregionstherewasacustomaccordingtowhichwomencouldnotinherit,althoughthatwasnotsupportedbylaw.Theycouldinheritonlyifawillhadbeenexecuted.2 .2Article16224.2 .2Therepresentativeprovidedadditionalinformation,statingthatmarriedwomencouldretaintheirmaidennameseveninthecontextoftheirtraditions.Withrespecttoanyapparentdifferencesbetweenmenandwomen,whenadulterywascommittedbyawifeitwasconsideredamajoroffence,whileinthecaseofthehusbanditwasregardedasasimpleoffencewithminorpenalties.Sheexpresseddisapprovalinthatregard,andindicatedthatwomenwereworkingtogethertotacklethatpointintheNationalAssembly.Inorderforwomentoenjoypeace,equalityanddevelopment,theyneededtowintheirrights.225.2 .2Questionswereraisedaboutthesituationofmarriedwomen,includingequalityinthechoiceofdomicile,andtheimplementationoflawsthatplacedwomeninadisadvantagedpositionwithrespecttomen.Otherissuesraisedalongthesamelinesconcernedunregisteredcommonlawunionsandothertraditionalpracticesthataffectedthedignityofthewoman,forexample,whenthehusbandshadtopaycompensationincasesofconflictandtemporaryseparation;thedifferenceinlegalageformarriagebetweenboysandgirls;theprovisionoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,bywhicha14yearoldwasachild,andtheprovisionofthenationallawgrantingtherighttomarrytoa14yearoldgirl;polygamy,which,althoughforbiddenbylaw,wasincreasing;inheritancerightsandpropertyrights.226.2 .2Inresponsetothequestions,therepresentativeexplainedthatsomepracticesandtraditionswerefavourabletowomen,whodidnotobjecttothem.Examplesincludedbeingallowedtoretaintheirmaidennamesandtoreceivegiftsinthecourseofsolvingmaritalconflicts.227.2 .2Accordingtotherepresentative,intheviewofthewomenofthecountry,thecompensationthatwasprovidedbythehusbandtothewifewasnotconsideredasapricebutasapenalty.Itwasalsoseenasawayofapologizing,whichthewomenlikedverymuch.Inadditionitwasalsoseenasacompensationforabusesbythehusband.̇228.2 .2Sheexplainedthatpolygamywasbeyondthecontrolofthelawastheproblemlayinthegapexistingbetweenthelawanditsenforcement.Manypeoplelivedatthemarginofthelawand,giventheinadequatenumberofpolice,peoplecouldeasilyviolatethelawwithimpunity.229.2 .2Inprovidinganexplanationinconnectionwithspousalinheritancerights,shesaidthat,intheabsenceofawill,thesurvivingspousewasrelegatedtotheeighthplaceamongtheheirsbyvirtueofacustomofretainingthepropertywithinafamilyandthusgivingpreferencetochildrenintermsofinheritance.230.2 .2Withregardtothepropertyacquiredduringthemarriage,sheprovidedadditionalinformationtotheeffectthat,whenoneofthespousesdied,thecommunitypropertycametoanendand,inaccordancewiththelaw,thepropertyacquiredduringmarriagewasdividedintotwoifnowillhadbeenmade.Customarypracticesupportedtheprinciplethatpropertyacquiredbeforethemarriageremainedthepropertyofthefamily.Therehadbeenchangesinthenewlawwithrespecttodomicile,accordingtowhichthedecisionhadtobetakenjointlybythespouses.Anotherchangeindicatedconcernedthepensionforthewidowofanofficial,whowasnowallowedtocontinuereceivingthepensionofthelatehusband.Thosepointswereindicatedaspartoftheprogressmadewithrespecttoequalityofwomen.231.2 .2Thedifferencesbetweenboysandgirlsintheallowableageformarriagehadbeenbasedonfecundity.ItwasnotedthatthepracticewasalsocontrarytotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Positiveaspects232.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedthepresentationofthereportbythedistinguishedrepresentative,andmembersexpressedtheirgratitudethat,inspiteofthenumerousdifficultiesfacingthecountry,ithasbeenpossibleforthecountrytosubmitthereport.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern233.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthelongdelayinthesubmissionoftheinitialreport.Thereportwasfoundnottoelaborateonmanyofthearticles.ItfailedtoreportsufficientlyonseveralessentialarticlesoftheConvention,suchasarticles1,2and3.Thatwasseriousbecausearticle2wasconsideredtheheartoftheConvention.234.2 .2TheCommitteeexpectedthatseriousomissiontoberectifiedinthenextreport,evenalthough,duringthedialoguewiththerepresentative,anattemptwasmadetoreportonarticle2.235.2 .2Educationandtrainingwereconsideredthespringboardtodevelopment.Ingivingfemaleseducationandtraining,caremustbetakennottoconcentrateontraditionalfemaleoccupationstoavoidstereotypingandalsotogivethemtheopportunityofhavingbetterpaidoccupations.236.2 .2Asamatterofpriority,obstaclestofemaleemploymentneededtobeidentifiedandaddressedbytheGovernment.Thatwouldhelpchangethefalseconceptionofwomen'scapabilitiesandtheirroleinthefieldofemployment.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations237.2 .2ToallowtheCommitteetohaveaclearpictureofthestatusofwomeninMadagascar,itwasimportantthatsubsequentreportsincludegendersegregatedstatistics.238.2 .2Sincethereportdidnotcommentonarticle2,andinformationwasgivenelsewhereonlegalsystemsaimedatequalitybetweenmenandwomen,thenextreportshouldgiveclearinformationonthat,andonthedefactosituationofwomen.239.2 .2Generallynotmuchhadbeendonetoenhancethestatusofwomen.Traditionalsexrolesweredeeplyembeddedinthecultureandweregenerallytothedisadvantageofwomen.Theworkloadonruralwomenwasveryheavy.TheGovernmentshouldusearticle4oftheConventiontoacceleratetheadvancementofwomeninMadagascar.240.2 .2Thetwounequallawsonadulteryshouldbeabolished.Thoselawswereverydiscriminatory.Thelawoninheritancealsoneededurgentreviewtoensurethatawoman'srighttoinheritwasequaltothatofaman.241.2 .2Thewidespreadpracticeofcustomarymarriagemightputwomenandchildrenintoavulnerablesituationandthenextreportshouldindicatehowlegalprovisionswereappliedinsituationstosafeguardtherightsofthewifeandchildren.242.2 .2TheGovernmentofMadagascarneededtoimprovethehealthservicesingeneralandparticularlyforwomenbecauseimprovedhealthstatusofwomeninvariablyimprovedtheoveralldevelopmentofanycountry.243.2 .2ThenextreportshouldindicatewhateffectivemeasureswerebeingtakenbytheGovernmenttocounterthealarmingsituationinwomen'shealth.Itshouldalsoprovidemoreinformationonviolenceagainstwomen,especiallyonwomenengagedinprostitution,andtheirhealthstatus.244.2 .2ThehealthsituationinMadagascarwasdeterioratingdespitethefactthatfreehealthserviceswereavailabletoall.ArisingchildandmaternalmortalityrateanddeclininglifeexpectancywastotallyunacceptableifanymeaningfulbenefitwastobederivedfromtheratificationoftheConvention.Averyhighdeathrateofwomenduetoabortionwasalsoamatterofgreatconcern. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     5@ .Netherlands245.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportoftheNetherlands(CEDAW/C/NET/1andAdd.13)atits234thand239thmeetings,on17and20January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.234and239).246.2 .2InintroducingthereportoftheNetherlands,whichconsistedofthreeparts,oneconcerningtheEuropeanterritoryandtwoothersconcerningtheautonomousislandsoftheNetherlandsAntillesandAruba,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentstressedthattheConventionwasconsideredtobeanintegralpartoftheinternationallyrecognizedhumanrightsinstrumentsthatformedpartoftheNetherlandslegalandpoliticalorder.TheConventionwasvaluednotonlyastheinternationallegalbasisforthenationalprogrammeoflegalreforms,butalsoasasourceofreferenceforthedevelopmentofpoliciesandprogrammesforwomen'sequality.SheoutlinedimportantrevisionsofandadditionstoexistinglegislationasaresultoftheratificationoftheConvention.247.2 .2Inreferringtothecountry'semancipationpolicy,shesaidthatthecoordinationandintegrationofthepolicyinallministriesanddepartmentswashamperedbythefragmentedstructureofadministrativeandpoliticaldecision-making,whichconstitutedanobstacletotheeffectivenessofthenationalmachinery.EffortstoredressthatproblemincludedtheuseoftheDepartmentfortheCoordinationofEmancipationPolicyasacentreofexpertiseonpolicy-makinginmattersofequality.Shesaidthatpartoftheemancipationsupportpolicywastheprovisionoffinancialsupporttonon-governmentalorganizationsfortheiractivitiesinthisfield.248.2 .2ShestatedfurtherthatunderthelawoftheNetherlandsaConventiontowhichthecountryhadbecomeaStatepartyautomaticallybecamepartoftheNetherlandslegalorder,andthatnationallawsandregulationswhichwerecontrarytotheConvention'sprovisionslosttheirvalidity.Inthecourseofherexplanationoftheratificationprocess,shementionedtheadoption,intheverynearfuture,ofageneralequaltreatmentact.TheGovernmentwasinstructedtoreporttoParliamentontheimplementationoftheConventionfouryearsafteritsentryintoforceandeverysubsequentfouryears.Shecited,asanexampleofthefunctioningoftheGovernment'semancipationsupportpolicy,thepreparationfortheCommitteeofa"shadowreport"bynongovernmentalorganizations,whichcounterbalancedtheofficialreportbecauseitaccuratelyreflectedtherelationshipbetweentheGovernmentandprivatevoluntaryorganizations,andanadditionaladvisoryreportbytheexternaladvisorybodybelongingtothenationalmachinery.249.2 .2TherepresentativeoftheNetherlandsAntillessaidthattheConventionnotonlycontributedtoidentifyingsomeexistingdeficienciesintheinfrastructurewithregardtotheimplementationofsomeofitsprovisions,butitalsoshowedconstraintsinthefieldofreportingingeneral,forinstancewithregardtothecollectionofstatisticalinformation.SheemphasizedtherelationshipbetweeneconomicactivitiesandtheireffectonthestatusofwomenandconfirmedherGovernment'sintentionnevertolettheeconomicstatusofthecountryjustifynon-compliancewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.ShesaidthatthepaceoftheConvention'simplementationcouldbeaffectedbydifferentfactorsinthecommunity.250.2 .2Shereportedonadecreaseintheunemploymentrateamongwomeninrecentyearsandarecentdecisiontoapplytheprincipleofequalpayforequalworktoallcivilservants.Consciousness-raisingprogrammesongenderissueshadbeencarriedout.ShealsohighlightedtheroleoftheBureauforWomen'sAffairsasthecoordinatingbodyofthenationalmachineryinthefieldofwomenanddevelopmentandsaidthatoneofthepriorityareasofitsagendawasviolenceagainstwomen.251.2 .2TherepresentativeofArubapointedoutthattheentryintoforceoftheConventionhadgivenanewimpetustotherightsofthefemalepopulation.Therapideconomicdevelopmentinthelastfiveyearshadcausedasharpincreaseintheparticipationofwomeninthelocallabourforce.Whiletheproportionofwomeninthelabourmarketincreasedtoover50percentin1993,thecorrespondingchangesinlabourconditionsandinthesocialfield,whichwerenecessarytofacilitatethecombinationofprofessionalworkandfamilytasks,werestilllaggingbehind.TheGovernmentofArubawas,therefore,studyingthepossibilityofparttimeworkandanincreaseinthenumberofday-carefacilities.252.2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatthepredominantinfluenceofeconomicfactorsonimportantareasofthesocietyexplainedwhyitwasthatwomenwerenotparticularlyactiveinwomen'srightsmovements.However,theywerepioneersinprovidinginformationaboutHIV/AIDSandwereveryactiveinprovidinginformationon,andpreventing,childabuse.TheArubanHumanRightsCommittee,whichwasformallyinstalledin1993,dealtwithreportingobligationsandwasauthorizedtoadvisetheGovernmentonhumanrightsissuesandtoraiseconsciousnessamongthepopulationabouttheexistenceofhumanrightsinasocietywheretherewasnonetworkofnongovernmentalorganizations.TheCommitteehadalsointroducedhumanrightseducationinthegeneralschoolcurricula.TheConventionhadbeentranslatedintoPapiamentoandpresentedinasimplifiedversiontothepublic.Generalobservations253.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteecommendedtheextensive,verydetailedreport,whichadheredtothegeneralguidelinesandalsocontainedamplestatisticsandgraphs,anditspresentationtotheCommittee.TheywelcomedthefactthattheConventionhadledtorevisionsofandadditionstoexistinglegislationandthatithadbeenratifiedwithoutreservations.TheynotedthathumanrightseducationwasincludedinschoolcurriculaandthattheConventionhadbeentranslatedintothenativelanguageofAruba.Memberswerefavourablyimpressedbythefactthat,oneyearbeforepresentingeachsubsequentreporttotheCommittee,theGovernmentwouldhavetoreporttoParliament,andtheycommendedtheconcernthatwasshownabouttheissueofsexualpreference.MembersnotedthattheGovernmentgavesupporttowomen'sgroups.Inreactiontothemembers'concernastowhynongovernmentalorganizationshadnotbeenconsultedinthecourseofthereport'spreparation,therepresentativeexplainedthatmuchvaluewasattachedtothedistributionofpowerandthespreadofresponsibilitiesinthecountry.Sincenon-governmentalorganizationswereindependent,theywereresponsibleonlytowardstheirrespectiveconstituencies;theycouldcriticize,questionorjudgegovernmentalpolicies,butwereneverresponsibleforthem.Thecriticalinputofnon-governmentalorganizationswassometimesachallengetogovernmentpolicy,butwasneveranintegralpartofit;inthatwaythoseorganizationsdidnotlosetheirindependence.254.2 .2Membersmadespecificreferencetothe"shadowreport"preparedbynon-governmentalorganizationsandwereinterestedintheGovernment'sreactiontosomeoftheissuesaddressedinit.Therepresentativesaidthatitwasnotnecessarytodiscussalltheissuesraisedintheshadowreport,sincemanyofthesameissueswouldbeaddressedunderthedifferentarticlesoftheConvention.255.2 .2Inreactiontotheobservationthatthereportshouldhavebeenmoreresult-orientedandshouldhavegivenamorein-depthanalysisofboththestatusofwomenandthepolicyapproachtakenbytheGovernment,therepresentativeexplainedthatthatwaspartlytheresultofthefactthatcontributionstothereportcamefromdifferentpartsoftheAdministrationandthatitproveddifficulttofollowtheCommittee'sguidelineswithoutlosingsightofthecountry'spolicypriorities.Committeemembersfeltthatthemanyeffortsundertakenwerenotmatchedbyanequalnumberofpositiveresults.256.2 .2Whereassomememberscommentedonthefragmentednatureofthenationalmachinery,otherssaidthatitsstructurehighlightedthepoliticalwilloftheGovernmenttointroducethepolicyofwomen'srightsintothemainstream.Therepresentativerepliedthat,inhercountry,nationalmachinerymeantacomplexofvariousinstitutionsresponsiblefordealingwithdifferentaspectsoftheadvancementofwomen.ThemainpoliticalresponsibilityfortheemancipationpolicyrestedwiththeStateSecretaryforSocialAffairsandEmploymentand,attheadministrativelevel,itscorewastheDepartmentfortheCoordinationofEmancipationPolicy.TheEmancipationCouncilandtheEqualOpportunitiesCommissionalsobelongedtothebroadnationalmachinery.Inaddition,theroleplayedbyotherministriesanddepartments,localandregionalauthorities,tradeunionsandnon-governmentalorganizationswasalsohighlighted.Infollowupremarks,membersaskedwhetherthetransferofresponsibilityonwomen'sissuestotheregionalandmunicipallevelsposedadanger,andrequestedinformationonthisinsubsequentreports.257.2 .2Whenmembersstatedthatwomen'sissuesshouldalsobeincludedinthemainstreamoftheactivitiesofallofthegovernmentdepartmentsintheNetherlandsAntilles,therepresentativesaidthatthenationalmachineryhadstartedtofunctionin1989andhadbeenrestructuredunderthecompetenceoftheMinisterforGeneralAffairs,whowascurrentlythePrimeMinister.In1992,theGovernmenthadorganizedaworkshoponhumanrightsandthereportingproceduresforparticipantsfromdifferentsocialstrata,duringwhichtheConventionwasalsodealtwith.Itwasimportantforthenationalmachinerytoreceiveinformationongenderbiasfromallinterestedpartiesinordertotackletheareasofconcerninastructuralway.DatawerecurrentlygatheredinaninsufficientlyuniformwayandtheconductofresearchinthefiveislandsthatcomprisedtheNetherlandsAntillesfacedpracticaldifficulties,relatedtothedecentralizationinseveralpolicyfieldsandthespecificneedsandcharacteristicsofthedifferentislands.Recognizingtheneedforpopulationstudies,theBureauforWomen'sAffairswasworkingonanintegraldraftpolicyplanforwomenanddevelopment.258.2 .2TherepresentativeofArubareportedthatin1986theGovernmenthadappointeda"focalpoint"forwomen'saffairsattheDirectorateofSocialAffairs.Despitenumerousefforts,thathadnotyetledtothedevelopmentofanintegralandinterdepartmentalemancipationpolicy.259.2 .2MembersexpressedtheirhopethattheislandcountrieswouldbekeptinformedaboutthepresentationoftheirreportstotheCommitteeandabouttheCommittee'sreactions.&  Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2260.2 .2Inreplytoquestionsaboutwhatwasmeantinthereportby"theworkingoftheConstitutiononequaltreatmentinhorizontalrelationships",'  therepresentativeoftheEuropeanterritorysaidthat"horizontalrelationships"referredtorelationshipsbetweencitizens,asopposedtothe"verticalrelationship"betweencitizensandtheState.Oneofthemainaimsoftheanti-discriminationlegislationwastodetermineinwhichcasescitizenswereobligedtorespectthefundamentalrightsoftheirfellowcitizensandinwhichtheymightfollowtheirownconvictions.261.2 .2Commendingthemeasurestakentocombattheproblemofviolenceagainstwomen,membersaskedwhichmeasureshadprovedtobethemostsuccessfulandrequestedinformationontheamountofmoneyspentonthosemeasures.Therepresentativeexplainedthatthevariousinstrumentsthathadbeenusedinthatrespectwerechangesinlegislation,researchandcareandassistancetovictims.Thepreventionofsexualviolencewasapolicypriority.In1993,approximately$40millionwasspentonvariouspolicymeasures,suchasshelters,informationandinnovativeprojectsandthesupportingstructure.Theresponsibilityinallsuchmatterslaywithvariousministries.262.2 .2Replyingtothequestionhowmanywomenhadmadeuseofthepossibilityoffilingrecourseactionincasesofdiscrimination,therepresentativesaidthat,sinceitsrevisionin1989,theEqualOpportunitiesActhadbeenusedinsome40to50courtcasesandover500caseshadbeendealtwithbytheEqualOpportunitiesCommission.Referringtothenewguidelinesforpublicprosecutionconcerningcasesofdiscrimination,ofSeptember1993,therepresentativestatedthattheywouldbereviewedaftertheentryintoforceoftheGeneralEqualOpportunitiesAct.263.2 .2Moreinformationwasrequestedonthefollow-uppolicydocumentonsexualviolenceagainstwomenandgirls.ThemembersoftheCommitteemadepositivecommentsontheGovernment'sinterpretationofequalaccessofwomentojobsinthemilitary.2 .2Article3264.2 .2Inreplytothemembers'requestsforcopiesofthesocialatlasonthesituationofwomen,therepresentativesaidthatitwasavailableonlyinDutch.265.2 .2Whenaskedwhowasresponsibleforfinancingsupportcentresatthenational,regionalandprovinciallevelsandwhetheracoordinatingbodyforthevariouslevelswouldbesetup,aswellaswhethertheGovernmentintendedtoinstitutionalizethefundingforwomen'scentres,therepresentativeexplainedthateachcasewasdifferent.Someministriessubsidizedcertainprojectsonapermanentbasis,whereasotherorganizationsandnationalsupportcentreswerefundedforlimitedperiods.Oftenaftertheinitialperiodanevaluationwasconductedanditwasdecidedonacase-by-casebasiswhetherthesubsidyshouldbeprolongedandwhichpartyshouldtaketheresponsibility.TheoverallresponsibilityfortheemancipationsupportpolicyresidedwiththeStateSecretaryforEmancipationPolicy.266.2 .2Regardingthesummaryofthepositionofwomenbasedonmostrecentstatistics,referredtoinparagraph323ofthereport,therepresentativesaidthatitwasunfortunatelynotavailableintimeforthesessionandwouldbesenttothemembersoftheCommitteeimmediatelyafterpublication.267.2 .2ReactingtothedisappointmentexpressedbymembersattheabolitionoftheCabinetCommitteeforEmancipationPolicyin1991,therepresentativeexplainedthatthatwastheresultofaprocessofpoliticalandadministrativereform.268.2 .2MembersaskedhowitwaspossiblethattheQueencouldbePresidentoftheCouncilofState,whichwasthehighestadvisorybodyinthecountry,servingherinfactwithadvice.2 .2Article4269.2 .2Regardingarequestforfurtherinformationonthetargetssetandthetimetablesprovidedfortemporaryspecialmeasures,therepresentativestatedthatthegoalofgovernmentpolicywastoimposepositiveactionorpreferentialtreatmentbylawonlyasameasureoflastresort.AlthoughtheGovernmenthadsettargetstoincreasethenumberofwomeninalmosteverysphereofthecivilservice,nosanctionswereappliediftargetswerenotmet.2 .2Article5270.2 .2Memberswelcomedthereportsfromnon-governmentalorganizationsonarticle5andrequestedclarificationofthepolicyforequalrightsoflesbianwomen.Therepresentativepostponedpresentinganoverviewofrelatedgovernmentpoliciesandprogrammestothesecondperiodicreport.2 .2Article6271.2 .2Itwasaskedwhether,withintheBureauforWomen'sAffairs,therewerespecialdepartmentstodealwiththeabuseofwomenandchildren.TherepresentativeofArubastatedthattheissueremainedasensitiveareaofconcern.AccordingtodataobtainedfromthePoliceDepartment,offencesrelatedtothesexualabuseofwomenandchildrenconstitutedaconsiderablepartoftheirworkloadandthefigureswereincreasing.AprivateorganizationhadbeensetuptohelpchildrenwhowerevictimizedbysuchcrimesandadultscouldseeklegalredressorobtainhelpattheBureauofFamilyDifficulties.272.2 .2Doubtswereexpressedastowhethervoluntaryprostitutioncouldbeconsideredanentirelypersonalmatterandaprofession.Confrontedwiththeissueoftheforcedprostitutionofimmigrantwomen,therepresentativeoftheEuropeanterritoryoftheNetherlandsrepliedthattrafficinwomenwasconsideredaproblemofforcedprostitutionandthatpersonswhowereillegallyintheNetherlandsandhadbeenforcedintoprostitutionwouldbegrantedaresidencepermitfortheperiodoftimecoveringanyinvestigationintotheirsituationandthecourtsession.273.2 .2RegardingtheHIV/AIDSsituationintheNetherlands,itwasreportedthattheGovernmenthadbeenformulatingapolicyonHIV/AIDSsincethebeginningoftheepidemic,apolicywhichwasbeingimplementedatnational,regionalandmunicipallevels,inclosecooperationbetweenthecompetenthealthministryandinterestedgroups.ItskeyaimswerepreventionofthefurtherspreadofHIV,care,researchandpreventionofdiscriminationagainstinfectedpersons,includingAIDS-informationcampaignsforprostitutes.274.2 .2Regardingaquestionaboutthereasonsfortheincreaseinsexualviolence,therepresentativesaiditsincreasewasnotinfluencedbythefactthatpornographywasnotprohibited.Itwasevenpossiblethattheavailabilityofpornographyforadultshadhadarestraininginfluenceontheincidenceofviolenceagainstwomen.2 .2Article7275.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedthewayinwhichthereportoftheNetherlandsmentionedthedatesofintroductionofmalesuffrageanduniversalsuffrage,whenthevotewasconcededtowomen.TheyexpressedsurpriseatthescarcereferencesinthereporttopoliciesoftheEuropeanUnionthatpromotedequalityofopportunitiesbetweenwomenandmen.MembersaskedwhatthereactionsoftheGovernmentandnon-governmentalorganizationsweretopositivemeasures,includinglegislationtoincludealargernumberofwomeninelectorallists,andtheyrequestedfurtherclarificationontheelectoralsystemandonthepossibilityofmodifyinglistsofcandidatesinordertointroducemorewomen.Therepresentativeexplainedthatoneofthemainaimsoftheemancipationpolicywastotrytoincreasethenumberofwomeninpoliticsandpublicadministration.Asthecandidateswereputforwardbytheautonomouspoliticalparties,andtheGovernmenthadnoinfluenceinthatsphere,itcouldonlyexerciseindirectinfluencethroughmeasuressuchastheprovisionofgrantstopoliticalpartiesforactivitiesaimedatincreasingthenumberofwomeninpoliticsorthesettingupofspecialworkinggroupsdealingwiththeissue.Thepoliticalpartiesthemselvesdecidedonthenamesandtheorderofcandidatesonthelistanditdependedontheimportancegivenbytheindividualpartiestowomeninpoliticsastowhetherwomenwereelected.276.2 .2Regardingthesizeofgrantsgiventopoliticalparties,therepresentativesaidthatanamountofabout$2.7millionperyearwasgivenbytheGovernmenttopoliticalpartiesfortraining,educationandrelatedactivities,butonlyiftheactivitieswererelatedtomattersofimportancetothefunctioningofthedemocracy,andonlyifapartywasinfinancialdifficulty.277.2 .2Inresponsetotherequestforananalysisoftheprogressmadeandtheobstaclesencounteredinsecuringparitydemocracy,therepresentativeexplainedthat,regardingthecompositionofelectedbodies,paritybetweenwomenandmenwasnotanobjectivetobeachievedbytheGovernmentandthatparitydemocracywasrejectedasconflictingwiththebasicprinciplesofdemocracyitself.278.2 .2InanswertoaquestionaboutthetargetfigureforfemaleQueen'sCommissioners,therepresentativesaidthatnewQueen'sCommissionerswereappointedbytheCabinet,accordingtotherelativestrengthofthepoliticalpartiesintheSecondChamberofParliament,fromamong"theveterans"fromthefieldofpublicadministration,onlyafewofwhomwerewomen.279.2 .2Regardingthenumberofwomeninadministrativeandpoliticalpositionsinprovincialandmunicipalgovernments,therepresentativesaidthatdetailedfigureswouldbeprovidedtotheCommitteeinabrochure.280.2 .2Furtherquestionswereposedastowhetherthemarkeddeclineinthemembershipofmostpoliticalpartieswasthesameforwomenandformenandwhetherwomen'smembershipinnon-governmentalorganizationshadincreased.Consideringthatsomepartiesmandatedthattheirmembersbelongtoaparticularchurch,itwasaskedwhethertherewasadangerofreligiousfanaticism.281.2 .2RegardingthenumberofwomendeputiesintheParliamentoftheNetherlandsAntilles,theirrepresentativestatedthatcurrently13percentofthemembersofParliamentwerewomen,and30percentoftheministerialandjuniorministerialpostswereoccupiedbywomen.2 .2Article8282.2 .2Askedaboutgovernmentpoliciestoincreasethenumberofwomeninthediplomaticservice,therepresentativeoftheNetherlandsexplainedthatpolicymeasuresweregearedtowardstherecruitmentandpromotionofwomenandthatpreferentialtreatmentwasappliedincaseswherecandidateshadequalqualifications.Inthecaseofcoupleswithbothpartnersinthediplomaticservice,anumberofarrangementshadprovedtobesatisfactorytoallpartiesconcerned.2 .2Article10283.2 .2Membersinquiredwhetherprogrammesdemonstratedthatalackofeducationwasanobstacletogenderequality.2 .2Article11284.2 .2Regardingtheemploymentrateofwomen,whichuntilrecentlywasrelativelylowintheNetherlands,itwassaidthatitcouldbeexplainedbyhistorical,economicandsocialdevelopment,butthatthusfarsocialscientistshadnotbeenabletogiveagenerallyacceptedanswer.285.2 .2Astothequestionwhethertheincreasednumberofwomeninpart-timeemploymentwasamanifestationofdirectorindirectdiscriminationagainstwomen,therepresentativesaidthatthatwasnotthecase.Mostwomensoughtpart-timejobsthemselvesinordertoachieveabetterbalanceintheirlivesbetweentheirvariousduties,andmentoowerelookingforpart-timework.286.2 .2Regardingquestionsconcerningthenumberofworkinghoursthatqualifiedajobaspart-timeandthepercentageofwomenworkingindoublepart-timework,therepresentativestatedthat,ingeneral,thatqualificationwasappliedtojobswithlessthan38to40hoursperweekandthatnostatisticswereavailableonthenumberofwomenworkingindoublepart-timejobs.287.2 .2Consideringthatwomenwerehighlyconcentratedinalimitednumberofoccupations,inspiteofhavingthesameeducationallevelasmen,severalmeasureswerebeingtakentoredressthesituation,suchasawarenesscampaignsthroughteachingmaterialsandthemedia.288.2 .2Therepresentativesaidthattherequestsformoreinformationonpaydifferencesbetweenwomenandmenandpayforworkofequalvaluewouldbeansweredandsupplementedbystatisticsinthesecondperiodicreport.Groupactionwaspossibleincasesofunequalpay,andthatwasoneofthemainreasonsforhavingintroducedgroupaction.Dataonfemaleagriculturalworkerswouldalsobesuppliedinthesubsequentreport.289.2 .2Membersinquiredwhethersanctionsexistedintheeventthatthepublicemploymentservicesdidnotmeetthesettargets.Regardingwomenworkingintheprivatesector,theorganizationsandenterprisesconcernedcarriedoutaffirmativeactionforwhichtheycouldreceivegovernmentgrants.290.2 .2Askedaboutthevolumeofpaidworkathome,therepresentativesaidthatofficialstatisticsdifferedagreatdealfromonesetofstatisticstoanotherandthatlegislationtoimprovethesituationofthosedoingpaidworkathomewasinpreparation.291.2 .2Regardingquestionsaboutthepositionofwomenenrolledinprivatesocialinsuranceschemes,therepresentativesaidthatanyrelatedproblemsshouldsoondisappearinviewoftheforthcomingimplementationofrelevantlegislation.292.2 .2Inresponsetoquestionsabouttheformerandthecurrenttaxationsituationforwomen,andconcernexpressedbymembersaboutthenegativeeffectoftheso-calledbreadwinner'sbenefitinthesystemofpersonalincometaxonwomen'sparticipationinthelabourmarket,therepresentativestatedthatthemajortaxreforminthe1980sremoveddejuredifferentialtreatmentofwomenandmen.Aperson'sdecisiontoenterthelabourmarketwasinfluencedbyvariousconsiderations.Itwas,therefore,notcertainwhetherthesystemreallyfunctionedasadisincentiveforallwomentoenterthelabourmarket.293.2 .2MembersaskedwhethertheGovernmentprovidedchild-carefacilitiestosingleandunmarriedmothers,whetheraffirmativeactionwasundertakenaimedatemployingmorewomeninmanagerialpositionsandwhatthesocialsecuritysituationandunemploymentbenefitsofwomenascomparedwithmenwere.Memberscommentedthatthelabourmarketschemesandtargetsforunemployedwomenwerenotobligatoryenoughforofficials.294.2 .2Regardingthequestionwhetherwomenwhosuffereddiscriminationatworkcouldreferincourttoarticle11oftheConvention,therepresentativerepliedthatitwaspossibleonlyinlitigationagainsttheState,butnotagainstaprivateemployeroranothercitizen.295.2 .2WhenaskedwhethertheGovernmentofArubawasplanningtoeliminatetheprovisionaccordingtowhichdismissalonthegroundsofpregnancywaslegal,therepresentativeofArubastatedthatintheinstanceoffemalegovernmentemployeesnocasesofdismissalonthegroundsofpregnancyhadeverbeenpresented.Intheprivatesector,dismissalrequiredspecialpreviousapprovalandpregnancywasnotconsideredtobesufficientreasontograntsuchpermission.AstheCivilCodeprohibiteddismissalincasesofsickness,pregnancywasconsideredtobeincludedunder"sickness".2 .2Article12296.2 .2Inreactiontothecommentbymembersthatthereportwasnotdetailedenoughonthequestionofhealth,therepresentativeoftheNetherlandssaidthatin1994astudywouldbeconductedontheaccessofwomentohealthservices.297.2 .2ReplyingtoaquestionabouttheavailabilityofspecialprogrammesforwomenwhowerealreadyinfectedwithHIV/AIDS,therepresentativesaidthatwhileallgovernmentprogrammeswereaccessibletobothwomenandmen,theGovernmentsubsidizeda"WomenandAIDS"officeandself-helpgroupsweretryingtogetwomenoutoftheirisolation.AlthoughtourismwasoneofthemainindustriesinAruba,theprevalenceofAIDSinfectionwasrelativelylow.TheNationalAIDSCommissionofferedcareandcounselling,aswellascontrolmeasures,includinghealtheducation.Specificinformationandguidancewasalsoprovidedtoprostitutes.298.2 .2Followingarequestforfurtherinformationondrugaddictionamongwomenandrelatedprogrammes,therepresentativeoftheNetherlandsexplainedthatthecentralobjectiveofthedrugpolicywastoreduce,asmuchaspossible,therisksthatdrugabusepresentedtotheusers,theirenvironmentandsociety.Apragmaticapproachtotheproblemprovedtobemoreeffectiveandstatisticsshowedthatgenerallyonewomanwasaddictedforeverythreemen.299.2 .2AskedabouttheGovernment'spositiononeuthanasia,therepresentativestatedthatshedidnotthinkitpropertolinkeuthanasiawithwomen'sissues.300.2 .2Referringtothequestionwhethertherewaslegislationregardingartificialinseminationandwhetheritwasbasedonethicaloronscientificprinciples,therepresentativerepliedthatartificialinseminationwasnotregulatedbylaw.However,hospitalshadtheircodesofconductandanindividualphysicianwithadifferentviewonthemattercouldreferawomantoacolleaguetoundertaketheprocedure.Itwasimportantthatwomenapplyingforthatprocedurenotberefusedonthebasisoftheirmaritalstatus,sexualpreferenceorlifestyle.Pregnancyatanadvancedagewascurrentlynotcoveredbylaw.301.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteerequestedclarificationabouttheabortionpolicyinthecountry.Itwasexplainedthatthereasonforthefivedaywaitingperiodwastosafeguardresponsibledecision-makingandtogivethewomenthechanceofreconsideringiftheywishedto.Abortioncouldbecarriedoutonlybyaphysicianinahospitalorclinicwithapermitandwasallowedonlyinamedicallyorsociallyuntenablesituationinwhichitwasdeemednecessary.2 .2Article16302.2 .2Turningtothequestionwhetheranyreformwasunderwayregardingtheorderofnamesofmarriedcouples,therepresentativereportedonabillonequalitybetweenmenandwomeninchoosingfamilynamesthatwascurrentlybeingconsideredbyParliament.303.2 .2Regardingthequestionwhethercasesofrapewithinmarriagehadbeendealtwithincourtsincetheentryintoforceofthenewlegislationin1991,therepresentativerepliedthattherehadbeensomecases,mostofthemsituationsinwhichthespousesweredivorceddefacto,butnotdejure.Replyingtoarelatedquestion,shesaidthat,beforethatlawwasadopted,areplacementofthewords"throughforce"by"againstthewill"hadnotbeenconsidered,sinceitwouldhavegivenachancetoquestionthevictimaboutherattitudes.304.2 .2RegardingthehighnumberofdivorcesintheNetherlandsAntilles,thesocial,cultural,economicandpoliticalreasonsforthatphenomenonandthequestionwhetheritwasnotalsoinfluencedbythelowminimumageofmarriageforwomen,therepresentativerepliedthatcurrentlytheCivilCodewasundergoinganintegralrevision.Inspiteofthelowminimumageofmarriage,womengenerallyenteredintomarriageattheageof18orabove.Experienceshowedthatreasonsfordivorcewereshortperiodsofmarriage,especiallyifthewifewasself-supporting,domesticviolenceagainstwomen,unfaithfulnessofthehusbandandthegeneralempowermentofwomen.305.2 .2Respondingtoanadditionalquestionrelatingtointernationaltechnicalcooperation,therepresentativestatedthatdevelopmentcooperationrelatingtothewomenindevelopmentpolicyhadtooperatewithintheoveralldevelopmentpolicy,whichmightforcetheGovernmenttotakeamoreselectiveapproach.&  ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction306.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheStatepartyfornotenteringanyreservationsandforundertakingsuchconscientiouseffortsinlegislationaswellasother'  measures,firstbeforeratifyingtheConvention,andsecondlyforitsimplementation.307.2 .2ItalsoapplaudedtheStatepartyforpresentingsuchanextensivereport,includingageneraldescriptionofthecountryandstatisticsonthesituationofwomen.Itwished,however,foramoreindepthanalysisandamoreresultorienteddescriptionoflegalandotherpolicymeasuresinsubsequentreports,includingmorecomparativedata,aswellasinformationonthefinancialcostoftheprojectsdescribed.308.2 .2ItnotedwithsatisfactionthattheanswersgivenbytheStatepartytothequestionsposedbytheCommitteefilledmanyofthelacunaeandevenfurtherimprovedanalreadyexcellentpresentation.2 .2Positiveaspects309.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheStateparty'seffortstoestablishacomprehensivenationalmachineryaswellastherequirementforeachfuturereportontheConventiontobesubmittedtoParliamentbeforebeingpresentedtotheCommittee.310.2 .2Itnotedwithappreciationtheextensiveresearch,policyandsupportmeasurestakenbytheStatepartythatexploredthecausesofandcombatedthevariousformsofviolenceagainstwomen.311.2 .2Italsocommendedthefinancialsupportgiventowomen'sinitiativesandwomen'sorganizationsbytheGovernmentaswellasitswillingnesstolistentotheirconcernsanddemands.TheCommitteealsoapplaudedthefactthattheStatepartyimplementedtheConventionbydevelopingpoliciesandothermeasurestoeliminatediscriminationbasedonsexualpreference.312.2 .2ItnotedwithsatisfactionthattheNetherlandsAntillesandArubaactivelyimplementedtheConventiondespiteeconomicdifficulties,includingpublicizingitscontentingeneralandintheschools.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern313.2 .2TheCommitteevoicedconcernwhetherthemainstreamingoftheStateparty'snationalmachineryimpactedonitseffectiveness.Inthisrespectitalsonotedwithconcernthatthetransferofequalitypoliciesandmeasuresfromthecentraltotheprovincialandmunicipallevelsmightresultinalossofpoliticalwillandfinancialsupport.314.2 .2Anotherconcernwasraisedbythecharacterofanemancipationpolicythatgaveonlylimitedfinancialsupporttowomen'sprojectsratherthaninstitutionalizedsupport.315.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpressedconcernonthethinnessoftheStateparty'sreportingonarticle11comparedtothereportingonotherarticlesandwonderedwhetherthisreflectedinsufficientattentionbytheGovernmenttowomen'semploymentissues.̇&  2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations316.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatinthesecondreportmoreinformationshouldbegivenonthenationalmachineryoftheNetherlandsAntillesandthe'  NetherlandsAruba.Itrecommendedtheinclusionofmoreinformationonthelegalandotherpolicymeasurestoeliminatediscriminationonthegroundsofwomen'ssexualpreferenceaswellasontheresults,includingdata,oftheeffortsofprovincialandmunicipalgovernmentsregardingpoliciesandothermeasuresforwomen.317.2 .2Itsuggestedthatmoreresultorientedpoliciesregardingwomen'semployment,includingaffirmativeaction,payissuesandchildcare,weretobepursuedandtobereportedupon.@ .Zambia318.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofZambia(CEDAW/C/ZAM/1-2)atits241stand246thmeetings,on24and26January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.241and246).319.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeofZambiaemphasizedthathercountrywasundergoingseriousandfar-reachingchangesinthepoliticalandeconomicfields.After18yearsofonepartyparticipatorydemocracy,Zambiahadrevertedbacktothemultipartysystemin1991.Whilethewomen'sleagueoftherulingpartyhadbeenthesolecustodianofwomen'sinterestsbefore,eachpartyhadnowawomen'sprogramme.TheGovernmenthadassumedresponsibilityfortheadvancementofwomenbyestablishingawomen'saffairsdeskinallgovernmentministriesandaWomeninDevelopmentUnitintheDepartmentofPlanningandDevelopmentCooperation.320.2 .2Zambiahadchangedfromsocialistcentralplanningtoafree-marketeconomy.Vigorouseffortshadbeenmadeinthepasttwoyearstotransformthecountry'seconomy.Structuraladjustmentprogrammes,firstintroducedin1987andreinvigoratedin1991,hadhadfar-reachingconsequences.Thereportsreflectedtheimpactofthosemeasuresonwomenandprogrammesrelatedtowomenindevelopment.Structuraladjustmentprogrammeshadledtotheneglectofsocialdevelopmentandbroughtwiththemdiminishingopportunitiesforwomen.Suggestedcutbacksinthecivilservice,thegreatestemployerofwomen,wouldaffectwomenandreducetheiralreadylimitedjobopportunities.Infantmortalityandmalnutritionwasincreasingbecausemotherscouldnotprovidetheneededmaize,thebasiccommodity,aftersubsidieshadbeencutandpricesincreased.321.2 .2Therepresentativeexplainedhowhistoricalandculturalfactorshadimpededtheadvancementofwomen.Zambiawasmaledominatedinallwalksofsociety,fromtheformalemploymentsectortothebasicfamilyunit.Stereotypededucationandlackofinvestmentingirls'educationwasoneofthemainreasonsforthecontinuingmaledominance.In1994,familieswerestillnotpreparedtoinvestintheeducationoftheirdaughtersastheywouldforason.Intheearlydaysofcolonialism,preferencehadbeengiventomaleeducationwhereasgirls'educationwasstoppedatjuniorstandardsecondaryschool.Thatsituationwaschangingonlyataveryslowpace.322.2 .2Zambiahadsubscribedtothegoalsofequality,developmentandpeacesetfortheUnitedNationsDecadeforWomenandbuiltupactivitiestochangegrass-rootrealities.TheConventionhadbeenratifiedinFebruary1985withoutreservations.Non-governmentalorganizationshadbecomeinvolvedandmanifestedthemselvesindifferentlobbygroups,forexample,amongprofessionalwomenandintheChristiancommunity,wheretheywerecaringfordisadvantagedwomen.323.2 .2TheGovernmenthadmadeaseriesofconstitutionalandlegalamendmentssince1991.Article23ofthenewConstitutionredefineddiscriminationaswidelyaspossibleandincludedforthefirsttimediscriminationongroundsofsex.ThepreviousConstitution,of1964,didnotprohibitthatkindofdiscriminationandhadbeenbroadlyacceptedsinceitwasageneralviewthatwomenneededprotection.324.2 .2Regardingtemporaryspecialmeasuresascontainedinarticle4oftheConvention,shereportedonactiontakenbytheGovernmenttoaccelerateequalityofmenandwomen.Girlswereencouragedtotakeuptechnicalsubjectssuchasscienceandmathematics.Toincreasethelevelofgirls'education,thecutoffpointsforgirlstoqualifyforsecondaryeducationhadbeenloweredandaquotaof20percentforgirlshadbeenintroducedinsciencecolleges.Workingwomen'saccesstoloanshadbeenfacilitated,sincetheconsentofthehusbandwasnolongerrequired.325.2 .2ThenewGovernmentwasmovingtowardsunitingcustomaryandstatutorylaw,whichwouldpositivelyaffectthestatusofwomen.Sofarcustomarylawhadalargebearingonthedeterminationoftheissuesofmarriageandinheritance.326.2 .2Referringtoarticle7oftheConvention,sheconfirmedthatwomeninhercountryhadalwaysplayedanactiveroleinpolitics.Theywerethemajorityofvoters,buttheirrepresentationinGovernmentwaslow.Onlynineofthe160membersofparliamentwerewomen,theCabinethadonlytwowomenandtherewerefewwomenambassadors.Sincetheeducationalsystemhadbeendiscriminatoryagainstwomen,womencouldnotfillthatgapthroughpoliticalinvolvementonly.Thepresentre-examinationoftheeducationalsystemwouldhaveatremendousimpactonwomen.327.2 .2Women'sissuescouldnotbethecentreofattentionatatimewhenthesurvivalofthecountryasawholewasatstake.TheGovernmenthadmadeanefforttoconsiderthesituationofwomenbyinstitutionalizingtheofficesfortheadvancementofwomen,butforthenextfiveyearsthattopicwouldnotcometothecentreofthestage,owinginlargeparttothereconstructionoftheeconomy.Generalobservations328.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeofZambiaforherclearandfrankintroductiontothereportandtheeffortsdeployedinthepreparationofthereport,inparticulartheaddendum,whichhadbeencompiledinaccordancewithsuggestedreportingprocedureandguidelines.MembersrecalledthattheyhadappealedatprevioussessionstoStatespartiestosendrepresentativesinvolvedinthepreparationofthereporttopresentittotheCommittee.MembersregrettedthatthepresentationofthereporthadhadtobedelayedbecausethedistinguishedrepresentativeofZambiahadnotactuallyhadtheopportunityofevenreadingthroughthereport.Theyfoundthatstateofaffairsratherunfortunate.ItwasimportantthatStatespartiespaidgreatattentiontothereportingandpresentationrequirementsoftheConvention.TheyfeltthattherepresentativeofaStatepartydelegatedtopresentareportmustbeconversantwithitscontents.MemberscommendedtheGovernmentofZambiaforitscommitmenttotheadvancementofwomenanditsratificationoftheConventionasearlyas1985withoutreservations.TheytooknoteofthedifficultiestheGovernmenthadexperiencedwhiletryingtotranslatethatcommitmentintopracticalsteps.329.2 .2Membersexpressedtheirconcernaboutthedevastatingeffectsofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomenandtherelegationofwomen'sissuestothebackstageasexperiencedinZambia.Thatwasaworldwidephenomenon,anditwasrecommendedthattheCommitteedrawtheattentionoftheinternationalcommunitytotheissue.Thecontradictionthatexistedbetweenarticle13oftheConvention,dealingwiththeeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomeninareasofeconomicandsociallife,andthenegativeimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomenneededtobehighlightedbytheCommittee.Zambiawasforcedtobreacharticle13andtoalesserextentarticle11oftheConventionbecauseoftheeconomicmeasuresimposed.However,thedevelopmentofacountrydependedontheintegrationofwomenindevelopmentsincewomenaccountedforhalfofthepopulation.Cuttingbackonwomen'sprogrammesintimesofcrisissoundedlikeaneasyexcusefromapatriarchalsystem.Inperiodsofradicalreform,itwasessentialthatwomenbeinvolvedinpubliclifeanddecision-makingonimportantmatterssuchasfinancesandeconomicmeasures.330.2 .2MembersrequestedfurtherinformationonCommitteerecommendations14and19.Therepresentativerepliedthattherewasnotraditionoffemalecircumcisioninanypartofthecountry.Therewereonlycustomsrelatedtothepersonalhygieneofgirlswhentheyreachedpuberty.Violenceagainstwomenwaswidespreadandeventraditionallyacceptedasawayofdiscipliningawife.UndertheZambianPenalCode,violenceagainstwomenwasacrimeandtreatedasanassault.TheGovernmenthadbeenencouragingprosecutionsofoffenders.Sincemostwomenwereeconomicallydependentontheirhusbandsandafraidtolosetheirmatrimonialhome,theywereveryreluctanttoprosecutetheiraggressors.Somewomendidnotadmitthattheyhadbeenabusedandconsideredbatteringasasignofman'saffection.331.2 .2MoreinformationwassoughtonthefactthatZambianlawrecognizedequalitybetweenmenandwomenwithregardtolegalcapacity.Therepresentativestatedthatmenandwomenhadthesamelegalstatusaspersonsunderthelaw.TheonlyoutstandinglegislationthatwasdiscriminatoryconcernedcitizenshipfortheforeignspouseofaZambianwoman.Thatprovisionofthelawwasmeanttoprevent"marriagesofconvenience"butwasbeingreconsidered.332.2 .2Memberscommendedtheestablishmentofwomen'saffairsdesksinallgovernmentministriesasagoodexampleofmainstreamingwomen'sissuesandaskedwhethertheWomeninDevelopmentUnithadreallyfulfilleditsobjective.TherepresentativerepliedthattheUnitintheDepartmentofPlanningandDevelopmentCooperation,formerlytheNationalCommissionforDevelopmentPlanning,wascoordinatingwomen'sdevelopmentandwomen'srightsissues.Itgatheredinformationandmaterialandmadeinputintodevelopmentplansandbudgetaryprovisions.333.2 .2MembersacknowledgedtheworkaccomplishedbytheWomen'sLeague,whichhadbeenlinkedtothepreviousrulingpower.Referringtotheestablishmentofnewnon-governmentalorganizationsandtheirimportantroleinsociety,theywantedtoknowwhatimpactthoseorganizationshadontheWomen'sLeagueandtheWomeninDevelopmentUnit.Therepresentativestatedthat,duringtheonepartyparticipatorydemocracy,non-governmentalorganizationsoperatedparalleltotheWomen'sLeague,whichwasthepoliticalwingofthethenrulingparty.Women'sissuesweretreateddifferentlybythenon-governmentalorganizations,whichplayedasupplementaryrolevisvistheWomeninDevelopmentUnitsincetheyhadawidersphereofinfluence.334.2 .2Questionedabouttheroleofnon-governmentalorganizationsinchangingstereotypesineducationandcommunication,therepresentativerepliedthattheireducationalandpoliticalactivities,bothontelevisionandonradio,wereveryimportant.TheyalsoworkedwiththeNationalCurriculumDevelopmentDepartmentoftheMinistryofEducationontherevisionofthecurriculumandeducationalmaterial.335.2 .2RecallingtheconsiderabletimethathadpassedsinceZambia'sindependenceanditsratificationoftheConvention,membersexpressedconcernabouttheslowpaceinpromotingthestatusofwomen.Theyaskedwhetherthemeasurestakenineducationandlegalreformwerenotadequateoriftheforceofcustomsandtheimpactofeconomicreformspreventedprogress.Therepresentativeconsideredacombinationofdifferentfactorsasbeingthemainreason.Althoughsomecustomarybeliefsandpracticespreventedtheadvancementofwomen,educationhadapositiveimpactonwomen'sself-confidenceandontheirfamilies,whoacknowledgedthebenefitsofgirls'education.Withtheadventofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesthepacewasslowingdowntemporally,butthelegalgroundforequalityhadbeenprepared.336.2 .2Memberswantedtoknowiftherewereinherenttraditionalsocialfactorsthatpreventedwomenfromenjoyingtheirrightsfully,inparticulartherighttoemployment.TherepresentativeexplainedthatbasiceducationandsomebasictradeskillswerethefirstconditionforfindinggainfulemploymentinZambia.MostwomeninZambiawouldbeinemploymentbeforetheirmarriage,butsuspendedtheirprofessionallifeoncetheyhadtotakecareofchildrenandahouseholdoftheirown.Supportsystemsforcaredidnotexist,nordidaconceptofsharinghouseholdchores.Daycarecentreswereanewandexpensivephenomenonintheurbanareas.Womenthereforehadnootherpossibilitythantosacrificetheircareerprogressionforcaringresponsibilities.337.2 .2Membersregrettedthelackofstatisticaldata,whichshouldbegivenmorespaceinsubsequentreports.Therepresentativesaidthataneffortwouldbemadetoprovidemoredataanddetailedinformationonwomen'slivingconditionsinZambiainthethirdperiodicreport.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2338.2 .2MembersaskedforfurtherinformationonthereformoftheConstitutionof1991andwhetheritstillcontainedprovisionsthatalloweddiscriminationagainstwomen.TheywantedtoreceiveinformationonaconstitutionalcommitteesetupbythePresidenttoundertakeaharmonizationoftheConstitution.Therepresentativestatedthat,intheConstitutionofZambiaAct,1991,theonlyoutstandingissueregardingdiscriminationwastheprovisionrelatingtocitizenshipofforeignmenmarriedtoZambianwomen,whichwascurrentlyunderrevision.TheActaddressedtheissuesofdiscriminationagainstwomensinceanoffendingarticle23ofthepreviousConstitutionhadbeenamendedandgivenwiderdefinition.TheConstitutionalCommitteewasreviewingtheConstitutionwithaviewtosecuringfinalapprovalfortheamendedConstitution.Askedaboutmeasurestakentoremoveallcustomarylaws,therepresentativestatedthattheConstitutionprohibitedthepracticeandenforcementofcustomarylawsthatwererepugnanttonaturaljustice.However,customarylawwaspartofthewayoflifeinZambiaandnotcodified.Therewasnogroundforremovingcustomarylawthatwastraditionanddidnoharm.Askedaboutthesituationofwidowsandtheirchildren,therepresentativesaidthatthequestionofcustodywasnotanissueinhercountrysinceitwasgenerallythewidowwhotookcareofherchildren.Onlyifshewasnotabletodosoowingtoillnessoreconomichardshipwouldtheextendedfamilytakecharge.Ifawomenlostcustodyofherchildren,shecouldmakeapetitiontothehighcourt.Traditionally,widowshadalwaysbeenwellprotected,buttherehadbeenanupsurgeofill-treatmentofwidows,especiallyintheurbanareas,linkedtotheadventofthemoneyeconomyandnewfoundmaterialism.2 .2Article3339.2 .2Membersstatedthatthereportdidnotdealwithallappropriatemeasurestakentoensurethefulldevelopmentandadvancementofwomenasrequiredunderthearticle.Hopewasexpressedthatthesubsequentreportwouldcoverthosequestionsaccordingly.Moredetailswererequiredonthebudgetofthenationalmachineryanditsstructure.Membersaskedforadescriptionoftheobjectivesituationofwomen,inparticularpersistingtraditionalcustomsthataffectedwomennegatively.Therepresentativesaidthatthosequestionswouldbeappropriatelyaddressedinthesubsequentreport.2 .2Article4340.2 .2Memberswelcomedtheinclusionofachapteronwomenindevelopmentinthefourthnationaldevelopmentplan(1989-1993)andaskedfortheresultsachievedaswellasinformationonthecoordinationofwomen'sactivitiesinthedifferentareas.341.2 .2Theywantedmoreinformationontemporaryspecialmeasures,includingtheloweringofcutoffpointsforgirlstoqualifyforsecondaryeducationandtheintroductionofaquotasystemforgirlsinsciencecolleges.Theywantedtohearaboutthereasonsforloweringgradingandifthesocietyacceptedthatmeasure.TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatgirlsandboyshadthesamecurricula,thesameexaminationsandthesameteachers.Ninetypercentoftheschoolswerecoeducational.Affirmativeactionwasameanstoenablemoregirlstohaveaccesstohighereducation,sincegirlswereaminorityfromthefirstdayinschoolandevenmoresoattheendoftheseven-yearprimaryeducationcycle,whenmoregirlshaddroppedout.Thatdidnotimplythatgirl'seducationalachievementswerebad.Themeasurehadbeengenerallywellaccepted,althoughsomefeltthatwomenshouldcompeteonanequalfootingwithmen.2 .2Article5342.2 .2Memberswantedtoknowwhichmeasureshadbeentakentochangethepracticeofdowryandbridepriceandwhetherprogresswasachievedintheruralareas.Therepresentativestatedthatthepaymentofabrideprice,whichhadalwaysbeenatoken,waswidespreadpracticeandverywellaccepted.Nosubstantialchangeinthepracticewasreportedfromtheruralareas.343.2 .2Askedwhetherwomencouldobtaindivorce,therepresentativerepliedthatdivorceproceduresweredifferentformarriagescontractedundertheMarriageAct,whichhadtobedissolvedintheHighCourtofZambia,andcustomarymarriages,whichcouldbedissolvedinlocalcourts.RegardingaquestionontheactivitiesoftheWomeninDevelopmentUnitandnon-governmentalorganizationstocombatviolenceagainstwomen,therepresentativestatedthatviolenceagainstwomenwasahighprofiletopicdealtwithinseminars,televisionandradiointerviewsandtheatricalperformances.2 .2Article6344.2 .2Membersfounditdiscriminatorythatinthecaseofprostitution,whichwasanillegalactivity,onlywomenweretakentopolicestationsandnottheirmalecustomers.Theyexpressedtheviewthatconsideringprostitutionillegalandarrestingprostitutesdidnotresolvetheproblem,butratherexacerbatedit.Theyreferredtothepick-upofprostitutesinstreetsandaskedwhetherwomenhadtheopportunitytoprovetheirinnocenceafterbeingarrested.TherepresentativenotedthattraffickinginwomenwasnotaprobleminZambia,butthatprostitutionexisted.Awomanarrestedforprostitutionmustbechargedandprosecutedinacourtoflaw,whereshehadanopportunitytoproveherinnocenceortosigntheadmissionofguiltform.2 .2Article10345.2 .2Membersexpressedtheirconcernaboutthehighilliteracyrateamongwomen.TherepresentativerepliedthatZambiahadoneofthebestfunctionalliteracyprogrammes,whichwerecommunitybasedintheruralandtheurbanareas.Variouswomen'sactivitieswereusedforthoseprogrammes,whichtaughtwomenhowtounite.Questionedaboutthemainreasonsforthehighdrop-outratesofgirlsfromschoolafterthefirstlevel,thereplywasthatlargefamilysizesmadeiteconomicallydifficultforparentstosendalltheirchildrentoschool.Preferencewasgiventotheeducationofsons,whowereexpectedtobecomethebreadwinnersoftheextendedfamily.Littlevaluewasattachedtotheeducationofgirls,whoweretraditionallypreparedfortheirfutureroleasgoodwifeandgoodmother.2 .2Article11346.2 .2Membersobservedthattheheavyinvolvementofwomenintheinformalsectorwasapredominantfeatureindevelopingcountries.Thosewomenwereoftenharassedbypoliceandlawenforcementfortheiractivities.Theinformalsectorhadanillegalconnotation,althoughwomenintheinformalsectorcontributedtotheeconomyandpaidtaxes.WomenintheinformalsectorshouldstarttoorganizeandnegotiatewiththeMinistryofLabour.Theinternationalcommunityshouldlookatwomen'sactivitiesintheinformalsector.Statingthatemploymentandtheeconomicsectorweremostimportantforthestatusofwomen,membersaskediftheGovernmentwastakingmeasurestoprovidejobsforwomen.Inherreply,therepresentativereferredtotheConstitutionofZambia,whichrecognizedtherighttowork,tofreechoiceofemployment,tojustandfavourableconditionsofworkandtoprotectionagainstunemployment.TheGovernmentwascommittedtoprovidingjobsforwomen,butthestructuraladjustmentprogrammeshadbroughtwithitacontractionofthelabourmarket,whichshouldbeonlytemporary.Askediftherewasaprofessionalorientationforthejobsthatwereavailableforwomenonthejobmarket,shesaidthatwomenwerenotorientedtowardscertainprofessionsorfields,butfreetopursueacareeroftheirchoicedependingontheirqualifications.2 .2Article12347.2 .2Membersaskedformoreinformationonwomen'sreproductiverightsandtheuseofcontraception.Therepresentativerepliedthatwomentraditionallyhadnocontrolovertheirreproductiverightsandcouldnotrefusetohavechildren.Thebasisofamarriageinatraditionalsettingwastohavechildren.Theuseofcontraceptiveswaswidespread.Inreplytothequestionwhetherabortionwasallowed,shesaidthat,undertheTerminationofaPregnancyAct,anabortioncouldbeperformedonmedicalgroundsonly,iftherewasathreattothelifeofthemotherorthefoetusandonrecommendationofthreemedicalpractitioners.Membersalsowantedtoknowiftherewasapopulationpolicytolowerthebirthrate.TherepresentativesaidthattheGovernmentwasinterveningtolowerthebirthratethroughtheprovisionoffamilyplanningservicesandfreecontraceptives.PopulationtrendsindicatedthatZambia'spopulationcoulddoubleinthenext20yearsifthegrowthrateof3.2percentperannumwasmaintained.Memberssoughtanexplanationforthedemographicimbalanceinthepopulation,with60percentofthepopulationbeingfemale.Therepresentativesaidthatitcouldnotreallybeexplained,butwasduetothehighfemalebirthrateandhighmaledeathrate.Lifeexpectancyforfemaleswas55yearswhileitwas53yearsformen.Therewasnooutmigrationofmenthatleftwomenontheirown.Internalmigrationfromruraltourbanareashadinvolvedthemostproductivegroups,mainlytheyoung,bettereducatedandenterprisingelements,andhadhadnegativeeffectsonboththeruralandtheurbanareas.348.2 .2Themortaldiseasesaffectingwomenweremalaria,disordersofpregnancy,deliverycomplications,diseaseofthegenitro-urinarysystem,accidentsandinjuries,respiratorydiseasesandAIDSrelatedcomplications.349.2 .2Concerningmaternityleaveforemployedwomenandfamilybenefitsforwomen,therepresentativestatedthatwomenwereentitledtothreemonthsofpaidmaternityleaveaftertwoyearsofserviceandatintervalsoftwoyearsaccordingtotheEmploymentAct.Thatwasconsideredagoodfamilyplanningpolicysinceitallowedforspacingofchildren.2 .2Article14350.2 .2Membersstatedthatthesituationofruralwomenwasverycriticalandrequiredinformationonthehardshipofruralwomen,theconstraintsontheirtimeandthesuccessandfailureofdevelopmentprogrammes.2 .2Article15351.2 .2TheCommitteeaskedformoreinformationonthefinancing,staffingandfunctionsofthewomen'saffairssubcommittee.2 .2Article16352.2 .2Memberssoughtmoreinformationonthenumberoffemale-headedhouseholds,theireconomicsituation,theirconcentrationinruraland/orurbanareasandtheirstrategiesforsurvival.Therepresentativesaidthatshewasunabletoproviderepliestothequestionsunderarticles14,15and16.Responseswouldbeincorporatedinthethirdperiodicreport.Concludingobservation353.2 .2Inherconcludingremarks,therepresentativestressedthatwomeninZambiahadnotbenefitedasmuchasmenfromtheservicesandopportunitiesofthecountryalthoughtheconstitutionalstatutesdidnotdiscriminateagainstwomen.Equalopportunitiesmeantalsoequalsharingofresponsibilitiesbetweenwomenandmen,bothinsideandoutsidetheirhomes,butwomen'sworkloadinthehouseholdwasdisproportionatelylarger.Shestatedthatstructuraladjustmentprogrammeshadfallenheavilyonwomen.Howeverintherestructuringprocessandthenewliberalenvironment,measureswerebeingtakenthatwouldenablewomentoattainaqualityoflifethatwouldbeequaltothatofmen.354.2 .2MemberscommendedtheGovernmentofZambiaforitsefforttoeliminatedejurediscriminationwhileharmonizingtheConstitutionandtoinstitutionalizethenationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomen.TheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeofZambiaforherknowledgeablepresentationandthecompetentwayinwhichshehadrepliedtothequestions.Memberslookedforwardtoreceivingtheoutstandinginformationinthethirdperiodicreport.TheCommitteealsoencouragedtherepresentativetocomplywiththeguidelinesfortheestablishmentofreportsinthepreparationofthenextreport.355.2 .2Withregardtocustomarylaw,theCommitteestatedthatcustomarypracticeandcustomarylawhaddifferentmeaningsinthevariousculturesbutneededtobeexaminedastotheirimpactonwomen.Iftheyaffectedthestatusofwomennegatively,asdidforcedmarriageorcircumcision,thentheyneededtobeeliminated.Therewasnoquestionofrejectingallcustomarypracticesandtraditions.Countrieswentthroughatransitionalperiodwhentheyhadtodecidewhichpracticestokeeportoeliminate;itwasimportanttohavethechoice.TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttoidentifyculturalpracticesthatmighthavestemmedfromprecolonialtimesundereacharticleoftheConvention.ThatwouldhelpthecountryandtheCommitteebettertounderstandhowcustomarypracticeaffectedwomen.Membersalsoinvitedtherepresentativetoconsiderhowothercountriesoftheregionhadtackledcustomarypracticeandlaw.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction356.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatZambiahadenterednoreservations.Theamendmenttotheinitialreportadheredtothereportingproceduresbetterthantheinitialreport,eventhoughthereportdidnotcontainseparateinformationonarticles1to3oftheConvention.357.2 .2BothdocumentsgaveclearinformationonlawsandpolicymeasuresrelatingtotheimplementationoftheConvention,thoughmoreconcretedataontheactualsituationofwomenaswellasonthedifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationweredesiredinthesubsequentreport.358.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheGovernmentofZambiawascurrentlyexperiencingdifficultiesinimplementingtheConvention,owingtotheimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammes.TheCommitteenotedwithgreatconcernthatthatadjustmentnegativelyaffectedmanyaspectsofwomen'slives.2 .2Positiveaspects359.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationofthefactthatsomelegalmeasureshadbeenputinplacetoeliminatediscriminationagainstwomen.Italsoappreciatedthefactthataftertheenactmentofthe1991Constitution,aconstitutionalreviewcommitteewhichincludedwomen'snon-governmentalorganizationshadbeenputinplacetofurtherreviewalldiscriminatorylawsandpractices.360.2 .2Itexpresseditsappreciationfortheestablishmentofwomen'sdesksinallministries,theextensiveeducationaleffortsconcerningwomenandtheemergenceofnewwomen'sorganizations.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern361.2 .2TheCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutthepersistenceoftraditionalsexroles,whichweredeeplyembeddedintheculturallifeoftheZambiansandwhichgenerallyseemedtoimpedeequality.Greatconcernwasalsoexpressedregardingtheviolationofwomen'srightsingeneral,particularlytherightsofthosewomenundercustomarymarriagelaws.362.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithconcernthelackofwomen'saccesstoformalemploymentandthedifficultiesencounteredbywomenworkingintheinformalsectoringeneralandfromgovernmentalofficials.363.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutactsofviolenceagainstwomenintheirprivatesphere.Italsonotedthehighfertilityrateanditsnegativeimpactonthestatusofwomeninadditiontothedifficultycausedbythecurrentadjustmentprogrammes.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations364.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentofZambiastudythepossibilityofcodifyingthecustomarylawssothatthosefoundtobeinviolationoftheConventioncouldbereformedorabolished.Itrecommendedthatthecustomarymarriagelawbereformedsothatcustomarymarriageswereregistered,inordertogivewomenmarriedunderthatlawequalrightsandbenefitswithmen.365.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthatinfuturereportsamuchmoredetaileddescriptionbegivenofthecustomsandtraditionsaffectingwomen'srightsinallareasoftheConventioninapositiveornegativeway.Itsuggestedfurtherreviewofexistinglegislationandexpectedinthesubsequentreporttobeinformedaboutthepracticalresultsoftheconstitutionalreviewcommitteeandtheirimplementation.366.2 .2Itrecommendedthat,althoughstructuraladjustmentprogrammesposeddifficultiestotheStateparty,women'sissuesshouldremainatcentrestageevenintimesofeconomicdistress.TheCommitteethereforerecommendedthatwomenhaveaccesstobudgetaryandpolicydecisionmakingpositionstomitigatesomeofthenegativeeffectsofthestructuraladjustmentonwomen'slives.367.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheStateparty,women'snon-governmentalorganizationsandallconcernedtoengageinanationwideawarenesscampaigntochangetheattitudesofmenandwomeninordertoachievedefactoequalityinallspheresoflife.TheCommitteealsowishedtobeinformedinsubsequentreportsaboutthesituationofwomeninfemaleheadedhouseholds.368.2 .2ItwasthewishoftheCommitteethatZambia'snextreportprovidealltheinformationwiththenecessarysexsegregatedstatisticsinaccordancewiththearticlesoftheConventionandinclosercompliancewiththeguidelinesforsubmittingreportstotheCommittee.@ . 2.Secondandthirdperiodicreports369.2 .2FollowingtheprocedureadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsninthsession7/fortheconsiderationofsecondandsubsequentperiodicreports,issuesthatshouldbediscussedwiththerepresentativesofStatespartiessubmittingasecondperiodicreportwereidentifiedinadvancebyapresessionworkinggroup.+ $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     H@ .*Australia( # $(q2370.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofAustralia(CEDAW/C/AUL/2)atits251stmeeting,on31January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.251).2371.3  2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativeofAustraliarecalledherGovernment'scommitmenttoeliminatingdiscriminationagainstwomenandreferredtothemeansusedtopromotethestatusofwomen.UponratificationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenin1983,theSexDiscriminationActwaspassedin1984andtheAffirmativeAction(EqualEmploymentOpportunityforWomen)Actin1986.Severallegislativeamendmentshadbeenmadesincethen,strengtheningthesexdiscriminationandsexualharassmentprovisions.Therepresentativestressedthathercountry'sfederalsystemofgovernmentrequiredacooperativeapproachbetweentheFederalGovernmentandthegovernmentsoftheStatesandTerritoriestoimplementtheConvention.TheNewNationalAgendaforWomen,releasedin1993bytheFederalGovernment,reflectedmanyarticlesoftheConventionandwasaguidelinetotheyear2000.2372.3  2 .2ThesecondperiodicreportfollowedthetraditionoffranknessaboutwhatremainedtobedonetoimplementtheConvention.Aspartofaprogrammetoraiseawarenessonequalrights,thereporthadbeenwidelydistributedthroughoutthecountry.Governmentpolicyadvicemechanismsonthestatusofwomenhadbeenreviewedandseveralnewconsultativemechanismsestablished.2373.3  2 .2Women'srepresentationinpublicliferemainedoneoftheareasofconcern,sinceonly14.5percentofthemembersofAustralia'sparliamentwerewomen.Thereasonsforwomen'sabsenceindecisionmakingandstrategiestoinfluencethepoliticalagendawouldbediscussedinapaperonwomenandgovernmentinAustraliaandNewZealand.Women'sunderrepresentationinthejudiciarywasaddressedbytheFederalAttorneyGeneralinareportontheprocessofjudicialappointments.2374.3  2 .2Violenceagainstwomen,asaviolationofwomen'shumanrightsandaformofdiscrimination,wasanotherareaofnationalconcernandapolicypriorityfortheOfficeoftheStatusofWomen.TheNationalStrategyonViolenceagainstWomenprovidedaframeworkforconcertedactionatalllevelsofgovernment.Anationaleducationprogrammeonviolenceagainstwomenhadbeenlaunchedrecently.2375.3  2 .2Thethirdareaofconcernwasthesituationofparticularlydisadvantagedgroups,includingindigenouswomen,migrantwomen,allwomenofnonEnglishspeakingbackgroundandwomenwithdisabilities.AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomenwerethemostdisadvantagedpeopleinAustraliansociety,withhighinfantmortalityrates,lowlifeexpectancy,highunemploymentfiguresandhighincidenceofdomesticviolenceandhomicide.TheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderCommission(ATSIC)hadbeenestablishedasthepremierbodyresponsibleforFederalGovernmentprogrammes.TheATSICboardmemberswereelectedbyandfromtheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.TheOfficeofIndigenousWomenwithinATSICcoordinatedtheWomen'sInitiativeProgramme.AnationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderConsultativeWomen'sCouncilwasbeingconsidered.Acomprehensivewomen'shealthpolicywasinpreparation.TherepresentativestatedthatfurtherprogrammeswouldbedevelopedtohelpAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesmoveoutofsituationsofdependence.Themostsignificantdevelopmentwastheintroductionon24December1993,oftheNativeTitleAct,whichwouldestablishtribunalandcourtprocessesfordeterminingclaimstonativetitle.̇2376.3  2 .2TherepresentativestatedthatAustralia,beingamemberoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenduringtheperiodleadingtotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,feltresponsibilitytoparticipateactivelyininternationalmechanismsandtopromotetheequalityofwomen,inpartnershipbetweenStates,asreflectedalsointheinternationaldevelopmentworkofthecountry.Australiawasfocusingontheprotectionofwomen'srightswithinmainstreamhumanrightsforumstoavoidmarginalizationofwomen'shumanrights.Generalobservations2377.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteeacknowledgedthequalityofthereport,whichcompliedwiththegeneralguidelines.Agreatdealofinformationhadbeenmadeavailableinaselfcriticalmanner.TheythankedtherepresentativefortheextensiveandveryinformativerepliesandcommendedtheGovernmentofAustraliaforthespecificactiontakentoimprovethestatusofwomenanditscommitmenttotheimplementationoftheConvention.SpecialreferencewasmadetothecontributionofAustraliatotheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsanditseffortstotreatthehumanrightsofwomenonthesamebasisasallhumanrights.2378.3  2 .2Membersespeciallywelcomedthefactthatwomen'sunpaidworkinthefamilywastakenintoconsiderationandintegratedintothenationalaccounts.2379.3  2 .2Membersinquiredaboutachangeingovernmentpolicywithregardtothereservationunderarticle11,paragraph1(c),inconnectionwithcombatduties,andparagraph2(b),onmaternityleave.Therepresentativerepliedthatthebanonwomenservingincombatroleshadbeenlifted,withasmallnumberofexclusionsrelatedtoviolence.WomenintheAustralianDefenceForcecouldnowserveinthenavy,armyandairforce.Asaresultoftherevisedemploymentpolicy,AustraliawouldadjustitsreservationtotheConvention.Withregardtothesecondreservation,maternityleavewithpaywasprovidedforallwomenemployedbytheCommonwealthGovernment,subjecttoa12-monthqualifyingperiod,for9to12weeksdependingontheStateorTerritory.UnpaidmaternityleavehadbecomeavailabletoAustralianwomenemployeessince1979andhadbeeninsertedinallmajorFederalawardsandthemajorityofStateawards.DuringtheInternationalYearoftheFamily,paidmaternityleavewouldbecomeoneofthemajorissuesforpublicdebate.TheGovernmentwasnowtakingstepstointroduceuniversalparentalleave.2380.3  2 .2Followingthisreportongradualprogressachieved,membersexpressedtheirhopethattheGovernmentwouldbeabletoreportontheremovalofthereservationsinthenextperiodicreport.Generalquestions2381.3  2 .2AcknowledgingAustralia'sambitiousprogrammestoraisecommunityawarenessoftheproblemofviolenceagainstwomen,thequestionwasraisedwhethertheincidenceofsuchviolencehaddecreased.Therepresentativerepliedthattherewereanumberofbarrierstocollectingcomprehensivedata.Muchviolenceagainstwomenwasnotreported,particularlydomesticviolence.However,agreatercommunityawarenessofthecriminalityofviolenceagainstwomenhasbroughtwithitanincreaseinreporting.TheOfficeoftheStatusofWomenwouldestablishanationalcoordinateddatacollectionnetworkwithstandardizedstatisticalcollectionmethods.2382.3  2 .2AskedabouttheimpactofprogrammestoeliminateviolenceintheAboriginalcommunity,therepresentativestatedthatanationalfamilyviolenceinterventionprogrammewasbeingimplementedbyATSICusingacommunitydevelopmentapproach.Anationalmen'sconferencetodiscussspecificissuesoffamilyviolencewasheldin1993.2383.3  2 .2Membersrequestedinformationonsection37oftheSexDiscriminationActandaskedwhetherthatlegalprovisionwasappliedforactsinconflictwithAustralianlegislationorwiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.Therepresentativerepliedthatsuchactswereonlyexemptbyforceofsection37oftheSexDiscriminationActbutwerenotexemptfromcriminalsanctionsunderotherlegislation.Forexample,genitalmutilationwouldbetreatedasabreachofStateassaultlawsandpolygamywouldbeillegalundertheMarriageAct.2384.3  2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthepositivelegislativemeasures,strategiesandprogrammesforprovidingassistancetowomenthatmadeitpossibletohaveofficiallegalrightsonanequalbasiswithmen.AskedwhytheGovernmentstillhadnotprovidedconstitutionalguaranteesforequalityofthesexeswhichwouldenrichthebasiclawoftheStates,therepresentativerepliedthatitwouldrequireaconstitutionalamendmentbyreferendumtoentrenchtherightofequalityofthesexesintheAustralianConstitution.Therehadbeenongoingdebatesince1988onwhichrightsandfreedomsshouldbeexplicitlyguaranteedinAustralianlaw.WhileapproachingAustralia'scentenaryoffederationin2001,interestsinconstitutionalchangehadbeenrenewed,andaconferenceontheissueofwomenandtheConstitutionwouldbeorganizedin1994.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Articles1,2and32385.3  2 .2TheCommitteeaskedforanorganizationalcharttobetterunderstandtherelationshipsbetweenthewomen'sorganizationsthatwerenotedtohavethecommonpurposeofpromotingthestatusofwomen.TherepresentativerepliedthatadistinctionneededtobedrawnbetweenGovernmentadministrativeandpolicybodiesandadvisorybodiestotheGovernment.TheOfficeoftheStatusofWomenwasaDivisionwithintheFederalGovernment'sDepartmentofthePrimeMinisterandCabinet.TheNationalWomen'sConsultativeCouncil,operatingwithfederalfundsandservicedbytheOfficewasameansofcommunicationbetweentheGovernmentandthemembersofnationalwomen'sorganizations.TheAustralianCouncilofWomenwasanadvisorybodytotheGovernmentonkeyissuesfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.TheFederalGovernmentsetuptheHumanRightsandEqualOpportunityCommissionasastatutorybodytoadministerfouracts,includingtheSexDiscriminationAct1984.2386.3  2 .2OnthequestionwhethertheMinisterAssistingthePrimeMinisterfortheStatusofWomenwasaCabinetmember,therepresentativerepliedaffirmativelyandsaidthatthishadbeenachievedinaMinisterialreshuffleinDecember1993.2 .2Article42387.3  2 .2MembersrequestedinformationonastudygrouponAboriginalwomenanditsauthorityandresourcestoensureequalityforindigenouswomen.Therepresentativerepliedthatshewasunabletoascertainwhichstudygroupwasreferredto.ShenotedthattheOfficeofIndigenousWomenwithinATSICwasthebodyresponsibleforFederalGovernmentprogrammesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomen.Since1992,annualnationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomen'sconferenceshadbeenheldtoenablerepresentativesofindigenouswomentoidentifyimportantissuesandprovideadvicetoATSIC.2388.3  2 .2AskedwhatherGovernmenthaddonetoincreasethestatusofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomenandwhethertheywouldbetreatedonequaltermsiflandwasreturnedtotheindigenouspopulation,therepresentativeconfirmedthatthehighcourtdecisioninMaboandOthersv.theStateofQueenslandwasthemostsignificantjudicialactthatpavedthewayfortheNativeTitleAct1993,whichrepresentedapoliticalshiftinthetreatmentofindigenousAustralians,althoughitsfullimpactcouldnotyetbegraspedfully.AnAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderSocialJusticeCommissionerhadbeenappointedtomonitorandassessthehumanrightsoftheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples,inparticularwomen.Women'sequalrightsshouldbeamajorconcernwhenitcametoredistributionofland.Sheagreedthatmanyservicesprovidedforindigenouswomeninthepasthadfailedbecausetraditionalvalueshadnotbeentakenintoaccountinthedesignandimplementationofprogrammes,buteffortswerebeingmadetoremedythatsituation,inparticularinthehealthsector.2 .2Article52389.3  2 .2Havingbeeninformedthatmaternityleavewaswidespreadinthepublicsector,theCommitteewantedtoknowwhatactionhadbeentakentoenablewomentocontinueworkintheprivatesector,wheremostlefttheirjobsaftergivingbirth.Therepresentativemadeclearthattheinclusionofmaternity,adoptionandparentalleaveinfederalawardshadbeensupportedbytheGovernment.Askedwhetherlegislationrelatingtopaternityleavewasbeingconsidered,shereportedthatsignificantprogresshadbeenmadeonthatissue,sinceindustrialrelationslegislationguaranteed12monthsunpaidparentalleave,whichcouldbesharedbetweenmenandwomen.2390.3  2 .2TheCommitteehaddifficultyinfullyunderstandingthereservationonmaternityleave.Therepresentativesaidthattherewasconsiderablediscussiongoingoninhercountryontheissue.Women'sparticipationinwagelabourhadincreasedsignificantlyinthelast15years.Theresistancetopaidmaternityleavecamefrommanysides;therewasnoconsensusontheissueevenamongwomen'sorganizationsandtradeunions.Theuniversalsocialsecuritysystemexistinginthecountrycushionedcutsinincomelevelsandwasanincentiveforparttimework.Moreover,therehadbeennostrongpressureordemandforfacilitiestofeedbabiesintheworkplace.2391.3  2 .2Commentingonviolenceagainstwomen,theexpertsaskedhowmanywomenhadtakenrefugeinshelters.TherepresentativesaidthatanationalcensusonasinglenightinMay1992hadfound4,700adultsandchildrenusingtheSupportAccommodationAssistanceProgram(SAAP)asaresultoffamilyviolence.EightyfivepercentofwomenappliedforGovernmentbenefitsorpensionsaftertakingrefuge.AnaccuratefigureonwomenobtainingprotectionorderscouldnotbegivenowingtoalackofconsistencyindatacollectionbytheStatesandTerritories.In1991,therewere603applicationsforDomesticViolenceOrdersintheAustralianCapitalTerritory,90percentmadebywomenagainstmen.Askedhowwomen'sorganizationshelpedvictimsofrapewithinmarriageandofdomesticviolence,therepresentativesaidthatrapecrisiscentres,domesticviolencecrisisservicesandwomen'shealthcentresprovidedinformationonlegal,health,financialandcrisisaccommodationmattersandreferredwomentoappropriateservices.2392.3  2 .2TheCommitteewantedtoknowhowtheGovernmentviewedtheproblemofviolenceagainstwomenandifanyattemptswerebeingmadetosolveit.TherepresentativestressedthatthecommitmentoftheGovernmentwasevidencedbyitsconsiderablesupporttowomenandchildrenvictimsofviolenceanditseffortstochangethelawandbehaviourofperpetrators.TheNewNationalAgendadefinedstrategiestoeliminateviolenceagainstwomenwhichincludedfurtherlegislativereform.TheGovernmentprovidedconsiderablefundingforvariousmeasurestoeliminateviolence,inparticularforcommunityeducationcampaigns,theprovisionofshelterandincomesupporttowomenescapingviolence.Anemphasiswasputontheroleofmeninallaspectsofviolenceandthereeducationofaggressors.Aclearmessagewasbeingsentoutthatviolencewasnotacceptablebehaviour.2393.3  2 .2ReplyingtoaquestiononthelegalconceptofthefamilyinAustraliansocietyandmeasurestakentostrengthenit,therepresentativefirststatedthatthefamily,asanentity,hadnolegalstatusorlegallyenforceablerightsorduties.TheFamilyLawActconcerneditselfwiththerights,dutiesandresponsibilitiesoftheindividualswhobelongedtofamiliesofparticularkinds.Thelawimplicitlyrecognizedtheexistenceofcertainkindsoffamily.Australia'sfederalsystemdidnotprovideacomprehensivecodeforfamilyrelationships,butrecognizedpeople'sresponsibilitiesfortheirrelationships.Inordertopromotegreatersupport,harmonyandqualityoflifeforallfamilies,theGovernmenthadintroducedapackageoffamilypayments.Effortshadbeenmadetoprovidequalitychildcare.2 .2Article72394.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteeexpressedtheirregretthatthereportlackedananalysisoftheobstaclestotheachievementofequalityforwomeninpositionsofpoliticalleadership,andaskedformoreinformationonthereasonsforthedisparityinfiguresbetweendifferentinstitutions.Therepresentativeexplainedthatwomentendedtobeparticularlyunderrepresentedinhighlevelpostsinscienceandtechnologyowingtoentrenchedvaluesregardingwomen'sentryintonontraditionalareas.HerGovernmenttargetedwomeninpubliclifeasoneofthreeprioritiesforimprovingthestatusofwomenand,therefore,wascommittedto50percentrepresentationofwomenonGovernmentboardsbytheyear2001.Aregisterofwomenandamonitoringsystemhadbeenestablished.Women'sunderrepresentationinpublicliferesultedfromentrenchedsocialattitudes,parliamentarypracticeswhichconflictedwithfamilyresponsibilities,lackofwomeninleadershippositionsandfactionalisminthepreselectionprocessesinmajorpoliticalparties.2395.3  2 .2Inreplytoaquestiononthelevelofwomen'srepresentationinlocalandnationalgovernment,therepresentativesaidthattherewerehigherlevelsoffemaleparticipationinlocalgovernmentsandrelativelylowlevelsinnationalgovernment.ThismightbeduetothestructureofmajorpoliticalpartiesinAustraliaandtheirdominancebymen.Largedistancesinsidethecountrywereanotherobstacletowomen'sinvolvementinleadingpositions,sincemanywomenwerenotpreparedtomovetotheFederalcentreofgovernment.ShealsonotedthattheCommonwealthStateMinistersontheStatusofWomenwereundertakingresearchontheissue.2 .2Article102396.3  2 .2Inreplytoaquestiononactiontoraisefemaleenrolmentattheuniversitylevel,therepresentativerecalledthatthenumberofwomeninhighereducationhadgrownsteadily,reachingmorethan50percent.Morewomenthanmenhadenrolledsince1987.However,womenwerestillunderrepresentedincertainareasofstudy,andconcentratedinarts,humanities,socialsciencesandeducation.TheGovernmenthadpublishedaplanforequityinhighereducationentitled"AFairChanceforAll",whichsetthegoalofincreasingwomen'sshareofengineeringenrolmentsto15percentandinothernon-traditionalcoursesto40percentby1995.2397.3  2 .2MembersoftheCommitteerequestedfurtherinformationontheeducationofAboriginalwomen,theirenrolmentatuniversityandtheirentryintotheprofessions.TherepresentativerepliedthattheenrolmentofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomeninhighereducationhadincreasedby192percentinthepastfiveyears,withwomennowrepresenting61percentofthetotalnumberofstudents.Therateofcompletionofcoursesremainedofconcern,althoughnodetailedfigureswereavailable.2 .2Article112398.3  2 .2TheCommitteewasinterestedintheoutcomeofaninitiativetoreviewtherestructuringofearnings.TherepresentativeconfirmedherGovernment'sstrongsupportofacontinuedreviewofawardwagerelativitiesbasedoncomparisonsofskillsandresponsibilities.Theratiooffemaletomaleaverageweeklyordinarytimeearningsforafulltimeadultwas83.2percentin1992.Asurveyonworkplacebargainingfoundthatmoremaleemployeesbenefitedfromworkplacenegotiatedwageagreements.ReformstotheIndustrialRelationsAct1988wereundertakeninconsultationwithwomen'sorganizationstoensurethattheindustrialreformswouldprotectwomen'sinterests.Certifiedagreementswouldcontinuetoexistbetweenemployees,unionsandemployers,butflexibleagreementsmightbemadedirectlybetweenemployersandemployees.Agreementswererequiredtoensure"nodisadvantage"inthetermsandconditionsofemploymentfortheemployees.Tothatend,anumberofadditionalsafeguardshadbeenincluded.2399.3  2 .2Askedwhethertheauthoritiesplannedtoproposelegislationtoensureequalremunerationforworkofequalvaluewithaviewtoraisingwomen'sincomes,therepresentativestatedthattheGovernmenthadensuredthatprovisionundertheIndustrialRelationsReformAct1993.Effortsweremadetoremovediscriminatoryelementsinwagefixingarrangements.2400.3  2 .2InviewofthefactthatthemajorityofwomeninAustraliawereworkingparttimeandassumingallfamilyobligations,memberstooknoteoftheireconomicdisadvantageandinherentobstaclesforcareeradvancementandparticipationinpublicactivities.Furtherclarificationonthestatusofparttimeworkers,particularlytheirpensionandsocialsecurityrights,wasneeded.TherepresentativeconfirmedthatAustraliahadseenanincreaseoffemaleparttimeemploymentby60percentcomparedtoagrowthinfemalefulltimeemploymentofapproximately25percent.Parttimeworkerstendedtobeemployedmorefrequentlyonacasualbasisthanonapermanentparttimebasis,whichwouldgivethemcontinuityofemploymentandthepossibility,generally,ofaccruingbenefits.TheGovernmentwelcomedtheextensionofpermanentparttimeemploymentandindicatedthatcasualworkshouldgenerallyberestrictedtoshortterm,irregularorseasonalwork.Therepresentativegavedetailedinformationonpensionandsocialsecurityrightsofparttimeworkers,inparticularunemploymentpayments,jobresearchandnewstartallowances,familypayments,pensionpaymentsandsuperannuationwhichwouldsignificantlyincreasecoverageofparttimeandcasualemployees. .Askedwhatwasconsideredparttimework,therepresentativesaidthatitwasemploymentoflessthan30hoursaweek.2401.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedthat44percentofworkingmothershadchildrenunder4yearsofage,60percenthadchildrenunder14yearsofageand49percentweresinglemothers.Theyaskedwhetherthe19891991programmefortherefurbishmentandconstructionofcentreshadsolvedtheproblemofchildcare.TherepresentativestatedthattheGovernmenthadimplementedgrowthstrategiestoexpandthenumberoffundedchildcareplaces,sothat74percentofthedemandforformalworkrelatedcareforchildrenbelowschoolageand51percentforschoolagechildrenwasmetin19921993.2402.3  2 .2Askedaboutwomen'semploymentinmines,therepresentativerepliedthattherewasresistancefromthetradeunionstoallowingwomentogoundergroundandtoenteranexclusivelymaledominatedprofession.2 .2Article122403.3  2 .2Askedwhetherthenationallyorganizedcervicalscreeningprogrammehadbeenimplemented,therepresentativeconfirmedthatallHealthMinistershadadoptedanorganizedapproachtodetectionandmanagementofcervicalpre-cancersthatincludedanationalcervicalscreeningpolicybasedonatwo-yearinterval,anagerangeof18to70yearsandtheestablishmentofcervicalcytologyregistries.Inaddition,atelevisioncampaigntoraiseawarenessamongwomenontheneedforregulartestinghadbeenlaunchedin1993.2404.3  2 .2Onaquestionrelatedtofamilyplanningandfreelyavailablecontraceptiveadviceforyoungwomenwithoutparentalconsent,therepresentativesaidthatyoungwomenhadfreeaccesstoadviceonsexualandreproductivehealthinclinicsfundedundertheFamilyPlanningProgramme.2405.3  2 .2TheCommitteewantedtoknowifabortionwasavailabletoyoungwomenonthesamebasisasadultwomen.Theanswerwasthatalthoughequalservicewasensuredintheory,pregnantminorwomenweredisadvantagedintheiraccesstoabortionservices,sincetheydidnothavetheirownMedicarecardandlackedsupportandmoneyfortransportationandconsultationofspecialists.2406.3  2 .2TheCommitteeaskedwhethertheGovernmentplannedtoharmonizeitsfamily-planning,contraceptionandabortionpolicies.TherepresentativestatedthatabortionlawsweretheresponsibilityofStateandTerritorygovernments,whereastheFamilyPlanningProgrammewasaCommonwealthinitiative.AharmonizationtookplaceinthesensethattheFamilyPlanningProgrammewasameanstopreventunwantedpregnanciesandreducedemandforabortions.2407.3  2 .2OnaquestionaboutthedecreaseofmaternalandchildmortalityratesamongtheAboriginalpopulation,therepresentativestressedthatthehealthofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleshadsignificantlyimprovedinthepasttwodecades.However,theburdensofdiseasecontinuedtobecomparativelyhighasdidlevelsofchildmortality.Theproportionofmaternaldeathshadnotdecreasedyet.Therewasagreatneedforanindigenouswomen'shealthpolicytocomplementtheNationalAboriginalHealthStrategy,themajorinitiativeinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhealth.Askedaboutlegalorsocialbarrierstoartificialinseminationandthepublic'sresponse,inparticularwomen'sresponsetothatprocess,therepresentativerepliedthatthedirectregulationofartificialinseminationwasamatterforStateandTerritorygovernments.TheCommonwealthGovernmentsubsidizedartificialinseminationthroughthenationalhealthinsurancescheme.Therewasevidencethatthemajorityofthepopulationacceptedartificialinseminationaspartofwiderreproductivetechnologiesbutwasconcernedabouttheconfidentialityofinformation,ethnicculturalvaluesandtherightsofthechild.Womenwereparticularlyconcernedaboutthecostandemotionalstressinvolved.  2 .2Article152408.3  2 .2TheCommitteecommentedonarecentcontroversyaboutgenderbiasinthecourtsthathadresultedinareferraltotheAustralianLawReformCommission.ItaskedwhethertheGovernmentwouldintroducelegislationorencouragelawsocietiesandthejudiciarytoadoptandimplementthefinalrecommendationoftheCommission.TherepresentativestatedthatherGovernmenthadtakenactiontoaddresstheissueofgenderbiasinthelegalsystem.TheAttorneyGeneralhadacknowledgedthattheprocessofjudicialappointmentsshouldcomprisesuitablyqualifiedwomenaswellasotherunderrepresentedgroups.TheFederalGovernmentrecognizedtheimportanceofjudicialeducation.Genderbiasawarenessprogrammesformagistratesandjudgeshadbeendeveloped.2 .2Article162409.3  2 .2TheCommitteewantedtoknowhowtheGovernmentintendedtoenactandenforcelegislationdesignedtocomplywiththeConventionandtoprotectwomenifmarriagescontractedaccordingtocustomarylawconflictedwiththeConvention.TherepresentativesaidthatAboriginalcustomarymarriagesdidnotcomplywiththeprovisionoftheMarriageAct1961andthereforewerenotrecognizedasvalidmarriages,butcouldbeacceptedasdefactoheterosexualrelationshipsinsomeStatejurisdictions.TheAustralianLawReformCommissionrecommendedthatAboriginalcustomarymarriagesshouldberecognizedforspecificpurposes,suchassocialsecuritylaw,andforgivinglegitimatestatustothechildrenofsuchmarriages.TherewerenoplanstolegislatewithrespecttoAboriginalcustomarymarriage.2410.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheAustralianLawReformCommissionhadmadecertainrecommendationsconcerningmarriagepractices,suchaspolygamousmarriages,whichmightcomplywithreligiousorcustomarylawbutbeinconflictwiththeprinciplesoftheConvention.Askedwhethertherewereplanstolegislateandenforcedomesticlawwhichwouldprotectwomenfromtraditionsthatendangeredtheirhealthandcausedthemandtheirchildrenhardship,therepresentativestatedthatmarriage,accordingtothelawinAustralia,wastheunionofmanandwomanvoluntarilyenteredintoforlifeandacontractofvalidpolygamousmarriagewasnotpossibleaccordingtothelaw.AdefactopolygamousmarriagecontractedoutsideAustraliawouldberecognizedonlyifvalidaccordingtothecommonlawrulesofprivateinternationallaw.AnyreligiousorcustomarymarriagewhichdidnotcomplywiththeMarriageAct'sprovisionswasnotvalid.2411.3  2 .2Onaquestionwithregardtodefactorelationshipsandthelegalactiontakentosolvetheproblemofcustodyandguardianshipofchildren,inheritance,maintenanceandallocationofhouseholdproperty,therepresentativesaidthattheeffectofadefactorelationshipwasgovernedbyStateandTerritorylegislaturesandcourts,exceptinrelationtochildrenofsuchrelationships.Jurisdictionthereforevariedontheissueofshareintheintestateestateofadeceaseddefactopartner.Guardianship,custodyandmaintenanceofchildrenwasamatterfortheFamilyCourtortheFederalChildSupportAgency.̇2412.3  2 .2TheCommitteedeferreditsconcludingcommentsonthereportofAustralia  untilitsfourteenthsession.@ .\Barbados2413.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofBarbados(CEDAW/C/BAR/23)atits245thmeeting,on26January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.245).2414.3  2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentnotedthat  thecountryhadsufferedfromtheglobaleconomiccrisis,whichhadledtoadeclineinthegrossdomesticproductandtotheintroductionofstabilizationandstructuraladjustmentmeasuresthatwerebeginningtohaveaneffect.Themeasureshadnotbeenpainlessandwomenhadbeendisproportionatelyaffectedbythem,includingthroughanincreasedunemploymentratewhichwashigherthanthatformen.2415.3  2 .2Educationalopportunitieswerenowlargelyequalandgirlsweregenerally  moresuccessfulthanboys.Therehadalsobeensignificantimprovementinlawreform,particularlyintheareaoffamilylegislation,includingdomesticviolenceandsexualoffences.Thenationalmachinery,theBureauofWomen'sAffairs,hadbeensupportedbythereinstitutionoftheNationalAdvisoryCouncilonWomenandaprojecttostrengthentheBureaufurtherhadbeenapprovedbytheInterAmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB).Generalobservations2416.3  2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionaboutthereactionofthepublicingeneral,and  especiallymen,totheeconomicandsocialprogressachievedbywomen,therepresentativestatedthatthegeneralpublicappearedcomfortablewiththechanges,althoughsomemenandsomewomentraditionalistshadexperienceddifficultyinacceptingchanges.Avarietyofstrategieshadbeenpursuedtoraisethelevelofconsciousnessofmenandwomenregardingchanges,includinguseofthemassmedia,communityorganizationsandthenormativeeffectofjudicialdecisions.Theevidencefromdivorcestatistics,whichweredeclining,suggestedthattherewasincreasing,ratherthandecreasing,harmony.  2417.3  2 .2Tothequestionwhethertherehadbeenanegativereactionbymen,therepresentativerepliedthatsomenegativereactionhadbeenexpected,butanefforthadbeenmadetohavethosereactionsexpressedinvariousforums.ItwasnotedthatBarbadiansocietywasaffectedbyanumberofinfluences,includinganAfricanheritage,UnitedKingdomcolonialruleandproximitytotheUnitedStatesthroughtransnationalmedia.Oneexampleofchangewastherapidintroductionofcoeducation,whichhadprovokedareactionamongsomemenwhopreferredsinglesexschools.2418.3  2 .2ReplyingtoaquestiononconsultationwithnongovernmentalorganizationsinthepreparationofthereportandpublicitygiventheConventionandthereports,therepresentativereferredtotheextensiveuseofmediaprogrammesongenderissuesinwhichreferencestotheConventionhadbeenfrequent.Askedforfurtherdetailsonconsultationwithnongovernmentalorganizations,therepresentativerepliedthatwomen'sorganizationsandothernongovernmentalorganizationshadallbeeninvitedbytheBureauofWomen'sAffairstoprovideinputtothereportintheirareasofcompetence,andthatinputformedthebasisofthereport.Inadditionthemediawereinvolvedinadvertisingthereport,whichwascirculatedinthemedia,anditscontentdiscussedpublicly.Itscontentwasalsoincludedinthegendertrainingprogrammefortheleadershipofthewomen'sorganizations.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2  2419.3  2 .2RespondingtoaquestionontheextenttowhichtheConstitutionhadbeenamendedasaresultofratificationoftheConventiontoensureaconstitutionalprovisionforequalityandthestepsbeingtakentoeliminateelementsofdiscrimination,therepresentativenotedthatunderthecountry'sjudicialsystem,treatieshadtobeimplementedthroughenactmentofmunicipallegislation.Thatwaswhyanefforthadbeenmadeatlawreform,whichhadremovedmostlegalobstaclestoequality,and10majoramendedstatuteswerecited.TheConstitutionitselfprovidedforequaltreatmentofallcitizenswithoutdiscrimination.Legislationwasstillrequiredintheareaofviolence,sexualoffences,citizenshipanddisparitiesamongpublicofficers.  2420.3  2 .2Toaquestionontheimplementationoftheprogrammeonwomeninthe1988-1989developmentplan,therepresentativerepliedthattheplanenvisagedanationalpolicyonwomen,includinggreaterparticipationindecisionmaking,healthandemployment,workonareasrequiringfurtherlegislativechanges,trainingandtechnicalassistancethroughtheBureauofWomen'sAffairs,programmestofacilitateinteragencycooperationandstudies.Anewplancoveringtheperiod19932000hadbeenprepared,emphasizingstrengtheningoftheBureau,women'sorganizationsandotherpolicymakingagencies.2 .2Article5    2421.3  2 .2Inresponsetoaseriesofquestionsaboutactionstodealwithdomesticviolence,including,inparticular,theDomesticViolenceProtectionOrdersActof1992,therepresentativenotedthatthelegislationwasbasedonprotectionordersandcoveredbothlegalanddefactounions.TheSexualOffencesActof1992updatedlegislationdealingwithrapeandothersexualoffences.Theinterpretationanddecisionsofthecourtshadclearlyindicatedthatthelegislationshouldprotectagainstviolence.Amediaprogrammeforpubliceducationandothermeasures,includingtrainingforpoliceandcounsellingforfamiliesaffectedbyviolence,weretobeimplemented.  2422.3  2 .2Anotherquestionrelatedtowhethertheinclusionofwomeninthenationalplanhadhadanyeffectinreducingstereotypes.TherepresentativerepliedthatactivitiesincludedobtainingdataforreportstotheCommitteeandtheOrganizationofAmericanStates,aswellasresearchontheimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomen,especiallyonsingleheadedhouseholds.Gendertrainingandwomen'sstudieswerepartoftheuniversitycurriculumandschooltextshadbeenreviewedtoeliminategenderbias.2 .2Article6    2423.3  2 .2Inreferencetoissuesraisedduringtheconsiderationoftheinitialreport,thequestionwasaskedwhethertheGovernmenthadtakenmeasurestocurbprostitutionasamajorvectorinthespreadofHIV/AIDSandwhetherprogrammeshadbeenestablishedtorehabilitateprostitutes.TherepresentativerepliedthattraffickinginwomenwasillegalandcoveredbytheSexualOffencesAct.TherewasalsoanefforttocurbprostitutiontodealwithHIV/AIDSthroughpubliceducation,massmediaandtrainingofmedicalpersonnel.  2424.3  2 .2Additionalquestionswereaskedastowhetherprostitutionwasrelatedtothetourismindustryandwhetheritwasincreasingordecreasing.Inreply,therepresentativestatedthatprostitutionwasnotanorganizedphenomenonandwasratheraformofselfemploymentandforthatreasonwashardtoquantify.Therewasnoevidencethatitwaslinkedtothetourismindustryaswasthecaseinsomecountries.2 .2Article7    2425.3  2 .2Aquestionwasposedregardingthelimitednumberofwomenindecisionmakingpositions,especiallygiventhefactthatinseveralagegroupswomenoutnumberedmen.Therepresentativestatedthattherewerenolegalbarrierstowomen'sparticipation,womenparticipatedactivelyincampaigningandvotingandtherewereanumberofwomeninhighpositions,includingthepostofGovernorGeneral.However,inthemostrecentelection,onlyonewomanhadbeenelectedtotheHouseofAssembly,althoughsixcurrentlyservedintheSenate,wherememberswereappointed.  2426.3  2 .2Inresponsetootherquestionsongovernmentmeasurestoencouragewomen'sparticipation,itwasstatedthattherewasacontradictionbetweenthenumberofwomen'scandidaciesandtheelectorate,whichhadafemalevotingmajority.Allcandidatesreceivedthesamekindofgovernmentsupport.TheIDBprojectwouldprovideforworkshopstodoconsciousnessraisinginallsectorsandatalllevelsoftheGovernmentandtheprivatesector.  2427.3  2 .2Replyingtothequestionwhetherthepolicyofhavingequalnumbersofmenandwomenonseveralboardswouldbeappliedtootherboards,therepresentativestatedthatwomenwerestillaminorityonmostboardsand,althoughtherehadbeensomeimprovement,itwasnotassignificantasmightbehoped.Therewasnoquotasysteminplaceandthecompositionofboardswasrelatedtotechnicalknowledge,althoughthegovernmentpolicynowplacedemphasisonequity.TheBureauofWomen'sAffairswaspreparingadirectoryofresourcepersonsinspecificfieldswhichithopedwouldbeusedtohelptoequalizethesituation.  2428.3  2 .2Withregardtotherelationshipsbetweenwomen'sorganizationsaffiliatedwiththeBureauofWomen'sAffairsandtheBureauitself,itwasstatedthattheBureauwasthenationalmachineryforwomenandhadamandatetoinvolveallwomen'sorganizations.Therepresentativenotedthatmanysocialdevelopmentinitiativescamefromwomen'sorganizations,whichwererecognizedbytheGovernmentandsomeofwhichreceivedsubventions.2 .2Article8    2429.3  2 .2Inresponsetoaquestiononthemeasuresbeingtakentoenhancetherepresentationofwomenininternationalorganizationsandattheinternationallevel,therepresentativestatedthattherehadbeensomeimprovementandthatBarbadianwomenhadbeenactiveinanumberofinternationalforums.Theappointmentofwomentoseniorcivilservicepositionsmeantthattherewouldbegreaterrepresentationbywomenatinternationalconferencesandotheractivities.2 .2Article9    2430.3  2 .2RegardingactiontakentoamendthelawoncitizenshiptopermitspousesofBarbadianwomentoobtaincitizenship,therepresentativestatedthatthelawwasalreadybeingaddressedandthatitwouldalsodealwiththetransmissionofcitizenshipbyamarriedwomantoherchild.̇  2 .2Article10    2431.3  2 .2ThequestionwasaskedwhethertheGovernmentintendedtoimplementapolicytoensurewomenequalaccesstovocationaltraininginareaswheremenpredominatedandtoencouragegirlstoenternontraditionalprofessions.Therepresentativerepliedthatvocationaltrainingandinstructionwereequallyavailabletowomenandmenandthatguidancecounsellorswereseekingtoencouragegirlstoenternontraditionalfields.Thatwasreflectedinthefactthatmorewomenwereenteringthosefieldsinthelabourforce.  2432.3  2 .2Askedaboutthesocialsciencesubjectsincludedinthecurriculaofschools,thetrainingofteachingstaffandtheparticipationofwomeninpedagogicalandresearchactivities,therepresentativestatedthatsocialsciencesubjectswereincludedinthecurriculaatalllevelsandthatthemajorityofparticipantsinteachertrainingwerewomen.  2433.3  2 .2Respondingtothequestionwhetherthesubjectofhumanrightshadbeenintroducedintothecurriculumandatwhatlevels,therepresentativestatedthathumanrightswasacomponentofthefamilylifeeducationsyllabusandwasofferedasaseparatesubjectattheuniversitylevel.  2434.3  2 .2Concerningtheeducationalmeasurestakentoencouragenontraditionaleducation,therepresentativenotedtheworkofwomenindevelopmentunitswithintheBureauofWomen'sAffairsinthedevelopmentofgendertraining,whichhadhadasignificantimpact;boyswerealsoreceivingthattraining.Therehadbeenasixmonthradiocallinprogrammeforpubliceducationonviolenceagainstwomen,andtherehadbeensimilardiscussionsonmeansandmeasurestakenbytheGovernmentonstructuraladjustmentprogrammeswithaviewtoprovidingretrainingprogrammestodevelopwomen'sproductiveskillsandenablethemtoparticipateinincomegeneratingactivities.2 .2Article11  2435.3  2 .2Thequestionwasraisedwhethertherewasaguaranteedminimumwageandanunemploymentallowanceadequatetoensuremaintenanceofafamily'slivingstandard,andhowtheprovisionsoftheILOConventionsonequalpayforworkofequalvaluewerebeingimplementedandmonitored.Therepresentativestatedthattheprincipleofequalpayhadbeenimplemented,therewereguaranteedminimumwagesforshopassistantsanddomesticemployeesandunemploymentbenefitswereavailable.  2436.3  2 .2AdditionalquestionswereaskedonthemeasurestakentoimplementtheILOConventionsbylegislationandwhethertherehadbeenanyequalpaycasesfiled.Inreply,therepresentativenotedthatimplementationrequiredspecificlegislation,someofwhichhadbeenadopted,butthatdetailswouldbeprovidedinthenextreport.  2437.3  2 .2Astowhymorewomenwerejoblessthanmenandwhatmeasureshadbeentakentoaddressthatphenomenon,therepresentativestatedthatitwasaresultofthechangingworldeconomicenvironmentandstructuraladjustmentprogrammes,whichhadaffectedareaswherewomenpredominated.TheGovernmenthadtakenanumberofstepstoaddressthesituation,includingretrainingandmeasurestostimulateeconomicproductivityinbothexportandlocalareas.  2438.3  2 .2Questionswereaskedaboutparticipationofwomenintradeunions,especiallyintermsofwomen'smembershipandparticipationatdecisionmakinglevels.Therepresentativeansweredthatnorestrictionswereplacedonwomen'sparticipationintradeunions,andthatwomenwereinvolvedasmembersandindecisionmakingonanincreasingbasis.Forexample,someunions,liketeachers'unions,had5050representationatthehighestlevel.Publicworkers'unionswereseeinganincreaseinwomenatmanagementlevelsthroughtheireffortstoraisetheconfidenceofwomenaboutparticipatingatdecision-makinglevels.  2439.3  2 .2Toaquestiononthesocialallowancesandbenefitsenjoyedbyworkingwomen,includingchildcare,organizedrelaxationandassistanceinbuildingahomeandindailydomesticservices,therepresentativerepliedthatbenefitswereavailableunderthenationalinsurancescheme,workers'compensation,severancepaymentsandfreemedicalservicesinpolyclinics.Daycarewasalsoavailable,publicworkerscouldbenefitfromahousingloanschemeandtherewereotherprogrammesavailabletoassistinhomepurchasesorconstruction.  2 .2Article12  2440.3  2 .2Inresponsetothequestionwhetherhealthcarebodieshadimprovedtheireffectivenessindiagnosingandtreatingcancersincethelastreport,therepresentativestatedthattherewereanumberofeffortsatearlydetectionandtreatmentundertheleadershipofanon-governmentalorganization,theBarbadosCancerSociety,aswellaseducationalandpromotionalprogrammes.Asaresult,theimpactofbreastandcervicalcancershaddecreased.Theprogrammeswereprojectedforexpansionintohospicecare.2 .2Article13  2441.3  2 .2AskedwhetherinformalorganizationsthathadbegunacceptingwomenmembersbroughtthemtodecisionmakinglevelsandwhethertheywereabletoparticipateinallofthesocialactivitiesoftheBridgetownClub,therepresentativestatedthatthemainserviceorganizationshadamalgamatedtheirmen'sandwomen'sbranchesandwomenservedintheleadershipoftheclubs.WomennowparticipatedinmembershipandotheractivitiesoftheBridgetownClub.2 .2Article16  2442.3  2 .2Torequestsforinformationaboutthenumberofdivorces,thetrendsinsingle-parentfamilies,thenatureofthefamilyassetoutinthelawandlimitstothefreechoicebywomenofaspouse,therepresentativerespondedthatnospecificstudieshadbeendoneonfluctuationsindivorceratesbutthattheincidenceofdivorcehaddecreasedbetween1989and1992andmorewomenthanmenwerefilingfordivorce.Theconceptoffamilywasembodiedinallfamilylegislation,affirmingthatitwasthebasicunitofsocietyandprovidingforcounsellingpriortoanydivorceproceedingsandproceduresforequitablemaintenance,custodyofchildrenandequitabledistributionofmaritalassets.Thoseprovisionswerealsoappliedtopartiesindefactounions.Therewerenolimitstotherightsofwomeninthefreechoiceofaspouse.  2443.3  2 .2Anotherquestionaskedwaswhether,giventhepossibilityofthesamepersonhavingadefactoinadditiontoalegalmarriage,thatconstitutedaformofpolygamy.Inreply,therepresentativestatedthat,onceapersonwasmarried,thattookprecedenceoveranyotherrelationshipandapersoncouldonlybelegallymarriedtooneperson.However,protectionwasaccordedtothechildrenofanotherunion.̇  2444.3  2 .2Informationwasrequestedconcerningtherateofdivorce,thereasonsforchangesandwhetherproceduresforreconciliationachievedthedesiredgoal.Inreply,itwasnotedthattherewasnoevidenceonthequestionbutthatitmeritedfurtherstudy.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Positiveaspects2445.3  2 .2TheCommitteeparticularlynotedpositivefeaturesinthereportsof  Barbados:2 .2(a) .ThatBarbadoshadratifiedtheConventionwithoutreservationdemonstratedtheGovernment'scommitmenttoachievingequalityforwomeninpublicandprivatelife;2 .2(b) .TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthattheGovernmenthadcontinuedwithitsplansofactiontoimprovethestatusofwomeninBarbadosinspiteofeconomicproblemsencounteredduringthereportingperiod.TheCommitteewaspleasedthattheGovernmenthadrecognizedtheneedtocushiontheimpactonwomenofitsstructuraladjustments;2 .2(c) .TheCommitteenotedthatBarbadoshadenactedmost,ifnotall,thenationallegislationrequiredtogiveeffecttotheConventioninBarbados;2 .2(d) .TheCommitteepraisedtheGovernmentforitsemphasisoneducationasthekeyfactorinadvancingthestatusofwomeninthatcountry;2 .2(e) .TheCommitteealsoapplaudedthecontinuedoperationofgovernmentmachinerywhichhadtheresponsibilitytocollectinformationaboutthestatusofwomeninBarbados,cooperatewithnon-governmentalorganizationsinimprovingthelotofwomen,provideprogrammesdesignedtoassistandsupportwomeninthecommunityanddisseminateinformationdesignedtoimprovewomen'sstatus.  2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern  2446.3  2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernattheseriouslackoffemaleparticipationinpoliticsandintherepresentationofBarbadosattheinternationallevelandinotherdecisionmakingpositions.TheCommitteeconsideredthattobeofsuchimportancethatitwishedBarbadostoconsiderenhancedcampaignstoinvolvewomeninthosepositionsbyapplyingarticle4oftheConvention.  2447.3  2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcerned,giventheimportanceoftourismtotheBarbadoseconomy,toensurethattheGovernmentwasawareofthepotentialforanincreaseinprostitution.Moredetailedinformationabouttheincidenceofprostitution,itscontrolandtheprovisionofhealthcareforprostitutesshouldbeincludedinthenextreport.  2448.3  2 .2Finally,theCommitteewishedtoencouragetheGovernmentofBarbadostoconsultwithnon-governmentalorganizationswhenpreparingitsnextreportandtoobtaintheirassistanceinachievingtheConvention'sobjectiveofimprovingthestatusofwomeninitscountry.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations2449.3  2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedthewishthatinfuturereportsBarbadoswouldprovidemoreinformation:2 .2(a) .Evaluatingtheimpactofprogrammesdesignedtoenhancethestatusofwomenandlegislationgrantingwomenequalstatuswithmen;2 .2(b) .EvaluatingtheoutcomeofthelatestplanofactionoftheBureauofWomen'sAffairsandtheeducationalprogrammesinschoolsandtertiaryinstitutions;2 .2(c) .Settingoutwhethertherehadbeenanynoticeableimprovementsinthestatusofwomensuchasimprovededucationalstandards,decreaseinprostitution,reductionofviolenceagainstwomenandgreaterparticipationindecisionmakingrolesinpubliclife;2 .2(d) .StatingwhethertheBureau'seducationalprogrammeshadresultedinanimprovedcommitmenttotheequalstatusofwomenbybothmenandwomen;2 .2(e) .Givingmoreinformationaboutwomenintheworkforce,forexampletheirpayandtermsofemployment,theirparticipationintradeunionsandwhatobstaclestheyfacedinemploymentinsuchareasasachievingequalpaywithmen.  @ .\Colombia  2450.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtherevisedcombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofColombia(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3/Rev.l)atits250thmeeting,on31January(CEDAW/C/SR.250).  2451.3  2 .2Inpresentingthereport,therepresentativereadoutaletterfromthePresidentofColombiatotheChairpersonoftheCommittee,inwhichthePresidentreaffirmedthecommitmentoftheGovernmenttoguaranteeingequalrightsforwomenasspelledoutintheConstitutionofthecountry.ThatcommitmenthadbeendemonstratedbytheestablishmentofthePresidentialCouncilforYouth,WomenandtheFamilyandbytheadoptionofanintegratedpolicyforwomenandadevelopmentpolicyforruralwomen.  2452.3  2 .2Therepresentativefocusedontheachievementsmadebyhercountrysince1987,theyearofthepresentationoftheinitialreport.ShesaidthattheratificationoftheConventionhadbeentheresultofpressureexercisedbywomen'sorganizations,internationalgroupsandthenascentawarenessofnationalinstitutions,inadditiontoeventspromotedbytheUnitedNationswithintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationsDecadeforWomen.ThecreationoftheColombianWomen'sIntegrationCouncilin1980hadmarkedamilestoneinthatitrecognizedthenecessityofcreatinganationalmechanismforcoordinatingthevarioussectoraleffortstointegratewomenintotheiractivities.Certainsectoraldevelopmentshadbeensuccessfullyinitiatedandhadledtothecreation,in1990,oftheCoordinationandControlCommitteeontheConventionandtotheestablishmentofthePresidentialCouncilforYouth,WomenandtheFamily.  2453.3  2 .2InconnectionwiththecelebrationoftheInternationalYearoftheFamilyin1994,theGovernmenthadtakencaretoensurethattheachievementsandtheprogressmadewithregardtothestatusofwomenwouldnotbejeopardizedbythegeneralconceptofthefamily.Therightsofallfamilymembershadtoberespectedanditshouldbepossibletoreconcileindividualprojectswithfamilyresponsibilities.Thesubjectoffamilyviolencewouldbeapriorityissue.  2454.3  2 .2RegardingthepreparationsfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,therepresentativesaidthatthePresidentialCouncilhadbeendesignatedasafocalpointforthecoordinationandmobilizationofgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationsandalsoforthepreparationofthenationalreport.  2455.3  2 .2SheassuredtheCommitteemembersthattheirobservationswouldbetakenintoaccountintheelaborationoffuturegovernmentpoliciesandalsoforthesubsequentreport.Generalobservations  2456.3  2 .2MemberscommendedtheGovernmentofColombiaandtheColombiannon-governmentalorganizationsfortheprogressmadeinspiteofthedifficultiescreatedbyviolenceandtheeconomicrecession.Specialmentionwasmadeofthe1991Constitution,whichrecognizedveryextensiverightsforwomen,andofthegoodrepresentationofwomenineconomiclife,althoughtheirproportioninpublicrepresentativeinstitutionswasstilllow.Inspiteofthefactthatsomewomenhadassumedhighpoliticalpositions,theirrepresentationinpoliticaldecisionmakingwasstillverylimited.Theywelcomedtheappointmentofthreefemaleministers.Themembershopedfortheenactmentofadraftlawthatprovidedaguaranteefortheappropriateandeffectiveparticipationofwomenatdecision-makinglevelsofpublicadministrationandencouragedpoliticalpartiestopresentmorefemalecandidatesforelections.Furthermore,theyurgedtheGovernment,inimplementingtheConvention,toadoptprogrammesforruralwomen.  2457.3  2 .2MembersexpressedappreciationforthemessagesentbythePresidentandforthedense,self-criticalandfrankreport,aswellasfortheextensiverepliesgiven.TheycommendedtheestablishmentofthePresidentialCouncilforYouth,WomenandtheFamilyandhopedthatthenewadministrationwouldmaintainitseffortsfortheadvancementofwomen.  2458.3  2 .2InreplytothequestionwhytheCoordinationandControlCommitteehadnotfunctionedsinceitsestablishment,althoughitcouldhavecomplementedtheeffortsofthePresidentialCouncil,therepresentativesaidthat,althoughtheCommittee'sestablishmenthaddemonstratedtheGovernment'sintentiontocreateanationalcoordinationmechanismforwomen'squestions,itcouldnotfulfilitsmandatebecauseofitsweakinstitutionalstructure.ThatwaswhythepresentadministrationhadcreatedthePresidentialCouncilforYouth,WomenandtheFamily.  2459.3  2 .2AskedabouttheCouncil'sbudgetandorganizationalstructureandthecoordinationbetweenitandothergovernmentdepartmentsdealingwithwomen'sprogrammes,therepresentativesaidthattheCouncilwaspartoftheadministrativestructureoftheState.TheCouncildependeduponthePresidentandhadtocoordinateresourcesforprojectsandprogrammesthatguaranteedthepromotionofwomenandtherightsoftheelderly.Itwasalsothefocalpointatthenationalandinternationallevelsforwomenandgender-relatedissues.Forthefirsttime,gender-relatedissueshadbeenintegratedintodevelopment.TheCouncil'sfunctionsconsistedindefiningpolicies,providingtechnicalguidelinesforintegratingthemwithinthegovernmentalbodies,developingmethodsforpromotingsocialandeconomicprogrammesandcoordinatingactivitieswithministries,institutes,regionalbodiesandnon-governmentalorganizations.InordertostrengthentheCouncil,strategieswerebeingdevelopedtomakeitintoapermanentinstitutionthatshouldsurviveachangeingovernment.TheCouncilalsogavesupporttodepartmentalandmunicipalwomen'sofficesinordertostrengthenthemtosuchanextentthattheywouldsurviveachangeinadministration,notonlybecauseoftheirlegalstructurebutalsobecauseoftheirvisibility.  2460.3  2 .2TheCouncilhadbeenestablishedbythePresidentandcurrentlyhadastaffof50persons.Itsprogrammealsoincludedissuesrelatedtoyouth,theelderly,thedisabledandthefamily,aswellasincome-generatingactivities,anditsgoalwastomakewomenbenefitfromthedevelopmentprocess.Inaddition,therewascoordinationwithothersectorsonsubjectssuchasdevelopingcoeducationalprogrammesandnon-sexistcurricula,healthcareforwomen,creditandtrainingforwomeninmicro-industries,andsupportforfemaleheadsofhouseholds.TheCouncilhadalreadybeeninstitutionalizedtotheextentthatthecurrentcandidatesforthepresidentialelectionwerealreadyconsideringdifferentadministrativestructuresforanationalwomen'soffice.  2461.3  2 .2TheCouncilhaditsownbudget,receivedinpartfromnationalallocation,inpartfrominternationalcooperationagencies.Additionalfundsforspecialprogrammescamefromministries,decentralizedinstitutesandregionalandmunicipalinstitutions.  2462.3  2 .2Membersrequestedinformationconcerningprogrammesandmeasuresdirectedtowardsdisabledwomen.  2463.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,membersnotedthatthePresidentialCouncilshouldbestrengthenedandhopedthattheinstitutionwouldbemaintainedevenifthegovernmentchanged.TheyaskedwhatthegreatestachievementsoftheCouncilhadbeen.Theyalsoinquiredabouttheimpactofguerillawarfareanddrugtraffickingonthelivesofurbanandruralwomen.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2  2464.3  2 .2TherepresentativehighlightedthemostimportantprovisionsoftheConstitution,whichhadenteredintoforcein1991andinwhichtheprincipleofgenderequalitywasenshrined.TheprovisionsoftheConventionhadbeenincorporatedinnationallegislation.  2465.3  2 .2OthernewlawsthatcontributedtotheequalityofwomenandmenweretheSocialSecurityLaw,theGeneralEducationLawandthelawthatalloweddivorceandgavesupporttosinglefemaleheadsofhousehold.Currently,adraftlawconcerningsexualviolence,sexualharassmentandtheparticipationofwomeninpublicadministrationwerebeingdiscussed.2 .2Article3  2466.3  2 .2Amonginstitutionsdealingwiththeadvancementofwomen,therepresentativementionedthePresidentialCouncilforYouth,WomenandtheFamily,theOfficeforRuralWomenand11departmentalandmunicipalwomen'sofficesandsectorialprogrammes.2 .2Article5  2467.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthat,inthemassmedia,aswellasinformaleducation,traditionalstereotypicalgenderrolesstilltendedtobereproducedandmaternityandreproductiveactivitiesremainedtheprimaryresponsibilityofwomen.  2468.3  2 .2Askedforadditionalinformationregardingviolenceagainstwomen,therepresentativesaidthat,incomparisonwiththeimportanceofthatproblem,theservicesavailabletofemalevictimswerestillscarce.Statisticsandstudieswereinsufficientandbasedonpartialdata,yettheavailableinformationwasalarming.Accordingtoarecentstudy,65percentofwomenwhowereeithermarriedorlivedinconsensualunionsstatedthattheyhadhadaviolentfightwiththeirpartner.Onein5womensaidthattheyhadbeenbeatenand1in10declaredthattheyhadbeenforcedintosexualrelations.Thecurrentlegislationdidnotcoverthatoffence,norweretheresanctionsforviolenceagainstwomen.AstheConstitutionmadespecificreferencetomaritalviolence,effortswereunderwaytoadoptappropriatelegalnormstopenalizeviolenceagainstwomen.  2469.3  2 .2Regardingthequestionwhetherfemalevictimsofviolenceweregivenlegaladvicefreeofcharge,therepresentativementionedthefamilycommissionsthathadbeencreatedin1989topreventsuchviolenceandtogiveassistancefreeofchargetowomenwhohadbecomevictims.Currently,therewereabout100commissions,whichreceivedspecialsupportfromtheGovernment.Theyweremunicipalpolice-typebodiesthatundertookemergencymeasuresuntilthecasesweredealtwithbytheappropriatejudicialoradministrativeauthorities.However,becauseofbudgetarylimitationsandlackofawarenessabouttheissue,notallmunicipalitieshadsetupsuchcommissions.  2470.3  2 .2Regardingtheavailabilityofthosecommissionsinruralareastherepresentativesaidthattheydidnotyetexistinallruralareas.Effortswereunderwaytoestablishmorefamilycommissionssoastoestablishanationwidenetworkandtoprovidethenecessarytrainingtotheofficersandtoextendthefreelegaladviceservicesthroughoutthecountry.  2471.3  2 .2Replyingtoaquestionaboutspecialtrainingfortheofficersworkinginfamilycommissions,therepresentativesaidthat,althoughtherewasnotyetanysystematictrainingprogramme,someprogresshadbeenmadeandtrainingworkshopsandprogrammeswerebeingorganizedforjudicialpersonnelwhohadtodealwithfemalevictimsofviolenceaswellasfortheofficersofthefamilycommissions.  2472.3  2 .2Regardingaquestionaboutsheltersforfemalevictimsofviolence,therepresentativesaidthattherewereonlyafew,whichwererunbynon-governmentalorganizations.  2473.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,memberscommendedtheeffortsmadetoobtainmoreaccuratedataonviolenceagainstwomen.Theynotedthatnomentionhadbeenmadeofmeasurestoeliminatetherootcausesofviolence.Theysaidthatoneofthemostimportantmeasureswastheeducationoftheentiresociety.Theyexpressedthehopethatthequestionofviolencewouldalsobedealtwithinsubsequentreports.2 .2Article6  2474.3  2 .2Regardingprostitution,therepresentativesaidthattheinvisibilityoftheproblemandinsensitivitytoithamperedimplementationoftherelevantprovisionsoftheConvention.Itwasstillfeltthatwasaproblemofprivatemoralsandnotanethicalprobleminasocietythatpretendedtobeadevelopeddemocracy.  2475.3  2 .2InreplytothequestionwhetherHIV/AIDSpreventionandtreatmentprogrammesweretargetedatwomenengagedinprostitution,therepresentativesaidthat,since1992,theMinistryofHealthhadbeentrainingprostitutesinthepreventionofHIV/AIDSandintheuseofcondoms.Thosetrainingprogrammeswereconfinedtothemaincities.ThepreventionofHIV/AIDSthroughscreeningprogrammeswasalsodifficultbecauseofthehighcostinvolved.Apartfromsomebigcities,thereweregenerallyasyetnoservicesspecificallyforthecareofwomenprostitutesaffectedbyHIV/AIDS.InDecember,theInstituteofFamilyWelfarehadstartedanambitiousprogrammeforpreventiveandhealthcareforgirlswhowereatriskofbecomingprostitutes.  2476.3  2 .2Membersrequestedthatsubsequentreportscontainfurtherinformationconcerningprostitution.Theyalsosaidthatparticularattentionshouldbepaidtothephenomenonofincreasedstreetprostitution.Someexpressedconcernthatonlyrapeofminorsbelowtheageof14waspenalizedverystrictly,consideringthatagedanddisabledwomenwereequallyvulnerable.2 .2Article7  2477.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatnolegalmeasuresdiscriminatedagainstwomenwithregardtopoliticalparticipation.However,althoughtheyhadincreasedtheirparticipation,statisticsshowedthatinpracticewomenhadnotreachedthehighestlevelsequitablyandcontinuously.Whereasmorewomencouldbefoundinleadingpositionsintradeunionsinthepublicsector,intheprivatesectortheirnumberwasmuchsmaller.Therepresentativealsohighlightedtheinformationgiveninthereportregardingtheroleofwomenincommunityorganizations,politicalpartiesandthecooperativemovement.Shesaidthat180non-governmentalorganizationsdedicatedtheiractivitiesin1993tothepromotionofwomen.  2478.3  2 .2Membersnotedthatthestatementinthereportthatwomenwere"notyetorganizedinsufficientstrengthtoconstituteapressuregroup"wasnotvalid.Womencouldnotwaittobeorganized,theyoughttotakeactioninallfieldsinordertoachievegreaterparticipationindecision-making.Theyalsoaskedwhetheranyinitiativewastakentopromotetheparticipationofwomeninpoliticallifethroughincreasingtheirnumbersinpoliticalpartiesoroncandidates'lists.2 .2Article8  2479.3  2 .2TherepresentativestatedthatcurrentlytheMinisterforForeignAffairswasawomanandthat10percentofallambassadorswerewomen.2 .2Article10  2480.3  2 .2Therepresentativesaidthatmeasureshadbeentakentoimproveandpromotetheconceptofequalitythroughtheproductionofnon-sexistschooltexts.Womenrepresentedbetween49and52percentofschoolenrolmentfromprimarytouniversityeducationandtherewasamarkedtrendinfavourofcoeducation.Whileconsiderablymorewomenhadtakenupcoursesinadministration,economics,engineering,lawandagronomy,womenwerestillconcentratedintraditionalareas.  2481.3  2 .2AskedwhetherthedraftGeneralEducationLawhadbeenadopted,whetheritcontainedspecificmeasurestocombatdiscriminationagainstfemalestudentsandpositivemeasurestocountertraditionalstereotypes,therepresentativesaidthatthelawhadbeenadoptedinDecember1993.Itdidnotcontainaffirmativemeasuresorprovisionsspecificallyaddressedtowomen.Legislationdidnotcontainanyspecialmeasuresdirectedtoeducation.  2482.3  2 .2Membersrequestedfurtherinformationontheparticipationofwomeninthevariousfieldsinwhicheducationaltrainingwasprovided.  2483.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,membersrequestedfurtherinformationaboutprovisionsdealingwithnon-sexisteducationandwereconcernedthatthelawdidnotdevotemoreattentiontotheissueofnonsexisteducation.2 .2Article11  2484.3  2 .2TherepresentativementionedalawforthesupportofwomenheadsofhouseholdthathadbeenadoptedinDecember1993,whichgavefemaleheadsofhouseholdsarighttosocialsecurity,preferentialaccesstoeducation,employment,credit,micro-enterprisesandlow-costhousing.ThatlawwasthefirstexampleofaffirmativeactioninColombia.  2485.3  2 .2Astowhethermeasureshadbeentakentoensurethewelfareandlabourrightsofwomenworkingintheinformalsectorandwhetherthedraftlawonsocialsecuritymentionedinthereporthadbeenadopted,therepresentativesaidthatLaw100,whichhadcreatedthebasisfortheintegratedsocialsecuritysystem,hadbeenadoptedinDecember1993.Accordingtothatlaw,socialsecuritywasnolongerthesoleresponsibilityoftheState.Foroldageandinvaliditypensions,personscouldchoosebetweenthesocialsecurityschememaintainedbytheStateandanotherschemefinancedfrompensionfundsintheprivatesector.Overaspanofsevenyears,theentirepopulation,includingpeoplewhocouldnotpaythepremiums,shouldbecoveredbyahealthinsurancescheme.Thecontributionsofthepoorestandmostvulnerablepersonsinruralandurbanareaswouldbesubsidizedandspecialattentionwouldbegivento,amongothers,womenduringandafterpregnancy,lactatingmothers,womenheadsofhouseholdandworkersintheinformalsector.  2486.3  2 .2Regardingquestionswhetherthecurrentlawswerebeingenforced,andbywhatmeans,andwhetherlabourinspectorsdealtwithfailurestocomplywiththelaw,therepresentativesaidthattheMinistryofLabourandSocialSecurityhadtheauthoritytosupervisetheapplicationofthelawsthroughitsDivisionforSpecialRelations.Itwascurrentlydoingresearchondiscriminationagainstwomeninthefieldofemployment.Theresultsofthestudywouldbeusedtoinitiatetrainingandconsciousnessraisingoflabourinspectorsinthatfield.  2487.3  2 .2Askedwhetherlegalcounselandlegaldefenceserviceswereavailabletowomenfreeofcharge,therepresentativerespondedthatfreelegalcounselonlabourmatterswasavailabletothevulnerablesectionsofthepopulation,suchasworkingchildren,women,indigenouswomenanddisabledpersons.Ingeneral,however,womenwereinadequatelyinformedabouttheirlabourrightsandtheservicesthatwereavailablefreeofcharge.  2488.3  2 .2Regardingfurtherdetailsaboutwomen'sparticipationinthelabourmarket,theincreaseintheeconomicallyactivefemalepopulation,theoccupationalcategories,wagedifferences,women'semploymentintheinformalsectorandtheincreaseinthenumberofwomenheadsofhousehold,therepresentativereferredmemberstoa1993documententitled"LatinAmericanwomeninfigures"thathadbeendistributedduringthemeeting.Women'sintegrationintothelabourmarkethadbeenmuchfasterthanmen's,butatthesametimewomenhadtofacemanyadversefactors,suchastheirconcentrationintheinformalsectorwithitsprecarioussocialsecurityandlegalprotection,thehigherrateofunemploymentandthepovertythataffectedwomenheadsofhouseholdstoagreaterextent.  2489.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,memberscongratulatedtheGovernmentforalltheeffortsundertakenandaskedforthepercentageofwomenheadsofhouseholds.  2 .2Article12  2490.3  2 .2Inreplytoaquestionaboutplanstoamendtheexistinglawsgoverningthevoluntaryterminationofpregnancies,therepresentativesaidthatabortionwasstillillegal.Thelastattempttolegalizeabortionhadbeenmadein1993,butthedraftlawhadhadtobesetasidebecauseofstrongoppositionfrommembersofCongress.  2491.3  2 .2RegardingaquestionaboutcampaignstopromotetheuseofcondomsinordertoreducethespreadofHIV/AIDS,therepresentativesaidthat,inspiteofmassiveresistancefromreligiousgroups,theMinistryofHealthhadmanagedtosetasideimportantresourcesforanintensivemediacampaigntopromotetheiruse.Nonetheless,widespreaddistributionofcondomshadnotbeenachieved.  2492.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,memberssaidthatwomeninColombiashouldfightforthelegalizationofabortionnotinordertoreducebirths,butinordertoprotectwomenfromillegalabortions,whichresultedinmaternalmortality.TheysaidthattheproblemsassociatedwithabortionhadnotbeenhelpedbytheGovernment'sfamilyplanningmediacampaignsandprogrammes.2 .2Article13  2493.3  2 .2TherepresentativemadespecialreferencetothenewlyadoptedLawonSocialSecurityandPensions,whichcontained,interalia,theobligationtoorganizespecialinformationandeducationprogrammesforwomeninthefieldsofintegratedhealthandsexeducationinlessdevelopedpartsofthecountry,especiallyfortheruralpopulationandtheyoung.2 .2Article14  2494.3  2 .2Therepresentativesupplementedtheinformationcontainedinthereportbymentioningapolicydocumentforruralwomen,whichcontainedgeneralobjectivesandbasicstrategiesforruralwomenandwhichhadbeenapprovedinthelatterpartof1993.Itspurposewastobetterthequalityoflifeofruralwomenbygivingthemequalopportunitiesfortakingpartinthesectoralstrategiesandinpoliticallifeandbetteraccesstoproductiveresources,andbyincreasingtheirrevenues.Thenationalmachineryforruralwomenshouldalsobestrengthened.  2495.3  2 .2Inadditionalcomments,membersobservedthatregulationsandlawswereneededtogovernthelabourpracticesofflowerproducers.2 .2Article15  2496.3  2 .2AlthoughwomenhadfullequalitybeforethelawasspelledoutintheConstitution,thatprinciplehadnotbeentranslatedintofulldefactoequality.Themajorobstacleswereinsufficientinformationofmanywomenabouttheirrightsandaboutthelegislativemachinerythatwasavailabletothemformakingthemeffective.Inordertoovercomethatobstacle,thePresidentialCouncilwould,inthecourseoftheInternationalYearoftheFamily,disseminatewidelyinformationaboutfundamentalfamilyrights,inparticulartherightsofwomen.2 .2Article16  2497.3  2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthreemajorinnovations:adecisionoftheConstitutionalCourtin1992,accordingtowhichdomesticlabourwasrecognizedasacontributiontotheassetsofthecoupleinadefactounion;alawadoptedin1992accordingtowhichdivorcewaspermittedforallmarriages,includingmarriagesintheRomanCatholicChurch;andaprovisionallowingfordivorcebymutualconsent.  2498.3  2 .2TheCommitteedeferreditsconcludingcommentsonthereportsofColombiauntilitsfourteenthsession. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     ^ 8,  @ .Ecuador499., .,TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondandthirdperiodicreportsofEcuador(CEDAW/C/13/Add.31andCEDAW/C/ECU/3)atits244thmeeting,on25January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.244).500., .,Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativeofEcuadorsaidthatdiscriminationagainstwomenwasdeeplyrootedinthesocioeconomicproblemsofhercountry,whichhadbeenfacingamostseriousrecessioninthelast10years.Sheexplainedthatthesecondperiodicreportwasofamoredescriptivenature,whereasthethirdperiodicreportcontainedthedraftsoflegalamendments.501., .,Havingconfrontedaseriousrecessionsince1980,theGovernmenthadtakenmacroeconomicadjustmentmeasureswhichhadhadanunfortunateimpactontheweakermembersofsociety,inparticularonwomenandchildren.AgrowingdecreaseinGDPpercapitaandinthevolumeofimports,togetherwithanincreaseinexternaldebts,hadbroughtwithitadrasticreductioninsocialsecurityspending.ThebudgetoftheMinistryofSocialWelfarehadbeencutby47percent.Sheexplainedthatonly26percentofthepopulationhadaccesstosocialsecurity,76percentofwomenthroughformalemploymentand9percentofwomenthroughinformalemployment,andthatindigenouswomenhadnoaccesstosocialsecurityatall.TherepresentativeexplainedthataccordingtoaUNICEFsurvey,66percentoffamilieslivedbelowthepovertyline.Whilehigherandmiddleclassincomelevelshadincreased50percent,theincomeoftheoverallpopulationhaddecreasedconstantly.Socialmovementswerelosingstrengthandmomentum.Unemploymentwasreportedtohavereached12percent;oftheeconomicallyactivepopulation,underemploymenthadreached56percent;48percentworkedintheinformalsector.502., .,In1988,the"SocialFront"wasestablished,combiningtheministriesofSocialWelfare,Labour,HealthandEducation,andpresidedoverbytheMinistryofSocialWelfare.Itsgoalwastoeliminatetherecurrentproblemsofbureaucracyandtoavoidtheduplicationofprogrammes.TheNationalCommitteeforPlanningandSocialDevelopmenttookofficein1989.TherepresentativealsoreportedontheFundforSocialInvestmentwhichdirectedfundstoruraldevelopment,youthandwomen.503., .,Therepresentativereportedonthecriticallivingconditionsofchildreninhercountry.Inmanyfamilies,childrencontributed19percentofanaveragehouseholdincome.Somechildrenaged8to11yearswereworking40hoursaweek.Schoolattendancesufferedasaconsequence,withonly30percentofchildrenfinishingelementaryschool.Tocombatthehighrateofilliteracy,thepreviousGovernmenthadlaunchedacampaignentitled"Ecuadorestudia",whichhaddecreasedtheilliteracyrateconsiderably.504., .,Althoughnoexactdataexistedontheincidenceofdisability,numberswereexpectedtobeveryhigh,withanestimated18percentofthepopulationhavingdisabilityproblemsandfrequentlylivinginsubstandardconditions.However,thereexistednospecificprojectsforwomenwithdisabilities.Malnutritionwasonemajorcauseofdisability,aswasthelackofadequatehealthcare,inparticularprenatal,deliveryandpostnatalcare,aswellasthelackofimmunizationprogrammesforwomenandchildren.In1982,alawhadbeenadoptedconcerningdisability.Anationalprogrammeforthedisabledhadbeenlaunchedwhichincludedtaxexemptionsaswellaslargescalepubliccampaignstoprovidefacilitiesfordisabledpeopleinurbanstructures.TheGovernmenthadsetupeightrehabilitationcentreswhichwereconcentratedinthecities.̇505., .,Concerningthesituationofruralwomen,therepresentativereportedontheexistinggapbetweenurbanandruralareas.Manydevelopmentprogrammesfocusedonthecities,whiletheruralareaswereabandonedandneglected.Withthemigrationofthemalepopulationfromruraltourbanareas,womenandchildrenwhowereleftbehindtookovertheagriculturalactivities.TheMinistryofAgricultureandLivestockcarriedoutprojectsonappropriateagriculturaltechnologyforwomen.506., .,Therepresentativedescribedtheenvironmentalsanitationsituationbothinurbanandruralareas,whichwasverypoor;therewasalackofsafedrinkingwater.Asaconsequence,infantmortalitywasoneofthehighestinLatinAmerica.Halfofthechildrenbelowfiveyearsofagesufferedfrommalnutrition.507., .,Concerninglegalreform,therepresentativeindicatedthatconsiderablelegislationaimedatenhancingwomen'sstatushadbeenintroducedbutsomemeasureshadfacedoppositionintheCongress.CongresshadgivenseriousconsiderationtothediscussionofthedraftamendmentoftheCodeofCriminalProcedure.AdraftofthefirstCodeofFamilyLawwassubmittedtotheCongressinJanuary1994bytheParliamentaryCommitteeforWomen,ChildrenandtheFamily.FollowingtheratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildin1992,anewCodeforMinorshadbeenelaborated.Generalobservations508., .,MembersoftheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeofEcuadorforprovidingafrankreportcommittedtotheadvancementofwomenandexpressedtheirconcernaboutthealarminglivingconditionsofthemajorityofwomen.Theynotedthattheeconomicsituationandthestructuraladjustmentmeasureshadaffectedhercountrymorethanothers.Womenandsmallchildrenwerethemajorvictims.Whilerecognizingtheprogressmadeinlegalreformandinsocioeconomicprogrammes,inparticularincombatingilliteracyinthefemalepopulationandintheeliminationofstereotypesineducation,memberswereconcernedaboutthenumberofremainingobstaclestoequality.WhileEcuadorhadalreadygivenwomentherighttovotein1929,andwasinfactoneofthefirstcountriesintheregiontodoso,womenstillfaceddiscriminationin1994.509., .,MembersoftheCommitteenotedtheneedfortheGovernmenttodefinemodern,uptodatecriteriafordevelopmentandtoimprovewhatwasdeemedtobeakindofmedievalsituationforwomen,whichwastheresultofapatriarchalstructureinwhichwomenweredeniedbasicrights.Beforeenjoyinglegalrights,womenneededtobegivenbasichumanrights,suchassafedrinkingwaterandbetternutrition.Halfofthepopulationofthecountrycouldnotparticipatewithprideinthelifeofthecountry.Membersemphasizedthat,despitetheeconomicproblems,manyprogrammesrelatedtowomen'sequalitycouldbecarriedoutwithfewresources.510., .,TheCommitteeexpressedthefeelingthattheprevailingattitudeinEcuadorwasthattheGovernmentwasnotgivingseriousconsiderationtotheadvancementofwomen.Therewasadejureanddefactogapintheattainmentofwomen'sequality.Moreover,membersaskedwhetherthewomeninEcuadorthemselveswantedtochangetheircurrentsituation.Ifsuchwasnotthecase,women'sconsciousnessabouttheirsituationandtheirrightsneededtoberaised.Solidarityamongallwomenwasaprerequisiteforleadingasuccessfulstruggleforwomen'sequalrights.̇Generalquestions511., .,InreplytoaquestionontheNationalInstituteforWomen,therepresentativesaidthattheinstitutehadnotyetbeenestablished.TheNationalDirectorateforWomenwasstillpartoftheMinistryofSocialWelfare.Therewasstrongoppositiontothesettingupofanindependentnationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomen,inordernottoweakentheMinistry.TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeaboutahotlinepilotprojectforwomenthathadbeenwarmlywelcomedbywomeninEcuador.Manywomencalledandreportedoncasesofsexualabuseandviolence.AlthoughtherewasnopoliticalsupportfromtheNationalDirectorateforWomen,thatproject,whichcouldonlyfunctionwithoutsideassistance,wasverysuccessful.512., .,RegardingtheNationalDevelopmentPlanfor19881992,whichdevotedawholechaptertowomen,therehadbeennoassessmentofitsimplementation.Nostatisticaldataandconsequentevaluationhadbeenprovided.513., .,AskedwhethermoreinformationcouldbegivenontheareasofcompetenceandtheactivitiesoftheParliamentaryCommitteeforWomen,ChildrenandtheFamily,therepresentativestatedthattheCommittee,whichwasnotpermanent,hadintroducedallofthelegalamendmentsthathadreceivedsupportfromtheGovernment,inparticular,theCodeofFamilyLaw,sincenodefinitionofthefamilyhadexistedpriortotheintroductionoftheCode.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles, .,Article2514., .,Withreferencetothestatusofapprovedlegislativechangesanddraftlaws,therepresentativerepliedthattherehadindeedbeenmoreproposalsforlegalchangesthanreformsaccomplished.ThedelayinpromulgatingthelawscouldbeattributedtothemandatoryrespectfortheagendaoftheCongress,wherediscussionsinrecentyearshadfocusedonpoliticalandeconomicissues.515., .,ShementionedthelegalreformscontainedinthereformoftheCivilCode,whichhadbeenputintoforcewithinlaw43in1989.Thosereformscontainedimportantimprovements:recognitionofthejuridicalequalityofwomenandmeninmarriage;administrationofjointestates;responsibleandjointparenthoodofthespouses;maritalobligationsandtheterminationofmarriage.Thechangesinthearticlesrelatedtomarriagehadencounteredconsiderableresistance,includingoppositionfromwomen.516., .,Therepresentativereportedonanumberofotherlegalamendments,includingtheintroductionoftheCodeofFamilyLaw.Anotherproposalwasfortheestablishmentoffamilyjudgesandofacceleratedoralandsummaryproceedings . TheElectoralLawwasstillunderdebate,sincenoagreementcouldbereachedonthesuggestedquotaof25percentofwomentobeincludedontheelectorallistsofpoliticalparties.Thatamendmentwascontestedinthesensethatitcontradicteddemocraticprocedures.Furtherresistancewasexpressedtotheideathat10percentofStatefundsallottedtopoliticalpartiesshouldbeusedforthepoliticaltrainingofwomen.Thelawoncomplimentarynutritionwasmeanttogiverightstoabandonedwomenwhocouldnotprovidefortheirchildrenwithouttheirhusband'ssupport.Accordingtotheproposedlaw,fatherswhodidnotpaysupportfortheirchildrenfortwomonthswouldbeimprisonedforeightmonths.Thatproposal,whichwasnotincludedintheCodeofFamilyLaw,hadbeenrejected.ThelawonthereformoftheCodeofCivilProceduredealingwiththespecialretirementbenefitsforwomenpassedbut,owingtothelackofliquidityinthesocialsecurityfund,paymentswerenotassured.Adraftlawongivingspecialretirementbenefitstowomenwhohadbeeninformalemploymentfor25yearsandweremothersoffivechildrenwasnotadopted.Alawontheregistrationofachildbornoutofwedlockunderitsfather'snamewasunanimouslyrejected.Thatreformwouldhavegivenlegalrecognitiontochildrenbornoutofwedlockwithoutentitlingthemtosupportbythefatherorinheritancerights.Itwouldhavedevolveduponthefathertoprovethathewasnotthefather.Publicreactiontotheproposalhadbeenfierce;womenwereaccusedofbeingprostitutessearchingforfathersfortheirillegalchildren.Anotherdraftlawinfavourofanobligatoryyearlyexaminationforuterinecervicalcancer,tobeundertakenbytheemployers,wasrejectedbecauseofthecostsinvolved.517., .,Therepresentativestatedthatunderanotherdraftlegalprovision,concerningdomesticviolence,womenwouldbeenabledtotakelegalactionagainsttheirrelatives.Incriminallaw,theprovisionthatwomenbemoreseverelytreatedthanmenfortheoffenceofadulteryhadbeenabolished,althoughadulteryremainedacausefordivorceinthecivilcode.Ifaspousewasfoundinflagrantedelicto,nochargeswerebroughtagainstapersoninflictingharmonthespouse.518., .,TheCommitteequestionedtheimportanceattachedtothefather'sname,whichhadnothingtodowithpaternity.519., .,MembersremindedtherepresentativethatinratifyingtheConventionwithoutreservationEcuadorhadmadeacommitmenttomakeitsnationallawscomplywiththeConvention.ParliamentandCongresshadtheresponsibilityforachievingcomplianceandwereobligedtoimplementtheConvention.TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenshouldnotbeconsideredasecondclassconventionrequiringlesspersistence.MembersexpressedtheirconcernthatathirdperiodicreportofaStatepartystillcontainedonlydraftsoflegislativereforms.520., .,TherepresentativewasaskedtotransmittheconcernsoftheCommitteetotheGovernment,whichwasresponsibleforprotectingtherightsofallwomeninthecountry.MembersexpressedthehopethatthecountrywouldimmediatelyconductasystematicreviewofnationallawandmakeitconformtotheConvention.TheCommitteesaidthatitmightaskforaspecificreportonlegislativechanges,whichshouldbepresentedatasettime.TheCommitteeexpresseditsfullsupportfortheendeavoursundertakentointroducelegalamendments.Ifthecountryrequiredadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceforthatpurpose,asothershaddonebeforeandassuggestedintheplanofactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRightsfortheimplementationoftheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,theCommitteewouldseriouslyconsiderthatrequest., .,Article4521., .,Therepresentativeregrettedtoreportthatnolawsormeasures"ofpositivediscriminationinfavourofwomen"hadbeentakenbytheStateasidefromtheonementionedontheprotectionofpregnantfemaleworkers.522., .,Inadditionalcomments,membersexpressedconcernthattheConstitutionofthecountrydidnotallowtemporaryspecificmeasuresasprovidedintheConvention.  , .,Article5523., .,Inreplytoaquestiononthesuccessofprogrammesaimedatpromotingchangeofattitudesofmenandwomen,therepresentativereferredtoEcuadorianlaw,whichwasbasedonRomanlawandgavethepatriapotestadtheleadingroleinlawandinreality.Discriminationagainstandsubordinationofwomenformedpartofthepatriarchy,whichrestedontheprincipleofadivisionoflabour.Greaterawarenessofstereotypedgenderrolesandculturalobstaclestotheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenwasneeded.Aslongasstereotypedrolespersistedineducationandmothersencouragedtheirsonstoadoptmachoattitudeswhereasgirlswerebroughtuptobedocileandobedient,nochangewasimminent.524., .,Inadditionalcomments,theCommitteenotedtheprevailingattitudeofmachismointhecountry,whichaffectedwomeninallwalksoflifeandexpresseditselfalsoinviolenceagainstwomen,whichwaslargelyaccepted.Membersemphasizedthatattitudesandbehaviourcouldbechangediftherewaspoliticalwillandbroadsupport.Itwashopedthatthesubsequentreportwouldcontaininformationonthisissue., .,Article6525., .,InreplytoaquestionrelatedtotheproblemsofprostitutesandwhethertheinterestoftheNationalDirectorateforWomenanditssocialrehabilitationprogrammeshadresultedinanyspecificmeasuresorstudies,therepresentativerepliedthattwoassociationsofprostituteshadbeenformedwhichcalledthemselves"associationsoffreeworkingwomen".TheirfirstcongresshadbeenheldinNovember1993andhadbroughttogetherwomenofallagesandfromdifferentregionsofthecountryinanatmosphereofsolidarity.TherepresentativepointedoutthatprostitutioninEcuadorwasnotanoffence.Owingtodoublestandards,prostitutioninabrothelwasallowed,butnotprostitutioninthestreets.526., .,ConcerningtheHIV/AIDSpandemic,shestatedthatprostituteswereregularlyscreenedforinfection.ProstitutesthathadcontractedtheHIV/AIDSviruswerebadlytreatedbytheauthoritiesandtherehadbeenmanynegativearticlesinthemediaonstreetprostitutesdiscoveredtobeHIV-positive.527., .,Inadditionalcomments,expertsnotedthatprostituteswithHIV/AIDSinfectionwerethefirstpatientstorequirecompulsorymedicalcare,regardlessofhowandwheretheyhadbeeninfected., .,Article7528., .,AskedwhethertherehadbeenanylawormeasuredesignedtoincreasethenumberofwomenintheParliamentandintheExecutivebranch,therepresentativerepliedthatnosuchmeasurehadbeentaken.Nopoliticalpartyhadencouragedfemaleparticipationthroughaquotasystemorbyanyothermeans.529., .,However,anumberofwomenhadbeenassignedtohighlevelpositions.ThepresidentoftheMonetaryAssociationandtheMinisterforEducationwerewomen.TherewerethreewomensecretariesofstateandfivewomendeputiesinParliament.530., .,Inanadditionalcomment,theCommitteenotedthattheexampleofEcuadorshowedhowimportantitwastohavemorewomenatthedecisionmakingleveltoachievequalitativeandquantitativechange.ResistanceintheGovernmenttolegalreformhadincreasedbecausetherehadbeenlittlesupportforthereformwithinthelegislativebodies.Endorsementofthelegalreformprocessalsohadtocomefromthehighestexecutivelevel., .,Article10531., .,Concerningtheilliteracyrate,therepresentativestatedthatthefigureswerestillhighalthoughagovernmentalliteracycampaign,carriedoutfourtofiveyearsearlier,hadbeenverysuccessfulandhaddecreasedfemaleilliteracyfrom60percentto38percent.Thatcampaignhadbeenundertakenwiththedirectcollaborationofsecondaryeducationalestablishmentsinparticular,aswellastheNationalDirectorateforWomen.Nomeasureshadbeentakentoreducetheschooldropoutrateforgirls,particularlyintheruralareas.Withregardtomodifyingthesexistcontentofcurriculaandtextbooks,therepresentativereportedthatthatreformwasbeingcarriedout.Ateachertrainingprogrammealsoexistedalongthoselines.Nostatisticsbrokendownbysexwereavailableonthereceiptbywomenofeducationalawardsorontheirintegrationintheranksofadministrationinhighereducation.Onepositivedevelopment,however,wasthatawomenhadrecentlybeenappointedMinisterforEducation., .,Article11532., .,TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatmenandwomenhadequalityofaccesstoalloccupationaltrainingprogrammes.Askedwhetherwomenhadrecoursetothecourtsoranyothertribunalwhentheysuffereddiscriminationintheirwork,therepresentativerepliedthatveryfewcasesofdiscriminationweretakentocourt.Maleandfemaleworkerscouldhaverecoursetothecourts,buttherewerenolegalprovisionsondiscrimination.533., .,Thelegalminimumagetoenterthelabourmarketwas12years;nodistinctionwasmadebetweengirlsandboys.Thelabourlawpreventedtheexploitationofminors.TheCodeforMinorsdidnotallowchildrentoworkinjobsthatdeprivedthemoftheirnormaldevelopment.Ingeneral,however,childlabourwasnotprohibitedandhundredsofchildrencouldbeseenworkinginthestreetandthuscontributingtofamilyincome.̀, .,Article12534., .,Onthequestionwhethermeasureshadbeendevelopedthatwouldimprovethesituationofruralwomeninparticular,therepresentativerepliedthatonlytheMinistryofAgriculturewasmanagingaprojectforwomeninruralareas,whichunfortunatelycouldnotbeimplementedbecauseofflooding.Therewerenoprojectstoimprovetheruralhygienesituation,whichwasverybad.Inparticular,accesstosafedrinkingwaterwasunavailableinmanyareas.̀, .,Article14535., .,Therepresentativewasaskedabouttheparticipationofwomeninthepreparationandimplementationofdevelopmentplansgenerally,andinagricultureinparticular.Ingeneral,womeninEcuadortookpartintheelaborationofdevelopmentprogrammesandpolicies,buttheirpresenceinpubliclifewasstillverysmallandinsignificant.However,womendidnotreallyshapethefutureofthecountryandtheircontributionswerenotalwaysrecognizedbythechangingGovernments.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee, .,Positiveaspects( # $(2536.3  , .,TheCommitteecongratulatedtherepresentativeoftheGovernmentofEcuadoronthetimelysubmissionofthereports,whichgaveaclearandfrankdescriptionofthecurrentdifficultsituationinthecountry,particularlyforwomen.2537.3  , .,WhilecongratulatingEcuadoronhavingratifiedtheConventionon9November1981withoutanyreservation,theexpertsoftheCommitteenotedthatnotalllegislationhadbeenbroughtintolinewiththeConvention.  2538.3  , .,TheycongratulatedtheGovernmentofEcuadoronitssuccessfulliteracycampaignandthedevelopmentoflegislationwhichhadmadeitpossibletoovercomesomeformsofdiscrimination., .,Principalsubjectsofconcern2539.3  , .,TheyexpresseddeepconcernattheseriousdiscriminatoryconditionsaffectingEcuadorianwomenandregretatthesteadyreductioninthecapacitiesoftheagencyconcerned,theNationalDirectorateforWomenoftheMinistryofSocialWelfare,asdemonstratedbythefactthat,overthepastthreeyears,officialshadheldonlyprovisionalappointmentsandhadlackedanysupport.TheDirectoratewasshortofeconomicresources,enjoyedlittlepoliticalsupportandhadonlyverylimitedcapacityintermsofcoordinatingprogrammeswithotherbodies.Thefactthatthefewprogrammesitoperatedweredependentoninternationalcooperationresourceswasacauseforconcern.2540.3  , .,ThemembersoftheCommitteeemphasizedthefactthat,despitethecountry'scurrenteconomicproblems,initiativescouldbedevelopedinfavourofequalityatminimalexpense,andindeedmustbedeveloped.Ananalysisofthereportsubmittedshowedthatlegislationwasstillmarkedbyseriousdiscriminatoryfeatures;customstendedtostereotypegenderrolesinawaythatwasdetrimentaltotheadvancementofEcuadorianwomen;andStateinitiatives,farfromexpanding,hadundergoneaseriousdecline.ThosefactorscombinedtocreateanextremelyserioussituationwithregardtothehumanrightsviolationsaddressedintheConvention.Suggestionsandrecommendations2541.3  , .,TheCommitteecalledfortheimplementationoffundamentallegalreformstoeliminatelegislationdiscriminatingagainstwomenandtopromotetheiradvancement.ItthereforerequestedthattheGovernmenttaketheappropriatemeasuresandreportonprogressmadeinthatregardinthenextperiodicreport.2542.3  , .,ItrecommendedthattheGovernmentstrengthenthenationalagencyforwomeninpolitical,administrativeandfinancialterms,upgradeitsstatusandgiveitthecapacitytocoordinateinitiativesfortheadvancementofwomen.2543.3  , .,Everyeffortshouldbemadetoguaranteethebasicservicesrequiredtoensurethesurvivalofwomeninthemostvulnerablecategories.ProgrammesshouldbedevelopedtopromoteawarenessamongEcuadorianmenandwomenoftheneedtomodifyculturalvalueswhichperpetuatediscriminationinanyform.2544.3  , .,TheGovernmentshouldpayparticularattentiontopreventingandpunishingviolenceagainstwomen.̇  2545.3  , .,TheGovernmentshouldconsiderthepossibilityofbringingtogetherwomenactiveinnongovernmentalorganizations,politicalpartiesandgrassrootsmovements,academicwomenandwhomeverelseitmightdeemappropriate.Theycouldthenjoininacoherentnationalefforttodealwiththiscriticalsituation,thesolutionofwhichwould,toagreatextent,dependonwomen'ssolidarityanddeterminationtobringaboutchanges.@ .Japan  2546.3  , .,TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondandthirdperiodicreportsofJapan(CEDAW/C/JPN/2andCEDAW/C/JPN/3)atits248thand249thmeetings,on27and28January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.248and249).  2547.3  , .,Inpresentingthereport,therepresentativeofJapanunderlinedtheimportancethatherGovernmentattachedtothemonitoringroleoftheCommitteeandpointedoutthatthechangeingovernmentinhercountryinAugust1993hadledtoepochmakingchangeswithrespecttothestatusofwomen,inparticularwithregardtotheparticipationofwomeninpolicydecisionmakinginvariousfields.AsexamplesshementionedtheappointmentofthreewomenCabinetministers,ofawomanasSupremeCourtjusticeforthefirsttimeeverandofthefirstwomanSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives.CopiesofthetworeportshadbeenwidelydistributedamongmembersoftheDiet,politicalparties,majorwomen'sorganizationsandjournalists.Indraftingthethirdreports,viewsofnon-governmentalorganizationswerealsotakenintoaccountandtheAdvisoryCounciltothePrimeMinisterhadbeenconsulted.  2548.3  , .,ThemainfeaturesofthecurrentsituationofwomeninJapanweretheprogressiveageingofthefemalepopulation,adecreaseinthenumberofbirths,atrendtowardshighereducationalattainment,thetendencyofwomentomarryatalaterageandanincreaseinthenumberofworkingwomen.WomenoccupiedprominentpositionsintheAdministration,thejudiciaryandthelegislature.TherateoffemalemembershipintheDietwas6.8percentandinnationaladvisorybodiesitwas10.7percent.Theproportionofwomenfillingmanagerialpostsinthepublicandprivatesectorshadalsobeenincreasing.TherepresentativehighlightedthemajorachievementssincetheconsiderationofJapan'sinitialreportintheareasofeducation,employmentandagriculture.ShespokeoftheplansforenhancingtheauthorityofthenationalmachinerybyraisingitsmembershiptotheministeriallevelandappointinganEqualParticipationCoordinatorwiththerankofDirectorGeneralineveryministryandagency.  2549.3  , .,Harmonizationofworkandfamilyresponsibilitywasofgreatimportancetoattainingdefactoequality.ThatwaswhytheChild-careLeaveLawhadbeenputintoforceandsubsidiesgiventoemployerstosetupandrunchildcarefacilities.IntheJapanesecivilservicewomenwerefreetotakeentranceexaminationsineveryjobcategory.In1989Japanhadrevisedtherulesastowhichcountry'slawsappliedinprivateinternationallawcases,soastoestablishfullequalityofthesexesbeforethelawwithrespecttointernationalmarriagesandadoptions.SheexplainedthatsinceJanuary1991theprovisionsintheCivilCoderegardingmarriageanddivorcehadbeenintheprocessofbeingreviewed.LocalgovernmentshadbeenveryactiveinpromotingmeasuresrelatingtowomensincetheratificationoftheConventionandthecommunityofnon-governmentalorganizationswasveryactiveinJapan.Therepresentativesaidthatdejureequalityhadalmostbeenattained;however,customsdeeplyrootedinstereotypesandthepoorrepresentationofwomeninthedecisionmakingprocesspreventedwomenfromachievingfulldefactoequality.̇Generalobservations    2550.3  , .,MemberscongratulatedtheGovernmentfortheprogressmadeinadvancingthestatusofwomen,especiallywithregardtothebigstridesmadeinashorttime,consideringtheverytraditionalnatureofthesociety.TheycommendedtheauthorsofthetworeportsforhavingfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelinesandforhavingrepliedinthesecondreporttothequestionsthathadnotbeenansweredduringtheconsiderationoftheinitialreport.  2551.3  , .,Regardingtheremainingobstaclesthatstilllimitedtheadvancementofwomen,therepresentativementionedstereotypesabouttherolesofwomenandmeninallspheresoflifeastheprincipalcauseofpersistentproblems.Amajorbarriertotheparticipationofwomenineconomiclifewasinsufficientsupportforthereconciliationofworkandfamilyresponsibilities.Itwas,ofcourse,notpossibletochangetheattitudesofpeopleinashorttime.  2552.3  , .,InadditionalcommentsmemberscommendedtheextensiverepliesgiventothequestionspreparedbythepresessionWorkingGroupandtheyappreciatedthefactthatinthepreparationofthereportnon-governmentalorganizationshadbeenconsulted.Membersacknowledgedhavingreceivedalargenumberofcounterreportsfromnon-governmentalorganizations.ThatprovedthedemocraticattitudeoftheGovernmentandshowedthatwomeninJapanweremobilizingthemselves.However,membersfeltthattheGovernmentshouldbemoreattentivetoobservationsmadebynon-governmentalorganizations,inparticularwithregardtothepersonnelmanagementsystemsaffectingwomen'semployment,andtheissuesofviolenceagainstwomenandprostitution.  2553.3  , .,MembersconsideredthatthestatusofwomeninJapanwasnotcommensuratewiththelevelofeconomicdevelopmentofthecountry.Womenhadmadeavaluablecontributiontothecountry'seconomicsuccesswithouthavingbeengivenanadequatepositioninallspheresoflife.Yet,inthecurrentrecession,theywerethefirstonestosuffer.Giventheopportunity,womenwouldmakeasignificantcontributiontothepolitical,socialandculturaldevelopmentoftheircountry.  2554.3  , .,Regardingthereports,membersfeltthattheyreferredonlytothepositivechanges.Althoughtheycontainedmuchvaluablestatisticaldata,therewasnoanalysisoftheobstaclestotheadvancementofwomen.ItwouldhavebeenappreciatediftheGovernmenthadprepareditsthirdreportaftertheCommittee'ssessionandhadtakentheCommittee'scommentsintoconsideration.  2555.3  , .,ItwassaidthattheGovernment,asalargedonorcountry,oughttodirectitsofficialdevelopmentassistancetowardshelpingtoenhancethestatusofwomeninrecipientcountries.  2556.3  , .,Inconcluding,therepresentativesaidthatshewouldconveyallthecommentsmadebymembersoftheCommitteetotheGovernmentinanefforttoimprovethesituation.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles, .,Article2  2557.3  , .,Askedaboutinstancesofdiscriminationagainstwomenandthelegislativeandothermeasuresthathadbeentakentoputanendtosuchdiscrimination,therepresentativeenumeratedfiveinstances:theobligationforwomentoretireatanearlieragethanmen;theprovisionofdormitoryhousingformen,butnotforwomen;theexclusionofwomenworkersfromtrainingprogrammesatfactories;therecruitmentofmenasregular,butwomenastemporary,employees;andthepromotionofmenoverwomeninidenticalpositionsdespiteshorterrecordsofservice.Inallthoseinstances,appropriatejudicialandadministrativemeasureshadbeentakentocorrecttheinjustices.Inothercases,suchascomplaintsthatonlymenwererecruitedforpositionsrequiringtechnicalskills,thatwomenwerenotpromotedonanequalbasiswithmenandthatintheareaofrecruitmenttherewasdiscriminatorytreatmentoffemalestudentsasaresultoftherecessioncurrentlygrippingJapan,discriminatorytreatmentcontinued.TheEqualEmploymentOpportunityLawandtheLabourStandardsLawwerecurrentlyunderreviewwithaviewtoachievingequalemploymentopportunityandtreatmentformenandwomen.  2558.3  , .,Therewerealsoinstancesofdiscriminatorycustomsandpracticesinareasotherthanemploymentowingtostereotypesregardinggenderroles;however,theirnumberwasdeclining.  2559.3  , .,Inreplytothequestionwhetherthelawrelatingtoequalopportunityprovidedpenalties,therepresentativestatedthatgenderbasedwagediscriminationwasapunishableoffence.Breachesofequalopportunityandtreatmentinprivatesectoremployment,exceptforwages,weredealtwiththroughadministrativeguidancefollowinginvestigationsmadebytheMinistryofLabour.Inadditionalcomments,memberssaidthattheEqualEmploymentOpportunityLawshouldprovidesanctionsinallcasesofbreachesofthelaw.  2560.3  , .,Askedaboutthepossibilityforwomentohaverecoursetothecourtsorothertribunalsiftheirrightswereinfringed,therepresentativesaidthatanyonemighthaverecoursetothecourtstoassertrightsgrantedtothemunderthelaw.Thepublicservicelawsprovidedforimprisonmentorfinesincasesofdiscriminatorytreatmentandanypublicemployeewhohadbeensubjectedtodiscriminatorytreatmentmightlodgeacomplaintorinstitutealawsuit., .,Article3  2561.3  , .,AskedwhethertheNationalWomen'sEducationCentreofferedcoursestopreparewomenforpublicoffice,therepresentativerepliedthattheCentrecontributedtothepromotionofwomen'seducationbyorganizingpracticaltrainingcoursesandconductingresearch.Therewerenocoursestopreparewomenforpublicoffice,butthegoalwastoempowerwomenandpromotetheirparticipationinpubliclife.  2562.3  , .,RegardingthetypesofstudiesanddiplomasofferedattheOpenUniversity,therepresentativesaidthattheuniversity'sFacultyofLiberalArtsofferedcoursesinscienceindailylife,industrialstudies,socialstudies,humanitiesandnaturalsciences,afterwhichabachelor'sdegreeinliberalartscouldbeconferredupongraduation.  2563.3  , .,MemberscommendedtheGovernment'sintentiontostrengthenthenationalmachineryandaskedwhetherthoughthadbeengiventosettinguptheofficeofequalityombudsman.Theyrequestedinformationinthesubsequentreportonthepoliciesthatwerepursuedtofulfilthetargetssetfortheadvancementofwomen.  2564.3  , .,Memberssuggestedthatmoreattentionshouldbepaidtopolicymeasuresregardingthestatusofdisabledwomenandsinglemothers.  , .,Article4  2565.3  , .,Regardingthesystemofreintegrationofwomenemployeesintotheworkforce,therepresentativestatedthatwomenwhoresignedfromworkbecauseofpregnancy,childbirthorchildcarecouldopttobereemployed.TheMinistryofLabourprovidedasystemofgrantstoemployersthatadoptedandmetcertainconditionsandpromotedacomprehensivesupportplanforthereconciliationofworkandchildcarethroughthedisseminationofinformation,educationalactivities,childcareleave,reducedworkinghours,adviceandguidancetoenterprises.Since1988,theproportionoffirmsthathadadoptedthatplanhadincreasedto19.7percent.Oneofthereasonsforthelowpercentagewasthefearofsomefirmsthattheywouldincurextraexpensesinupgradingtheskillsofreturningworkers,inadditiontothefinancialdifficultiesbroughtonbythecurrentrecession.  2566.3  , .,Inreplytoquestionsregardingsingleparentfamilies,therepresentativesaidthathouseholdsheadedbyasinglemother,irrespectiveofhermaritalstatus,receivedloans,counselling,asurvivor'spension,achildrearingallowanceandathomecare,andcouldalsoobtainnighttimechildcare.Additionalspecialallowancesincludedthepaymentofavocationaltrainingallowanceandthepaymentoftravelexpenses.  2567.3  , .,RegardingtheWeekoftheWomen,therepresentativeexplainedthatnorecordswerekeptonthenumberofparticipants,butmostofthemweremiddleagedorolderwomenand,recently,agrowingnumberofmen.Effortswerebeingundertakentoincreasethenumberofyoungerparticipantsandofmen.OthereffortstoraiseconsciousnessincludedtheEqualEmploymentOpportunityMonthandapanelmeetingtosolveproblemsarisingfromstereotypesandtoimprovethesocialenvironmentthroughwidedisseminationofthemeeting'sproposals.  2568.3  , .,Inadditionalcomments,membersexpressedtheviewthatnotenoughusehadbeenmadeofaffirmativeaction,suchasthesettingofquotas.Thequestionwasraisedwhetherspecialtemporarymeasureshadbeenadoptedtohelpintheemploymentofyoungwomenduringtheeconomicrecession., .,Article5  2569.3  , .,WithintheframeworkoftheNewPlanofActiontotheYear2000,oneofthetargetsofwhichwastoimprovethepopularunderstandingofequalitybetweenmenandwomen,severalministriesandagencieshadundertakenconsciousnessraisingandpublicrelationsactivities.TheMinistryofEducationhadestablishedacurriculumextendingfromelementarytohighschoolwhichtaughtgenderequalityandunderstanding.Partlyasaresultofthoseactivities,waysofthinkinghadbeguntochange,ascouldbeseenfromapublicopinionpollconductedin1992.Therepresentativesupplementedthatstatementbysomestatisticaldata.  2570.3  , .,Askedaboutlegalmeasuresinrelationtosexualharassment,therepresentativestatedthatnospecificlegalmeasuresexistedasyet.Themostdifficulttaskwastoaltertheconsciousnessofsupervisorsandmalecolleagues.TheMinistryofLabourhadestablishedastudygrouptolookintotheproblem,launchedacampaignandstartedprovidingadvicetowomenworkers.Inonespecificcase,thevictim'sbossandemployerhadtopaydamagesunderacourtorder.  2571.3  , .,Regardingcasesofdomesticviolence,therepresentativequotedstatisticaldatacompiledin1992.Althoughtherewasnoparticularprovisioninthecodeforthepunishmentofabuseormaltreatmentofaspouse,theuseofviolence,inflictionofbodilyinjury,confinementandrapewereallcriminalacts., .,Article6  2572.3  , .,Inreplytothequestionwhatavailableinformationhadledtothecommentthattherehadbeenadeclineinthenumberofarrestsforprostitutionrelatedcrimes,therepresentativesaidthatdealingwithprostitutionrelatedcaseshadbecomemoredifficultwiththedevelopmentofmoresophisticatedformsofprostitution,suchas"dispatchprostitution".  2573.3  , .,Therewasnostatisticalrecordontheincidenceofviolenceagainstprostitutes.Althoughitwasillegaltobetheclientofaprostitute,therewasnoprovisionforpunishment.  2574.3  , .,RegardingthequestionwhethertheGovernmenthadconsideredprovidingcompensationtowomenwhohadbeenforcedintoprostitution,therepresentativesaidthatofficialorganizationsneverforcedwomenintoprostitution.AlthoughtheGovernmentdidnotprovidecompensationtowomenwhohadbeenforcedintoprostitutionbyindividualsorprivateorganizations,personswhosolicitedinpublicforpurposesofprostitutionmightbesenttotheWomen'sGuidanceHome,andgirlsandwomeninneedofprotectionwereprovidedwithprofessionalcounselling,guidanceandhousing.  2575.3  , .,AskedabouttheprovisionsoftheAntiProstitutionLaw,therepresentativesaidthatthelawstipulatedthatprostitutionimpairedhumandignity,wascontrarytosexualmoralityandcorruptedthemoralsofsociety,andemphasizedtheillegalandantisocialcharacterofprostitution.ThepurposeoftheActwastoprevent,suppressandprohibitprostitution;however,onlyactsrelatingtothepromotionofprostitution,nottheactsofprostitution,wereputundersanctions.  2576.3  , .,Inadditionalcomments,membersobservedthatthereportincludedverylittleinformationaboutcasesofAsianwomenwhohadraisedissuesofexploitationagainstJapan.Referencewasmadetocasesofsextourism,theabuseofotherAsianwomenintheJapanesesexindustry,mailorderbridesandtheexploitationofwomenthroughforaysofJapanesemenintootherAsiancountries.TheGovernmentwasurgedtodiscouragesextourism.ParticularreferencewasmadetothefateofwomenwhohadbeenforcedintoprostitutionbyJapanesemenduringtheSecondWorldWar,oftenreferredtoas"comfortwomen".ItwassuggestedbysomemembersthattheGovernmentshouldpayoverallcompensationtothesurvivingvictimswithouttheirhavingtogotocourtindividually,andcreateawomen'sfundinmemoryofthosewhohaddiedinthemeantime,thusmeetingitscommitmenttothewomenofAsia.TheyrequestedanexplanationaboutthemeasurestheGovernmentwasplanningtotaketoassistthosewomen.  2577.3  , .,Itwassaidthatthereportdidnotprovideenoughdataonprostitution,pornography,violenceagainstwomen,exploitationofimmigrantwomen,thesheltersituationforbatteredwomenandthepunishmentsforthoseoffences.Membersaskedwhethercriminalgangsprofitedfromtheexploitationofwomenandwhethergeishagirlsorhostesseswerestillcommon.TheyurgedtheGovernmenttoundertakeastudyonallofthoseissuesandtheunderlyingcausesandreportonthepolicymeasurestaken.  2578.3  , .,Inaddressingthoseconcerns,therepresentativesaidthatthePrimeMinisterhadbeenaskedtotakestrongermeasuresagainstorganizedprostitution.TheGovernmentwastryingtocurbsextourismthroughlegalamendmentsthatshouldforbidtravelagentstoarrangeillegalactsfortravellers.AnyformofprostitutionwasillegalandtheGovernmentwasintensifyingeffortstoprotecttherightsofforeignworkers.Regardingtheissueof"comfortwomen",astudyhadbeenundertakenin1991andwhenthefindingshadbeenmadepublicin1993,theGovernmenthadextendeditsapologiestoallthosewhohadsuffereddamage.TheGovernmentwasconsideringhowbesttoexpressitsremorse.&  , .,Article7  2579.3  , .,MemberswelcomedtheappointmentoffemaleministersandnotedthePlanof'  Actionof1977forincreasingthenumberofwomeninexecutivebodies.AskedforclarificationoftheapplicationofthePlanofAction,therepresentativesaidthatoneofitsfivebasictargetswastoachieveparticipationinsocietybymenandwomenonanequalfootingandoneofthepriorityobjectiveswastopromotewomen'sparticipationinpolicydecisionmaking.TheGovernmentwasseekingthecooperationoflocalgovernments,politicalorganizations,labourunionsandwomen'sorganizationsinitstask.Topromotetheparticipationofwomeninadministration,theGovernmenthadsetaninitialoveralltargetof10percent.TheGovernmenthadpromotedtheemploymentofwomenaspublicemployees,reviewedtherestrictionsonwomen'sparticipationinrecruitmentexaminationsforpublicservicejobs,hadin1991setanewlyrevisedtargetrateforwomeninnationaladvisorycouncils,toberaisedto15percentbytheyear1995,andabolishedallrestrictionsonwomenenteringtheregularnationalpublicservice.  2580.3  , .,WhilecommendingtheelectionofawomanasSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives,membersinquiredaboutthereasonsforthecontinuinglowpercentageofwomenmembersofParliamentandthesmallincreaseinthenumberofwomeninnationaladvisorybodiesandinlocalgovernment.Therepresentativestatedthatthestereotypesconcerningtherolesofmenandwomeninsocietyandtheshorthistoryofwomen'sparticipationinpoliticallifewerecontributingreasonsforthesituation.Theexpansionofwomen'sparticipationinpolicydecisionmakingwasoneoftheprioritiesoftheNewPlanofAction.Morespecifically,thelownumberofwomeninnationaladvisorybodieswasrelatedtothesmallnumberofwomenwhoheldseniorpublicpostsandwereinleadershippositions.Therefore,thenationalmachineryaskedthatmorewomencandidatesberecommendedtoadvisorycouncilsandbepromotedintheirownorganizations.Thelownumberofwomeninlocalgovernmentwasexplainedbythelownumberofwomenwhoplayedactiveroles,heldhighpositionsorhadthenecessaryknowledgeorqualifications.  2581.3  , .,Askedabouttherateofparticipationofwomenattheupperlevelsinpoliticalparties,therepresentativesaidthatthepercentagesvariedfrom1.2to18.1percent.Theirmembershipvariedfrom6.1to44.8percent.Theproportionoffemaletradeunionmembersstoodat28.2percentin1993.  2582.3  , .,RegardingtheenrolmentfigureofwomenintheNationalDefenceAcademy,therepresentativesaidthat,withatotalof71femalestudents,womenhadaccountedfor7.5percentofthetotalnumberofstudentssince1992.  2583.3  , .,Inadditionalcomments,membersurgedtheGovernmenttotakespecificstepstoimprovethestatusofwomeninpositionsofpoweranddecisionmaking.  ԇ, .,Article8  2584.3  , .,Askedaboutthenumberofwomenfillingdiplomaticposts,therepresentativestatedthatin199314.8percentoftheofficialsintheMinistryofForeignAffairswerewomen.OfthecandidateswhohadpassedtheForeignServiceSpecialistOfficerExaminationin1993,morethanhalfhadbeenwomen.Therewerefourwomenambassadors.Memberssuggestedthatthesubsequentreportgiveinformationonthepercentageoffemaleambassadorsandwomenholdingpostsininternationalorganizations., .,Article10  2585.3  , .,Membersinquiredwhetherthereasonsforthesomewhatmoreoptimisticviewregardingthepercentagesofgirlsstudyingnon-traditionalsubjectsduringtheperiodcoveredbythethirdperiodicreportweretheresultofanyparticularstrategies.Therepresentativesaidthatwomenhadbeenparticipatinginagreatervarietyoffieldsofstudyasaresultofchangesinattitudesaboutgender.TheMinistryofEducationwastryingtodevelopawarenessoftheequalityofmenandwomenateachgradelevelinelementaryandsecondaryschoolsandguidancecounsellorswereencouragingstudentstoselectcoursesofstudyfreeofanypreconceivednotionaboutgendersuitability.  2586.3  , .,Askedforclarificationconcerningthe"opencourses"andspecializededucation,therepresentativeexplainedthatuniversityextensioncoursesprovidedlearningopportunitiestoadultcitizensinvariousfields.Thecourseswereopentoeveryone.Theopencoursesprovidedopportunitiestogainspecializedknowledgeandvocationalskillsaboutdailylifeandcurrentissues.Morethanhalfoftheparticipantswerewomen.  2587.3  , .,Regardinganyplanstoreformthecurriculuminordertoexpandthesubjectsofferedatalllevels,therepresentativestatedthatafterthereformof1989,thenationalcurriculumforbothelementaryandsecondaryeducationbecamethesame.Homeeconomicswasmandatoryforallstudentsattheuppersecondaryschoollevelandindustrialartsandhomemakinghadtobetakenbybothboysandgirlsatthelowersecondaryschoollevel.  2588.3  , .,Membersnotedthewomen'sstudiesprogrammeofferedbytheNationalWomen'sEducationCentreandcommendedtheattempttointroducecomparativeinternationalinformationthroughseminarsasbeneficialtoJapanesewomen.  2589.3  , .,Regardingconsciousnessraisingaboutgenderequalityandthecorrespondingtrainingofteachers,therepresentativesaidthattheMinistryofEducationattemptedtogiveteacherssufficientinformationaboutgenderequalitybyholdingcurriculumclassesforeachareaorprefecture.  2590.3  , .,Inadditionalcommentsmembersexpressedappreciationforthechangesmadebutsaidthatthereversalofstereotypingintheeducationsystemandinthemedianeededtobeextended.Attitudesneededtobechangedatanearlyageandgreatimportanceshouldbeattachedtothesexeducationofchildren.&  , .,Article11  2591.3  , .,Membersaskedwhethertheprincipleofequalpayforworkofequalvalue'  wasbeingconsideredandwhatproceduresexistedforthesettlementofdisputesconcerningremuneration.Therepresentativeexplainedthatthedatasuppliedinthereportsdidnotpermitacomparisonofaverageremunerationofmenandwomen.Themainfactorsaccountingforadifferenceintheaverageremunerationofmenandwomenwereseniority,theoccupationoftheemployeeandthetypeofindustryinwhichtheyworked.TheGovernmentwastryingtostrengthenmeasurestopromotethecompatibilityofworkandfamilyresponsibilitiesandtoensureequalopportunityandtreatment,inordertonarrowtheremunerationgap.Inaddition,theGovernmenthadpublishedguidebooksforstudentstoencouragethemtoconsideroccupationsotherthanthosetraditionallytakenupbywomen,andwasalsoorganizingmeetingstodiscusswaysofutilizingwomen'sabilitiesinallfields.LabourstandardsinspectorssupervisedtheobservanceofILOConventionNo.100concerningequalpayforequalworkformenandwomenwheneveracomplaintwasfiledandalsowhenaviolationwasrevealedasaresultofaninspection.Inmanycasesdamageshadbeenawardedasaresultoflawsuits.  2592.3  , .,Remunerationconsistedofthebasicwagesandallowances.UndertheJapanesewagesystem,itwasdifficulttoapplytheconceptofequalpayforworkofequalvalueorevaluationsystemsbasedongender-neutralcriteria,ascontainedintheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendation13.  2593.3  , .,AskedwhethertheLabourStandardsLawalsodealtwithhealthandsafetyrulesattheworkplaceandwhatsanctionswereprovidedforviolationsofthelaw,therepresentativesaidthatissuesofsafetyandhealthattheworkplacewereaddressedbytheIndustrialSafetyandHealthLaw,accordingtowhichtheemployerhadtoensurethesafetyandhealthofworkersbyestablishingacomfortableworkingenvironmentandimprovingworkingconditionsinadditiontocomplyingwithminimumstandards.Thesanctionswereimprisonmentorfines.  2594.3  , .,Regardingthetypeofprotectionthatwasaffordedtowomeninagricultural,forestryorfishingindustriesandtheproblemsthattheyencounteredinensuringtheeconomicwell-beingoftheirfamilies,therepresentativesaidthatsinceonly7percentofthewomenworkinginthosebranchesofindustrywereemployees,therestbeingself-employedorfamilyworkers,safetymeasuresandworkingconditionstendedtobepoorlycontrolled.However,thecompetentministryundertookseveralmeasurestoimproveconditions,suchasconsciousness-raisingandtrainingactivities,mutuallabourassistanceprogrammesandtheestablishmentofmodelfarms.Femaleworkersinthosefieldsofindustrywereprotectedbytherelevantlabourlawsjustlikefemaleemployeesinotherindustries.Themajordifficultiesforthosewomenweretobalancetheiroccupationalwiththeirhouseholdresponsibilitiesandtocopewiththeundefinedroleofwomeninthoseoperations.Theministryprovidededucationthroughhomelife-improvementextensionprogrammesandpromotedthereachingofhouseholdagreementsontherolesandsituationsoffamilymembers,sinceinthoseoccupationsthemaleheadofhouseholdwasmostlythedecisionmakerandotherfamilymembersprovidedthelabour.  2595.3  , .,Askedabouttherateofunemploymentamongwomenandanyassistanceprovidedtoensureminimumlivingstandardsfortheirfamilies,therepresentativesaidthatowingtotheprolongedrecessiontheunemploymentratewasrisingforbothmenandwomen.Itstoodat2.8percentinNovember1993.Unemploymentbenefitsensuredaminimumlivingstandardandwereprovidedregardlessofsexforalimitedperiodoftime,dependingonageandlengthofpreviousemployment.TheGovernmentwascurrentlytryingtodeviseeffectiveemploymentmeasures.  2596.3  , .,Regardingaquestionaboutthepensionsystemsinthepublicandintheprivatesectorandthedifferencesbetweenthemtherepresentativeexplainedthatthenationalpensionschemesprovidedbasicpensionsforall.SalariedworkersintheprivatesectorwereautomaticallyinsuredundertheEmployees'PensionInsuranceandpersonsworkinginthenationalandlocalgovernmentwerecoveredbytheMutualAidAssociation.Asthecoveragedifferedinthevariousschemes,theGovernmentwasplanningtounifythepublicpensionschemesby1995.  2597.3  , .,Withreferencetothecurrentstatusofthefamily-careleavescheme,therepresentativesaidthatthenumberoffirmsthathadintroducedtheschemewasgraduallyincreasing.TheguidelinesissuedbytheMinistryofLabourdescribedtheminimumconditionsapplicabletopermitaworkertotakeleavetocareforafamilymember,suchasdurationandgenderequality,andcontainedalistofthepersonsforwhosecareleavemightbetaken.Theemployeeshouldalsobegiventhechoicebetweentakingsuchleaveormakinguseofsuchmeasuresasflex-timeorstaggeredworkinghours.Theguidelineshadbeenwidelydisseminatedandwerebeingadoptedbymanyfirms;however,thefamilycareleaveschemehadnotbecomelawasyet.  2598.3  , .,Inadditionalcomments,membersappreciatedtheprogressintheemploymentofwomenbutsaidthatmuchmoreneededtobedoneinareassuchasequalemploymentopportunity,part-timeemploymentandwagedisparity.Membersobservedthattheprincipleofequalpayforequalworkhadnotbeencompliedwith,sinceaccordingtotheirinformationwomenreceivedonly40percentofmen'swages.TheyaskedwhatpracticalmeasurestheGovernmentwasconsideringtoimprovethesituation.Membersreferredtosimilarcommentsthathadbeenmadeduringthepresentationoftheinitialreport.MembersfeltthatwomeninJapanseemedtobesubjectedtoindirectdiscriminationthroughtheseparatepersonnelmanagementtracksystemspractisedbyprivatecompanies.Suchpracticesneededtobeprosecutedjustasmuchasthoseinvolvingdirectdiscriminationandmeasuresshouldbetakentomakeprivatefirmscomplyfullywiththelaw.ThequestionwasraisedwhethertheGovernmenthadanunderstandingoftheconceptofindirectdiscrimination,ofwhichsuchseparatetracksystemswereanexample;theGovernmentwasurgedtoincludethatconceptwhenreformingtheEqualEmploymentOpportunityAct.Questionswereraisedastowhopaidforchild-careleave,theGovernmentortheemployer,andthekindofobstaclesmenfacedintakingsuchleave.Whenwomenre-enteredthelabourmarket,mechanismsshouldexisttopreventtheirbeingforcedintopart-timeemployment.MemberssaidthatJapanesecompaniesdidnotmakefulluseofwomen'sskillsandcapabilities.  2599.3  , .,Askedaboutmeasurestoimprovethestatusofparttimeworkers,therepresentativesaidthatparttimeworkerswerecoveredbytheLabourStandardsLaw,whichsetminimumlabourstandards.Inordertoimprovetheirwelfareandworkingconditions,theLawConcerningtheImprovementofEmploymentManagementofParttimeWorkershadbeenenactedandputintoforcein1993.Anumberofmeasureshadbeentakenonthebasisofthatlaw,andeffortsinthatdirectionwereexpectedtointensify.2600.3  , .,WithreferencetotheJapanesewagesystem,whichisbasedonseniority,therepresentativesaidthatitwasnotdiscriminatorytowardswomenbecauseofthechild-caresystem.Theprovisionofvocationaltrainingforwomenwhore-enteredthelabourmarketwasparamount.2601.3  , .,Membersaskedwhethermeasureshadbeentakentoreducetheworkingweekto  40hoursinordertostrengthenthefamily.  , .,Article12  2602.3  , .,Inthecourseofadditionalquestionsraised,membersaskedwhethertherewasanationallyorganizedscreeningprogrammeforcervicalandbreastcancer.  2603.3  , .,Membersreferredtothemedicalteststhatweremandatoryforwomenservinginprivatebathhouses.Thefactthattheywerenotinformedoftheresultsconstitutedaviolationofhumanrights., .,Article14  2604.3  , .,Inreferringtothestatusofruralwomen,memberssaidthatparticularattentionshouldbepaidtothemastheirtraditionswereusuallythestrongestandprogressdifficulttoachieve.Specialprogrammesshouldbedesignedtoinvolveruralwomenindecision-making., .,Article16  2605.3  , .,MembersobservedthatverylittleinformationhadbeensuppliedinthereportsrelatingtothereformoftheCivilCodeintendedtoimprovethestatusofwomenandchildreninthefamilyandaskedforclarificationofthecurrentlegalsituationofwomeninthefamily.TherepresentativesaidthatanationaladvisorycommissionhadstartedreviewingtheprovisionsconcerningmarriageanddivorceundertheCivilCode.Aninterimreporthadbeenpublishedin1992andthroughmidMay,theviewsofthepublicandthecourtshadbeensoliciteduntilmidMay1993.Onthebasisofthoseviews,thedeliberationsontherelevantissueswerestillongoing.  2606.3  , .,Inadditionalcomments,membersreferredtodiscriminatorypracticesrelatingtomarriageandfamilyrelations,suchasthoseregardingtheprohibitionagainstwomenremarryingwithinacertainperiodandchildrenbornoutofwedlock.Greaterconsiderationshouldalsobegiventotheelderlyfemalepopulationand,followingrelatedresearch,informationshouldbeprovidedonpolicymeasuresandprogrammes.MembersaskedalsowhentheongoingreviewoftheCivilCodewouldbefinishedandwhatthereasonsfortherecentincreaseinthedivorceratewere.Membersstressedtheneedtoaddressrigidgenderrolestereotypesinthefamilyandtoincreasemaleparticipationinfamilylife.2607.3  , .,TheCommitteedeferreditsconcludingcommentsonthereportsofJapanuntilitsfourteenthsession. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     o@ .NewZealand608.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofNewZealand(CEDAW/C/NZL/2andAdd.1)atits243rdmeeting,on25January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.243).609.2 .2Inpresentingthereport,therepresentativeofNewZealandstatedthattheGovernmenttookitsresponsibilitytotheCommitteeveryseriouslyandhadendeavouredtoprepareareportshowinganaccuratepictureofthesituationofNewZealandwomen.610.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthathercountryhadjustcelebratedthecentennialofwomen`ssuffrage.NewZealandhadbeenthefirstself-governingcountryintheworldtogivewomentherighttovote.ThecelebrationstomarktheoccasionhadinvolvedtheextensiveparticipationoftheGovernmentandwomen'sorganizations.Theeventprovidedanopportunitytoassessthecurrentpositionofwomenandtoconsiderwhatwasneededtobedonetoachievetrueequality.Shenotedfurtherthat1993hadbeentheInternationalYearoftheWorld'sIndigenousPeople,andsaidthatmanyoftheeventsconnectedwiththesuffragecelebrationshadpickedupthethemeofindigenouswomen.611.2 .2Hercountryhadwithdrawnitsreservationconcerningtheemploymentofwomeninundergroundmines.However,whilewomen'semploymentinthearmedforceshadincreased,thecountrywasnotyetinapositiontoremoveitsreservationconcerningwomeninthearmedforces.NewZealandalsomaintaineditsreservationonpaidmaternityleave.TheGovernmentregardedpaymentformaternityleaveasamatterfornegotiationbetweenthepartiestoanemploymentcontract.612.2 .2TheGovernmenthadpassedanewHumanRightsActin1993,extendingthegroundsofprohibiteddiscrimination.Itsgroundswouldnowcovergenderissues,includingpregnancy,childbirth,sexualharassment,maritalandfamilystatus,sexualorientation,disability,age,race,religion,employmentstatusandpoliticalopinion.TheActwouldcomeintoforcein1994.Thecountry'sHumanRightsCommissionhadalsobeengrantedmorefundstocarryoutitsenhancedduties.613.2 .2Thecountryhadbeenundergoingaprocessofeconomicandsocialreformaimedatrevitalizingtheeconomy.Toreversetheimbalancescreatedbypastpoliciesofinsulationandagriculturalprotectionism,theeconomyhadbeenextensivelyderegulated,agriculturalsubsidieshadbeenabolished,importandforeignexchangecontrolsrelaxed,tariffbarriersreducedandStateassetssoldorcorporatized.Whilethereformshadbroughthardships,theultimatepurposeofthosemeasureswastoenhancelivingstandardsonthebasisofsustainableeconomicgrowth.614.2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionontheimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonwomen,therepresentativesaidthatapoorlyperformingeconomywouldnothelpwomeninthelongterm,eithereconomicallyorsocially,hencetheneedforreform.SheacknowledgedthepressuresmanyNewZealandersexperiencedduringtheperiodofstructuraladjustment,butsaidthatthepositiveeffectswerebeginningtobeseen.Therewereclearindicationsthatthecountrywasnowontrackforsustainedandsustainablegrowth.Someofthereformshadfocusedonthecountry'swelfaresystem,whichstillremainedoneofthemostgenerousintheworld.Therehadbeennoreductioninspendingoneithereducationorhealth.615.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthepossibleadverseeffectsofstructuraladjustmentonwomenandaskedwhetherastudyonthoseeffectshadbeenconducted.616.2 .2ReferringtotheroleoftheMinistryofWomen`sAffairsandnon-governmentalorganizationssincethelastreport,therepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattheMinistrywasregardedasakeypolicyagencyinvolvedinmostmajorpolicydevelopments.Shealsoacknowledgedtheimportantrolethatnongovernmentalorganizationshadplayedthroughoutthecountry'shistory.617.2 .2Therepresentativenotedanumberoflong-termtrendsaffectingwomen,includingchangesinfamilystructure;theincreasedparticipationofwomenintheworkforce,ofwhichwomenmadeup43percent;thegreaternumberofwomenwhohadestablishedtheirownbusinesses;theincreasedparticipationofwomeninthetraditionalmaleprofessions;andgreaternumbersofwomeninpubliclife,includingtheappointmentofthefirstfemaleHighCourtjudge,in1993.Therepresentativenotedthatwomen'saverageremunerationremainedlessthanmen's.618.2 .2Particularconcernsincludedthegrowthinsingle-parenthouseholds,mostofwhichwereheadedbywomenandhadlessincomebecauseoftheirrelativelylowerparticipationrateinpaidemployment,andthenumberofageingwomen.Mostpeopleovertheageof75werewomen,mostofwhomderivedahighproportionoftheirincomefromState-fundedsuperannuationpayments.619.2 .2Withrespecttoviolence,sheobservedthattheissuehadbeenofpublicconcernforanumberofyearsandthatthereductionofviolencewasapriorityfortheGovernment.Measurestoreduceandpreventviolenceincludedthesettingupoffamilyviolencepreventionnetworks,rapecrisiscentresandmen'snon-violencesupportgroups.Newlegislationhadbeenpassedthattookastrongerapproachtothecontrolofpornography,providingforcensorshiptobebasedontheactualorlikelyharmtobecausedbyaparticularmaterial.Itremovedthedistinctionbetweenthepublicandprivateuseofpornographicmaterialsandimposedgreaterrestrictionsonsuchmaterials.620.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatwomen'shealthwasakeyissue.Shenotedthatcervicalcancer,identifiedasapreventabledisease,hadbeenkillingover100womenayear.Anationalcervicalscreeningprogrammehadbeenestablished,whichhadaparticularemphasisontheMaoriandPacificIslandwomen.Breastcancerwasalsobeingaddressed.TheimprovementinhealthservicesforMaoriwomenhadalsobeenemphasized.Attemptshadbeenmade,withsomesuccess,toencouragehealthylifestylesandtoreducethehighincidenceofsmokingamongMaoriwomen.621.2 .2AnotherpositivedevelopmentamongMaoriwomenhadbeentheirincreasedparticipationinthebusinesssector.TheirrateofgrowthinestablishingtheirownbusinesseswasfasterthanthatofMaorimenoranynon-MaoriNewZealanders,althoughtheystartedfromalowerbaseline.VariousinitiativeshadbeenlaunchedtoencourageMaoriwomentotakearoleinbusinessandtodevelopfurthertheirentrepreneurialskills,includingtheWahinePakariprogrammeandtheestablishmentoftheMaoriWomen'sDevelopmentFund.622.2 .2StatefundedMaoriimmersioneducationhadbeenprovided,andtheGovernmentwascommittedtocontinuingfinancialsupportfortheprogramme.623.2 .2TheGovernmenthadsetupasteeringcommitteetopreparefortheYearoftheFamily.Itwouldbeusedasaspurtoimproveparentingskillsinthesocietyandfortheimprovementofthecareoftheelderlyandchildren.624.2 .2InintroducingthereportofNiue,aself-governingStateinfreeassociationwithNewZealand,therepresentativereportedthatNiuehadunrestrictedlegislativecompetenceregardingtherightssetoutintheConvention.Womenhadmadesignificantstridesinpubliclifeaswellasinmaledominatedoccupations.NiuewasafullmemberofUNESCOandwasseekingmembershipinWHO.625.2 .2RegardingTokelau,NewZealand'slastremainingnon-self-governingterritory,therepresentativesaidthattheconstitutionalchangescurrentlybeingimplementedwouldcontinuetheprocesswherebyTokelau,atitsownpace,wouldassumegreatercontrolofitsownaffairs,includingthemannerinwhichrightsaccordedtoTokelauansundertheConventionwouldbeprotected.Generalobservations626.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteeindicatedtheirgeneralsatisfactionwiththereport,itspresentation,itscomprehensivenessandtheinformationcontainedtherein.Concernwasexpressedabouttheremainingreservationsonwomeninthearmedforcesandonpaidmaternityleaveinacountrywheretherewassuchalargenumberofwomenintheworkforce.627.2 .2Theviewwasexpressedthat,althoughitwasgratifyingtonotethatthemachineryforwomen'saffairswaswellestablishedandthatithadanincreasedbudget,informationwasneededontheexistenceoflocalmachinery.Generalquestions628.2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionontheextenttowhichtherewasconsultationwithnongovernmentalorganizationsinthepreparationofthereport,therepresentativesaidthatsuchorganizationswereinvolvedatallstagesoftheprocess,withinvolvementonthepartoforganizationsofMaoriwomen.629.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteofthereportsofNiueandTokelaucontainedintheannexestotheNewZealandreportandaskediftheseweretheonlyStatesassociatedwithNewZealand.Iftheywerenot,theCommitteeaskedwhyreportsfromotherStateshadnotbeensubmitted.Inresponse,therepresentativesaidthatwhenNewZealandhadratifiedtheConventionin1985,inaccordancewiththepracticeatthetime,thatratificationhadalsobeenextendedwiththeiragreementtoNiue,TokelauandtheCookIslands.TheCookIslands,likeNiue,wasaself-governingStateinfreeassociationwithNewZealandandwasthereforeresponsibleforimplementingtheobligationsundertheConvention.TheCookIslandswasawareofitsresponsibilities,butwithonlylimitedresourcesithadbeenunabletocompleteitsreportintimeforthepresentsessionandwouldbesubmittingitsreportassoonaspossible.630.2 .2InresponsetothequestionwhetherNewZealandhadprovidedtechnicalassistancetotheCookIslandsinthepreparationofitsreport,therepresentativenotedthatassistancehadbeengivenforthetext,butthatthepreparationofthereportwasconsideredbytheGovernmentoftheCookIslandstobeitsownresponsibility.&  ԇQuestionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article2631.2 .2Membersaskedaboutanapparentdiscrepancybetweenthereservationon'  maternityleavewithpayandvariouslegislativemeasurestoprohibitdiscrimination,suchasthenewHumanRightsAct.632.2 .2TheadditionalquestionwasraisedwhethertheMinistryofWomen'sAffairsandthetradeunionshadtakenuptheissueofwomen'srightsregardingpaidmaternityleave.TherepresentativeexplainedthattheGovernmentconsideredthatpaymentformaternityleavewasamatterfornegotiationbetweenthepartiestoanemploymentcontractandthereforenotsubjecttogovernmentdirection.However,theprovisionsoftheParentalLeaveandEmploymentProtectionActprovidedforunpaidleaveforparentsinboththeprivateandthepublicsectors,andemployeescouldnegotiatebettertermsandconditionsforpaidmaternityleave.Shenotedthatmostwomeninthepublicsectorwerecoveredforsixweeks'paidleave.633.2 .2InresponsetoaquestionaboutthebasisforcomplaintstakentotheHumanRightsCommissionandhowthosecomplaintsweresettled,therepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatmaritalstatuscomplaintsmadeup17percentofallcomplaintsreceived.Themajorityofthoseinvolvedaccesstocreditandjointaccounts.Suchmattershadbeensettledthroughmediationandhadresultedincompensationandtherevisionofthepoliciesoftheprivatesectorinstitutionsinvolved.Allegationsofsexdiscrimination,otherthanintheareaofmaritalstatus,constitutedover70percentofthecomplaintstakentotheHumanRightsCommission,themajoritybeingintheareaofemployment.634.2 .2Replyingtoquestionsaboutdifferencesinrateschargedtomenandwomenforinsurancepoliciesandwhetherthatmightadverselyaffectcertaingroupsofwomen,therepresentativeexplainedthattheHumanRightsActexemptioninrespecttosuperannuationoflifeinsurancewasaresultofthedifferentlifeexpectanciesofwomenandmen.Exemptionswereonlypermittedwhentheyweresupportedbyactuarialorstatisticaldata.Ontheaverage,giventhedifferentperiodsofcontributionandthelongerlifespanofwomen,menandwomenreceivedthesametotalbenefitsfromtheplans.635.2 .2Inanadditionalquestion,itwasaskedwhytheHumanRightsActhadleftoutpoliticalparties,privateclubsandchurches.2 .2Article4636.2 .2Answeringthequestionwhetherthecentennialcelebrationsofwomen'ssuffrageandtherelatedactivities,includingthosefinancedbytheSuffrageCentennialYearTrustFund,hadbeenevaluated,therepresentativeobservedthatitwastooearlytoevaluatetheresultsofthesuffragecentennial.ArangeofactivitieshadbeenundertakenbytheGovernment,incollaborationwithnon-governmentalorganizations,thatincludededucationalandresearchactivities,internationalconferences,projects,televisiondocumentaries,filmsandbooksaboutwomeninthecountry,inadditiontoradiobroadcastsandshortsnippetsaboutwomen'slives,theirachievementsandhistory.Fundshadbeendistributedtohundredsofprojectsthroughoutthecountry.Thethemeofthecentennialhadbeen"celebratingthepastandchallengingthefuture".Ithadprovidedanopportunitytoassessthesituationofwomenandtoidentifythenextsteps.637.2 .2ReplyingtoaquestionaboutthefinancialsupportprovidedtosupplementtrainingandtheWahinePakariprogramme,therepresentativeexplainedthatfinancialsupporthadincreasedeightfoldoverthelasttwoyears.Shenotedthatuponcompletionofthesixweektrainingcoursefortrainingmotivators,thegraduatestrainedotherwomenintheirowncommunitiesandwerepaidtodoso.TherewereotherfundingsourcesavailablefromtheGovernment.638.2 .2Inresponsetothequestionwhetherwomen'sstudiescourseswerewellattendedandavailableatacademicinstitutions,therepresentativesaidthatwomen'sstudiesprogrammeswereofferedbysomesecondaryschoolsandmostuniversitiesandpolytechnicalinstitutionsandtheywereusuallyfullysubscribed.2 .2Article5639.2 .2Inansweringaquestionregardingtheeffectivenessof"counter-sexist"teachingmaterialsandtherunningof"counter-sexist"trainingcourses,therepresentativeaffirmedtheGovernment'scommitmenttogender-inclusivenessinallaspectsofeducationpolicyanddevelopmentanditsgoalofensuringequalityineducationalopportunitybyidentifyingandremovingbarrierstoachievement.TheMinistryofEducationhaddevelopedstrategies,includingnon-stereotypicalrolemodelsandnon-sexistlanguage,buttherehadbeennosubstantiallong-termmonitoringoftheeffectivenessofeithertheresourcesorthetrainingcourses.Thematerialhadbeeninusefornearly20yearsandhadbeengreatlyexpandedandimproved.640.2 .2Replyingtothequestionwhether,infamilyeducation,prenatalandpostnataleducationhadbeenextendednationwide,particularlytoMaoriwomen,therepresentativestatedthatanumberoforganizations,includingCrownHealthEnterprises,generalpractitioners,practicalnursesandothers,providedsucheducation.TherewassomeevidencethatmainstreamserviceswerenotwellusedbyMaoriwomen,whohadadifferentprofilefromtheirnon-Maoricounterparts.Thathadledhealthcareauthorities,GovernmentdepartmentsandMaoriwomen'sgroupstoexploredifferentwaysofmeetingtheparticularneedsofMaoriwomen.ExamplesofsuchinitiativesincludedtheTipuOraprogramme,whichsupportedMaoriwomenduringpregnancy,andhadresultedinareductioninsmoking,promotionofbreastfeedingandasignificantreductioninMaoriinfantcotdeaths,theestablishmentofWhareParuorahealthclinics,Government-fundedresearchintonewmodelsforthedeliveryofprenatalandpostnatalcaretoMaorifamiliesandGovernmentfundingforiwi(tribal)basedhealthprogrammes.641.2 .2Regardingaquestionabouttheresponsefromwomen'sgroupstotheenactmentoftheFilms,VideosandPublicationsClassificationActin1993,therepresentativeexplainedthatwomen'sgroupshadbeenactiveinbringingaboutthechangesincensorshiplegislation.Theact,whichwouldcomeintoeffectafterthethreeexistingcensorshipbodieswerecombinedintoasingleoffice,wouldplacegreaterrestrictionsontheavailabilityofviolentandpornographicmaterial,introducenewcontrolsonthedisplayingofthematerialandsetpenaltiesforthepossessionofbannedmaterials.Therepresentativesaidthatsomewomen'sorganizationshadwishedforthelegislationtobemorerestrictive,butthatallwouldagreethatthechangesrepresentedasignificantandpositiveshiftincensorshippolicy.642.2 .2AskedwhetherthecauseoftheincreaseinthenumberofabusedwomenseekingprotectioninsheltershadbeeninvestigatedinthelightofthepreventivemeasuresadoptedbytheGovernment,therepresentativeindicatedthatthatfactdidnotnecessarilyreflectanincreaseinviolence,butratheranincreasedawarenessoftheavailabilityofsourcesofsupportforvictims.Measuresincludedanactivearrestpolicywithrespecttodomesticviolence,whereallcasesweretreatedinthesamemannerasassaultattacksbetweenstrangers,sothatarrestscouldbemadewithoutthevictimhavingtopresscharges.Therepresentativereferredtoresearchthathadsuggestedthatstrategiesforthereductionoffamilyviolenceneededtoaddresssuchissuesaspowerandcontrol,parentingandchildrearingpractices,andsocialstructuralfactors.643.2 .2Inreplytotheadditionalquestionwhethertherewasspecificlegislationonviolenceagainstwomenasopposedtorandomviolence,therepresentativeindicatedthatsuchlegislationdidexist.644.2 .2Asked,further,whethertheattitudesofmentowardssharingdomesticworkhadchanged,therepresentativenotedthatmenhadtochangetheirattitudesfurther.2 .2Article6645.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeabouttheresponseofthegeneralpublicandwomen'sgroupstotheincreaseinthespreadofHIV.SheobservedthattherewasevidencethatsexworkersinNewZealandwererelativelyfreeofHIV/AIDS.ThenumberofwomeninfectedwithAIDSwasaslowas17outofthe48HIVcasesthatwerediagnosedinJune1993.Thewidespreaduseofcondoms,predatingtheappearanceofHIV/AIDS,wasindicatedasthefactorcontributingtothelowincidenceamongsexworkers.Inaddition,therepresentativeindicatedthatwomen'sgroupshadbeenconcernedabouttherisksoflatediagnosisofwomeninfectedwithHIV/AIDSandhadidentifiedtheneedforinformationprogrammesthatspecificallyaddressedtheissuesofpregnancyandbreastfeeding.FundshadbeenmadeavailablebytheGovernmentforeducationandsexualhealthprogrammes.2 .2Article7646.2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionregardingthedecreasingnumberofwomeninhighexecutivepositions,contrastedwiththeincreaseinthenumberofwomeninlocalgovernment,therepresentativebroughttotheattentionoftheCommitteefiguresthatshowedanincreaseinthenumberofwomeninParliamentsince1984.ShenotedthatwomenhadoccupiedvariouspositionsintheCabinetsince1947.WomeninNewZealandwouldbecurioustoseeifthenewelectoralsystembasedonproportionalrepresentation,adoptedin1993,wouldleadtofurtherincreasesinrepresentation.Womenhadalwaysbeenmoresuccessfulinlocalgovernment.Therewerenodefinitivestudiesonwhywomenweremoresuccessfulatlocallevels.Thetheoriesthathadbeenputforwardclaimedthatwomenwereattractedtolocalpoliticssincetheycouldcombineofficialdutieswiththeirresponsibilitiesathome.647.2 .2Inanadditionalquestion,furtherinformationwasrequestedonobstaclestowomenobtaininghigh-levelpostsinpolitics.2 .2Article10648.2 .2Replyingtothequestionwhethertheclosureofschoolsinruralareas,witharesultinginconveniencetoruralfamilies,coupledwiththereductionoftheeducationbudget,hadadverselyaffectedpoorpeopleandthoselivinginruralareas,therepresentativestatedthat,onthecontrary,theexpendituresoneducationhadincreasedsubstantiallyduringthepastthreeyears.Itwaspointedoutthataruralschoolclosedonlywhentheschoolrollfellbelow10students,thattheGovernmentprovidedtransportationassistancefromhometoschool,thatnofeeswerechargedforpre-tertiaryschoolchildrenreceivingeducationbycorrespondenceandthattheGovernmentsupportedruralstudiesthrougharangeofotherinitiatives.649.2 .2InresponsetoaquestionaboutthedecliningnumberofMaoriandPacificIslandgirlsenteringhighereducation,asindicatedinthereport,therepresentativestatedthattherehadbeennosuchdecline.ThetextofthereportreferredtothedifferingproportionsofMaoriandnon-Maorifemalesenteringtertiaryeducationdirectlyfromschool.Maoristudentstookabreakandworkedbeforetheyenteredtertiaryeducation.Between1986and1991,thetotalnumberofMaoriuniversitystudentshadmorethandoubledandmorethanhalfwerewomen.TheGovernmentwaspursuingstrategiestoimprovetheparticipationratesandattainmentlevelsatalllevelsofeducation.650.2 .2Anumberofmembersreferredtoareport,preparedbyanongovernmentalorganization,whichhighlightedtheproblemoffeeincreasesfortertiaryinstitutionsandtheirimplicationsforwomen,andaskedwhethertherelevantauthoritieswereawareofthoseproblems.Inresponse,therepresentativestatedthattheGovernmenthadbeencommittedtoincreasingtheavailabilityoftertiaryeducationinafiscallyresponsibleway.Loanswereavailabletostudentstocoverfeesandtheirlivingexpenses,andtheywerenotrequiredtorepaytheloanuntiltheywereinthepaidworkforce.Morewomen,atamorematureage,wereenteringtertiaryeducationthaninthepast,theirnumberdoublingbetween1988and1993.Womenweremovingtowardsequalityinenrolmentinscience,andacomparablenumberofwomenandmenwereenrolledinveterinaryscience,medicineanddentalsurgery.Therewasanincreasedpercentageofwomengraduatesinmedicine,naturalsciencesandengineering.2 .2Article11651.2 .2Inclarifyingthereasonsforthedifferencesobservedinunemploymentratesamongthefemalepopulationinthedifferentethnicgroups,therepresentativeexplainedthatthefiguresforunemploymentinthefemalelabourforcein1993(21.4percentforMaorifemales,19.8percentforPacificIslandfemalesand6.1percentforEuropeanfemales)representedadropintheunemploymentratesofthetwofirstgroupsfrom29.2percentand25.6percent,respectively,in1991.Therewasnosinglereasonforthedifferentratesofunemploymentamongethnicgroups.Contributingfactorsincludedtherestructuringoftheeconomy,whichhadledtoareductioninthenumberofunskilledjobs,ashiftawayfromthemanufacturingsector,andalackofemploymentopportunitiesinregionswhereMaoriandPacificIslandwomenweremoreconcentrated,andlowerlevelsofretentionandattainmentratesforMaoriandPacificIslandgirlsintheeducationsystem.EducationandtrainingwerevitalforMaoriandPacificIslandwomen,andtheGovernmenthadacommitmenttoassistdisadvantagedjobseekersandtodevelopmeasuresforpeoplewhohadnotreceivedformalinstitutionaleducation.Inreplytotheadditionalquestionwhetherchangesintheindustrialenvironmenthadreducedthebargainingpoweroftradeunions,witharesultantadverseeffectonwomen,therepresentativestatedthatcurrentlegislationcontinuedthemovefromoccupationbasedtoindustrybasedbargaining.Thecurrentlegislationdidnotreplacecollectivebargaining,butratherprovidedoptionsforcontractforms.Thecurrentlawextendedpersonalgrievanceprovisionstoallworkersandnowincludedsexualharassmentasabasisforcomplaint.652.2 .2Inansweringanadditionalquestionabouttheprincipleofequalpayforworkofequalvalue,therepresentativeindicatedthatakithadbeenproducedongender-neutraljobevaluationforusebylargeorganizations.653.2 .2Itwasaskedwhethertheunemploymentratehadledtoanamendmentinunemploymentbenefitsandwhetherthesix-monthwaitingperiodwasstillinforce.654.2 .2Anadditionalquestionwaswhywomenwereemployedprimarilyinpart-timejobs.Furtherexplanationswererequested.2 .2Article12655.2 .2Inprovidingadditionalinformationontheimpactofthedecentralizationandrestructuringofthehealthcaresystemandtheeffectsofthechangesonhealthcare,therepresentativesaidthat80percentoftotalhealthexpenditurewaspubliclyfundedandthatthefundinglevelshadbeenmaintainedduringtheeconomicrecession.Sheaddedthatthemechanismsforserviceshadbeenrestructuredtoimproveaccessandeffectiveness,whilecostswerecontained.Areahealthboardshadbeenreplacedbyfourregionalhealthauthorities,whichactedaspurchasersofservicesfortheirpopulation.Inaddition,acorenationalhealthadvisorycommitteehadbeenestablishedtoadvisetheGovernmentontheservicestobefunded.Themedium-termobjectivesforhealthservicesincludedimprovingtheaccessofNewZealanderstohealthanddisabilityservices,improvingthequality,effectivenessandefficiencyoftheservices,andprovidingassistancetothepoor.Undertherestructuredhealthsystem,women'saccesstoservicesshouldbemaintainedandinsomecasesimproved,particularlyaccessforMaoriwomen.Consumerchoiceandprotectionwouldbeenhanced.2 .2&  Article14656.2 .2Itwasaskedwhythepilotprojectonmammographyhadbeenrestrictedtoanolderagegroup.'  657.2 .2Questioningthepracticeoftheeldestsonasthefirstchoicefortheinheritanceofafamilyfarm,therepresentativesaidthatitwasnotalegalpositionbutwasapracticeinfamilyfarming.Itwasbasedontheperceptionthatagriculturewasamaleoccupation;increasingly,however,morewomenwerefarmmanagersintheirownright,ownersorfullpartnerswiththeirhusbands.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Positiveaspects658.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthesecondperiodicreportofNewZealandindicatednewdevelopmentsintheareaoftheadvancementofwomenwhichhadoccurredsincethesubmissionofthefirstreport.Amongthosepositivedevelopmentswere:2 .2(a) .ThewithdrawalofsomeofthereservationsintroducedbyNewZealanduponratificationoftheConvention;2 .2(b) .TheadoptionofthenewHumanRightsActwhichextendedtheareaofprohibiteddiscriminationtocoversex,includingsexualharassment,maritalandfamilystatus;2 .2(c) .Theenactmentoflegislationin1993whichattemptedtocurtailharmfulmaterialintheareaofpornography;2 .2(d) .Theimplementationofmanyprojectsaimedattheenhancementofthestatusofwomenduringthecelebrationofthecentennialofwomen'ssuffrage;2 .2(e) .Theestablishmentduringthosecelebrationsofatrustfundtofosterprojectsthatenhancedthestatusofwomen;2 .2(f) .TheclosecooperationbetweentheGovernmentandthenongovernmentalorganizationsinNewZealandwascommendableandamodeltobecopiedbyothers;2 .2(g) .Violenceagainstwomenhadbeentakenseriouslyandtherewasapolicy,particularlythatadoptedbythepolicedesignedtocombattheproblem;2 .2(h) .Finally,theGovernmenthadachievedremarkableresultsinthestruggletowardsrealizationofdefactoequalityforwomen.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern659.2 .2TheCommittee,however,expresseditsconcernabouttheeconomicstructuraladjustmentprogrammeanditsimpactonwomen'slives,particularlyinthepoorersectionsofthesociety.ThatwasinspiteoftheGovernmentrepresentative'sreassurancethatseveralsocioeconomicsupportmeasureshadbeenintroducedtoovercometheimpactoftherestructuringprocess.660.2 .2TheCommitteeequallynotedthatwomen'sannualincomewasnotequalwiththatofmenformanyreasons,particularlybecauseoftheirneedtoaccommodatefamilyresponsibilities.AlthoughtheGovernmenthadtakenmeasurestoimprovewomen'sincome,ithadabolishedpayequitylegislationduringthereportingperiod.Moreeffortsneededtobetakentoalleviatetheburdenonwomeninthatrespect.661.2 .2InthefieldofemploymentmoreaffirmativeactionneededtobetakenbytheGovernment,incooperationwiththeprivatesector,tohelpwomencopewithbothfamilyandworkresponsibilities.Suchaffirmativeactionwouldhelpintegratewomeninfulltimeemploymentandavoidlimitingtheirparticipationintheworkforcetoparttimeorlowerpaidjobs.662.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteditsconcernthatchangesinlegislationwerelikelytoweakenthetradeunionmovementinNewZealand.Withoutstrongunionsupport,womeninpaidemploymentwouldlackthemeanstonegotiatebetteremploymentconditionswiththeiremployers.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations663.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentreviewitsreservationswiththeintentionofwithdrawingthem,particularlythatenteredtopaidmaternityleave.TheCommitteefounditdifficulttounderstandwhypaidmaternityleavehadnotbeenimplementedinworkinglife.664.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedthatinitsnextreporttheGovernmentprovidemoredetailedinformationabouttheobstacleswhichstillexistedandpreventedwomenfromachievingfullequality.665.2 .2MoreresearchanalysiswasalsoneededonhowtheethnicminoritygroupsmightachievethesamelevelsofequalityasthemajorityofwomeninNewZealand.@ .Senegal666.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofSenegal(CEDAW/C/SEN/2andAmend.1)atits247thmeeting,on27January(seeCEDAW/C/SR.247).667.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheGovernmentofSenegalnotedthatthesocioeconomicsituationofthecountryhadremainedinfluencedbytheunfavourableexchangeratefornationalproducts,externaldebt,climaticconditions,structuraladjustmentmeasures,highinflationandothernegativefactorsaffectingthecountry.668.2 .2Heemphasizedthatthestatusofwomeninhiscountryhadevolvedsincethecolonialperiod.Hestatedthatthecolonialaimhadbeentoconcentrateonwomenintheirreproductiverole.Theyhadnoaccesstoeducation,andtherewasnointentionofabolishingtraditionalpractices.669.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthat,sinceindependenceandfollowingtheadoptionofappropriatelegislation,effortshadbeenmadetoraiseawarenessamongthepopulationregardingimprovementsintheareasofhealthandeducation.Healsoemphasizedtheissuesrelatedtowomen'sroleinthefamily,development,food,self-sufficiencyandworkintheinformalsector.670.2 .2TherepresentativealsoinformedtheCommitteethatrecentlytherehadbeensignificantprogressinwomen'seducationandthattheenrolmentofwomeninschoolswasontherise,includinginhighereducation.Employmentamongwomenhadalsoincreased,withmostwomenworkingintheagriculturalsector,whiletheremainderworkedlargelyinfisheries.However,accesstocreditremainedaproblem,thougheffortswerebeingmadetoredressit.671.2 .2Regardingtheinclusionofwomeninthelabourforce,therepresentativestatedthatwomenrepresented8percentofallworkersintheprivatesectorand15percentinthepublicsector.Intheprivatesector,womenwerepaidbypiece-work,whilemenwerepaidbythehour,manifestingseriousinequalities.672.2 .2Inrespecttofemalecircumcision,therepresentativestatedthatsome20percentofthepopulationstillpractisedgenitalexcisionwithoutanaesthesiaorpsychologicalcounselling,leadingtoseverehealthproblemsamongwomen,includinghaemorrhage.Henotedthattheauthoritiesdidnotapproveofthepractice,butitwasnotprohibitedunderthecountry'sPenalCode.673.2 .2Regardingprostitution,therepresentativeindicatedthatalthoughprostitutionwasnotillegal,ithadbeenpointedoutasthesourceofthetransmittalofsexualdiseases.HeindicatedthatprostituteswererequiredbytheMinistryofHealthtoberegistered,andfailuretodosoresultedinpenalmeasuressuchasimprisonment.HealsosaidthatHIV/AIDSwaslinkedtoprostitution,with30percentofallcasesofHIV/AIDSbeingwomen.674.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthatviolenceagainstwomenremainedaproblemalthoughthePenalCodeprovidedforlegalredress.Rapewasalsofrequentinspiteoftheseverepenalties,andsexualharassment,whichwassometimesconfusedwithmen'sadvancestowardswomen,wasanissuenotdealtwithundertheCode.675.2 .2Withrespecttofamilyplanning,therepresentativeobservedthattherisingdemographictrend(2.8percentyearly)andhighmaternalmortalityhadledtheauthoritiestostartapolicyfortheestablishmentoffamilyplanningcentres,whichhadmultipliedsince1970,partlywiththeassistanceofUNFPA.Awarenessofcontraceptivemethodshadincreased(89.8percentforallmethods),buttheiruseremainedlowowingtoculturaltraditions.Ontheotherhand,abortionwasacrimeaswellastaboo.Finally,heobservedthatsocialbenefitsincludedmedicalcare,maternalassistanceandfullpayduringmaternityleave.676.2 .2Inrespectofthepoliticalparticipationofwomen,therepresentativenotedthattheplacewomenoccupiedinthepoliticalarenawasveryrestricted.OnlythreewomenhadbecomemembersoftheGovernment,whileinParliament,of120members,only15werewomen.TherewasonlyonefemaleMayor,andnowomenheadedanypoliticalparty,noteventheSocialistParty,wherewomenrepresented600,000ofthe800,000members.677.2 .2RegardingthelegislativemeasurestakenbytheGovernment,therepresentativestatedthatobsoletemeasuresinthefamilylawthatgrantedcertainpowerstothehusband,suchasinthelegaldomicileandtherighttoopposethepracticeofaprofessionalactivity,hadbeenrevoked.678.2 .2TherepresentativeobservedthattheMinistryofJustice,incollaborationwithallrelevantministries,wasresponsibleforthepreparationoftheperiodicreportontheimplementationoftheinternationalinstruments.ThereporttotheCommitteehadbeenpreparedinconsultationwithnon-governmentalorganizations,whichofferedtheircommentsandsuggestions.Thoseorganizationshadalsocontributedtothedistributionofthepresentreport.Generalobservations679.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthepoliticalwilloftheGovernmenttochangethestatusofwomen,butalsothattherewasstilldiscriminationagainstwomenandthattheirpotentialcontributionwasnotfullyacknowledged.Itwasfeltthatthereportshouldhaveaddressedtheactualsituationofwomentodeterminetheirprogress,anditwassuggestedthatthenextreportshouldprovideinformationonruralwomen,prostitutionanddisabledwomen,andshouldincludemorestatisticaldataonthedejureanddefactosituations.Generalquestions680.2 .2InresponsetothecommentsmadebymembersoftheCommitteewithrespecttostatistics,femalecircumcisionandstructuraladjustmentsintheeconomicandsocialfields,therepresentativestatedthathisintroductorystatementcontainedtheanswerstothoseissues.681.2 .2InhisreplytothequestionwhethertheMinistryofSocialDevelopmenthadreplacedtheformerMinistryfortheStatusofWomen,andwhatimpactthatwouldhaveontheInter-ministerialCommitteeandtheNationalConsultativeCommission,therepresentativestatedthatitwasanevolutionofthefeministpolicyoftheGovernment.Theintentwastogroupthevariouspoliticalcomponentsunderoneministry,whichwouldalsoberesponsiblefortheimplementationofthatpolicy.682.2 .2WithrespecttotheInter-ministerialCommittee,therepresentativeobservedthatitsrolewastoensurefollowupactiontothefeministandfamilypoliciesdefinedbytheGovernment.AllrelevantministrieswererepresentedontheCommittee.683.2 .2TheroleoftheNationalConsultativeCommissionwastoassisttheHeadofStateindefiningfeministandfamilypolicies.InrelationtothebudgetaryprovisionsfortheMinistryofWomen's,Children'sandFamilyAffairs,therepresentativeobservedthatitreceivedanallocationsimilartothatofotherministries,asprovidedundertheFinanceLawapprovedbytheParliament.Questionsrelatedtospecificarticles2 .2Article1684.2 .2Askedaboutthedefinitionofdiscriminationinthenationallaw,therepresentativeindicatedthataworkinggrouphadbeenestablishedin1993withthetaskofadaptingthenationallegislationtotheinternationalinstrumentsratifiedbythecountry.2 .2Article2685.2 .2Withrespecttotheoffenceoffamilyabandonment,therepresentativeexplainedthatoriginallyarticle332ofthePenalCodehadpenalizedabandonmentofthedomicilebymarriedwomen,andthat,sincethattextwasconsidereddiscriminatory,ithadbeenreplacedbyanewonecondemningtheabandonmentofthedomicilebyeitherspouse,althoughitstillrequiredthatchargesforlegalactionbefiledbythewife.686.2 .2Regardingthesocial,culturalorreligiouscustomshavinganimpactonthelivesofwomenandtheroleoftheMinistryofWomen's,Children'sandFamilyAffairs,theNationalConsultativeCommissionandtheInter-ministerialCommittee,therepresentativenotedthatthecustomsweredeeplyrootedinthesociety.Theauthoritiesconcernedwereawareoftheneedforchangingmentalitiesandhaddevisedaplanofactiontoaddressthosecustomsthathadstymiedtheadvancementofwomen.2 .2Article3687.2 .2Itwasnotedthatalthoughlegalmeasureshadbeentaken,freedomandequalityremainedfragileinaretrogradesocialcontextandthattheGovernmentmustmakeagreaterefforttodevelopwomen'srights.2 .2Article4688.2 .2Withrespecttothefunctioningofthetrainingcentresandtheprogrammesofferedtowomen,therepresentativeobservedthat,bearinginmindthehighnumberofdrop-outstudentsandthelowcapacityoftheeducationalsystemtoabsorbtherapidlygrowingschool-agepopulation,theStateSecretariatandthedifferentministriesrelevanttowomen'sissueshaddecidedtoestablishasystemofvocationaltrainingforwomeninalladministrativedepartmentsinchargeofabsorbingfemaledrop-outstudentsfromthetraditionalsystem.Inthosecentres,whichnumberedabout60,thestaffincludedtrainersandmonitorstotrainthegirlsinhomeeconomics,etc.2 .2Article5689.2 .2InreplyingtoquestionsontheFamilyCodeandtheprovisionsgrantingawomantherighttotakeoverthemanagementofhouseholdaffairsintheeventoftheabsenceofthehusband,therepresentativenotedthatintheabsenceofthehusbandthewifebecametheprovisionaladministratoroftheproperties.690.2 .2ItwasstatedthatcustomscouldonlybechangedgraduallyandthatpolygamywasjustoneformofmarriageinAfrica.Insomecases,itwasachoicethatwomendecidedtomake.Furthermore,itwaspointedoutthatmanyeducatedwomenchoseapolygamousmarriagebecauseitwaseasytoenterintoandeasytogetoutof;consequently,itwouldbedifficulttoabolishsuchapractice.2 .2Article6691.2 .2Inresponsetotherequestforadditionalinformationregardingprostitution,procurement,thepenaltiesprovidedforunderarticle323ofthePenalCodeandtheactiontakenforthesocialandeconomicreintegrationofprostitutes,therepresentativenotedthatprostitutionwasnotprohibitedbylaw,butwassubjecttocontrolbytheMinistryofHealth,whichregisteredallprostitutesformedicalcheck-upsonabi-monthlybasis.Ifprostitutesdidnotregisterthemselves,theyweresubjecttoapenaltyofimprisonment.Furthermore,procurementwasacriminaloffenceunderarticle323ofthePenalCodeandwaslinkedtoprostitutionandtheunemploymentofyoungdestitutewomen.2 .2Article7692.2 .2Inreplyingtoaquestionontheconditionsandcircumstancesbywhichwomencouldbedeprivedoftheircivilandcivicrightsorbedeclaredincapableofmanagingtheirownaffairsandlosetherighttovote,therepresentativenotedtheprovisionofarticle2oftheConstitutionrelativetotheelectorallaw,whichoutlinedtheineligibilityofelectorstovote,inthecaseofaprisonconvictionorcivicdegradationowingtocrimescommitted.However,thoseconditionswereapplicabletobothsexes.ThewomeninSenegalenjoyedlegalcapacityandcouldexerciseitwithoutanyauthorization.693.2 .2Regardingthequestionoftheparticipationofwomeninthepublicservice,forexample,inthearmyandincustoms,therepresentativeadmittedtheexistenceofdiscriminatoryprovisions;however,suchprovisionscouldberemovedasaresultofactionaimedattheadoptioninthenationallegislationofprovisionsofinternationalinstruments.694.2 .2Regardingtheroleplayedbytradeunionsinencouragingwomentoparticipateinthepoliticalandcommercialspheres,therepresentativereferredtotheConstitution,whichallowednodiscriminationintheenjoymentofthatfreedom,orinactiveparticipationintradeunions.Headdedthatwomenwereveryactiveinthisfield.2 .2Article9695.2 .2Askedabouttheapparentdiscriminatoryprovisioninrelationtowomenwhomarriednon-Senegalesemen,therepresentativestatedthatthefive-yearrequirementdidnothaveadiscriminatoryconnotation,butthatitwasaimedatverifyingthattheapplicantwaswellintegratedintoSenegalesesociety.ThatprovisionwasalsointendedtodiscouragearrangedmarriagesforthepurposeofacquiringSenegalesenationality.&  2 .2Article10696.2 .2Inansweringaquestiononthereasonsforyoungwomendroppingoutofschoolandwhyemphasiswasplacedonfindingjobsandtechnicaltrainingrather'  thanonencouragingthemtoreturntoschool,therepresentativereferredtothereasonsgivenunderotherrelevantarticlesandtheperceptionthattheplaceofwomenwasathome.ThattendencymightdisappearinviewofthefocusoftheStateandwomen'sorganizationsontheissue.2 .2Article11697.2 .2Inresponsetoaquestionaboutthepossibilityofwomencompetingforjobsinthecivilserviceandotherareasofthepublicsectoronequaltermswithmen,therepresentativereferredtoLaw6133of1967,whichsetouttherulesandconditionspertainingtohealth,nationalityandotherrequirementsapplicabletointerestedcandidates.Therewasnodiscriminationinthedistributionofposts,buttherewasahierarchyandtherewerecategoriesintheallocationofsalaries.Iftherewerediscrepanciesinsalary,itcouldbeintheprivatesector,wherewomenwereusuallypaidbypiece-workwhilemenwerepaidbythehour.2 .2Article12698.2 .2Inrespectoftheequalaccessofwomentohealthservices,therepresentativestatedthatallmedicalfacilitieswereavailabletoallthoselivinginthecountry.699.2 .2InrespectofspousesinfectedwithAIDS,hestatedthattheywerealertedearlyonbytheservicethatdiscoveredthedisease,withaviewtoavoidingitsspread.700.2 .2Inrespectoffamilyplanning,headdedthatmethodswereavailableinallthemedicalcentresfortheprotectionofthechildandmotherandforfamilyplanning.However,theruralareashadfewercentresthandidtheurbanareas.2 .2Article14701.2 .2Regardingthedefactodiscriminationinruralareaswithrespecttowomen'saccesstolandandtheirvoiceindecisionsaffectinglifeinthecommunity,therepresentativenotedthatthedefactosituationresultedfromtheAfricanperceptionthattheownerofthelandwastheheadofthefamily,whilethewomenwereonlycultivators.2 .2Article15702.2 .2Therepresentativenotedinclarifyingarticle13oftheFamilyCodethatthewifecouldnotleavethedomicileunlessauthorizedbythehusband.However,thatprovisionhadbeenrevokedinarticle332ofthePenalCode,whichoriginallyhaddealtonlywithabandonmentbythewife.TheprovisionhadbeenrevokedinthePenalCodein1977,buttheprovisionofarticle13oftheFamilyCodehadnotbeenmodifieduntil1989.703.2 .2Therepresentativereaffirmedthatwomencouldfullyenjoytheirlegalcapacitieswithouttheauthorizationoftheirhusbands.&  2 .2Article16704.2 .2Inrespectoftheseveralquestionsraisedregardingtheageofmarriage,arrangedmarriages,consentofthehusbandorothermembersofthefamily,the'  representativeobservedthattheminimumageformarriagewas16forwomenand20formen.Headdedthatalthoughmarriageinthecountrywasconsideredasocialphenomenon,theprospectivebrideorgroom,evenifaminor,hadtoexpressconsentfirstinfrontoftheparentsinthepresenceoftwowitnesses,thensubsequentlyinfrontoftherelevantcivilauthoritywhenfillingoutthepapersforthecontractofmarriageand,finally,infrontofthecivilofficialduringtheactualmarriageceremony,wherebothbrideandgroomhadtogivetheiroralconsent.705.2 .2Inreferencetothethreematrimonialpropertysystemsprovidedforunderthelaw,andinreplyingtothequestionswhichofthesystems(communityofproperty,separationofproperty,endowmentsystem)womenselectedmoreoften,whichofthemwomenhadaccesstofortheadministrationoftheirpropertyandhowpropertywasdistributeduponthebreak-upofthemarriage,therepresentativenotedthatthemostcommonsystemchosenwastheseparationofpropertybasedupontheblackAfricanperceptionofmarriageasafamilyissue,contrarytotheGreco-Romanconception,whichviewedmarriageasthechoiceoftheindividual.Furthermore,thecommunityofpropertysystemwasreservedforspouseswhochosemonogamousmarriages.Thedowrysystemwasunknown.706.2 .2Inthecaseofdissolutionofamarriagebasedontheseparatepropertysystem,thespousesretainedtheirrespectiveproperty,asindicatedinitially.Inthecaseofthecommunityofpropertysystem,thecommunitywasdissolvedbyanofficialdesignatedbyajudge,whowoulddividethepropertyintoequalpartsbetweenthespouses.707.2 .2Inrespectofthesupportforchangesinthelawandinpracticeconcerningdiscriminationagainstwomeninthefamilyinrelationtothedowryandsuccessionandequallysharedparentalauthorityrights,therepresentativeobservedtheactiveparticipationofwomen'sorganizationsandthepoliticalwilloftherelevantofficestoadoptnationallegislationaccordingtotheprovisionsoftheinternationalinstrumentsandtomakechangesinthetextsandinpracticeswhichwerediscriminatoryagainstwomen.Furthermore,successionandsharedparentalauthorityrightswereincludedinthepackageofreformunderconsideration.Regardingtheabolitionofpolygamy,therepresentativestatedthatpolygamywasnotencouragedandthatallprovisionsrelevanttothefamilywereusuallyaimedatrestrictingit,asinthecaseoftheirrevocableoptionofmonogamy.However,polygamywasaphenomenonwhichcouldnotbeabolishedmerelybythepassingoflaws.708.2 .2Regardingthelegalpositionofpartiescohabitingandchildrenbornoutofwedlock,therepresentativestatedthatconcubinagewasnotrecognizedinSenegaleselaw,althoughthelawincertaincasescouldbeflexiblebyestablishinglegalfacts.However,inthecaseofcohabitation,therewasthebenefitofbeingabletoskipsomeprocedures,suchastheofficialpublicationtobemadebeforecontractingmarriage.Furthermore,childrenbornduringcohabitationcouldnotberepudiatedordisowned.Therepresentativeaddedthatchildrenbornoutofwedlockwouldtakethenameofthemotherbut,iftheywererecognized,theycouldthentaketheirfather'sname.Theforcedrecognitionofchildrenwasforbidden;ithadtobedonebytheirfatheronavoluntarybasis.&  Additionalquestions709.2 .2Itwasalsonotedthattherateofilliteracywastoohighandthatallwomenhadtohaveaknowledgeofthelawstobeabletoinvokethem.Thequestion'  wasraisedwhethereducationwascompulsory.710.2 .2Withrespecttopoliticalparticipation,asitwasanotheravenueforwomentoexpresstheirrights,itwasaskedwhatwomenthoughtoftheirrepresentationinthisfield.711.2 .2Aquestionwasaskedaboutthereasonforthelimitedopportunitiesforwomeninemployment,anditwassuggestedthatfacilitiesforcreditandthedevelopmentofstrategiesforwomenintheinformalsectorshouldbepursued.712.2 .2AnotherquestionraisedwaswhetherSenegaleselawcouldbecomemoreeffectiveindealingwiththeissueofviolenceagainstwomen.713.2 .2Withrespecttothetwoformsofmarriage,informationwasneededwithwhichtodeterminethebasisforthechoicebetweenpolygamyandmonogamy,asitwasthoughtthatthelawwhichintendedtopromotemonogamycouldhaveunintentionallyhadthereverseeffect.714.2 .2Ananalysisoftheeffectsofthelegislativechangesonthelivesofwomenwassuggestedforthenextreport.715.2 .2Anotherquestionreferredtochildrenbornoutofwedlock,andwhatcouldbedonetoimprovetheirsituation.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction716.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedSenegalonthepresentationofitssecondperiodicreport,whichprovidedessentialinformationonthelawsrelatingtotheimplementationoftheConvention.717.2 .2TheCommitteewassatisfiedwiththeinformationprovidedbytheGovernmentrepresentative,whichmadeitpossibletogainabetterunderstandingoftherealsituationofwomen.718.2 .2TheCommitteeregretted,however,theabsenceofinformationregardingthefactorsanddifficultieswhichwereimpedingimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2Positiveaspects719.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthepoliticalwilloftheStateparty,whichwasendeavouringtocontinueitseffortstoimprovethestatusofwomen.720.2 .2Indeed,itacknowledgedthatvariouspublicinformationcampaignsundertakenbytheGovernmentwouldpromotepublicawarenessoftherightsofwomenunderinternationalconventionsandnationallawswithaviewtoenhancingtheirstatus.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern721.2 .2DespitetheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoguaranteeequalrightsforwomen,certaindiscriminatorypracticespersisted,includingfemalecircumcisionandpolygamy,whichgravelyoffendedthedignityofwomen.722.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatthesituationofwomenwasstillprecariousinthefieldsofhealthandeducation,especiallyinruralareas.723.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthefactthatalargenumberofwomenwerebeingabsorbedbytheinformalsectorwithouteffectivestepsbeingtakentoprotecttheirinterests.724.2 .2Onthequestionofconstraintsimposedbystructuraladjustmentprogrammes,theCommitteebelievedthatthoseconstraintsdidnotabsolvetheStatepartyofitsobligationtoprovidesocialprotectiontothemostvulnerablegroups;namely,women,thepoorandthedisabled.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations725.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheStatepartytostepupitspublicinformationcampaignsonbehalfofwomenandtoexpanditsprogrammestocombattraditionalpracticeswhichaffectwomen'shealthandadvancementinordertoeliminatepersistentformsofdiscriminationagainstwomen.726.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentofSenegalshouldmonitortheeffectiveapplicationofthelawsguaranteeingequalityofthesexesinordertoenablewomentoutilizeandbenefitfromthoselaws.727.2 .2Itwasalsooftheviewthatspecialmeasuresshouldbetakentoreducetheadverseeffectsofstructuraladjustmentpoliciesthatgenerallyaffectwomen.728.2 .2Lastly,theCommitteerecommendedthatthethirdperiodicreportshouldprovidecompleteinformationregardingthelegalandpracticalstepstakentoimplementtheprovisionsoftheConvention. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     @ ." 3.Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis729.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredreportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasisthroughpresentationofthereportsbytheStatesconcerned,followedbyquestionsbytheexpertsandanswersbytheStates.730.2 .2Inheropeningremarksoneachreport,theChairpersonoftheCommitteerecalledthat,atitstwelfthsession,in1993,theCommitteehaddecidedinteraliathatitshould,pursuanttoarticle18oftheConvention,requesttheStatesoftheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviatosubmitareportorreportsonanexceptionalbasisandthatsuchareportorreportsshouldbeconsideredatthenextsession.Inaddition,theCommitteehadputonrecorditscommitmenttolookintosimilargraveviolationsofrightsbeingexperiencedbywomeninanypartoftheworld.9/731.2 .2Shealsostatedthat,inaccordancewiththepracticeofotherhumanrightstreatybodies,theCommittee,deeplyconcernedaboutrecentandcurrenteventsintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviaaffectingthehumanrightsofwomenprotectedundertheConvention,havingnotedthatallthewomenwithintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviawereentitledtotheguaranteesoftheConvention,findingthatthenewStateswithintheboundariesoftheformerYugoslaviahadsucceededtotheobligationsoftheformerYugoslaviaundertheConvention,andactingunderarticle18oftheConvention,hadrequestedcertainStateswithintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslavia,inparticularBosniaandHerzegovina,CroatiaandtheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)tosubmitreportsonanexceptionalbasiswithinthemandategivenbytheCommitteeatitsprevioussession.@ .BosniaandHerzegovina732.TheCommitteeconsideredthereportofBosniaandHerzegovinaatits253rdmeeting,on1February(seeCEDAW/C/SR.253).733.2 .2TherepresentativeofBosniaandHerzegovinamadeanoralreport,inwhichsheconfirmedthecommitmentofhercountrytotheConventionandtoallotherinternationalhumanrightstreaties.Shereferredtotheunprecedentedsufferingofciviliansinhercountryinthelast21monthsasaresultoftheaggressionoftheregularandirregulararmedforcesofSerbiaandMontenegroandtheirsurrogatesinBosniaaswellaspartsofthearmedforcesoftheCroatianDefenceCouncilunderthecommandofextremistnationalistsandwiththeactiveparticipation,andsupportintermsofmanpowerandmilitaryequipment,ofpartsoftheregulararmedforcesofCroatia.Thousandsofpeoplehadbeenkilledorwereunaccountedfor;thousandswerewounded,handicapped,haddisappearedordiedofstarvation,coldanddisease;thousandshadbeenforcedtoabandontheirhomesandtheirland,oftenlosingfamiliesandfriends.Inpursuingthegoalofethniccleansing,whichwasthedirectcauseofthevastmajorityofgrosshumanrightsviolations,variousatrocitiesandtheinflictionofterroramongthepopulation,theSerbaggressorsandCroatextremistsviolatedinternationallegislativestandardsofhumanbehaviour.Numerouscities,variousplacesofworshipandculturalmonumentshadbeendestroyed.Sohadhomes,shopsandplacesofbusiness.Asconfirmedbythenumerousreportsofintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalinvestigatingteams,commissionsandgroups,refugeesinthedetentioncampswereoftenexposedtoterror,tortureandhumiliation.EveninthedeclaredUnitedNations"safeareas",theylivedininhumanconditions,exposedtoindiscriminateshelling,starvationandconstantfear.̇734.2 .2ShereferredtothemassandsystematicrapeofnonSerbianwomenofallages,stressingthatthemajorityhadbeenMuslimwomen,asoneofthemostcomplexmanifestationsofaggression,thepolicyofethniccleansingandaparticularformofgenocide.AccordingtotheStateCommissioninBosniaandHerzegovina,approximately25,000victimshadbeenregistered.Womenhadalsobeenvictimsofmassivedeportationanddetentioninmostofthe200registeredcampsintheoccupiedterritories.Thosecampswerethesceneoflargescalerapes,forcedprostitutionandotherabuses.Sheprovidedexamplesofcamps,restaurantsandhotelswheresuchabusestookplaceonamassivescale.Insomecases,afterbeingraped,womenwerekilled,haddisappearedorhadcommittedsuicide.Thoseactionswerepremeditated,carefullyorganizedandmeantasactstohumiliate,shameanddegradetheentireethnicgroup.Theywerenotjustproductsofthe"warenvironment".Someactsofviolenceagainstwomen'sintegritytookplaceinfrontoftheirfamilymembers,orevenlocalcommunities.Shereferredfurthertothereportsofexperts,submittedtotheGeneralAssemblyortheSecurityCouncil,forexample,thereportoftheSpecialRapporteur(A/48/92S/25341),aswellastherelevantresolutionsofthoseorgans(GeneralAssemblyresolution48/143;SecurityCouncilresolutions780(1992)and798(1992)),inwhichtheystronglycondemnedthoseactsandpointedtotheconsequencesofthosecrimesfortheirvictims,suchasunwantedpregnancies,mainlyendinginabortions,andphysicalandpsychologicaldamage,ruiningtheirfamily,socialandprivatelivesaswellastheirhealthandwellbeing.Forthenationitmeanthumiliation,disintegrationoftraditionandculture.Inordertoassistthevictims,theGovernmenthadcommitteditselftotheirprotection,focusingonfinancial,medicalandpsychotherapeutichelpaswellasthepreventionofanyformofdiscriminationandassistanceintheirreintegrationintosociety.Theissuewasaddressedintheworkofsomenon-governmentalorganizationsandseveralcentreshadbeenopenedtoassisttraumatizedwomen.735.2 .2Shealsoreferredtothesituationofrefugees,inimminentdangerwhilefleeingfromorthroughtheareasofarmedconflictandlivinginverydifficultconditionsinrefugeecamps.Amongtheestimated1,250,000refugeesfromtheterritoryofBosniaandHerzegovina,60percentwerewomenand,of1,288,000displacedpersons,womenconstituted65percent.Theirneeds,however,werefarfrombeingproperlyaddressedinspiteoftheeffortsofnumerouswomen'sgroups,individualsandinternationalorganizations.Themainneedsofwomenrefugeesrelatedtohealthcare,nutrition,basichousingfacilitiesandresponsibilityfortheirchildren.Generalobservations736.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteecommendedthereportandwelcomedthefactthattherepresentativeofthecountrywasattendingthemeetingoftheCommittee,despitethedramaticsituationinthecountry.TheyexpressedtheirsolidarityaswomenwiththewomenofBosniaandHerzegovinaandtheirdeepconcernabouttheprevailingwarandongoingviolationsofhumanrights,particularlytherightsofwomen.Theyexpressedtheirdismayatthedailyinformationaboutongoingatrocities,ethniccleansingandactsofviolencedirectedagainstwomenandchildren,includingmassrapes.Theyemphasizedthat,asmembersoftheCommittee,theywereinterestedinanyfurtherinformationthatcouldleadtoabetterunderstandingandanimprovementofthesituationofwomen,protectionoftheirrights,alleviationoftheirsufferingsandpreventionofactionscontrarytointernationalstandardsofhumanrightsandtheprovisionsoftheConvention.737.2 .2Theviewwasexpressedthatthecrimesagainstwomenshouldbethoroughlylookedinto,likeanyotherhumanrightsviolations.Properlegalproceedingsshouldbeestablished.Anendshouldbeputtotheongoingwarandlastingpeaceandjusticeforallpartiesshouldbeensured.Generalquestions738.2 .2AskedwhethertherewereanyspecificmachineriesforwomenprovidingthemwithhumanitarianandlegalassistanceandinformationabouttheirrightsandtheConvention,therepresentativeansweredthatshewasnotawareofanyspecificmechanismdealingseparatelywithwomen'sissues.PeoplehadmanymoreimmediateanddramaticneedsthattheGovernmenthadtoaddress,suchasthelackofwater,food,fuel,otherbasicgoods,medicinesandshelterinthebesiegedcities.Initiativesandstructuresrelatedtotheadvancementofwomenhadexistedbeforethewar.Shewould,however,providemoredetailsinthenextreport.739.2 .2Otherquestionsrelatedtothespecificassistanceprovidedtowomenvictimsofrape;theexactnumberoftherapeuticandrehabilitationcentresforwomenvictimsofviolence;andthewaysinwhichwomenwereinvolvedintheirorganization.Itwasalsoaskedwhetherthedenunciationoftherapesbytheinternationalpublicopinionandmediawashelpful.740.2 .2Inreplytherepresentativestatedthattherewerespecificcentresforalltraumatizedwomen,providingpsychotherapy,consultationsandotherformsofassistancetoalleviatetheirplight.Althoughthosecentresassistedwomenvictimsofrape,theywerealsoaccessibletootherwarvictimsinordernottolabelandsingleoutrapedwomen.Shewasnotabletoprovidecomprehensiveinformationonthosecentres,andshestatedthatanyassistancefromtheinternationalcommunitywithregardtoalleviatingtheconsequencesofthattraumaticsituationforwomenwashelpful.741.2 .2Withregardtotherequestformoredetailedinformationabouthowthenumberof25,000womenvictimsofrapehadbeenestimated,therepresentativerepliedthatitwasdifficulttocompilethefullevidenceintheconditionsofwar.Certaincampswerenotaccessibleeventotheofficialinvestigatingteams,orhadoftenbeenrelocatedorclosediftheinspectionwasexpected.Certainpartsofthecountryhadnotbeenaccessibleuntilnow.Besides,manywomenwerenotwillingtoprovidetestimony,butratherpreferredtoputthetragedybehindthemandmoveonwiththeirlives.Thus,thedatacompiledbytheStateCommissionhadbeenbasedonthereportsofvariouscommissions,women'stestimonies,informationprovidedbywomen'sgroupsandrefugeewomen.Thefigureof25,000hadbeencarefullyestimatedandwasconsideredonthelowside.Shefurtherpointedtothenecessitytodistinguishbetweentherapethatwasknowntotakeplaceintheenvironmentofwaranddisorderandthegenocidalrapeofwomeninhercountry,whichwasamatterofpolicyandwasusedasmeansofwarfaretoachievethegoalsofethniccleansing,tohumiliatethenationandtheethnicgroup,toresultinforcedpregnanciesremindingwomenoftheterrorandpreventingthemandtheirfamiliesfromleadingnormallives.Thus,attemptstoeducatesocietyhowtohelpthevictimsandcopewiththesituationwereveryimportant.742.2 .2Theexpertsfurtheraskedwhospecificallydealtwiththeconsequencesofviolenceagainstwomen,includingforcedpregnancies,whatmeasureshadbeentakeninthatrespectbytheGovernmentandnongovernmentalorganizationsandwhethertherewereanywomen'ssupportgroups.Itwasaskedwhetherabortionwasaccessibletowomenvictimsofrapeiftheydecidedtoundergoit;whatwasthelegalstatusofchildrenbornasaresultofrapeandwhethertheyweretakenbackbythefamiliesorplacedinorphanages.̇743.2 .2Inreply,theexpertstatedthat,inassistingtraumatizedwomen,theGovernmentcouldnotgomuchbeyondthemeasuresalreadydescribedinherpresentation.Dailypreoccupationwithsuchessentialmattersastheprovisionoffuel,food,clothingandmedicines;maintenanceandreconstructionofelectricity,water,telecommunicationandtransportationlines;restorationofhouses,sheltersandhospitalsabsorbedfullytheGovernment.Besides,thewarwasstillgoingonandcreatingadditionaldailydemands.Therewasnoinformationonthenumberofabortionsperformedasaresultofrape.However,itwasassumedthatanumberofwomendecidedtogivebirthtothechild,neitheradmittingnordiscussingthefactthatithadbeenconceivedastheresultofrape.Therewere,however,alsothecasesofself-inflictedabortions,reportedbysomegrass-rootsorganizations.Althoughthelawpermittedabortion,itwasnotalwayspossibleinpracticeowingtoscarcemedicalfacilities.Therewasalsonospecificinformationonchildrenbornastheresultofforcedpregnanciesandtheincidenceofrape.Numerousnon-governmentalorganizationscarriedoutvariousformsofmedical,psychologicalandtherapeuticactivitiesaimedatassistingthosewomen,helpingthemtocopewiththesituation,togoonwiththeirlives.Someothernon-governmentalorganizationsfocusedonthecollectionofdataandtestimoniesfromwomenvictimsofrapeinordertoprepareforcourtproceedings,includingthefuturepresentationofcasesattheInternationalTribunalfortheProsecutionofPersonsResponsibleforSeriousViolationsofInternationalHumanitarianLawCommittedintheTerritoryoftheFormerYugoslaviasince1991.Thosewomen'sgroupsoftenreceivedassistanceandtrainingfromwomen'snetworksinothercountries,mainlyintheWest.744.2 .2WithregardtothepossibilityoftheInternationalTribunaltakingupthecasesofviolence,thequestionwasaskedwhetherthevictimsofsuchactions,consideredforthefirsttimeaswarcrimesinsteadofindividualactsofviolence,wouldbegivencompensationasvictimsoftortureandspecialassistancebytheGovernment.Compensationtowomenvictimsshouldbeapartofthepeaceagreement.745.2 .2Inreactiontothosestatements,therepresentativerepliedthatherGovernmentattachedgreatimportancetotheestablishmentoftheInternationalTribunaltofollowupthecasesofwarcrimesandthatitconsideredessentialthatrapebeincludedinthelistofwarcrimes.Suchadecisionwouldestablishanimportantlegalprecedent.TheissueofmonetarycompensationtowomenvictimsofwarrapewouldbereferredtoinherGovernment'sregularreport.However,theGovernmentviewedthatissueinthecontextofwarcrimes,consideringrapeasawarweaponandaninstrumentoftheethniccleansingpolicy.746.2 .2Askedaboutthecasesofviolationsofwomen'shumanrightsbymembersofthemilitaryofBosniaandHerzegovinaorbyindividuals,therepresentativesrepliedthat,althoughtheSpecialRapporteurstatedinhisreportthatactsofviolenceagainstwomenhadbeencommittedbyallparties,themajorityofthoseactsweretargetedagainstMuslimwomenbytheSerbs.AtthebeginningoftheaggressionagainstBosniaandHerzegovina,therehadbeennoarmyinhercountryandthedefencehadbeenorganizedbycitizens,inaspontaneousmanner.Thus,therehadbeenindividualcasesofviolenceagainstwomen,eithermeantasactsofrevenge,orindividualwar-relatedactsofviolence.Thosecases,whendiscovered,hadbeenpunishedbytheauthoritieswithdismissalfromthearmyordetention.TheGovernmentalsotookstepstopreventsuchacts.747.2 .2Attentionwasdrawntotherelevanceofgeneralrecommendation19oftheCommitteerelatedtotheissuesofviolenceagainstwomenandthe1974DeclarationontheProtectionofWomenandChildreninEmergencyandArmedConflict(GeneralAssemblyresolution3318(XXIX)).TheobligationofGovernmentstoeliminateandprosecutediscriminationandcasesofviolencecommittedbypublicauthoritiesaswellasindividualswasemphasized.QuestionswereraisedastowhetheranymeasureshadbeentakenbytheGovernmentofBosniaandHerzegovinatopreventviolence,toprotectwomenandchildrenandtoeliminatehatredandwhethertheCommitteecouldhelpinthatrespect.Itwasfurtheraskedwhatwastheroleofwomen'sorganizationsinthatregard.748.2 .2Inreplytothequestionaboutgovernmentpoliciesforassistancetofamiliesinwartime,therepresentativerepliedthat,althoughthecapacityoftheGovernmenthadbeenverylimitedandfocusedontheimmediateandbasicneedsofsociety,theissuehadbeenaddressedinthemassmedia;therewerecentresoffamilycounsellingandtherewereattemptstoraiseawarenessoftheimportanceofthefamilytoitsmembers.749.2 .2Inreplytoquestionsrelatedtothemedicalneedsofwomen,inparticularspecificneedsofwomenvictimsofrape,andtheoverallstateofthehealthservices,therepresentativerepliedthat,althoughthelevelofmedicalserviceshadbeenveryhighinthepast,theyhadbeenlargelydestroyedthroughthewarandwereaffectedbythelackofbasicequipmentandmedicines.Thus,thecapacityofthoseserviceshadbeenverylimitedandcontinuedtobeaffectedonadailybasisbyshellingorsiege.750.2 .2WithregardtotherequesttoassisttheCommitteeinseekingpracticalhelpforwomenatthehighestleveloftheUnitedNationsandthequestionaboutexistingassistanceprovidedtowomenbyinternationalgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizations,therepresentativerepliedthatthoseorganizationshadbeendoingagreatdealtoalleviatethesufferingofthepopulation,buthadnotsucceededinputtinganendtothewar,thecauseofthepresentsituation.SomeorganizationsoftheUnitedNationssystem,suchastheOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees,andhumanitariannongovernmentalorganizationscontributedtotheprovisionofbasicgoodsandassistance,medicalinterventioninseriouscasesrequiringtransferabroadandtrainingforlocalwomen'sgroupsdealingwithtraumatizedwomen.However,muchforeignassistancewasnotavailableowingtothesiegeoftownsandvillages,theblockadeofportsandtheshellingoftransportfacilities.OneoftheexpertsaskedwhatwouldbetheformofassistancefromwomeninWesterncountriesmostrequiredbythewomeninBosniaandHerzegovina.751.2 .2Regardingtheobservationontheimportanceofthefullparticipationofwomeninallspheresoflifeforthefutureofthecountryandreferringtoarequestformoreinformationontheparticipationandroleofwomenindecision-makingbodiesatthegovernmentandlocallevels,aswellasinthepeacenegotiations,anddiscussionsconcerningthefutureofthecountry,therepresentativestatedthatthedatawouldbesubmittedinthenextreport.ShefurtherremarkedthatthereweremanywomenintheforeignserviceandawomanoccupiedthecrucialpostofambassadortoCroatia.752.2 .2Withregardtoquestionsrelatedtothesituationofrefugeewomenandchildren,theirsafety,specificneedsandtheservicestheyrequired,therepresentativestatedthattheirsituationhadbeenincreasinglydifficultasmostofthemlivedontheterritoryofBosniaandHerzegovina,alreadyseverelysufferingfromwarandtheshortageofbasicgoodsandservices,andtheflowofrefugeesfromwaraffectedareastotherefugeecampscontinued.Manyrefugeeshadbeenkilledoraffectedontheirwaytosafetyanditwasverydifficulttoprotectthem.Internationalassistancewasparticularlyimportantinthatrespect,includingtheacceptanceofmanyrefugeesbyforeigncountries.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee753.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtherepresentativeofBosniaandHerzegovinaforpresentingitsreportonanextraordinarybasisdespitetheregrettablesituationinhercountryandalsoforprovidinganswerstomostofthequestionsposedbymembersoftheCommittee.754.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheinformationprovidedaboutthemassiverapeofwomenasaninstrumentofethniccleansingandotherformsofviolationofwomen'shumanrights,andrecalledthatithadalwayscondemnedviolenceagainstwomeninallitsforms.755.2 .2TheCommitteethereforeexpresseditsfullsupportfor,andsolidaritywith,allwomenofBosniaandHerzegovinaintheirsadsituationinthisunfortunatewar.756.2 .2TheCommitteetherefore,whilecondemninginthestrongesttermstheuseofrapeandviolationsofwomen'srightsasaninstrumentofwarfare,calledonallofthewomenofBosniaandHerzegovinanottoremainpassive.Womenmusthenceforthbecomevisibleatboththegovernmentalandnongovernmentallevels.TheCommitteehopedthatinthatwaywomenwouldgeneratethepoliticalwillrequisiteforchangeandanurgentendtothewar.757.2 .2TheCommitteecalledontheGovernment,foritspart,todoallitcouldtostoptherapeandprotectthehumanrightsofwomen,who,asalways,wereparticularlyvulnerableinthisunfortunatefratricidalwar.@ .` FederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)758.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthereportoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)atits254thmeeting,on2February(seeCEDAW/C/SR.254).759.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)describedtheconsequencesofthedisintegrationoftheSocialistFederalRepublicofYugoslavia,thecivilwarinBosniaandHerzegovinawhichhadcausedaflowofrefugeestohercountryandtheblockadeunjustlyimposedonhercountrybytheinternationalcommunity,inparticularasaresultofthesanctionsintroducedbytheSecurityCouncilinitsresolutions757(1992)of30May1992,787(1992)of16November1992and820(1993)of17April1993.Shealsoreferredtothenumerousinterventionsbyvarioushumanitarianorganizationsandindividualstoprovidehumanitarianaidandtodrawtheattentionoftheworldtothedevastatingconsequencesofthesanctionsforthenationaleconomy,socialinfrastructuresandtheentirecivilpopulation,inparticularwomenandthevulnerablegroups.760.2 .2Livingstandardshadfallendramatically.Nationalhealthserviceslackedbasicmedicalsuppliesandinfrastructuresandthesupplyofimportedmedicinesandotherneededgoodswasblockedorobstructedbytheembargo.Mortalityhadincreased,inparticularamongyoungchildrenandtheelderly,ashadthedeathrateofinfantsandpeoplesufferingfromchronicdisease.TheproblemofAIDShadbecomepressingowingtoashortageofdiagnostictests.Womenwereaffectedbytheshortageofcontraceptives,anaestheticsusedforabortionsandbasichygienicitems.Thenumberofmiscarriagesanddeliveriesathomehadincreased,ashadthedeathrateofliveborninfantsandmortalityofmothersandbabiesduringdelivery.Stress,fearofthefutureandseparationoffamiliesoftencausedpsychiatricproblems.Violence,alcoholismandvariousformsofsexualabusehadincreased.Variousformsofviolenceagainstwomenandsexualharassmenthadbeenaddressedthroughnongovernmentalactivities,includingSOStelephoneservicesandbytheGovernment,whichconsideredrapeandtheabuseofwomenandchildrenascrimesthatshouldbecondemnedinthestrongesttermswherevertheyoccurredandthatthoseresponsible,whoevertheywere,shouldbepunished.761.2 .2TherepresentativealsoreferredtotheissueofabusesofwomeninwarzonesandpointedtoherGovernment'spositionthatsuchcrimeswerecontrarytointernationalhumanitarianlaw.Forthosereasons,theGovernmenthadcooperatedactivelywiththeCommissionofExpertsestablishedpursuanttoSecurityCouncilresolution780(1992)of6October1992,investigatingfactsandcollectingdataaboutwomenwhohadbeenvictimsofrapeandhadcometoYugoslaviaasrefugees,withaviewtothephysicalandmentalrehabilitationofthosevictims.TheGovernmenthadalsoestablishedStatebodiestoinvestigateallsuchallegations,collectdataandmonitortherehabilitationofvictimsofsexualabusecommittedinwarareasandhadshelteredthemasrefugeesintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia.SomepartsofthecollectedevidencehadalreadybeenpresentedtotheCommissionofExpertsandhadbeencirculatedasdocumentsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheSecurityCouncil.Forexample,theCommissionformonitoringthesexualabuseofwomen,childrenandmeninconditionsofwar,composedofmedicalexpertsandpsychologists,wassetupintheFederalMinistryofLabour,HealthandSocialPolicy.AlthoughtheCommissiondidnotdiscriminateintermsofnationality,themajorityofvictimswereSerbianfemalerefugeesfromCroatiaandBosniaandHerzegovina.Someofthosewomenhadalreadybeensuccessfullyreintegratedintosociety,ashad,forexample,youngwomenwhohadgivenbirthasaresultofrapeinMuslimandCroatruncampsandbrothels.OthermedicalandexpertsourcesrevealedthatmanySerbwomenhadbeenvictimsofpersecution,sexualtortureandrapeinvariouscampsforSerbs.Some,however,afterhospitalizationwithdrewtheirstatementsandwerenotincludedinanyevidence.Allwhohadbecomepregnantasaresultofrapehadreceivedthenecessaryassistance.Mostofthemdidnotwanttotalkandwantedtoforgeteverythingthathadhappenedtothem.Onlythosewhohadcometohaveanabortionafterafewmonthsofpregnancyandhadbeenrequiredtohaveanexaminationandtoobtaintheapprovalofthespecialmedicalcommission,hadrevealedwhathadreallyhappenedtothem.AconsiderablenumberofwomenwhohadbeenrapedinBosniaandHerzegovina,however,withpregnanciesoflessthan10weeks,hadhadabortionswithoutwaitingfortheCommission'sapprovalandhadconcealedthefactthattheyhadbeenraped.Suchbehaviouronlyconfirmedhercountry'sclaimthat,initsculture,awomanwouldadmitthatshehadbeenrapedonlyifshehadto.Rapewassotraumaticthatitoftencausedsuicidaltendencies.Insteadofcountingthenumberofrapedwomen,tryingtoprovewhichsidehadsufferedmorehardship,doubtingtheirtestimoniesandusingthemforpoliticalmanipulation,itwouldbebettertoassistrapedwomenandreintegratetheminsociety.Generalobservations762.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)forpresentingtheadditionaloralreport,whichwasmoreincompliancethanthewrittenreportwiththerequestmadebytheCommitteeatitstwelfthsessionthattheStatesoftheformerYugoslaviasubmitareportorreportsonanexceptionalbasisinviewoftheCommittee'sdeepconcernaboutrecentandcurrenteventsintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviaaffectingthehumanrightsofwomenprotectedundertheConvention.Thewrittenreport(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)didnotmeetthoserequirements,asitwasmorelikeaperiodicreportanddidnotaddressthesituationofwomenwithregardtotheprevailingarmedconflictandvariousformsofviolenceagainstwomen.Itwasemphasizedbysomethatareportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasisshouldprovidemoreinformationonthespecificsituationofwomenowingtothestateofwar.ThemembersexpressedtheirgraveconcernaboutthesituationofwomenintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro),whohadbeenaffectedbyincreasinglydifficultlivingconditions,inflation,unemployment,increasingviolenceindailylifeandcollapsingsocialandhealthservices.TheyexpressedtheirsolidaritywithallwomenoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)andotherStatesoftheterritoryoftheformerYugoslavia.TheyappealedtothewisdomandsolidarityofwomenintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)toputanendtothewar,toexercisetheforceofrightandtoexertallpossiblepressureonmenatthedecisionmakinglevels,inthemilitaryandinpeacenegotiations,tostopthedestruction,tostopusingwomenastoolsofwarandtoachievepeace.763.2 .2Theviewwasexpressedthat,asinanyarmedconflict,womenandchildrenweretheprimaryvictims.764.2 .2Inresponsetothoseobservations,therepresentativestatedthatthemainemphasishadbeenplacedonregularreportingbecausehercountryhadnotbeenapartytothewarinBosniaandHerzegovina.IthadnothingtodowiththecivilwarinBosniaandHerzegovinabetweenitsthreeconstituentpeoplestheBosnianSerbs,theBosnianMuslimsandtheBosnianCroats,andtheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviahadnoterritorialclaimsonBosniaandHerzegovina.ThelastsoldieroftheformerYugoslavPeople'sArmyhadlefttheterritoryofBosniaandHerzegovinaon19May1992,sothattheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviacouldnotberesponsiblefortheongoingviolationsofhumanrightsinBosniaandHerzegovina.Thus,shewasnotinapositiontoreportonhumanrightsviolationsinBosniaandHerzegovina.TheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviawasdoingitsutmostandplayingaveryconstructiveroleintheongoingGenevapeacenegotiations.Generalquestions765.2 .2Referencewasmadetothefactthat,despitealldiplomaticinitiatives,anditsinternationalization,theconflictkeptdeveloping,withallitsoutrageousconsequencesforwomenandchildren.Itwasaskedwhetherwomenhadthepoliticalwillandstrengthtostopfurtherfighting,organizethemselvesforpeaceatalllevelsandstruggletogether,independentofethnicity,nationalityorreligion,forajustandpeacefulfutureforthecountryandforitsreconstruction.Informationwasalsosoughtastotheroleofnon-governmentalorganizationsinthesearchforpeaceandtheparticipationofwomeninthepeacenegotiations,reconstructionofthecountryanditsfuturedecisionmakingbodies.766.2 .2TherepresentativeansweredthatintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)womensupportedtheGovernment'spolicyrelatedtoBosniaandHerzegovinawhichwasthepolicyofpeace.TogetherwithmenintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia,theysoughtapeacefulsolutiontothewarinBosniaandHerzegovina.Nongovernmentalorganizationsinthecountryhadmadesomeattemptstowardspeace,buthadnotsucceededuptonow.767.2 .2ThemembersoftheCommitteecommentedonvariousnegativeconsequencesofthesanctionsdescribedinthereportandpointedtotheirdamagingeffects,especiallyforwomen,inparticularwithregardtoemployment,healthcare,housing,nutrition,pensions,maternity,childcare,dailyviolence,sexualabuseandthedisintegrationofthefamily.WhilereiteratingconcernthatallsanctionsaffectedthemostvulnerablesocialgroupsandnottheGovernments,referencewasmadetothelackofexplanationinthereportastowhytheembargohadbeenimposed.ItwasaskedwhyreferencewasmadeinthereporttoKosovoandMetohijaasregionsthatwereslowinriddingthemselvesofsometraditionsandcustomsrelatedtoensuringequalityofmenandwomen,andwhythedistinctionwasmadeonethnic,religiousandtraditionalgrounds.Therepresentativerepliedthatthoseregionshadbeensingledoutnotforthepurposeofdiscrimination,butforspecialattention,asrequestedbytheCommitteeatitstenthsession.768.2 .2Theobservationwasmadethatthereportdidnotaddressproperlytheissuesofviolenceagainstwomen.WhileinformationhadbeenprovidedinthestatementontheincreasingdailyaggressionandviolenceagainstwomenintheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro),suchasphysicalviolence,sexualabuse,verbaland/orphysicalcoercionofwomentosexualintercourse,sexualabuseofchildren,verbalandemotionalabuseofwomenandchildren,harassmentandintimidationofwomenattheirplacesofwork,economicabuseofwomenandchildren,therehadbeennoinformationontheissueofrapeasaweaponofwar.AlthoughreferencetomassrapesusedasmeansofwarfarewasincludedinreportsoftheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsandinmanypressreportsonthesubjectinthepasttwoyears,exactinformationanddataonthesubjectwouldbeessentialtotheCommittee.Thesituationinwhichmightprevailedoverrightandmenusedtheirpowertoreturntosuchpracticesofthedarkageswasshockingandrequiredclarificationastothefacts,figuresandactionstakenbytheGovernment,ifany,tobringtheperpetratorstojusticeandassistthevictims.Onemember,however,didnotsharetheviewthatsuchdatawouldbeimportant,butratherfavouredtheviewthatthefocusshouldbeonrehabilitationofandassistancetowomenvictims.Theremarkwasalsomadethatthestatementintheoralreportmadebytherepresentativethat"aberrantandviolentsexualbehaviourisfarfrombeingcharacteristicofthewarintheformerBosniaandHerzegovinaalone;suchbehaviourhasoccurredinallknownwarsthusfar"(seeCEDAW/C/SR.254)wasunacceptable,aswellasimmoralandappalling.769.2 .2TherepresentativestatedthattheaccusationoftheuseofmassrapesasawarweapondidnotapplytohercountryatallbecausetheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviawasnotengagedinthewarinBosniaandHerzegovina.ShereferredtothereportoftheSpecialRapporteur,whichconfirmedtheincidenceofmassrapesbutpointedtoallpartiesintheconflict.Althoughincidentshadhappenedinallwar-tornareas,theevidenceofordered,systematicrapeswasveryweak,andtheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviahadstrongevidenceofSerbianwomenbeingrapedbyCroatsandMuslims.ShealsostatedthattheissueofviolationsagainstwomenwhohadfoundrefugeintheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviahadbeenstudiedbytheStateCommissionforWarCrimesandtheCrimesofGenocideandtheInterdepartmentalGroupoftheFederalGovernmentinvolvingallcrucialministries,non-governmentalorganizationsandassociationsofcitizens.ShestatedthatherGovernmentwaswillingtocooperatewithallinternationalfact-findingbodies.Shealsoapologizedforthesentencethatmightgivethefalseimpressionthatrapewasconsidered,bytheGovernmentoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia,normalbehaviourintimesofwarandaskedthatitbeseeninthecontextofwhatfollowedinherreport,whererapewasclearlycharacterizedasagreatbreachofhumanitarianlaw.770.2 .2Withregardtotheconcernexpressedaboutthesituationandthemarginalizationofdetainedwomen,incidentsofunwantedpregnancy,numerousabortions,womendyingduringdelivery,thedramaticallydecliningbirthrate,andincreasinginfectionwithAIDS,shepointedouttheincreaseddifficultiesthatinfluencedthestatusofwomenintheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviaowingtotheconsequencesofwarinneighbouringBosniaandHerzegovina,generalshortagesandthemalfunctioningofmedicalservicesandsuppliesandthecollapseofsocialstructuresasaresultofthesanctions.Abortionwasstillusedasameansofcontraception.TherewereanincreasingnumberofnewbornchildrenwithAIDS.TheriskofAIDSwasparticularlydangerous,especiallyinviewofthelackofproperinformation,medicinesandsexualeducation,especiallyamongyoungpeople.771.2 .2Askedaboutthedatarelatedtoprostitution,policiesinthatrespectandtheincreasingnumberoffemaleprostitutesvisible,eveninneighbouringcountries,andifthatwasrelatedtotheincidenceofmassiverapes,therepresentativeansweredthatprostitutionwasnotacrimeundertheprovisionsoftheYugoslavPenalCode.Increasednumbersofprostitutes,whoweremainlywomen,butalsoyounggirlsandboys,hadstartedtopractise"covertprostitution"asaresultofthedramaticsituationofthecountryandthelackofbasicgoodsandprospects.772.2 .2Withregardtoquestionsrelatedtothesituationofwomenandchildrenrefugees,therepresentativestatedthattherefugeesfromallneighbouringwar-riddenareaswereacceptedbythesocietyandindividualfamiliesregardlessoftheirethnicorigin,religionornationality.ThiswasalsoapolicyofherGovernment.Referringtothequestionoftheincreasedincidenceofviolencewithinthefamiliesthatreceivedtherefugees,shestatedthatithadresultedfrombasicshortagesanddailyhardshipandhadnothingtodowiththenationalorethnicbackgroundoftherefugeesandthereceivingfamilies.Contrarytotheimage,theculturaldifferencesbetweenthenationsoftheformerYugoslaviawerenotsodrastic,andthosenationshadlivedinpeacetogetherformanyyears.773.2 .2Inconclusion,onemembersaidthattherepresentative'sstatementthathercountryhadnothingtodowiththehumanrightsviolationsinBosniaandHerzegovinawasnotacceptable.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee774.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtherepresentativesoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviaforpresentingtheirreportonanextraordinarybasisinspiteoftheregrettablesituationintheircountryandalsoforprovidinganswerstomostofthequestionsposedbymembersoftheCommittee.775.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssadnessattheplightofthewomenoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviaandrecalledthatithadalwaysdeploredviolenceagainstwomeninallitsforms.Itexpresseditsconcernattheincreasedviolenceperpetratedagainstthewomenofthecountrycausedbythestressanddeprivationcurrentlybeingexperiencedbythepopulation.Itexpresseditsconcernthatthewomenwerealsosufferingtheconsequencesofsanctions,whichwerehavingaseriousimpactontheirhealthcareandnutritioninparticular.ThetragicwarintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviahadaffectedwomen'sdignityashumanbeings,hadcausedlargenumbersofwomentobecomerefugeesandhaddemonstratedwomen'svulnerabilityintimeofconflict.776.2 .2TheCommitteecalledonallthewomenoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslavianottoremainpassive.Womenmustparticipatefullyatgovernmentalandnon-governmentallevelininitiativesforpeaceintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslavia.TheCommitteeexpressedthehopethatthewomenwouldgeneratethepoliticalwillneededforchangeandneededtobringtheconflicttoanend.TheCommitteeawaitedinitiativesfromthewomenoftheFederalRepublicofYugoslaviawhichwouldbringanendtothetragicconflict. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     @ .( V.IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION777.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheimplementationofarticle21oftheConvention(agendaitem5)atits238thmeeting,on19January.778.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthereportpreparedbytheSecretariat(CEDAW/C/1994/4).@ . ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof@ .WorkingGroupII779.2 .2Atits256thmeeting,on3February,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupII.2 .2Draftrecommendationonarticles7and8780.2 .2TheWorkingGroupcarefullyconsideredthedraftrecommendationonarticle7,whichhadbeenpreparedonthebasisofcontributionsfromEvangelinaGarca-PrinceandSalmaKhan,anddecidedtoshortentheoriginaltextsubstantiallyandrestructureittoincludesectionsonthefollowing:(a)backgroundtotheinternationalconventionsthathavebeenadopted;(b)introductiontoandcommentariesonvariousparagraphsofthearticle;(c)declarationofprinciples;and(d)recommendations.TheGroupcompletedthisworkandtherevisedtextwasgiventotheSecretariatfortranslationandcirculationsothatitcouldbetakenupinplenarymeeting.781.2 .2TheWorkingGroupconsideredthedraftrecommendationonarticle8anddecidedtoshortensomesectionsontheroleofwomeningovernmentforeignserviceandincludenewmaterialreferringtothefunctionperformedbywomeninmultilateralorgans,non-governmentalorganizationsandinternationalcompaniesandstressingtheirroleintheestablishmentoflastingpeace.TheWorkingGrouppreparedarevisedtextandsubmittedittotheSecretariatfortranslationandcirculationsothatitcouldbetakenupinplenarymeeting.782.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtocontinueconsiderationofthedraftrecommendationatitsfourteenthsession.2 .2Equalityinmarriageandfamilyrelations783.2 .2Atits258thmeeting,on4February,ontherecommendationofWorkingGroupII,theCommitteeadoptedageneralrecommendationonequalityinmarriageandfamilyrelations(generalrecommendation21),relatingtoarticles9,15and16oftheConvention(forthetext,seechap.I,sect.A).@ .fVI.WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE784.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredwaysandmeansofexpeditingitswork(agendaitem6)atits238thmeeting,on19January.785.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthereportpreparedbytheSecretariat(CEDAW/C/1994/6).786.2 .2ArepresentativeoftheCentreforHumanRightsinformedtheCommitteethattheissueoftheequalenjoymentofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsbywomenhadbeenreflectedintheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.TheConferencehadsetthegoalofuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenbytheyear2000,andhadtakenparticularnoteoftherecommendationmadebytheCommitteeatitseleventhsession,inJanuary1992,thattheoverallissueofreservationstohumanrightsconventionsbeplacedontheagendaoftheConference.787.2 .2SheemphasizedthattheConferencehadalsostressedtheimportanceofworkingtowardstheeliminationofviolenceagainstwomen,aswellastheeliminationofallformsofsexualharassment,exploitationandtraffickinginwomen,genderbiasintheadministrationofjusticeandtheeradicationofanyconflictsthatmightarisebetweentherightsofwomenandtheharmfuleffectsofcertaintraditionalorcustomarypractices,culturalprejudicesandreligiousextremism.788.2 .2ShedrewtheCommittee'sattentiontotherecommendationoftheConferenceregardingahumanrightseducationdecade,andtoGeneralAssemblyresolution48/127of20December1993,inwhichtheAssemblyhadrequestedtheCommissiononHumanRightstoconsiderproposalsforsuchadecade.789.2 .2TheConferencehadrecommendedthatstepsshouldbetakentoincreasecooperationandpromotefurtherintegrationofobjectivesandgoalsbetweentheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,theCommissiononHumanRights,theCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen,andotherUnitedNationsbodies.Inthatcontext,ithadalsocalledforstrengthenedcooperationbetweentheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenandtheCentreforHumanRights.790.2 .2Sheoutlinedtheworkthathadbeencarriedoutbyotherhumanrightstreatybodies,withparticularreferencetothehumanrightsofwomen.791.2 .2ShealsodrewtheCommittee'sattentiontoCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1993/46of8March1993,onintegratingtherightsofwomenintothehumanrightsmechanismsoftheUnitedNations,inwhichtheCommissionencouragedclosercooperationbetweentheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenandothertreatybodies.10/InordertoimplementsomeoftheprovisionsoftheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,theCentreforHumanRightsintendedtoestablishafocalpointonwomen'sissuesintheofficeoftheAssistantSecretaryGeneralforHumanRights,todealwithmattersrelatingtothehumanrightsofwomenwithintheCentre,aswellassystemwide,especiallyinviewoftheupcomingFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.792.2 .2Sheemphasizedthat,inviewoftheincreasingbacklogofreportsandothermattersawaitingconsideration,boththeCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildandtheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightshaddecidedtorequesttheholdingofadditionalsessionsin1994.Similarly,theHumanRightsCommitteehadaskedthatitsforthcomingsummersessionbeextendedbyoneweektoallowadditionaltimefortheCommitteetodealwiththeheavybacklogofcommunicationsundertheOptionalProtocolandreportsfromStatesparties.793.2 .2ReplyingtothequestionsraisedbymanymembersconcerningcooperationbetweentheCentreforHumanRightsandtheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,therepresentativeoftheCentrestatedthat,overthepastfewmonths,therehadbeenanumberofhighlevelcontactsbetweentheCentreandtheDivisionwithaviewtoincreasingcooperationbetweenthetwobodies.794.2 .2Withregardtonon-governmentalorganizations,therepresentativeoftheCentrereportedthatboththeCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildandtheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightshadtakenstepstoinvolvethemintheirworkandhadsetasidetimeforthemtomakeoralstatements.Non-governmentalorganizationshadalsoprovidedmaterialsinconjunctionwiththeconsiderationofcountryreports.795.2 .2Atits250thmeeting,theCommitteeheldageneraldiscussionofitsfunctioning,itsrelationshipwithotherhumanrightstreatybodiesandthesecretariatservicingoftheCommittee.796.2 .2ManymembersnotedthattheworkprogrammeoftheCommitteehadbeenincreasingandhadreachedalevelthatwastooheavytoensurethattheresultswouldbeofthequalityexpectedoftheCommittee.Thenumberofperiodicreportsbeingconsideredduringeachsessionwastoolargeforthetimeavailableandmuchhigherthanforothertreatybodies.Oneexpertnotedthattheuniformityofthepresentationandconsiderationofthereportshadresultedinasomewhatmechanicalapproachtothatfunction.797.2 .2ItwasstatedthatthenatureoftheCommittee'sactivitieshadchangedinthewakeoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsandthatitssphereofactivitynowextendedbeyondmerelyreviewingreports.ThefunctionofprovidingcommentariesonarticlesoftheConventionthroughgeneralrecommendationsandcontributionstosignificantUnitedNationsconferencesandeventshadexpanded.Itwaspointedoutthattheefforttoprovidegeneralrecommendationshadperhapsproceededtoorapidly,andtheCommitteeshouldconsiderslowingthepaceinordertoensurethatthequalityofthefinalrecommendationswouldmeetthehighestprofessionalstandards.798.2 .2ItwasnotedthattherestrictiononmeetingtimefortheCommitteewasasignificantfactorcontributingtoitsdifficultiesincompletingitsworkprogramme.799.2 .2Anumberofsuggestionsweremaderelatingtotheorganizationofwork.Thepossibilityofdesignatingexpertstospecializeininitialreportstobeconsideredatthenextsession,ashadbeendiscussedatpastsessionsoftheCommittee,wasraised,aswasthepossibilityofregionallybasedpresessionmeetings.TheideaofusingelectroniccommunicationtechnologytofacilitatecommunicationsamongmembersandwiththeSecretariatwasalsodiscussed.MemberssuggestedhavingtheBureauoftheCommitteemeetwiththeSecretariat,inadvanceofsessions,inordertoplanthework.Theneedtoemphasizeanalyticalratherthanclarificatoryquestionswasadvanced.ItwasnotedthatnotallmembershadprovidedthepresessionWorkingGroupwithquestionsthatcouldbetakenintoaccountinpreparingthequestionssenttothereportingStates.OnemembersuggestedthatthereportofthepresessionWorkingGroupbereviewedbeforethequestionsweresenttotherespectiveStates.Anothersuggestionputforwardwasthat,inordertoallowadequatetimefororganizationalmatters,noreportsshouldbeconsideredonthefirstdayofthesession.800.2 .2Manymembersemphasizedtheneedtoprovideorientationtonewlyelectedmembers.Itwassuggestedthatsomeformoforientationmanualbeprepared,thatcommunicationswithnewmemberscommenceduringtheyearoftheirelectionandthattimebesetasideatthebeginningofthesessionduringwhichnewmemberswerewelcomedinordertoprovideorientation.801.2 .2MostmembersexpressedconcernaboutthequalityofservicingprovidedtotheCommittee.OnememberstatedthattheservicinghadbeentheworstinthehistoryoftheCommittee.OthersnotedthatthetransferoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenfromViennahadhamperedservicing.Inprinciple,theCommitteeshouldreceivethesamelevelandqualityofservicingasotherhumanrightstreatybodies.802.2 .2ItwasstatedthattheCommitteehadnotreceivedadequateprofessionalsupportintermsofthelegalexpertiseitneeded;theChairpersonhadnotbeenadequatelysupportedbytheSecretariat;andtherewasinsufficientsecretarialandothersupport.ItwassuggestedthattheSecretaryGeneralestablishanidentifiableunitthatwouldworkwiththeCommitteethroughouttheyear,whichcouldprovidecommunicationwithmembers,serviceinitiativestakenbytheChairpersonandbeafocalpointforrequestsforinformationabouttheCommitteeandadvisoryservices.Theimportanceoffillingthenowvacantposition,formerlyoccupiedbytheSecretaryoftheCommittee,withahighlyqualifiedprofessional,wasemphasized.Itwasimportanttoknow,attheoutsetofthesession,whichindividualstaffmembersoftheSecretariathadbeenassignedtowhattasks,sothatmemberscouldbeclearaboutwhomtoapproachonspecificmatters.803.2 .2ConcernwasexpressedaboutthespeedwithwhichtranslationshadbeenmadeavailabletotheCommittee.804.2 .2TheSecretaryGeneraloftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,astheofficialresponsibleforsupervisingtheworkoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenassecretariatfortheCommittee,repliedtoquestions.ShestressedthechangedpoliticalroleoftheCommitteeintheaftermathoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.ShenotedthattheproblemofresourcelevelswascommontoallunitsintheUnitedNationssystemdealingwithwomen'sissuesandthatthetransferoftheDivisionfromViennahadinvolvedlogisticalproblemsthathadhamperedservicing.Shesaidthatthoseproblemsshouldnotbetakenasanexcuseforfailingsintheservicingofthesession.ShehadmadeeffortstoimprovecoordinationwiththeCentreforHumanRights.ShestatedthataspecificunitshouldbecreatedwithintheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomentodealwithwomen'shumanrights,includingtheservicingoftheCommittee.ThatwouldimprovethecareerprospectsofstaffandensuremobilizationoftechnicalsupporttotheCommittee.ǀA.ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof̀WorkingGroupI805.2 .2Atits256thmeeting,on3February,theCommitteeconsideredthereportofWorkingGroupI.@ . 1.SecretariatservicingoftheCommittee806.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheWorldConferenceonHumanRightshadreaffirmedtheroleoftheCentreforHumanRightsinthecoordinationofUnitedNationsactivitiesforhumanrights.ItalsonotedtheroleoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenfortakingstepstoensurethatviolationsofwomen'shumanrightswouldbeaddressedinthehumanrightsregime,includinggender-specificabuses.ItfurthernotedthattheConferencehadcalledforclosecooperationbetweentheCentreandtheDivision.807.2 .2TheCommitteelookedforwardtothatclosercooperationbetweenthetwounitsonthebasisofagreedguidelinesonmethodsofworktoensurethattheCommitteewouldbegiventhesamelevelofservicingasotherhumanrightstreatybodiesanditsworkwouldbeincludedinallpublicationsonhumanrights.TheSecretariatshouldreportoncooperationandcoordinationaspartofitspre-sessionreportonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheworkoftheCommittee.808.2 .2TheCommitteestressedtheneedtohaveadequateresourcesforthispurposeinbothorganizationalunits.ItnotedthefactthattheservicingoftheCommitteehasalwaysbeenabsorbedbytheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenwithoutanincreaseinresourcesandstressedthat,inviewofthegrowingvolumeofworkandnewmandates,theresourcesavailabletotheDivisionforservicingtheCommitteeshouldbeincreased.WithinthestructureoftheDivisionanadequatelystaffedsubstructureshouldbecreatedforservicingtheCommitteeonapermanentbasis.@ . 2.Venueofthefourteenthsession809.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatitsfourteenthsessionwouldbeheldatUnitedNationsHeadquartersin1995.@ . 3.Reviewoftherulesofprocedure810.2 .2TherulesofprocedureoftheCommitteewereoriginallydraftedin1981.IntheinterveningperiodtheCommitteehadadopted,byconsensus,anumberofnewproceduresthatcouldbeinterpretedasinconsistentwiththepublishedrules.TheCommitteehadthereforedecided,atitstwelfthsession,toreviewtherulesofprocedureinordertoadjustthemtoitscurrentprocedures.811.2 .2Followingareviewoftheruleswhichmightneedreformulation,theCommitteerequestedtheSecretariattopreparedraftrevisedrules,basedontheCommittee'scurrentpractice,tobeconsideredbytheCommitteeatitsfourteenthsession.Thedraftsshouldaddresstherulesthatneedtobechanged.TheSecretariatshouldalsomakesuggestionsaboutpossiblerulesthatwouldseemdesirableinthelightoftheCommittee'scurrentpractices.̀4.FormulationofCommitteecommentsonthereports̀ofStatesparties󀀀  812.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtoadoptthepracticenowbecomingcommoninallofthehumanrightstreatybodiesofpreparingconcludingcommentsonthereportsofStatespartiesthathadpresentedthemtotheCommittee,sothatthosecouldbereflectedinthereportoftheCommittee.Thefollowingproceduresforpreparingthosecommentsweredetermined.813.2 .2Attheoutsetofeachsession,theChairpersonshoulddesignate,foreachreport,twomembersoftheCommitteetodraftconcludingcommentstobeconsideredforadoptionbytheCommittee.Totheextentpossible,atleastoneofthoserapporteursshouldbefromtheregionofthereportingState.Forsecondandsubsequentperiodicreports,theyshouldconsultwiththemembersofthepre-sessionworkinggroup.814.2 .2Thecommentsshouldcoverthemostimportantpointsraisedduringtheconstructivedialogue,emphasizingbothpositiveaspectsofthereportsandmattersonwhichtheCommitteehadexpressedconcern,andshouldclearlyindicatewhattheCommitteewishedtheStatepartytoreportoninitsnextreport.Thecommentsshouldbeconcise.Forsecondandsubsequentreports,thecommentsshouldtakeintoaccountthefindingsofthepre-sessionworkinggroupaswellastheconstructivedialogue.815.2 .2ThedraftsshouldbeconsideredinclosedmeetingsoftheCommitteescheduledperiodicallyduringthesession,butatleastoneperweek.816.2 .2Onceagreed,theconcludingcommentswouldbeincorporatedintotheCommittee'sreportontheconsiderationoftheStateparty'sreport.817.2 .2Onememberexpressedherreservationregardingtheformulationofconcludingcomments.@ .` 5.Reportstobeconsideredatthefourteenthsession818.2 .2TakingintoaccountthecriteriathatpreferenceshouldbegiventothoseStateswhosereportshadbeenpendingforthelongesttime,theneedtogiveprioritytotheconsiderationofinitialreports,andthedesirabilityofhavingabalanceofreportsintermsofgeographicandotherfactors,theCommitteedecidedtoconsiderthefollowingreportsatitsfourteenthsession,in1995:2 .2(a) .Initialreports2 .2Bolivia2 .2Chile2 .2Mauritius2 .2St.VincentandtheGrenadines2 .2Tunisia2 .2Uganda2 .2(b) .Secondperiodicreports2 .2Argentina2 .2Finland2 .2Peru2 .2(c) .Thirdperiodicreports2 .2Norway2 .2RussianFederation@ .6.Presessionworkinggroupforthefourteenthsession819.2 .2Afterconsultationsamongmembersbelongingtotheregionalgroupsconcerned,theCommitteedecidedthatthepresessionworkinggroupforthefourteenthsessionshouldconsistofthefollowingmembersandalternates:h^X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ah0 .Member0@ .@ 0 . 0 .0H .H0 .0 .Alternate0 .EvangelinaGarcaPrince0H .H0 .0 .LilianaGurdulichdeCorrea0 .(Venezuela)0 . 0 .0H .H0 .0 .(Argentina)0 .SalmaKhan(Bangladesh)0 .0H .H .0 .[open]0 .HannaBeateSchpp-Schilling0H .H0 . .PirkkoAnneliMniken0 .(Germany)0@ .@ 0 . 0 .0H .H .(Finland)0 .KongitSinegiorgis0 .0H .H0 .0 .AhouaOuedraogo0 .(Ethiopia)0 . 0 .0H .H0 .0 .(BurkinaFaso)SincethereisnocurrentmemberfromEasternEurope,theworkinggroupwillconsistoffourmembers.@ .7.Orientationofnewmembers820.TheCommitteerequestedtheSecretariattoprepareabrieforientationmanualfornewmembersandtodistributeittotheminadvanceofthesessionaswellastoothermembersoftheCommittee.@ .` 8.Organizationoftheworkofthefourteenthsession821.TheCommitteedecidedtobeginconsiderationofthereportsofStatespartiesunderarticle18fromtheseconddayofthesession.̀B.PlanofactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRights̀oftheUnitedNationsSecretariat822.TheCommittee,havingbeenprovidedbytheCentreforHumanRightsoftheUnitedNationsSecretariatwithadraftofitsplanofactivitiesfortheimplementationoftheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,recommendedthattheplanofactivitiesbeamendedinordertostrengthentheCentre'sworkrelatingtothehumanrightsofwomenanditsrelationswiththeCommittee.ItdecidedthatthoseamendmentsshouldbetransmittedbytheChairpersonoftheCommitteetotheAssistantSecretaryGeneralforHumanRights.@ .C.FeasibilityofpreparinganoptionalprotocoltotheConvention823.Atits258thmeeting,on4February,ontherecommendationofWorkingGroupIII,theCommitteeadoptedsuggestion5,onthefeasibilityofpreparinganoptionalprotocoltotheConvention(forthetext,seechap.I,sect.B). $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     ؀VII.CONTRIBUTIONSOFTHECOMMITTEETOINTERNATIONAL̀CONFERENCES@ . A.FourthWorldConferenceonWomen  ( # $(72824.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthestructureandcontentsofdocumentCEDAW/C/1994/7,preparedbytheSecretariatasanoutlineofthecompendiumontheimplementationoftheConventionwhichtheCommitteewasexpectedtosubmittotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,tobeheldinBeijingin1995,andpossiblytoothermeetingsaswell.TheCommitteedecidedtointroducechangesinthetitle,structureandcontentsofthedocumentandpreparedthefollowingtext,whichalsocontainssomedetailsonhowthedocumentwasdrawnup.  2825.3  2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthetitleshouldbechangedto"ReportonprogressachievedintheimplementationoftheConvention"andthatthereportshouldbeexpandedtoincludechaptersonthefollowing:2 .2(a) .Introduction;2 .2(b) .OriginsoftheConventionandpracticesoftheCommittee;2 .2(c) .InterpretationandimplementationoftheConvention;2 .2(d) .ThefutureoftheConventionandtheCommittee.Thecontentofeachchapterwillbeasfollows:@ .1.Introduction  2826.3  2 .2Thereportwillemphasizethat:  2 .22(a)3   .TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenisthefirstinternationaltreatyembodyingthecivil,political,social,economicandculturalrightsofwomen.ItthereforecoversthefullrangeofissuesrelatedtotheroleandpositionofwomeninpublicandprivatelifeandestablishestheobligationofStatespartiestoensurethefulldevelopmentandadvancementofwomenwiththeaimofguaranteeingtheenjoymentandexerciseofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsbywomenonabasisofequalitywithmen.Consequently,theConventionisoneoftheinternationalhumanrightstreaties;  2 .22(b)3   .TheConventionnotonlyembodiestherightscoveredbypreviousinternationalconventionsandtreaties,butalsodefinestheminaclearerandmoredetailedwayinordertoensurethatwomenwillbeabletoexercisethoserights.TheConventionthuscontainsthebasisforpoliciesthatStatespartiesshoulddeveloptoenablewomentoenjoyinternationallyrecognizedhumanrightsdefactoandnotjustdejure;  2 .22(c)3   .TheConventionhasbeenratifiedby132countries.Manyofthosecountrieshaveenteredreservations.Reservationswhichwereenteredtoarticles2and16areofparticularconcern.Conversely,somecountrieswhichhavenotenteredreservationscontinuetopermitpracticeswhichcontraveneparticularprovisionsoftheConvention;  2 .22(d)3   .Inaccordancewitharticle18oftheConvention,theStatespartieshaveundertakentosubmitperiodicreportsontheimplementationoftheConventionforconsiderationbytheCommittee.AsamechanismformonitoringimplementationoftheConventionthroughaconstructivedialoguewithStatespartiesandformakingsuggestionsandgeneralrecommendations,theCommitteecontributesinaveryimportantwaytotheadvancementofhumanrightsinkeepingwiththeprovisionsofthe1993ViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,witheconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentinaccordancewiththeconclusionsoftheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment,andwiththeadvancementofwomen,asprovidedforinthe1985NairobiForwardlookingStrategiesfortheAdvancementofWomen;  2 .22(e)3   .Inthelightoftheforegoing,theConventionisofspecialimportancetotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.ThereportshouldillustratetheimportanceoftheConventiontotheFourthWorldConference.TheConferencewillgiveanimpetustothepromotionofinternationallyrecognizedhumanrightsandfreedomsandwillreactivatetheenforcementoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.TheConferenceshouldencourageuniversalratificationoftheConventionandthewithdrawalofreservationsenteredwithrespecttoit.@ .42.OriginsoftheConventionandpracticesoftheCommittee  2827.3  2 .2ThischaptershouldbedraftedinaccordancewiththetextofdocumentCEDAW/C/1994/7.@ .. 3.InterpretationandimplementationoftheConvention  2828.3  2 .2Thischaptershallconsistofthreeparts:  2 .22(a)3   .AconciseexplanationofhowthecontentoftheCommittee'srecommendations,whichhasbeenexpandedandmademorespecific,hasdeveloped.Itshouldbenotedthat,whilesomeoftherecommendationsrefertotheformatforthepresentationofreportsofStatesparties(recommendations1,2,9and11),reservations(recommendation4),theorganizationoftheworkoftheCommittee(recommendation7)andthedisseminationoftheConvention(recommendation10),mostofthemrefertosomeofthearticlesoftheConvention.Therecommendationsthatcoverseveralarticlesshouldbementionedandtheirtextsrestatedinfull(recommendations12and19concerningviolenceagainstwomenand18concerningdisabledwomen);  2 .22(b)3   .Asectiononeacharticle,containingthefollowing:  2 .2^ .22(i)3  Ԉ0 .Thetextoftherecommendationorrecommendations,ifany,concerningthecontentofthearticle;  2 .2^ .2(ii)3  Ԉ0 .Acomparativeanalysisoftheimplementationofthearticleinaccordancewiththefirst,secondand,insomecases,thirdreports,basedonarepresentativesampleofreportsofcountriesindifferentregionsandatvariouslevelsofdevelopment;  2 .2^ .j2(iii)3  Ԉ0 .Commentariesonthearticle,basedon:02 .20^ .^0 .ContributionssubmittedbythemembersoftheCommitteepriortoJune1994;02 .20^ .^0 .ReportssubmittedbyStatesparties;02 .20^ .^0 .Contributionsfromthespecializedagencies(theSecretariatshouldtakeintoaccounttheoffersmadebytherepresentativeofUNESCOtoorganizemeetingsofexpertsonsomeofthearticlesandbytherepresentativeofILOtomaketechnicalcontributionsintheareasofitscompetence);02 .20^ .^0 .Contributionsfromnongovernmentalorganizations.@ .( 4.ThefutureoftheConventionandtheCommittee  2829.3  2 .2Inthischapter,theSecretariatshouldincludeareferencetotheCommittee'sproposalsregardinganoptionalprotocolandtheprogrammeofactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRights.Inanycase,thechaptershouldreferto:  2 .22(a)3   .TheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,adoptedinJune1993bytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,inwhichitisstipulatedthatthehumanrightsofwomenandofthegirlchildareaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofuniversalhumanrights.Accordingly,thehumanrightsofwomenshouldformanintegralpartoftheUnitedNationshumanrightsactivities,especiallythepromotionoftheConventionandtheanalysis,fromagenderperspective,oftheimplementationoftheotherinternationalhumanrightstreaties;  2 .22(b)3   .Governmentsandintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationsshouldintensifytheireffortsfortheprotectionandpromotionofthehumanrightsofwomenandthegirlchild,onthebasisoftheConventionandtheworkoftheCommittee;  2 .22(c)3   .TheUnitedNationsshouldfurthertheaimofachieving,bytheyear2000,universalratificationoftheConvention,andshouldurgeStatestowithdrawallreservationscontrarytothepurposesoftheConventionorincompatiblewithinternationaltreatylaw;  2 .22(d)3   .Generalrecommendation19oftheCommitteeandinformationprovidedbyStatespartiestotheCommitteeontheissueofviolenceagainstwomenshouldbetakenintoaccountinthemandateandactivitiesoftheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen;  2 .22(e)3   .Inordertoachievetheseobjectives,itisessentialforallwomenintheworld,assoonaspossible,tobecomeawareandtomakeuseoftheConventionindefendingtheirrights.Tothatend,variousactionsareneeded:  2 .2^ .22(i)3  Ԉ0 .TheUnitedNationsshouldensurethattheConventionandthegeneralrecommendationsoftheCommitteearetranslatedintoalllanguagesandwidelydisseminated;  2 .2^ .2(ii)3  Ԉ0 .TheConventionshouldbeincludedinallUnitedNationsprogrammesforthedisseminationandteachingofhumanrights;  2 .2^ .j2(iii)3  Ԉ0 .ThosepersonswithintheGovernmentsofStatespartieswhoareresponsiblefortheimplementationoftheConventionshouldreceivetraininginitscontent,anditsconsiderationbytheacademiccommunityshouldbeencouraged.̇  2830.3  2 .2TheSecretariatshouldsendthedraftofthereporttothemembersoftheCommitteepriortoOctober1994.@ .B.InternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment  2831.3  2 .2Atits258thmeeting,on4February,theCommittee,onthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupIII,adoptedsuggestion6,containingitssuggestiontotheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment(forthetext,seechapI,sect.B).@ .N C.WorldSummitforSocialDevelopment  2832.3  2 .2TheforthcomingWorldSummitforSocialDevelopmentandwaysinwhichtheCommitteeshouldbeinvolvedthereinwereconsideredbyWorkingGroupII.IthadbeforeitareportoftheSecretaryGeneralwhichcontainedtypesofrecommendationsthatcouldbeconsideredbytheSummit(A/CONF.166/PC/6).Thefollowingrecommendationsemergedfromthediscussion.  2833.3  2 .2TheGrouptooktheviewthatthefinaldocumenttobeadoptedbytheSummitshouldtakeagenderapproachtobereflectedinallthetexts.Inaddition,itshoulddevelopmorethoroughlyasectionhighlightingtheimportanceofimprovingthestatusofwomenandgivingadequateconsiderationtotheirneedsinsocialdevelopmentstrategies.TheGroupalsoemphasizedthattheSummitandthedocumentshouldtakeintoaccounttheserioussocialproblemscausedbyadjustmentpolicies,andtheincreasinglynegativeimpactofsuchpoliciesonthestatusofwomen.Internationalfinancialinstitutionsdevelopingandimposingstructuraladjustmentprogrammes,andGovernmentsimplementingthoseprogrammes,neededtopayattentiontothosefactsandtoformulateandimplementdifferentiatedmeasurestoalleviatetheimpactofsuchprogrammesonwomenandchildren.ItwasstatedthattheSummitcouldnotfailtodiscusstheresponsibilityofthedevelopedcountries,intermsofanethicalandpoliticalapproach,inconnectionwiththepossibilitiesofandlimitstosocialdevelopmentinthedevelopingcountries.  2834.3  2 .2TheGroupthoughtithighlydesirablefortheCommitteetoparticipatenotonlyintheSummit,butalsointhepreparatorymeetingstobeheldinNewYorkinJanuaryFebruary1994,AugustSeptember1994,andJanuary1995.TwomembersoftheCommitteeshouldparticipateinthosepreparatorymeetings,onerepresentingthedevelopedcountries,theotherrepresentingthedevelopingcountries.ThepurposeoftheirparticipationwouldbetofollowtheSummitwithaviewtohelpingStatestounderstandthattheConventionisanimportantnormativeinstrumentthatmayoffereffectiveguidelinesinsocialdevelopmentinitiatives,andthatimplementationoftheConventionisindispensabletosocialdevelopment.  2835.3  2 .2WithaneyetothepossibilitythattheCommitteemembersmightparticipateinthefirstpreparatorymeeting,theWorkingGrouppreparedasetofsuggestionsbasedontheexaminationofthereportoftheSecretaryGeneral.Thetextofthosesuggestionsissetoutbelow.  2836.3  2 .2Bothmeaningsoftheconcept"socialdevelopment"shouldincludeaclearunderstandingoftheimportanceofwomen'sissuestosocialdevelopment.Amongtheaspectsofthehumanconditiontobeaddressedistheproblemofdistributionofworkbetweenwomenandmenwhichobtainsinmanysocieties.Whenwomenbearthegreaterburdenofwork,thereissocialinjustice.Onlywhenwomenachieveequalityinallaspectsoflife,includinganequitabledistributionofworkbetweenmenandwomen,willamodelofsocietywhichismoreefficientandmorejustbeachieved.Overviewofthesocialsituation  2837.3  2 .2Inrelationtopoverty,toaddtotheirplight,manywomensufferfromalackofpowerandstatuswithinthefamily.Someoftheobstaclestheymustovercometoachieveequalitywithmeninprivatelifearesetoutingeneralrecommendation21oftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen.Violenceagainstwomeninboththeirpublicandprivatelivesisawidespreadandseriousproblemaffectingtheirabilitytoparticipateatalllevelsandinallsectorsofsociety.ExaminationofStatesparties'reportstotheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomendemonstratesthatviolenceagainstwomenseriouslyaffectstheirabilitytoparticipatefullyinpublicandfamilylife.Socialintegration  2838.3  2 .2AnexaminationofStatesparties'reportstotheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomendemonstratesthatstructuraladjustmentsinsomeeconomieshavehadaseriousimpactonwomen'sabilitytoparticipateintheworkforceandasequalmembersofsociety.ItisraretoothatGovernmentsmoveresolutelytoworktowardsdefactoequalityforwomen.Educationpolicymuststrikeanappropriatebalanceinparticular,abolishinggenderstereotypingsothatwomenareportrayedasvaluedmembersofsociety.Traditionally,becausetheymustcarefortheirfamiliesaswellasearnanincome,andmorerecentlybecauseoftheimpactofstructuraladjustmentsinmanycountries,womenplayasignificantroleintheinformalsector.Womeninallsocietiescontinuetobearadisproportionateandinequitableburdenofwork,continuingtocareforthefamilyandcontributetoitsincome,andinasignificantproportionoffamiliesaresolebreadwinners.Povertyandemployment  2839.3  2 .2Structuralreadjustmentsinmanyeconomieshaveaggravatedtheproblemofdissolutionofhouseholds,andcompoundedthepovertyoflargenumbersofwomenandthechildrenforwhomtheycare.Currenteffortstoassistfamilieshavenotbeenfullyadequateforprotectingwomenwhosupporthouseholds,frequentlywithoutfinancialassistance.Withregardtoemployment,womenwhoarethemselvesmembersofspecificgroupsandwhohaveparticularrolestoplayintheirsupporthaveparticularrequirementsforactiveemploymentpolicies.TypesofrecommendationsthatcouldbeconsideredbytheSummit  2840.3  2 .2TheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsurgedthefullandequalenjoymentbywomenofallhumanrightsandthatthisbeapriorityforGovernmentsandfortheUnitedNations.TheConferencealsounderlinedtheimportanceoftheintegrationandfullparticipationofwomenasbothagentsandbeneficiariesinthedevelopmentprocessandreiteratedobjectivesestablishedonglobalactionforwomentowardssustainableandequitabledevelopment.ǀVIII.PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHEFOURTEENTHSESSIONOF̀THECOMMITTEE( # $(H2841.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaforitsfourteenthsession(agendaitem7),atits238thmeeting,on19January.2842.3  2 .2TheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenintroducedtheproposedagenda(CEDAW/C/1994/6,annexII).2843.3  2 .2OnthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupI,theCommitteedecided,atits256thmeeting,toapprovethefollowingprovisionalagenda:882 2 .21. .Openingofthesession.2 .22. .SolemndeclarationbynewmembersoftheCommittee.2 .23. .Electionofofficers.2 .24. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .25.0 .BackgroundreportoftheChairpersonontheactivitiesundertakenduringtheyear.2 .26.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .2 .Documentation02 .20 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention02 .20 .2 .20 .ReportsofStatespartiestobeconsideredatthefourteenthsession2 .27.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .2 .Documentation2 .20 .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsprovidedbyspecializedagencies02 .20 .02 .20 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneral:analysisofarticle2oftheConventioǹ02 .20 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralontheimplicationsfortheworkoftheCommitteeoftheprioritythemesoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen02 .20 .2 .20 .2 .28. .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.02 .28 .82 .20 .Documentation02 .20 .02 .20 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee02 .20 .2 .20 .2 .29. .ConsiderationofthereportofthefifthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesandactiontakenbytheGeneralAssemblyconcerningtreatybodies.02 .28 .802 .2 .Documentation02 .20 .02 .20 .Reportofthefifthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies 88 P  .10.0 .ContributionoftheCommitteetoforthcominginternationalconferences. . .Documentation .0 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneraltransmittingthedraftofthecompendiumontheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.@ .IX.ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT  882^ 2844.3  2 .2Atits259thmeeting,on4February1994,theCommitteeadoptedthereportonitsthirteenthsession(CEDAW/C/1994/L.1andAdd.116),asorallyamended.@ .Notes882 2 .21/ .SeeReportoftheWorldConferencetoReviewandAppraisetheAchievementsoftheUnitedNationsDecadeforWomen:Equality,DevelopmentandPeace,Nairobi,1526July1985(UnitedNationspublications,SalesNo.E.85.IV.10),chap.I,sect.A.2 .22/ .A/CONF.157/24(PartI),chap.III.2 .23/ .SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.38(A/47/38),chap.I.2 .24/ .A/CONF.157/24(PartII),chap.III,sect.II,para.40.2 .25/ .Ibid.,sect.I,para.18.2 .26/ .Ibid.,sect.II,para.5.2 .27/ .SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyfifthSession,SupplementNo.38andcorrigendum(A/45/38andCorr.1),paras.2831.2 .28/ .Atitstenthsession,theCommitteehaddecidedthat,ifStatespartieswhosereportswereoverduebytheconclusionofthatsessionsowished,theycouldsubmitacombinedreporttotheCommitteeandthatsuchreportsshouldbenumberedbytheSecretariatinawaythatfacilitatedtheiridentification(OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortysixthSession,SupplementNo38(A/46/38),para.370).2 .29/ .OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyeighthSession,SupplementNo.38(A/48/38),chap.I,sect.B.2 .210/ .SeeOfficialRecordsoftheEconomicandSocialCouncil,1993,SupplementNo.3(E/1993/23),chap.II.A. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     @ .AnnexI@ .STATESPARTIESTOTHECONVENTIONONTHEELIMINATIONOFALLFORMSOF@ .( DISCRIMINATIONAGAINSTWOMENASAT4FEBRUARY1994򀀀L@4 , .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof  . DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession  . intoforce򀀀 LAngola .17September1986a/p .p17October1986AntiguaandBarbuda .1August1989a/p .p31August1989Argentina .15July1985b/p .p14August1985Armenia .13September1993a/p .p13October1993Australia .28July1983b/p .p27August1983Austria .31March1982b/p .p30April1982Bahamas .6October1993a/p .p5November1993Bangladesh .6November1984a/,b/p .p6December1984Barbados .16October1980p .p3September1981Belarus .4February1981c/p .p3September1981Belgium .10July1985b/p .p9August1985Belize .16May1990p .p15June1990Benin .12March1992p .p11April1992Bhutan .31August1981p .p30September1981Bolivia .8June1990p .p8July1990BosniaandHerzegovina .1September1993d/p .p1October1993Brazil .1February1984b/p .p2March1984Bulgaria .8February1982c/p .p10March1982BurkinaFaso .14October1987a/p .p13November1987Burundi .8January1992p .p7February1992Cambodia .15October1992a/p .p14November1992Canada .10December1981c/p .p9January1982CapeVerde .5December1980a/p .p3September1981CentralAfricanRepublic .21June1991a/p .p21July1991Chile .7December1989p .p6January1990China .4November1980b/p .p3September1981Colombia .19January1982p .p18February1982Congo .26July1982p .p25August1982CostaRica .4April1986p .p4May1986Croatia .9September1992d/p .p9October1992Cuba .17July1980b/p .p3September1981Cyprus .23July1985a/,b/p .p22August1985CzechRepublice/ .22February1993c/,d/p .p24March1993Denmark .21April1983p .p21May1983Dominica .15September1980p .p3September1981DominicanRepublic .2September1982p .p2October1982Ecuador .9November1981p .p9December1981Egypt .18September1981b/p .p18October1981ElSalvador .19August1981b/p .p18September1981EquatorialGuinea .23October1984a/p .p22November1984Estonia .21October1991a/p .p20November1991Ethiopia .10September1981b/p .p10October1981Finland .4September1986p .p4October1986򀀀L@4 XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof .DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀π L  8France .14December1983b/,c/ .13January1984Gabon .21January1983 .20February1983Gambia .16April1993 .16May1993Germanyf/ .10July1985b/ .9August1985Ghana .2January1986 .1February1986Greece .7June1983 .7July1983Grenada .30August1990 .29September1990Guatemala .12August1982 .11September1982Guinea .9August1982 .8September1982Guinea-Bissau .23August1985 .22September1985Guyana .17July1980 .3September1981Haiti .20July1981 .3September1981Honduras .3March1983 .2April1983Hungary .22December1980c/ .3September1981Iceland .18June1985 .18July1985India .9July1993b/ .8August1993Indonesia .13September1984b/ .13October1984Iraq .13August1986a/,b/ .12September1986Ireland .23December1985a/,b/,c/ .22January1986Israel .3October1991b/ .2November1991Italy .10June1985b/ .10July1985Jamaica .19October1984b/ .18November1984Japan .25June1985 .25July1985Jordan .1July1992b/ .31July1992Kenya .9March1984a/ .8April1984LaoPeople'sDemocratic̀Republic .14August1981 .13September1981Latvia .14April1992a/ .14May1992Liberia .17July1984a/ .16August1984LibyanArabJamahiriya .16May1989a/,b/ .15June1989Lithuania .18January1994a/ .17February1994Luxembourg .2February1989b/ .4March1989Madagascar .17March1989 .16April1989Malawi .12March1987a/,c/ .11April1987Maldives .1July1993a/,b/ .31July1993Mali .10September1985 .10October1985Malta .8March1991a/,b/ .7April1991Mauritius .9July1984a/,b/ .8August1984Mexico .23March1981b/ .3September1981Mongolia .20July1981c/ .3September1981Morocco .21June1993a/,b/ .21July1993Namibia .23November1992a/ .23December1992Nepal .22April1991 .22May1991Netherlands .23July1991b/ .22August1991NewZealand .10January1985b/,c/ .9February1985Nicaragua .27October1981 .26November1981Nigeria .13June1985 .13July1985Norway .21May1981 .3September1981Panama .29October1981 .28November1981򀀀L@4 XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof .DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀 L  8Paraguay .6April1987a/ .6May1987Peru .13September1982 .13October1982Philippines .5August1981 .4September1981Poland .30July1980b/ .3September1981Portugal .30July1980 .3September1981RepublicofKorea .27December1984b/,c/ .26January1985Romania .7January1982b/ .6February1982RussianFederation .23January1981c/ .3September1981Rwanda .2March1981 .3September1981SaintKittsandNevis .25April1985a/ .25May1985SaintLucia .8October1982a/ .7November1982SaintVincentandthèGrenadines .4August1981a/ .3September1981Samoa .25September1992a/ .25October1992Senegal .5February1985 .7March1985Seychelles .5May1992a/ .4June1992SierraLeone .11November1988 .11December1988Slovakiae/ .28May1993c/,d/ .27June1993Slovenia .6July1992d/ .5August1992Spain .5January1984b/ .4February1984SriLanka .5October1981 .4November1981Suriname .1March1993a/ .31March1993Sweden .2July1980 .3September1981Tajikistan .26October1993a/ .25November1993Thailand .9August1985a/,b/,c/ .8September1985TheformerYugoslavRepublic̀ofMacedonia .18January1994d/ .17February1994Togo .26September1983a/ .26October1983TrinidadandTobago .12January1990b/ .11February1990Tunisia .20September1985b/ .20October1985Turkey .20December1985a/,b/ .19January1986Uganda .22July1985 .21August1985Ukraine .12March1981c/ .3September1981UnitedKingdomofGreat̀BritainandNortherǹIreland .7April1986b/ .7May1986UnitedRepublicof̀Tanzania .20August1985 .19September1985Uruguay .9October1981 .8November1981Venezuela .2May1983b/ .1June1983VietNam .17February1982b/ .19March1982Yemeng/ .30May1984a/,b/ .29June1984Yugoslavia .26February1982 .28March1982Zaire .17October1986 .16November1986Zambia .21June1985 .21July1985Zimbabwe .13May1991a/ .12June1991򀀀XXR>4@ .B(Footnotesonfollowingpage)(FootnotestoannexI)__________2 .2a/ .Accession.2 .2b/ .Declarationsandreservations.2 .2c/ .Reservationsubsequentlywithdrawn.2 .22 .2d/ .Succession.2 .2e/ .BeforebecomingseparateStateson1January1993,theCzechRepublicandSlovakiaformedpartofCzechoslovakia,whichStatehadratifiedtheConventionon16February1982.2 .2f/ .Witheffectfrom3October1990,theGermanDemocraticRepublic(whichratifiedtheConventionon9July1980)andtheFederalRepublicofGermany(whichratifiedtheConventionon10July1985)unitedtoformonesovereignState,whichactsintheUnitedNationsunderthedesignation"Germany".2 .2g/ .On22May1990DemocraticYemenandYemenmergedtoformasingleState,whichactsintheUnitedNationsunderthedesignation"Yemen".@ .\AnnexII@ .Z MEMBERSHIPOFTHECOMMITTEEONTHEELIMINATIONOF@ .tDISCRIMINATIONAGAINSTWOMENkaX` @ hpP x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AkNameofmember󀀀CountryofnationalityMCX x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AMCharlotteAbaka*` .`GhanaRyokoAkamatsu*` .`JapanEmnaAouij*` .`TunisiaGlAykor**` .`TurkeyDoraBravoNuezdeRamsey*` .`EcuadorCarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal**` .`SpainSilviaRoseCartwright**` .`NewZealandIvankaCorti*` .`ItalyNormaMonicaForde*` .`BarbadosEvangelinaGarca-Prince**` .`VenezuelaLilianaGurdulichdeCorrea**` .`ArgentinaZagorkaIlic*` .`YugoslaviaSalmaKhan**` .`BangladeshLinShangzhen*` .`ChinaPirkkoAnneliMkinen**` .`FinlandElsaVictoriaMuoz-G;mez**` .`ColombiaTatianaNikolaeva*` .`RussianFederationAhouaOuedraogo**` .`BurkinaFasoTeresitaQuintos-Deles*` .`PhilippinesHannaBeateSchpp-Schilling**` .`GermanyKongitSinegiorgis**` .`EthiopiaMervatTallawy*` .`EgyptRoseN.Ukeje*` .`Nigeria_______________XXR>4̀* .Termofofficeexpiresin1994.̀** .Termofofficeexpiresin1996. $ UK     \R3'\ X      +C<6X9`(CourierC( # $(882^     @ .*AnnexIII@ .DOCUMENTSBEFORETHECOMMITTEEATITSTHIRTEENTHSESSION8HӀDocumentnumberH .HTitleordescriptionCEDAW/C/1994/10H .HProvisionalagendaandannotationsCEDAW/C/1994/20H .HReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1994/30H .HNotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivitiesCEDAW/C/1994/3/Add.10H .HReportoftheWorldHealthOrganizationCEDAW/C/1994/3/Add.20H .HReportoftheInternationalLabourOrganizationCEDAW/C/1994/3/Add.30H .HReportoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationCEDAW/C/1994/3/Add.40H .HReportoftheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsCEDAW/C/1994/40H .HReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticles7and8oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1994/50H .HReportoftheSecretariatontheimplicationsfortheworkoftheCommitteeoftheprioritythemesoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenCEDAW/C/1994/60H .HReportoftheSecretariatonwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1994/70H .HOutlineofthedraftoftheupdatedcompendiumontheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen  CEDAW/C/1994/CRP.10H .HProposedorganizationofworkoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1994/CRP.20H .HReportofthepresessionworkinggroupCEDAW/C/1994/INF.1/Rev.2H .HListofparticipantsCEDAW/C/1994/L.1andAdd.116H .HDraftreportoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1994/WP.1,3,4and6160H .HGeneralcommentsoftheCommitteeonthereportsoftheStatespartiesǀDocumentnumberH .HTitleordescriptionCEDAW/C/1994/WG.I/WP.1andRev.1H .HReportofWorkingGroupICEDAW/C/1994/WG.II/WP.1,2and0H .HReportofWorkingGroupIIRev.1and4CEDAW/C/1994/WG.III/WP.10H .HReportofWorkingGroupIII@ . ReportsofStatespartiesCEDAW/C/AUL/20H .HSecondperiodicreportofAustraliaCEDAW/C/BAR/230H .HCombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofBarbadosCEDAW/C/COL/23/Rev.10H .HCombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofColombiaCEDAW/C/13/Add.310H .HSecondperiodicreportofEcuadorCEDAW/C/ECU/30H .HThirdperiodicreportofEcuadorCEDAW/C/GUA/12andCorr.10H .HCombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsandAmend.10H .HofGuatemalaCEDAW/C/5/Add.630H .HInitialreportofGuyanaCEDAW/C/JPN/20H .HSecondperiodicreportofJapanCEDAW/C/JPN/30H .HThirdperiodicreportofJapanCEDAW/C/LIB/1andAdd.10H .HInitialreportoftheLibyanArabJamahiriyaCEDAW/C/5/Add.65/Rev.20H .HInitialreportofMadagascarCEDAW/C/NET/1andAdd.130H .HInitialreportoftheNetherlandsCEDAW/C/NZL/2andAdd.10H .HSecondperiodicreportofNewZealandCEDAW/C/SEN/2andAmend.10H .HSecondperiodicreportofSenegalCEDAW/C/ZAM/120H .HCombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofZambiaCEDAW/C/YUG/SP.10H .HReportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasisbytheFederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)@ .\AnnexIV̀STATUSOFSUBMISSIONANDCONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBỲSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTIONONTHÈELIMINATIONOFALLFORMSOFDISCRIMINATIONAGAINSTWOMENAS@ .hAT4FEBRUARY1994* d,dd ,vdd ,^ dd ,dd +  ))Statesparties  Datedue*  Dateofsubmission  ConsideredbyCommittee(session/year) &;x&A.Initialreportsdueandsubmittedasat4February1994 ";x"Angola  17October1987     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1990     "x"Argentina  14August1986  6October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.39)  Seventh(1988) "x"Australia  27August1984  3October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.40)  Seventh(1988) "x"Austria  30April1983  20October1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.17)  Fourth(1985) "x"Bangladesh  6December1985  12March1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.34)  Sixth(1987) "x"Barbados  3September1982  11April1990(CEDAW/C/5/Add.64)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Belarus  3September1982  4October1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.5)  Second(1983) "x"Belgium  9August1986  20July1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.53)  Eighth(1989) ";x"Belize  15June1991     ";x"Benin  11April1993     ";x"Bhutan  30September1982     "x"Bolivia  8July1991  8July1991(CEDAW/C/BOL/1)26August1993(CEDAW/C/BOL/1/Add.1)   ";x"Brazil  2March1985     "x"Bulgaria  10March1983  13June1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.15)  Fourth(1985) "x"BurkinaFaso  13November1988  24May1990(CEDAW/C/5/Add.67)  Tenth(1991) ";x"Burundi  7February1993     ";x"Cambodia  14November1993     "x"Canada  9January1983  15July1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.16)  Fourth(1985) ";x"CapeVerde  3September1982     "x"CentralAfricanRepublic  21July1992     "x"Chile  6January1991  3September1991(CEDAW/C/CHI/1)   "x"China  3September1982  25May1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.14)  Third(1984) "x"Colombia  18February1983  16January1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.32)  Sixth(1987) ";x"Congo  25August1983     ";x"CostaRica  4May1987     ";x"Croatia  9October1993     "x"Cuba  3September1982  27September1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.4)  Second(1983) "x"Cyprus  22August1986  2February1994(CEDAW/C/CYP/12)   "x"Denmark  21May1984  30July1984(CEDAW/C/5/Add.22)  Fifth(1986) ";x"Dominica  3September1982     "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1983  2May1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.37)  Seventh(1988) "x"Ecuador  9December1982  14August1984(CEDAW/C/5/Add.23)  Fifth(1986) "x"Egypt  18October1982  2February1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.10)  Third(1984) "x"ElSalvador  18September1982  3November1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.19)  Fifth(1986) "x"EquatorialGuinea  22November1985  16March1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.50)  Eighth(1989) ";x"Estonia  20November1992     "x"Ethiopia  10October1982  22April1993(CEDAW/C/ETH/13)   "x"Finland  4October1987  16February1988(CEDAW/C/5/Add.56)  Eighth(1989) "x"France  13January1985  13February1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.33)  Sixth(1987) "x"Gabon  20February1984  19June1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.54)  Eighth(1989) "x"Germany  9August1986  15September1988(CEDAW/C/5/Add.59)  Ninth(1990) "x"Ghana  1February1987  29January1991(CEDAW/C/GHA/12)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Greece  7July1984  5April1985(CEDAW/C/5/Add.28)  Sixth(1987) ";x"Grenada  29September1991     "Gx"Guatemala  11September1983  2April1991(CEDAW/C/GUA/12andCorr.1)7April1993(CEDAW/C/GUA/12/Amend.1)  Thirteenth(1994)Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Guinea  8September1983     ";x"GuineaBissau  22September1986     "x"Guyana  3September1982  23January1990(CEDAW/C/5/Add.63)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Haiti  3September1982     "x"Honduras  2April1984  3December1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.44)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Hungary  3September1982  20September1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.3)  Third(1984) "x"Iceland  18July1986  5May1993(CEDAW/C/ICE/12)   "x"Indonesia  13October1985  17March1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.36)  Seventh(1988) "x"Iraq  12September1987  16May1990(CEDAW/C/5/Add.66/Rev.1)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Ireland  22January1987  18February1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.47)  Eighth(1989) "x"Israel  2November1992  12January1994(CEDAW/C/ISR/1)   "x"Italy  10July1986  20October1989(CEDAW/C/5/Add.62)  Tenth(1991) "x"Jamaica  18November1985  12September1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.38)  Seventh(1988) "x"Japan  25July1986  13March1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.48)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Jordan  31July1993     "x"Kenya  8April1985  4December1990(CEDAW/C/KEN/12)  Twelfth(1993) "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1982     ";x"Latvia  14May1993     ";x"Liberia  16August1985     "x"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15June1990  18February1991(CEDAW/C/LIB/1)4October1993(CEDAW/C/LIB/1/Add.1)  Thirteenth(1994)Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Luxembourg  4March1990     "x"Madagascar  16April1990  21May1990(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65)8November1993(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65/Rev.2)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Malawi  11April1988  15July1988(CEDAW/C/5/Add.58)  Ninth(1990) "x"Mali  10October1986  13November1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.43)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Malta  7April1992     "x"Mauritius  8August1985  23February1992(CEDAW/C/MAR/12)   "x"Mexico  3September1982  14September1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.2)  Second(1983) "x"Mongolia  3September1982  18November1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.20)  Fifth(1986) ";x"Namibia  23December1993     ";x"Nepal  22May1992     "x"Netherlands  22August1992  19November1992(CEDAW/C/NET/1)17September1993CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.120September1993(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.2)9October1993CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.3  )))Thirteenth(1994))) "x"NewZealand  9February1986  3October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.41)  Seventh(1988) "x"Nicaragua  26November1982  22September1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.55)  Eighth(1989) "x"Nigeria  13July1986  1April1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.49)  Seventh(1987) "x"Norway  3September1982  18November1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.7)  Third(1984) "x"Panama  28November1982  12December1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.9)  Fourth(1985) "x"Paraguay  6May1988  4June1992(CEDAW/C/PAR/12)   "x"Peru  13October1983  14September1988(CEDAW/C/5/Add.60)  Ninth(1990) "x"Philippines  4September1982  22October1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.6)  Third(1984) "x"Poland  3September1982  10October1985(CEDAW/C/5/Add.31)  Sixth(1987) "x"Portugal  3September1982  19July1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.21)  Fifth(1986) "x"RepublicofKorea  26January1986  13March1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.35)  Sixth(1987) "x"Romania  6February1983  14January1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.45)  Twelfth(1993) "x"RussianFederation  3September1982  2March1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.12)  Second(1983) "x"Rwanda  3September1982  24May1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.13)  Third(1984) "x"SaintKittsandNevis  25May1986     ";x"SaintLucia  7November1983     "x"SaintVincentandtheGrenadines  3September1982  27September1991(CEDAW/C/STV/13)   ";x"Samoa  25October1993     "x"Senegal  7March1986  5November1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.42)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Seychelles  4June1993     ";x"SierraLeone  11December1989     "x"Slovenia  5August1993  23November1993(CEDAW/C/SVN/1)   "x"Spain  4February1985  20August1985(CEDAW/C/5/Add.30)  Sixth(1987) "x"SriLanka  4November1982  7July1985(CEDAW/C/5/Add.29)  Sixth(1987) "x"Sweden  3September1982  22October1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.8)  Second(1983) "x"Thailand  8September1986  1June1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.51)  Ninth(1990) ";x"Togo  26October1984     "x"TrinidadandTobago  11February1991     "x"Tunisia  20October1986  17September1993(CEDAW/C/TUN/1   "x"Turkey  19January1987  27January1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.46)  Ninth(1990) "x"Uganda  21August1986  1June1992(CEDAW/C/UGA/12)   "x"Ukraine  3September1982  2March1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.11)  Second(1983) "Gx"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  7May1987  25June1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.52)  Ninth(1990) "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  19September1986  9March1988(CEDAW/C/5/Add.57)  Ninth(1990) "x"Uruguay  8November1982  23November1984(CEDAW/C/5/Add.27)  Seventh(1988) "x"Venezuela  1June1984  27August1984(CEDAW/C/5/Add.24)  Fifth(1986) "x"VietNam  19March1983  2October1984(CEDAW/C/5/Add.25)  Fifth(1986) "x"Yemen  29June1985  23January1989(CEDAW/C/5/Add.61)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Yugoslavia  28March1983  3November1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.18)  Fourth(1985) ";x"Zaire  16November1987     "x"Zambia  21July1986  6March1991(CEDAW/C/ZAM/12)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Zimbabwe  12June1992    &;x&B.Secondperiodicreportsdueandsubmittedasat4February1994 ";x"Angola  17October1991     "x"Argentina  14August1990  13February1992(CEDAW/C/ARG/2)   "x"Australia  27August1988  24July1992(CEDAW/C/AUL/2)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Austria  30April1987  18December1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.27)  Tenth(1991) "x"Bangladesh  6December1989  23February1990(CEDAW/C/13/Add.30)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Barbados  3September1986  4December1991(CEDAW/C/BAR/23)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Belarus  3September1986  3March1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.5)  Eighth(1989) "x"Belgium  9August1990  9February1993(CEDAW/C/BEL/2)   ";x"Bhutan  30September1986     ";x"Brazil  2March1989     ";x"Bulgaria  10March1987     "x"BurkinaFaso  13November1992     "x"Canada  9January1987  20January1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.11)  Ninth(1990) ";x"CapeVerde  3September1986     "x"China  3September1986  22June1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.26)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Colombia  18February1987  14January1993(CEDAW/C/COL/23)2September1993(CEDAW/C/COL/23/Rev.1)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Congo  25August1987     ";x"CostaRica  4May1991     "x"Cuba  3September1986  13March1992(CEDAW/C/CUB/23)   ";x"Cyprus  22August1990     "x"Denmark  21May1988  2June1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.14)  Tenth(1991) ";x"Dominica  3September1986     "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1987  26April1993(CEDAW/C/DOM/23)   "x"Ecuador  9December1986  28May1990(CEDAW/C/13/Add.31)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Egypt  18October1986  19December1986(CEDAW/C/13/Add.2)  Ninth(1990) "x"ElSalvador  18September1986  18December1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.12)  Eleventh(1992) "x"EquatorialGuinea  22November1989  6January1994(CEDAW/C/GNQ/23)   "x"Ethiopia  10October1986  22April1993(CEDAW/C/ETH/13)   "x"Finland  4October1991  9February1993(CEDAW/C/FIN/2)   "x"France  13January1989  10December1990(CEDAW/C/FRA/2)(CEDAW/C/FRA/2/Rev.1)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Gabon  20February1988     ";x"Germany  9August1990     "x"Ghana  1February1991  29January1991(CEDAW/C/GHA/12)  Eleventh(1992) ";x"Greece  7July1988     "Gx"Guatemala  11September1987  2April1991(CEDAW/C/GUA/12andCorr.1)7April1993(CEDAW/C/GUA/12/Amend.1)  Thirteenth(1994)Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Guinea  8September1987     ";x"GuineaBissau  22September1990     ";x"Guyana  3September1986     ";x"Haiti  3September1986     "x"Honduras  2April1988  28October1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.9)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Hungary  3September1986  29September1986(CEDAW/C/13/Add.1)  Seventh(1988) "x"Iceland  18July1990  5May1993(CEDAW/C/ICE/12)   ";x"Indonesia  13October1989     ";x"Iraq  12September1991     ";x"Ireland  22January1991     ";x"Italy  10July1990     ";x"Jamaica  18November1989     "x"Japan  25July1990  21February1992(CEDAW/C/JPN/2)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Kenya  8April1989  4December1990(CEDAW/C/KEN/12)  Twelfth(1993) "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1986     ";x"Liberia  16August1989     ";x"Malawi  11April1992     ";x"Mali  10October1990     "x"Mauritius  8August1989  23February1992(CEDAW/C/MAR/12)   "x"Mexico  3September1986  3December1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.10)  Ninth(1990) "x"Mongolia  3September1986  17March1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.7)  Ninth(1990) "x"NewZealand  9February1990  3November1992(CEDAW/C/NZE/2)27October1993(CEDAW/C/NZE/2/Add.1)  Thirteenth(1994)Thirteenth(1994) "x"Nicaragua  26November1986  16March1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.20)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Nigeria  13July1990     "x"Norway  3September1986  23June1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.15)  Tenth(1991) ";x"Panama  28November1986     "x"Paraguay  6May1992  4June1992(CEDAW/C/PAR/12)   "x"Peru  13October1987  13February1990(CEDAW/C/13/Add.29)   "x"Philippines  4September1986  12December1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.17)  Tenth(1991) "x"Poland  3September1986  17November1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.16)  Tenth(1991) "x"Portugal  3September1986  18May1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.22)  Tenth(1991) "x"RepublicofKorea  26January1990  19December1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.28andCorr.1)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Romania  6February1987  19October1992(CEDAW/C/ROM/23)  Twelfth(1993) "x"RussianFederation  3September1986  10February1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.4)  Eighth(1989) "x"Rwanda  3September1986  7March1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.13)  Tenth(1991) "x"SaintKittsandNevis  25May1990     ";x"SaintLucia  7November1987     "x"SaintVincentandtheGrenadines  3September1986  27September1991(CEDAW/C/STV/13)   "x"Senegal  7March1990  23September1991(CEDAW/C/SEN/2)(CEDAW/C/SEN/2/Amend.1)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"SierraLeone  11December1993     "x"Spain  4February1989  9February1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.19)  Eleventh(1992) "x"SriLanka  4November1986  29December1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.18)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Sweden  3September1986  10March1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.6)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Thailand  8September1990     ";x"Togo  26October1988     ";x"Tunisia  20October1990     "x"Turkey  19January1991  7February1994(CEDAW/C/TUR/2)   "x"Uganda  21August1990  1June1992(CEDAW/C/UGA/12)   "x"Ukraine  3September1986  13August1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.8)  Ninth(1990) "Gx"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  7May1991  11May1991(CEDAW/C/UK/2)(CEDAW/C/UK/2/Amend.1)  Twelfth(1993) "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  19September1990     ";x"Uruguay  8November1986     "x"Venezuela  1June1988  18April1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.21)  Eleventh(1992) ";x"VietNam  19March1987     "x"Yemen  29June1989  8June1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.24)(CEDAW/C/13/Add.24/Amend.1)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Yugoslavia  28March1987  31May1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.23)  Tenth(1991) ";x"Zaire  16November1991     "x"Zambia  21July1990  6March1991(CEDAW/C/ZAM/12)  Thirteenth(1994) &x&C.Thirdperiodicreportsdueandsubmittedasat4February1994 ";x"Australia  27August1992     ";x"Austria  30April1991     "x"Bangladesh  6December1993  26January1993(CEDAW/C/BDG/3)   "x"Barbados  3September1990  4December1991(CEDAW/C/BAR/23)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Belarus  3September1990  1July1993(CEDAW/C/BLR/3)   ";x"Bhutan  30September1990     ";x"Brazil  2March1993     ";x"Bulgaria  10March1991     "x"Canada  9January1991  9September1992(CEDAW/C/CAN/3)   ";x"CapeVerde  3September1990     ";x"China  3September1990     "x"Colombia  18February1991  14January1993(CEDAW/C/COL/23)2September1993(CEDAW/C/COL/23/Rev.1)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Congo  25August1991     "x"Cuba  3September1990  13March1992(CEDAW/C/CUB/23)   "x"Denmark  21May1992  7May1993(CEDAW/C/DEN/3)   ";x"Dominica  3September1990     "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1991  26April1993(CEDAW/C/DOM/23)   "x"Ecuador  9December1990  23December1991(CEDAW/C/ECU/3)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Egypt  18October1990     ";x"ElSalvador  18September1990     "x"EquatorialGuinea  22November1993     "x"Ethiopia  10October1990  22April1993(CEDAW/C/ETH/13)   ";x"France  13January1993     ";x"Gabon  20February1992     ";x"Greece  7July1992     ";x"Guatemala  11September1991     ";x"Guinea  8September1991     ";x"Guyana  3September1990     ";x"Haiti  3September1990     "x"Honduras  2April1992  31May1991(CEDAW/C/HON/3)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Hungary  3September1990  4April1991(CEDAW/C/HUN/3)   ";x"Indonesia  13October1993     ";x"Jamaica  18November1993     "x"Japan  25July1994  28October1993(CEDAW/C/JPN/3)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Kenya  8April1993     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1990     ";x"Liberia  16August1993     ";x"Mauritius  8August1993     "x"Mexico  3September1990  1December1992(CEDAW/C/MEX/3)   ";x"Mongolia  3September1990     "x"Nicaragua  26November1990  15October1992(CEDAW/C/NIC/3)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Norway  3September1990  25January1991(CEDAW/C/NOR/3)   ";x"Panama  28November1990     ";x"Peru  13October1991     "x"Philippines  4September1990  20January1993(CEDAW/C/PHI/3)   "x"Poland  3September1990  22November1990(CEDAW/C/18/Add.2)  Tenth(1991) "x"Portugal  3September1990  10December1990(CEDAW/C/18/Add.3)  Tenth(1991) "x"RepublicofKorea  26January1994     "x"Romania  6February1991  19October1992(CEDAW/C/ROM/23)  Twelfth(1993) "x"RussianFederation  3September1990  24July1991(CEDAW/C/USR/3)   "x"Rwanda  3September1990  18January1991(CEDAW/C/RWA/3)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"SaintLucia  7November1991     "x"SaintVincentandtheGrenadines  3September1990  27September1991(CEDAW/C/STV/13)   ";x"Spain  4February1993     ";x"SriLanka  4November1990     "x"Sweden  3September1990  3October1990(CEDAW/C/18/Add.1)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Togo  26October1992     "x"Ukraine  3September1990  31May1991(CEDAW/C/UKR/3)   ";x"Uruguay  8November1990     ";x"Venezuela  1June1992     ";x"VietNam  19March1991     "x"Yemen  29June1993  13November1992(CEDAW/C/YEM/3)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Yugoslavia  28March1991    &;x&D.Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis "x"BosniaandHerzegovina    1February1994oralreport(seeCEDAW/C/SR.253)  Thirteenth(1994) )Wx)FederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)    2December1993(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)2February1994oralreport(seeCEDAW/C/SR.254)  Thirteenth(1994)8` H .* .Oneyearpriortotheduedate,theSecretaryGeneralinvitestheStatepartytosubmititsreport.9417362(E)174