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UnitedNations  N  W_ !  #aPddxbydxbyyxbReportoftheCommitteeonthe W EliminationofDiscriminatioǹagainstWomendydxbd#dPaP(Fifteenthsession)   GeneralAssemblydOfficialRecordsdTdTdTTdԀFiftyfirstSession i  SupplementNo.38(A/51/38)  ! dTdTdT    MA/51/38      E) `CG TimesEReportoftheCommitteeonthèEliminationofDiscriminatioǹagainstWomen#dPEd* `CG TimesE(Fifteenthsession)GeneralAssembly  OfficialRecordsE) `CG TimesEEd* `CG TimesEFiftyfirstSessionSupplementNo.38(A/51/38) * b=fQA=z (  ` @@b - UnitedNationsE) `CG TimesEEd* `CG TimesEԀNewYork,1996  E) `CG TimesERl 4  4    @.. NOTE .. SymbolsofUnitedNationsdocumentsarecomposedofcapitalletterscombinedwithfigures.MentionofsuchasymbolindicatesareferencetoaUnitedNationsdocument. .. ThedesignationsemployedandthepresentationofthematerialinthisdocumentdonotimplytheexpressionofanyopinionwhatsoeveronthepartoftheSecretariatoftheUnitedNationsconcerningthelegalstatusofanycountry,territory,cityorareaorofitsauthorities,orconcerningthedelimitationofitsfrontiersorboundaries. #/ @..ISSN0255-0970#dd A UK     \R3'\ X      + 8  8 C?<6X9`(CourierC    ( @ $(g882       [Original:English/French/Spanish]  [9May1996]@..\CONTENTS 88tChaptert..tParagraphsPage   , )8 8,  P"), ., .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL...........................................P" .!vi, .dI. .MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES..............P" .!1, ., .A. .Decisions...................................................P" .!1, ., . .Decision15/I...............................................P" .!1, ., . .Decision15/II..............................................P" .!1, ., . .Decision15/III.............................................P" .!1, ., . .Decision15/IV..............................................P" .!1, ., .B. .Suggestions.................................................P" .!2, ., . .Suggestion15/1.............................................P" .!2, ., . .Suggestion15/2.............................................P" .!2, ., . .Suggestion15/3.............................................P" .!2, .II. .ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS.................... .<123P" .!3, ., .A. .StatespartiestotheConvention................ .<12P" .!3, ., .B. .Openingofthesession.......................... .<314P" .!3, ., .C. .Attendance......................................15P" .!5, ., .D. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.16P" .!5, ., .E. .Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup......... .1720P" .!6, ., .F. .Compositionandorganizationofworkofthe, ., . .workinggroups.................................. .2123P" .!6, .III. .REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIES, ., .UNDERTAKENBETWEENTHEFOURTEENTHANDFIFTEENTH, ., .SESSIONSOFTHECOMMITTEE........................... .2433P" .!7, .IV. .CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES, ., .UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION.................. .34331P" .!9, ., .A. .Introduction.................................... .3436P" .!9@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8,  p"), ., .B. .Considerationofreports.........................p .p .837331" .L"9, ., . .1. . Initialandsecondperiodicreports..........p .p .837133" .L"9, ., . . . Cyprus.......................................p .p .83766" .L"9, ., . . . Iceland......................................p .p .867104" .!12, ., . . . Paraguay.....................................p .p .105133" .!16, ., . .2. . Initial,secondandthirdperiodicreports...p .p .134163" .!19, ., . . . Ethiopia.....................................p .p .134163" .!19, ., . .3. . Secondperiodicreports......................p .p .164196" .!22, ., . . . Belgium......................................p .p .164196" .!22, ., . .4. . Secondandthirdperiodicreports............p .p .197228" .!26, ., . . . Cuba.........................................p .p .197228" .!26, ., . .5. . Thirdperiodicreports.......................p .p .229300" .!29, ., . . . Hungary......................................p .p .229264" .!29, ., . . . Ukraine......................................p .p .265300" .!32, ., . .6. . Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis....p .p .301331" .!36, ., . . . Rwanda.......................................p .p .301331" .!36, .dV. .WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEEp .p .332349" .!39, ., .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorking, ., .GroupI..............................................p .p .334349" .!39, .VI. .IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION.......p .p .350366" .!44, ., .A. .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof, ., . .WorkingGroupII.................................p .p .352353" .!44, ., .B. .StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficials....p .p .354366" .!44, .VII. .RESULTSOFTHEFOURTHWORLDCONFERENCEONWOMEN......p .p .367373" .!47VIII. .PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHESIXTEENTHSESSION......... .374375" .!48, .IX. .ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT...............................p .p .376" .!49@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tt .tPage   , )8 8 P")@ .Annexes .I. .StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllForms . .ofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat2February1996............P" .!50 .II. .MembershipoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscrimination . .againstWomen....................................................P" .!54 .4III. .DocumentsbeforetheCommitteeatitsfifteenthsession..........P" .!55 .IV. .Statusofsubmissionandconsiderationofreportssubmittedby . .Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventiononthe . .EliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat . .2February1996..................................................P" .!57 . .A. .Initialreports..............................................P" .!57 . .B. .Secondperiodicreports......................................P" .!63 . .C. .Thirdperiodicreports.......................................P" .!68 . .D. .Fourthperiodicreports......................................P" .!72 . .E. .Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis....................P" .!74882^ @ .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL̀# .2February1996Sir,2 .2Ihavethehonourtorefertoarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,accordingtowhichtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,establishedpursuanttotheConvention,"shall,throughtheEconomicandSocialCouncil,reportannuallytotheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsonitsactivities".2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditsfifteenthsessionfrom15Januaryto2February1996atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.Itadoptedthereportonthesessionatits309thmeeting,on2February.ThereportisherewithsubmittedtoyoufortransmissiontotheGeneralAssemblyatitsfifty-firstsession.2 .2Accept,Sir,theassurancesofmyhighestconsideration. 888 .(Signed)Q8 .IvankaCORTI .Q8 .Chairperson .Q8 .CommitteeontheElimination .Q8 .*ofDiscriminationagainstWomenHisExcellencyMr.BoutrosBoutros-GhaliSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsNewYork   A UK     \R3'\ X      +C?<6X9`(CourierC( @ $(h882   @ .` I.MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES@ .bA.Decisions@ .bDecision15/I1.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatespartiestotheConventionforthedecisionadoptedattheeighthmeetingofStatespartiesandforGeneralAssemblyresolution49/164anddecision49/448,bothof23December1994,andresolution50/202of22December1995,concerningtheamendmenttoarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConvention.2.2 .2TheCommitteelooksforwardtotheratificationoftheamendmentbyStatespartiesasquicklyaspossible.3.2 .2Fortheinterimperiod,theCommitteeurgestheappropriateintergovernmentalbodiestoauthorizeadequatemeetingtimetoenabletheCommitteetocontinuetoreducetheincreasingbackloginStatesparties'reportsawaitingreview.4.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersthatatleasttwo3weeksessionsannually,eachprecededbyapresessionworkinggroup,areneededtoalleviatetheheavyworkloadoftheCommittee.5.2 .2TheCommitteerequeststheSecretariattoinformtheCommitteeatitssixteenthsessiononactiontakenattheninthmeetingofStatespartiesconcerningarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConvention,pursuanttoGeneralAssemblyresolution50/202.@ .0Decision15/II2 .2TheCommitteedecidestorequesttheSecretariattoprepareforitssixteenthsessionananalysisofthepracticeofotherhumanrightstreatybodiesinreceivinginformationfromnongovernmentalorganizationsandparticipationofthelatterinthemeetingsofthosebodies.@ .Decision15/III2 .2TheCommitteedecidestodispenseinitsreportwiththepublisheddetailedsummaryofthediscussiononreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesinconformitywitharticle18oftheConvention.Summaryrecordswill,however,beretainedandtheconcludingcommentsandrecommendationsoftheCommitteewillbeprecededbyabriefsummaryofthepresentationoftheStatesparties.TheCommitteereiteratesitsdecisionthattheconcludingcommentsbetransmittedtotheStatespartiesconcernedimmediatelyafterthecloseofthesession.@ .0Decision15/IV2 .2TheCommitteewishestodrawtheattentionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomentotheCommittee'ssuggestion7onelementsforanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,whichhadbeenagreeduponatthefourteenthsessionoftheCommitteeandwascontainedinthereportonthatsession.TheCommitteeurgestheCommissiontopreparetheoptionalprotocolatitsfortiethsession,inMarch1996,andrecallsthatattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenconsensuswasreachedto"supporttheprocessinitiatedbytheCommissionontheStatusofWomenwithaviewtoelaboratingadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenthatcouldenterintoforceassoonaspossible...".@ .B.Suggestions  Suggestion15/1.OptionalprotocoltotheConventiononthèEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminatioǹagainstWomenontherighttopetition󀀀  2 .2Notingthatagendaitem5oftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenincludesdiscussiononanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,theCommitteesuggests:2 .2(a) .ThattheCommissionontheStatusofWomenconsiderinvitingtwoexpertsoftheCommitteetoparticipateasresourcepersonsinthedeliberationsoftheopenendedworkinggroupoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenconcerningtheelaborationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen;2 .2(b) .ThatduringthedeliberationsoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenoritsopenendedworkinggroup,ifquestionsconcerningtheworkingmethods,anddecisionsoftheCommitteearise,andnoexpertoftheCommitteeisinattendance,thosequestionsbetransmittedformallytotheChairperson,whowillrespondimmediately.  Suggestion15/2.ClosercooperationandcoordinationbetweeǹtheCommitteeandtheUnitedNations󀀀̀Children'sFund󀀀  2 .2HavingnotedwithapprovaltheemphasisplacedonthegirlchildattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,heldatBeijing,andbearinginmindtheroleoftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFundinprotectingandsafeguardingthelivesofchildrenandtheCommittee'smandateinpromotingtheadvancementofwomen,theCommitteeconsidersitimportantanddesirabletostrengthenitscollaborationwiththeUnitedNationsChildren'sFundinordertogiveeffecttotheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Consequently,theCommitteeinvitestheUnitedNationsChildren'sFundtogivedueconsiderationtostrengtheningcollaborationwiththeCommitteeinordertoachievetheobjectivesoftheabovementionedConventions.  Suggestion15/3.AnappealtoallStatespartiesthathavèratifiedtheConventionbutnotyet󀀀̀submittedtheirperiodicreports󀀀  2 .2TheCommitteecommendsallStatespartiesthathaveratifiedtheConvention,buthavingregardtotheincreasingnumberofoutstandinginitialreports(48),secondperiodicreports(41),thirdperiodicreports(55)andfourthperiodicreports(38),theCommitteesuggeststhatStatespartiescomplywitharticle18oftheConventionbysubmittingtheirreportspromptlyinordertoensurethattheCommitteecarriesouteffectivelyitsmandateundertheConvention.+&  @ . II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS  A.StatespartiestotheConventionontheElimination󀀀ofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen󀀀  1.2 .2On2February1996,theclosingdateofthefifteenthsessionofthe'  CommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,therewere151StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,whichwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution34/180of18December1979andopenedforsignature,ratificationandaccessioninNewYorkinMarch1980.Inaccordancewitharticle27,theConventionenteredintoforceon3September1981.2.2 .2AlistofStatespartiestotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@ .B.Openingofthesession3.2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditsfifteenthsessionatUnitedNationsHeadquartersfrom15Januaryto2February1996.TheCommitteeheld24plenarymeetings(285thto309th)anditstwoworkinggroupseachheld6meetings.4.2 .2ThesessionwasopenedbytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,Ms.IvankaCorti(Italy),whohadbeenelectedatthefourteenthsessionoftheCommittee,inJanuary1995.5.2 .2Inhisopeningstatement,madeonbehalfoftheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNations,theUnder-SecretaryGeneralforPolicyCoordinationandSustainableDevelopment,Mr.NitinDesai,stressedthattheviewsofthemembersoftheCommitteeasmembersoftheUnitedNationstreatybodymostdirectlyconcernedwiththestatusofwomenwouldbeextremelyvaluableinfollowuptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.6.2 .2HerecalledthattheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionadoptedattheConferencereaffirmedthefundamentalprinciplesetforthintheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,adoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,thatthehumanrightsofwomenandthegirlchildareaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofuniversalhumanrights.Asanagendaforaction,thePlatformforActionsoughttopromoteandprotectthefullenjoymentofallhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsofwomenthroughouttheirlifecycles.7.2 .2HedrewattentiontofourrecommendationsofthePlatformforActionwhichweremadeontheworkoftheCommittee.TheConferenceurgedtheeradicationofallformsofdiscriminationagainstwomenandsetagoalofuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenbytheyear2000.ItalsourgedallGovernmentstolimittheextentofreservationsthatarecontrarytotheobjectandpurposeoftheConventionorwhichareotherwiseincompatiblewithinternationaltreatylaw.Itrecommendedthatgenderaspectsbeincludedinreportingonallhumanrightsconventionsandinstruments,includingConventionsoftheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO),toensureanalysisandreviewofthehumanrightsofwomen.TheConferencealsostressedthattheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,inimplementingitsresponsibilitiesundertheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,should,withinitsmandate,takeintoaccountthePlatformforActionwhenconsideringthereportssubmittedbyStatesparties.8.2 .2TheUnderSecretaryGeneralsuggestedthattheguidelinesforpresentationofreportsunderarticle18oftheConventioncouldbeausefultoolforencouragingStatespartiestoidentifyelementsoftheirimplementationoftheConventionthattheyalsosawasservingasfollowuptothePlatformforAction.9.2 .2HeinformedtheCommitteethattheSecretaryGeneralhadappointedMs.RosarioGreentoactashisSpecialAdviserongenderissuesandhelpensuresystemwideimplementationofthePlatformforAction,inclosecooperationwiththeDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,inkeepingwitharecommendationoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.ShealsoassiststheSecretaryGeneralinassuringthatagenderperspectiveisintegratedintopoliciesandprogrammesinallareasofthesystemandisfullytakenintoaccountinfurtheringtheOrganization'slinkageswithcivilsociety.Ms.Greenwilldrawupontheexpertiseandassistanceofallexistingentitiesworkinginthisarea,includingtheDepartmentforPolicyCoordinationandSustainableDevelopment,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen(UNIFEM),theInternationalResearchandTrainingInstitutefortheAdvancementofWomen,thefocalpointonwomenintheDepartmentofAdministrationandManagementandallotherentitiesintheUnitedNationssystem.10.2 .2TheUnderSecretaryGeneralnotedthattheincreaseinratificationoracceptanceoftheConvention,withtheaccessionofLiechtensteininDecember1995,signalledmoreworkfortheCommittee.11.2 .2Inthisconnection,hereferredtoGeneralAssemblyresolution49/164of23December1994,inwhichtheAssemblyrequestedStatespartiestomeettoconsiderthequestionofamendingarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConventiontoprovideforadequatemeetingtimefortheCommittee.HeinformedtheCommitteethatsubsequenttotheStatespartiesmeetingheldon22May1995,theGeneralAssemblyhadadoptedresolution50/202of22December1995,inwhichtheAssemblyurgedStatespartiestotakeappropriatemeasuressothatacceptancebyatwo-thirdsmajorityofStatespartiescouldbeachievedassoonaspossibleinorderfortheamendmenttoenterintoforce.12.2 .2TheUnder-SecretaryGeneraldrewtotheCommittee'sattentiontheSecretariat'sreportonwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1996/6),inwhichitwasproposedtoadoptthepracticeofotherhumanrightstreatybodiesofpreparingaconcisereportemphasizingconcludingcommentsonStatespartiesreportswhileretainingsummaryrecordstoreflecttheconstructivedialogue.13.2 .2TheUnder-Secretary-GeneralinformedtheCommitteethat,basedontheCommittee'ssuggestionNo.7,theEconomicandSocialCounciladoptedresolution1995/29of24July1995,entitled"ConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen",inwhichtheCouncilrequestedtheSecretary-GeneraltoinviteGovernments,intergovernmentalorganizationsandnongovernmentalorganizationstosubmittheirviewsonanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,includingthoserelatedtofeasibility,takingintoaccounttheelementssuggestedbytheCommitteeatitsfourteenthsession.Inresponsetothatrequest,anoteverbalewassentbytheSecretaryGeneraltoallGovernmentsinformingthemofthedecisionoftheGeneralAssembly.Repliesarebeingreceived,andtheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,whichwillmeetfrom11to22March,willbeginworkontheprotocol.14.2 .2AlsoaddressingtheCommittee,theAssistantSecretaryGeneralandSpecialAdvisertotheSecretaryGeneralsaidshewashonouredtobecoordinatingtheUnitedNationssystemwidefollowuptotheWorldConferenceonWomen,andhopedthat,infulfillinghertasks,shecouldcountontheexpertsintheCommitteefortheirassistance.@ .0C.Attendance  15.2 .2AllmembersoftheCommitteeattendedthefifteenthsession.However,Ms.TendaiRuthBareattendedfrom17Januaryto2February,Ms.CarlotaBusteloGarcadelRealfrom15Januaryto1February,Ms.AuroraJavatedeDiosfrom23Januaryto2February,Ms.SalmaKhanfrom16Januaryto2February,Ms.ElsaV.MuozG;mezfrom16Januaryto2February,Ms.GinkoSatofrom22Januaryto2February,Ms.LinShangzhenfrom22Januaryto2February,andMs.MervatTallwayfrom22Januaryto2February1996(forthemembershipoftheCommittee,seeannexII).@ . D.Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork  16.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaandorganizationofwork(CEDAW/C/1996/1)atits285thmeeting,on15January1996.Theagendaasadoptedwasasfollows:02 .21. .Openingofthesession.02 .22. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.02 .23.0 .ReportoftheChairpersonontheactivitiesundertakenbetweenthefourteenthandthefifteenthsessionsoftheCommitteeandconsiderationofthereportofthesixthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesandactiontakenbytheGeneralAssemblyconcerningtreatybodies.02 .24.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.02 .25.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.02 .26.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen.02 .27. .ResultsoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.02 .28. .Provisionalagendaforthesixteenthsession.02 .29.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitsfifteenthsession.@ . E.Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup  17.2 .2TheCommitteehaddecidedatitsninthsession1/toconveneapresessionworkinggroupforfivedaysbeforeeachsessiontopreparelistsofquestionsrelatingtothesecondandsubsequentperiodicreportsthatwouldbeconsideredbytheCommitteeatthesession.TheCommitteedecidedthatmembersoftheCommitteeshouldcontinuetosubmittotheSecretariatdraftquestionsonspecificcountriesandarticlesoftheConventionpriortothemeetingoftheworkinggroup.InaccordancewiththedecisionoftheCommitteeatitsthirteenthsession,thepresessionworkinggroupmetatUnitedNationsHeadquarters.Owingtotheweatherconditions,thepresessionworkinggroupmetfrom8to12January1996.18.2 .2InaccordancewiththeprovisionalagendaoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1996/1),theworkinggrouppreparedalistofquestionsforfourcountries:Belgium,Cuba,HungaryandUkraine.19.2 .2TheCommitteehadoriginallyproposedthatfivemembersshouldbepartofthepresessionworkinggroup.AstherewasnomemberontheCommitteefromeasternEurope,andowingtoillnessoftwoofthedesignatedmembers,theworkinggroupconsistedinitiallyofonlytwodesignatedmembers,whowerelaterjoinedbytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,Ms.IvankaCorti.ThemembersofthepresessionworkinggroupwereIvankaCorti,CarmelShalev(Chairperson)andKongitSinegiorgis.20.2 .2Atthe291stmeeting,on18January1996,theChairpersonofthepre-sessionworkinggroupintroducedthereportoftheworkinggroup(CEDAW/C/1996/CRP.1).Membersadoptedthereportcontainingthelistofquestions,whichwassenttotheStatepartiesconcerned.@ .F.Compositionandorganizationofworkoftheworkinggroups  21.2 .2Atits286thmeeting,on15January1996,theCommitteeagreedonthecompositionofitstwostandingworkinggroups:WorkingGroupItoconsiderwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommitteeandWorkingGroupIItoconsiderwaysandmeansofimplementingarticle21oftheConvention.22.2 .2WorkingGroupIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:DesireePatriciaBernard,TendaiRuthBare,CarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal,IvankaCorti,LilianaGurdulichdeCorrea,SalmaKhan,LinShangzhen,ElsaVictoriaMuoz-G;mez,HannaBeateSchppSchilling,KongitSinegiorgis,MervatTallawy,CharlotteAbaka,GlAykor,MiriamYolandaEstradaCastillo.23.2 .2WorkingGroupIIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:CharlotteAbaka,EmnaAouij,SilviaRoseCartwright,AuroraJavatedeDios,MiriamYolandaEstradaCastillo,EvangelinaGarcaPrince,SunaryatiHartono,SalmaKhan,PirkkoAnneliMkinen,AhouaOuedgraogo,GinkoSato,CarmelShalev,LinShangzhen,KongitSinegiorgis,MervatTallawy.  III.REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIES̀UNDERTAKENBETWEENTHEFOURTEENTHAND̀FIFTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHECOMMITTEE  24.2 .2Atthe285thmeeting,theChairpersonoftheCommittee,inherintroductorystatement,saidthat1995hadbeenaparticularlyimportantyearinthehistoryoftheCommittee.ThenumberofratificationsoftheConventionhadincreasedfrom136to150.InApril1995,theCommitteehadheldaoneweekmeetingatMadrid,hostedbytheGovernmentofSpain.ThatwasthefirsttimethattheCommitteehadheldanextraordinarymeetingsupportedfinanciallybyaGovernment.ThemembersoftheCommitteealsoattendedtheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenatBeijing.25.2 .2TheChairpersonoutlinedthemeetingsattendedbytheChairpersonandothermembersoftheCommittee.SheinformedtheCommitteeaboutthesixthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies.Shenotedthatparagraph20ofthereportofthatmeeting(A/50/505)highlightedtheimportanceofthehumanrightstreatybodiesfortheimplementationofthePlanofActionfortheUnitedNationsDecadeforHumanRightsEducationandalsorecommendedthateachtreatybody,initsexaminationofreportsofStatesparties,investigatetheircompliancewithobligationsrelatingtoeducationandpublicinformationonhumanrights.26.2 .2TheChairpersonindicatedthatthesixthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodieshadreiteratedtheimportanceofcollaborationwithnon-governmentalorganizations.In1995shehadsuggestedwaysandmeansofstrengtheninglinksbetweentheCommitteeandnon-governmentalorganizationssothattheycouldassistinlobbyingforratificationandimplementationoftheConventionandprovide"shadow"reportsonaregularbasis.TheCommitteeshouldconsiderorganizingexchangesofviewswithnon-governmentalorganizations.27.2 .2Withreferencetoparagraph22oftheabovementionedreport,theChairpersonsaidthatshehadraisedtheissueoftheroleoftreatybodiesinpreparationforworldconferencesinthehopeofavoidinginfuturethesenseoffrustrationfeltbytheCommitteeatnothavinghadanopportunitytotakepartintheformulationofthePlatformforAction.Shealsonotedthatthechairpersonshaddiscussedthequestionofcooperationwithspecialrapporteurs.TheCommitteeshouldexplorewaysandmeansofestablishingclosercooperationatleastwiththeSpecialRapporteuronViolenceagainstWomen.AnothertopiccoveredwastheneedforconcreteproposalsforincreasedparticipationbyUnitedNationsspecializedagenciesintheworkofthehumanrightstreatybodies.TheChairpersonoftheCommitteeproposedthattheCommitteeshouldconsiderproposalstothatendduringitscurrentsession.28.2 .2TheChairpersonexplainedthat,althoughtheCommitteehadnotyetestablishedrelationswithallthespecializedagencies,ithadachievedconcreteresultswiththosewithwhichithadundertakencooperation,suchastheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO),theUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF),theUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen(UNIFEM),theFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO),theWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)andtheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO).29.2 .2TheChairpersonalsonotedrecommendation25thattreatybodiesshouldfullyintegrateagenderperspectiveintotheirprofessionalandsessionalworkingmethods,includingidentificationofissuesandpreparationofquestionsforcountryreviewsandgeneralcommentsandrecommendations.ThiswasabigstepforwardintheimplementationoftheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionandtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction.30.2 .2ThechairpersonsoftreatybodiesconsideredtheSecretariatsupporttotreatybodiesandunderlinedthepersistentproblemsofunderstaffingofthetreatybodysecretariats,includingthatservicingtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen.TheysupportedtheintegrationofthatCommitteeintothemainstreamofUnitedNationssystemwideactivitythroughitsrelocationtotheCentreforHumanRights.31.2 .2ReferringtoGeneralAssemblyresolution49/164of23December1994concerningtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandthedecisiontakenbytheeighthmeetingofStatespartiestotheConventioninMay1995,sheindicatedthattwothirdsofStatespartieswouldhavetoratifytheamendmentproposedbytheCommitteeonmeetingtimefortheCommittee.32.2 .2TheChairpersonpointedoutthattheCommitteehadpresentedtotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenacomprehensivereportcontainingaseriousanalysisofitswork,theobstaclestotheimplementationoftheConventionandthechallengesthatwouldhavetobefacedinthefuture(A/CONF.177/77).In1995,therewere12newratificationsoftheConvention.TheCommittee'sroleandimportancehadbeenreflectedfullyintheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction.Paragraph8oftheDeclarationplacedtheConventiononthesamelevelastheCharteroftheUnitedNationsandtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,asfarastheequalrightsandinherenthumandignityofwomenwereconcerned.Inparagraphs322and323ofthePlatformforAction,theCommitteewasdescribedasanessentialmechanismformonitoringtheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.TheChairpersonindicatedthatthePlatformalsounderlinedtheneedforwomen'sparticipationindecisionmakingbodiesbystressingtheneedforuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,bycallingforrestraintintheenteringofreservationstotheConventionandbyexaminingtheneedforanoptionalprotocoltostrengthentheimplementationoftheConvention.33.2 .2TheChairpersonconcludedthatthePlatformhadrecognizedthecentralroleoftheConventionasadocumentthatwaslegallybindingonGovernments,therebystrengtheningtheroleoftheCommitteeitself. A UK     \R3'\ X      +C?<6X9`(CourierC( @ $(i882   ݀IV.CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES̀UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION@ .A.Introduction34.2 .2Atitsfifteenthsession,theCommitteeconsideredthereportssubmittedbyeightStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention:threecombinedinitialandsecondreports,onecombinedinitial,secondandthirdreport,onesecondreport,onecombinedsecondandthirdreport,andtwothirdreports.TheCommitteealsoconsideredonereportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasis.35.2 .2Asdecidedatitsthirteenthsession,theCommitteepreparedconcludingcommentsoneachreportconsidered.ForthestatusofthesubmissionofreportsbyStatesparties,seeannexIVtothepresentreport.36.2 .2TheCommittee'sconcludingcommentsonthereportsofStatesparties,aspreparedrespectivelybythemembersoftheCommittee,andasummaryoftheintroductorypresentationsbytherepresentativesoftheStatespartiesareprovidedbelow.ThesummaryrecordsprovidemoredetailedinformationontheCommittee'sconsiderationofreportsoftheStatesparties.@ .tB.Considerationofreports@ .N 1.Initialandsecondperiodicreports@ .Cyprus37.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofCyprus(CEDAW/C/CYP/12)atits287thmeeting,on15January,andatits287thmeeting,on23January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.287).38.2 .2InhisintroductorystatementtherepresentativeofCyprusreviewedprogressachievedinpromotingthestatusofwomensincetheratificationoftheConventionin1985,takingintoconsiderationeconomic,politicalandsocialchangesresultingfromtheoccupationofpartsoftheterritorysince1974.LegalandothermeasureshadbeenadoptedandobstaclestoimplementationoftheConventionaddressed.Sincethesubmissionofthereport,anewnationalmachineryforwomen'srightshadbeensetupandlegislativechangesinanumberofareashadoccurred,inparticularintheareasoffamilylawandlabourlegislation.Traditionalandstereotypedgenderideasconstitutedanimpedimenttothefullandequalparticipationofwomenindecisionmakingandemployment,andinfluencededucationalchoices.39.2 .2Programmesandmeasureshadbeenadoptedtoassistwomentocombinefamilyandemployment.Emphasishadbeengiventotheexpansionandimprovementofchildcarefacilities.Vocationaleducationdesignedforwomenhadbeenintroduced.40.2 .2Educationalprogrammeshadbeenrevisedtopromoteequalitybetweenmenandwomen.Programmesforruralwomenhadbeenintroducedtopromotetheirroleinagricultureandencouragetheirparticipationindecisionmaking.Womenhadaccesstohealthcareandinfantmortalityhadbeenreducedtolowlevels.Maternalhealthcarewasapriorityandinformationwasavailableondiseasesandhealthhazardsforwomen.41.2 .2TherepresentativereportedontheGovernment'sprioritiesandfutureplansinimplementingtheConvention,includingstrengtheningthenationalmachineryforwomen;vocationaltrainingforwomenandeducationalandawarenessraisingeffortsamongteachers;expansionofchildcare;supplementingtherecentlyreformedfamilylawandtheremaininglegalinstrumentsthatinvolvedunequaltreatmentofwomen;improvementsforruralwomen;preventionofviolenceagainstwomen;women'sparticipationindecisionmaking;andpossiblecreationofanequalopportunitiescommission.Hestated,however,thatowingtothecontinuingTurkishoccupationofpartoftheterritory,theGovernmentofCypruswasunabletoensuretheenjoymentbywomenoftheirrightsintheoccupiedpartoftheisland.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction42.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthehighlevelrepresentationoftheCyprusGovernmentandthewelldraftedreportspresentedbyit,whichcontaineddetailedinformationontheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomeninaccordancewiththeCommittee'sreportingguidelines.Itexpresseditsappreciation,inparticular,forthefrankidentificationofobstaclesandproblemsandofthemajorpolicyissuesofconcerntowomeninCyprus.TheCommitteealsowelcomedtheongoingefforts,policiesandplanstoeliminatediscriminationagainstwomeninCyprusandthesincereanddetailedresponsesoftherepresentativeoftheGovernmentofCyprustotheCommittee'squestions.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention43.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthereservationoftheGovernmentastotheexclusionofwomenfromthemilitary.44.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgedtheStateparty'sstatementthatowingtotheoccupationofapartoftheterritoryofCyprus,itcouldnotgiveanyinformationastotheimplementationoftheConventioninareasnotunderitsjurisdiction.45.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheobservationinthereportthatthemostseriousobstaclestoimplementationoftheConventionweresocialattitudesandpracticesbasedontraditionalandstereotypedideasregardingtherolesofmenandwomen.2 .2Positiveaspects46.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthereport'sassertionthattheimpactoftheratificationoftheConventionhadbeensignificant,inparticular,thattheConventionhadservedasaframeworkforgovernmentpolicytoreduceinequality,hadhelpedtostimulatemajorchangesinpolicyandhadbeenausefultoolforwomen'sorganizationspressingforchange.47.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoimplementtheConventioninrelationtoequalpayforworkofequalvalueandtoexpandchilddaycarefacilitiesandconsidersocialsecurityforhomemakers.48.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheamendmentmadebytheGovernmenttotheConstitutionestablishingspecialcivilcourtsastheonlycourtsforfamilymatters.̇49.2 .2ItcommendedthestepstakenbytheGovernmenttosubsidizemeasuresundertakenbyenterprisestoprovidechildcare.TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthehighlevelofeducationattainedbywomenandgirlsinCyprusandappreciatedtheeducationalprogrammestoraiseawarenessofequalityandtheeliminationoftraditionalgenderstereotypes,especiallyamongruralwomen,andtoaddresshealthandsexualhealth.50.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheintroductionoflegislationonviolenceagainstwomenwithinthefamily,inparticularclarifyingthatmaritalrapeisacriminaloffence.Inaddition,thelawgivesfullprotectiontovictimswhileimposingseverepenaltiesupontheperpetrators,andfacilitatesthereportingofviolencethroughprimaryhealthcareproviders.TheCommitteealsowelcomedtheestablishmentofcounsellingservicesandtheGovernment'scontributiontosupportacrisiscentreforvictimsofviolencerunbyavoluntaryassociation.51.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoaddressissuesofwomen'sdiscriminationintelevision,radioandadvertising,includingprogrammesdealingwithwomen'sissues,women'sparticipationinbroadcastingandtheportrayalofwomen'simage.52.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheinitiativetosupportandprovideincentivestotheestablishmentofwomen'sagriculturalcooperatives.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern53.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithgreatconcerntheinformationoninternationaltraffickingofwomenandoftheirsexualexploitation,includingwomenfromothercountries,inviolationofarticle6oftheConvention.54.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthelowrepresentationofwomeninthelegislatureandinpoliticallife,andtheirabsencefromhigherlevelsofgovernment.55.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernthattheGovernmenttreatsthelowfertilityrateinCyprusasareasonforretainingtheexistingcriminallawrestrictionsonabortion.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations56.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmenttakeimmediateactiononitscommitmentmadeattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomentostrengthenthenationalmachineryforwomen,includingitsadministrativestructure,budget,humanresourcesanditsexecutivepowers.TheCommitteefurtherrecommendedthatthenationalmachinerybeempoweredtoformulatepolicyandtoinitiateandreviewlegislativeproposalspertainingtothestatusofwomen.57.2 .2TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttotakeintoconsiderationallgeneralrecommendationsoftheCommitteeinfuturereportsundertheConvention.58.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentcontinueitseffortstoreviewandrectifylegislationthatdiscriminatesagainstwomeninlightoftheConvention.ItdrawstheGovernment'sattentiontotheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationNo.19foramendingitspenalcoderegardingviolenceagainstwomen.59.2 .2TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoexploretheproposalofnon-governmentalorganizationstoestablishanequalopportunitiescommissiontodealwithcomplaintsbywomenandtoserveinamediatorycapacity.̇60.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendsthaturgentspecialtemporarymeasuresbeadopted,underarticle4oftheConvention,withtheaimofsubstantiallyincreasingthepresenceofwomeninallareasofpublicandpoliticallife,aswellasactivelypromotingtheirpositionintheseniormanagementofthecivilserviceandinthediplomaticservice.61.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmenttakeadditionalmeasuresthroughlocalandinternationallawenforcementauthoritiestocombattheinternationaltraffickingandsexualexploitationofwomen.ItencouragestheGovernmenttopersistinitseffortstoregulatetheemploymentofforeignartistsandentertainers,andtoprosecuteincasesofcriminaloffences.TheCommitteefurtherurgestheGovernmenttoprovideeducation,trainingandsupporttofacilitatetheentryofmigrantwomenintootheroccupationsintheformallabourmarket.62.2 .2TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoexploretheissueofequalpayforworkofequalvalue,toavailitselfofexistingexperienceinothercountriesandtobegincampaignstoraiseawarenessofthisissueamongtradeunions,employers'associationsandwomen'sorganizations.63.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofCyprustopursuetheinitiativetoenactspeciallegislationtoaddresstheissueofsexualharassmentintheworkplaceasquicklyaspossible.64.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttogeneratesystematicdatadisaggregatedbysexinallareas,andinparticularinhealthneedsandservicestoassistinpolicyplanning.65.2 .2TheCommitteeexhortstheGovernmenttoextendfullsocialsecuritycoveragetoselfemployedruralwomenandtoabolishexistingdiscriminationinthisrespectbetweenmarriedandunmarriedwomen.66.2 .2TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmenttoimplementspecialsensitizationandtrainingprogrammesingenderissuesforalllawenforcementofficialsandjudges,particularlyjudgesinfamilycourts.@ .Iceland67.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofIceland(CEDAW/C/ICE/12)atits290thand291stmeetings,on18and24January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.290and291).68.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeofIcelandinformedtheCommitteethattheoriginalfirstreportof1987hadbymistakeneverbeensubmittedandthatthecurrentinitialandsecondreportcoveredtheperiodupto31December1991.HeproceededtoinformtheCommitteeaboutlegalchangesandrecentdevelopmentsinthefieldofwomen'shumanrightsthathadoccurredinhiscountrysincethesubmissionofthereport.69.2 .2Therepresentativepointedtovariousmeasuresineducation,includingequalrightseducationinschoolsandlegallymandatedvocationaltrainingforwomen.Inordertoeliminatediscrimination,whichstillexisted,anEqualStatusCouncilandaComplaintCommitteehadbeenestablished.In1994,ahumanrightssectionhadbeenincludedintheIcelandicConstitution,includingareferencetosex.Afouryearplanonmeasurestoobtainequalstatusbetweenthesexesfocusedonactiontopromoteequalstatusintheschoolsystem,inthelabourmarket,inruraldistrictsandwithregardtosocialrights.Therepresentativedescribedmeasurestakentoeliminateviolenceagainstwomen,includingashelterforvictims,paymentofdamagestothevictimsofviolenceandthemobilizationofmenagainstviolence.70.2 .2Therepresentativeillustratedtheimportantparticipationofwomeninpubliclife,whichhadincreasedsteadilysince1979.Since1980,awomanhasbeenPresidentofthecountryandwasalsooneofthefirstdemocraticallyelectedwomenleadersintheworld.Inthelastparliamentaryelections,womenwon25percentofalltheseatsinParliament.Awomen'spartyexisted;women'spoliticalrepresentationatthemunicipallevelnowreachedabout30percentandinpubliccommissionsabout20percent.71.2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthatdiscriminationwaspersistentinthefieldofemployment.Women'sparticipationintheformaleconomywasveryhigh,butsomegenderdifferencesexistedinwages.Thelabourmarketwassegregatedtosomeextent.Unemploymentaffectedwomenmorethanmen.Inordertochangethewagesystemandachievegreaterbalanceinfamilyresponsibilities,theGovernmentwastakingspecificmeasures,includingarevisionoftheactonmaternityleave,whichshouldenablementoassumetheircaringrolesbetter.Municipalgovernmentsplannedtoexpandchildcarefacilities.Womenrepresentedmorethan50percentofuniversitygraduatesandthiswasreflectedinthepublicsectorinparticular.Jobevaluationwasseenasanimportantfactorforensuringpayequity.72.2 .2Inconcluding,therepresentativestatedthatthenationalreportpreparedfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,thedebateonwomen'srightsandthepresentreporthadhelpedhiscountrytoassesswhathadbeenachievedandwhatstepsshouldbetakeninthefuture.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction73.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthehighlevelrepresentationandcommendedtheGovernmentforthefrankreportandtheextensiveoralintroduction,whichsupplementedinverylargemeasurethereport.TheCommitteealsowelcomedtheanswerstoquestionsposedduringconsiderationofthereport.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention74.2 .2WhiletheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentofIcelandforamendingtheConstitutionandenactingtheEqualStatusAct,itwasoftheopinionthatiftheConventionhadnottherebybeenincorporatedfullyintothedomesticlawofIceland,thentheimplementationoftheprinciplesoftheConventionwasadverselyaffected.2 .2Positiveaspects75.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheinclusionintheConstitutionin1994ofaprovisionguaranteeingtheenjoymentofhumanrightswithoutprejudicetogenderandwasimpressedwiththeworkbeingdonebytheEqualStatusCouncil.76.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthatintheproceduresadoptedbytheComplaintsCommittee,theburdenofproofofanallegationofsexualdiscriminationhadbeenshiftedfromthecomplainanttotheallegedperpetrator.77.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheemphasisplacedbytheGovernmentontheeradicationofviolenceandtheestablishmentofacommitteetoascertaintheextentandcausesofviolenceinthehome,aswellastheprovisionofanemergencywardforrapevictimsinthecityhospital.TheCommitteealsocommendedthepassageofalawmakingtheStateTreasuryresponsibleforthepaymentofdamagestothevictimsofviolence,aswellastheformationofaMen'sCommitteeaimedatsensitizingmentotheproblemsresultingfromviolentbehaviour.78.2 .2TheCommitteewasgratifiedaboutplansbytheGovernmentofIcelandtoreportperiodicallytothepubliconthePlatformforAction.79.2 .2TheCommitteeviewedwithappreciationtheestablishmentofaChildren'sOmbudspersontopromoteandsafeguardtherightsofchildren,boysandgirls,ascontainedintheDeclarationontheRightsoftheChild.80.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheadvancementofwomenineducationingeneralasexpressedbythefactthatwomennowrepresentedabout50percentofuniversitygraduatesandthatawomen'sstudycentrehadbeenestablishedattheuniversity.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern81.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthelackofstatisticsinthereportandIceland'sfailuretocomplywithgeneralrecommendation9,butnotedwithappreciationtheadditionaldatasuppliedduringtheresponsetotheCommittee'squestions.82.2 .2TheCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutthewidedifferentialinthewagesofwomenandmen,inboththepublicandprivatesectorsandthefactthatthiscouldbeexplainedonlyonthegroundsofgender.83.2 .2Furtherconcernwasexpressedaboutthefactthat,whilewomensurpassedmeninjobsrequiringnovocationaltraining,asignificantlyhigherproportionofmenheldadministrativepositionsinboththepublicandprivatesectors.84.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatthecostofcontraceptionwasnotcoveredunderthepublichealthsystem.85.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthelackofadequateinformationoncertainarticlesoftheConvention,particularlyarticle12,whichaddressestherightsofwomenandStatesparties'obligationswithrespecttohealthcare.TheCommitteenotedthelackofinformationonspecificaspectsofwomen'shealth,aswellasthelackofagenderperspectiveinmatterspertainingtohealthingeneral,inparticularwithregardtomentalhealth,aswellasinmedicalresearch.86.2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedthatruralwomenfrequentlyhadfeweropportunitiesforemploymentoutsidethehomethandidmenorthosewomenlivinginurbanareas.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations87.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatinsubsequentperiodicreportstheGovernmentofIcelandreportfullyoneacharticleoftheConventionandthegeneralrecommendations.88.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,infuture,statisticsdisaggregatedbysexbeincludedintheperiodicreportsandthattheGovernmentofIcelandcomplywithgeneralrecommendation9.Inparticular,theCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttogeneratesexdisaggregateddataofhealthneedsandservices,soastoassistthedevelopmentofagendersensitivehealthpolicy.89.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmenttakestepstoensurethattheprinciplesoftheConventionwerefullyincorporatedintoIcelandiclawandwereenforceableinitscourts.90.2 .2InordertofacilitatetheenforceabilityoftheConventionintheIcelandiccourts,theCommitteerecommendedthatstepsbetakentointroduceaprogrammeofinformationdisseminationandtrainingabouttheConventiontothejudiciary.91.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttocontinueitsdeterminedeffortsintheareaofequalpayforworkofequalvalueinordertoachievepayequityinallareasofemploymentinaccordancewithgeneralrecommendation13.Itfurtherrequestedthatfuturereportscontaininformationonthisissueindealingwiththeresultsofthecurrentjobevaluation.92.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatmeasuresbetakenasearlyaspossible,forexamplebyadoptingaffirmativeactionprogrammes,toensurethatwomenareappointedtodecisionmakingpositionsandassumeleadershiprolesinallfieldsofemployment.93.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatfuturereportsreflectanalysesoftheimpactofjobevaluationexercises.94.2 .2TheCommitteefeltthatrevisingthelawonmaternityleavewasnotenoughtoachieveamorebalancedsharingoffamilyresponsibilitiesbymenandwomen.ItthereforerecommendedthattheGovernmentdevelopothermeanstoincreasemen'sparticipationinhouseholdtasksandchildcare,bearinginmindthenatureofboththepaidworkdonebymenandthatdonebywomeninsideandoutsidethehome.95.2 .2Atthesametime,theGovernmentshouldintensifyitsdevelopmentofactivitiestocombattraditionalgenderstereotypesthrougheducationalandawarenessprogrammestargetingchildrenandadults.96.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmenttakestepstoinvestigatetheimbalancebetweenmenandwomeninparttimeemployment,asthisimbalancecanbeindicativeofindirectdiscriminationagainstwomeninthelabourmarket.97.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatstepsbetakentoeducatejudicialpersonnelabouttheConvention.98.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthatstudiesontheevaluationofunpaidworkshouldbeundertakenasregardsbothmenandwomen,despitetheearlierinitiativetaken.99.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatthepositionofruralwomenbeimprovedinallareas,includingopportunitiesforemploymentoutsidethehome.100.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttointensifyfurtheritsinformationprogrammesamongmigrantwomen,inparticularthosethatpertaintotherightsofwomeninIceland.Inordertoensuretheprotectionofmigrantwomen,itfurtherencouragedtheGovernmenttocontinuetheprovisionofadequatehealthandcounsellingservicesandmonitoringoftheincreasingnumberofintermarriagesbetweenIcelandicmenandmigrantwomenwhichtheGovernmentisundertaking.101.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedanamendmenttotheEqualStatusActtoensurerepresentationofatleast40percentofeachsexinpublicbodies.102.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,inviewofthesuccessfullycompletedprojectsonequalrightseducationinvariousschools,equalrights,aswellashumanrightseducationshouldbemademandatoryintheIcelandicschoolcurriculum.103.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentincludetheresultsofstudiesonwomenincurriculumreform,aswellasintheeducationandtrainingofteachers,inordertofacilitatetheeliminationofculturalstereotypes.104.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttoadoptapublichealthapproachtotheissueofviolenceagainstwomenandfacilitatethereportingofviolencethroughprimaryhealthcareproviders.@ .\Paraguay105.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofParaguay(CEDAW/C/PAR/12andAdd.1and2)atits289thand297thmeetings,on17and23January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.289and297).TheCommitteetooknoteoftheanswersgivenorallytothewiderangeofquestionsandconcernsraisedduringconsiderationofthereport.106.2 .2Inintroducingthecombinedreport,therepresentativeofParaguaynotedthatsince1992anumberofimportantpoliticalchangeshadtakenplaceinthecountry.SheemphasizedtheadoptionofanewConstitutionandtheelectionofacivilianGovernment.In1992,thepositionofSecretaryofStateforWomenwasestablished.107.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthatinthenewConstitutiontheprincipleofequalityhadbeenadoptedandtherelevantinternationalinstrumentshadbeenratified.Thisallowedthecreationofabodyoflawonequalitybetweenwomenandmen.However,disparitiesinequalityinlegislationstillexisted.108.2 .2TherepresentativegavedetailsofseveralprogrammesthattheGovernment,non-governmentalorganizationsandwomen'sorganizationshadbeenimplementing.Despitegainsmadeinwomen'seducation,6outof10illiteratepersonsinthecountrywerewomen,mainlyfromruralareas,andthelevelsofschoolretentionwereverylow,especiallyforgirls.ThecountryhadoneofthehighestratesofmaternaldeathintheLatinAmericanregion,withabortionbeingthesecondmostcommoncauseofmaternaldeath.109.2 .2Theproportionofwomenheadsofhouseholdswasveryhighandthosehouseholdstendedtobeamongthepoorest.Therehadbeensomeimprovementsinthegrantingofloanstowomenformicroenterprises,aswellasforhousing.Whilesegregationofjobsandeducationwaseasingandstereotypingineducationalmaterialswasbeingexamined,disparitiesineconomicactivityandremunerationbetweenwomenandmenwereveryhigh.Somemeasureshadbeenintroducedtopenalizeandpreventviolenceagainstwomen,toregulateprostitutionandtoprovideeducationonAIDSandsexuallytransmitteddiseases.̇110.2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthatoneofthemostvisiblechangesinthepastyearshadbeentheparticipationofwomeninpolitics.Severalpoliticalparties,aswellastheParliamentandlocalauthorities,wereintheprocessofintroducingquotasforwomen.111.2 .2TherepresentativestressedthatherGovernmentheldtheconvictionthatneitherdevelopmentnordemocracywerepossiblewithouttheparticipationofwomen.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction112.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionwiththehighlevelrepresentationandParaguay'seffortinsubmittingthereportandtheaddendapromptly,whichreflectedanintentiontocomplywithsubmissionprocedures,provideupdatedinformationandinitiateadialoguewiththeCommitteethatwouldenablebetterinterpretationoftheConvention.TheCommitteealsonotedthecomprehensiveanddetailednatureoftheoralpresentation,whichcomplementedthewrittenreportsandansweredthequestionsraisedbytheexperts.113.2 .2Satisfactionwasalsoexpressedwiththereport'sfrankness,reflectingsituationsandproblemsinconflictwiththearticlesoftheConvention.TheCommitteehighlightedthescaleoftheeffortrepresentedbysubmissionofthereportforacountryembarkingonademocraticprocessafteralongdictatorship.Itwelcomedthefactthat,apartfromtheGovernment,non-governmentalorganizationsandacademicinstitutionshadalsoparticipatedindraftingthereport.&  2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention114.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedthatvariousfactorswereholdingupimplementationoftheConvention.Particularlyrelevantwerethecountry's'  limitedeconomiccapacitiesanditsdependenceonfarmproduction,whichhadonlyveryrecentlybeguntobemodernized;highratesofpovertyandmarginalizationamongthepopulation;theinstitutionalandculturalconsequencesoftheprolongeddictatorship;andtheexistenceofaverytraditionalandhierarchicalsociety.Paraguaywascurrentlygoingthroughaperiodoftransition,wherethenewstructuresofdemocracyandtheruleoflawwerestillbeingdefined,whichledtodifficultiesinapplyingthepoliciespromotedbytheConvention.2 .2Positiveaspects115.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthenewConstitutionenshrinedtheprincipleofequalitybetweenmenandwomen,aswellasreformsoftheLabourandElectoralCodes.116.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedtheGovernment'searlyrecognitionoftheimportanceofwomentothecountry'sdevelopmentandthecreationoftheOfficeoftheSecretaryofStateforWomentocoordinateofficialpoliciesforthatsectorofthepopulation.117.2 .2TheCommitteefurthernotedtheimportanceattachedbytheGovernmenttoitscommitmentundertheBeijingPlatformforActionand,inparticular,itsinitiativetoadoptagenderapproachinpoliciesandprogrammes,aswellastoheightentheawarenessofadministrativepersonnelinthatconnection.̇118.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheGovernment'srecognitionoftheseriousproblemofviolenceagainstwomen,whichhadbeendeclaredapublichealthproblem.119.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthelevelofdevelopmentofwomen'sorganizationsandtheircommitmenttotheadvancementofwomen.120.2 .2TheCommitteefurthernotedtheinitiativesandeffortsofbothnon-governmentalorganizationsandtheGovernmenttobroadenthepoliticalparticipationofwomenandtheproposaltoestablishalawonquotasandtoobligeallpoliticalpartiestoestablishaminimumnumberofwomenintheirelectorallists.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern121.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatthecountry'slegislationmaintaineddiscriminatoryprovisionsinconflictwiththeconstitutionalprincipleofequality.Despitetheprogressmadeincertaincodes,bothcivilandpenallegislationneededmajorchangestoincorporatetherightslaiddownintheConventionandthoseemanatingfromtheConstitution.122.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthelimitedmandateandresourcesoftheOfficeoftheSecretaryofStateforWomenanditsapparentlowerrankinginthepoliticalandadministrativehierarchyinrelationtootherministries.Inthatconnection,theCommitteeexpresseditssurprisethattheSecretaryofStateforWomenshouldbeexcludedfrommeetingsoftheCabinetofMinisters,whichconstitutedaformofdiscrimination.123.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedgreatconcernatthehighlevelofeasilypreventablematernalmortalityoneofthehighestintheregionandofextremelyunsafeabortions,especiallyamongveryyounggirls,aswellasthehighfertilityrateandlimitedaccesstobasichealthandfamilyplanningservices.Itstressedthatthissituationwasparticularlyseriousamongruralwomen,mostofwhomdidnotbenefitfromtherighttohealthguaranteedbytheConvention.124.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgedtheStateparty'sinitiativestoprovidebilingualeducationbutexpresseditsconcernattheinadequacyofthoseinitiatives,whichposedamajorobstacletowomen'saccesstosocialandeconomicopportunities,sincealargepercentageofthefemalepopulationspokeonlyGuaran,thepredominantaboriginallanguage.Thehighilliteracyanddropoutrateswereconsideredmajorimpedimentstotheadvancementofwomen.125.2 .2Withregardtoviolenceagainstwomen,theCommitteeexpressedgreatconcernattheextentoftheproblemandtheinadequacyoflegalandadministrativemeasurestocombatit,protectvictimsandpunishtheperpetrators.TheCommitteealsodevotedconsiderableattentiontothecountry'scriticalsituationwithregardtoprostitutionandthealarminglevelsofthispracticeamonggirlsandveryyoungwomen.Itemphasizedthefactthatprocurerswentunpunishedandregrettedthatthegravesocio-economicconditionsinwhichmanywomenlivedledthemtobecomeprostitutes.TheCommitteealsoexpressedparticularconcernatthenumberoflegalandadministrativeerrorsincasesofadoption,whichperpetuatedtheundesirableinternationaltrafficingirlsandboys.126.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsseriousconcernatthesituationofruralwomen,whoconstitutedthemajorityofthecountry'sfemalepopulationandwhoselivingconditionswerecharacterizedbyalackofprimaryhealthcare,limitedaccesstoeducationandahighdropoutrate.Inaddition,womenfacedlegalandculturalbarriersthatpreventedthemfromowningpropertyandtheywerealmostcompletelyexcludedfromthedecisionmakingprocess;therewerealsoprofounddisparitiesbetweenmen'sandwomen'swages,tothedetrimentofwomen.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations127.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheStatepartytocontinueitsinitiativeswithaviewtoupdatingitsnationallegislationinordertomakeitcompatiblewiththeconstitutionalprincipleofequalityandthearticlesoftheConvention.Inthatregard,itrecommendedthattheStatepartymakespecialeffortstorevisethePenalCodeandrelatedlawsinthelightofgeneralrecommendation19onviolenceagainstwomen.2/128.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartystrengthenthepoliticalstatusandtheeconomicandadministrativeaspectsofthenationalmechanism(OfficeoftheSecretaryofStateforWomen)inaccordancewitharticle7oftheConvention.129.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedtheStateparty'seffortstoimplementthequotasystemindecisionmakingbodiesandrecommendedthatthatsystembeadoptedandimplementedinallpossibleareasandatallpossiblelevels,includingbypublicauthorities,politicalparties,unionsandotherorganizationsofcivilsociety,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle7oftheConvention.130.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartystrengthenandbroadenitsinitiativestoextendbilingualeducationtoallcitizens,inparticularwomen,andtocombatthesocial,economicandculturalfactorscausingthehighdrop-outandilliteracyratesamongwomen,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle10oftheConvention.131.2 .2TheCommitteecalledupontheStatepartytofulfilitsobligationswithrespecttoalltherightssetoutinarticle12oftheConvention.ItstressedtheurgencyfortheStatepartytotakemeasurestodealwiththehighlevelofmaternalmortalityandillegalabortionsandtoconsiderreviewingthepunitivemeasuresofthelawofabortion,inaccordancewiththeBeijingPlatformforAction.ItalsorecommendedthattheStatepartyprovidesufficientandadequatefamilyplanningservicesandinformation.132.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartyincreaseitseffortstoguaranteeequalityinlanddistributionandownershipandinallaspectsofitsproductiveuse,inaccordancewitharticles11,14and16oftheConvention.133.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthewidedisseminationoftheConvention,primarilyamongwomen,andinparticularamongruralandindigenouspeople.@ . 2.Initial,secondandthirdperiodicreports@ .\Ethiopia134.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreportsofEthiopia(CEDAW/C/ETH/13andAdd.1)atits292ndand293rdmeetings,on19January,andits299thmeeting,on24January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.292,293and299).135.2 .2Inintroducingthereports,therepresentativeofEthiopiasaidthatthepoliticalsituationofhercountryhadnotalwaysbeenconducivetotheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.Atthetimeofratification,about60percentofthenationalbudgetwasspentonthewareffort.Thewarwasaccompaniedbydroughtandfaminethathadcostmillionsoflives.ThechangeinGovernmentin1991broughtatransitionfromwartopeace,fromdictatorshiptodemocracyandfromacommandeconomytoamoremarketorientedeconomy.ThenewGovernmentinheritedasituationaggravatedbyasocialcrisis,withmillionsofdisplacedpersonsandrefugees,unemploymentandthedestructionofthelittlesocialserviceinfrastructurethecountryhadhad.In1994anewConstitutionwasadoptedandin1995afederalGovernmentformed.TherepresentativeindicatedthattherecentpoliticalchangeshadpromotedthewellbeingofEthiopianwomen.OneimportantstephadbeentheadoptionoftheNationalWomen'sPolicy.136.2 .2TherepresentativepointedoutthatthesituationofwomeninEthiopiahadbeenparticularlydifficultbecauseofthecountry'seconomicbackwardnessandwomen'sdisadvantagedaccesstoopportunities.SheemphasizedthattheGovernmentwascommittedtotheadvancementofwomen.AmanifestationofthatcommitmentwasthesettingupoftheWomen'sAffairsOfficewithinthePrimeMinister'sOffice.Severalmeasureshadbeenadoptedtoaddressgenderdisparities.ThenewConstitutionreflectedastrongcommitmenttotheprinciplesoftheConvention.About3percentoftheseatsinParliamentwereheldbywomen.Womenwereincreasinglyrepresentedatthelocallevelandatthecommunitylevel.137.2 .2TherepresentativestatedfurtherthatEthiopiahadadoptedtheBeijingPlatformforActionwithoutreservationandwasfocusingonpovertyreductionastheprimarycriticalareaofconcern.Povertyconstitutedtherootcauseofthemanyproblemsfacedbywomen.TheWomen'sAffairsOfficeplannedtocompilegenderspecificstatisticstomonitortheimpactofpoliciesandprogrammesongirlsandwomen.ApartfromtheexistingpoliticalwillandcommitmentoftheGovernment,theachievementofthegoalsofthenationalpolicyforwomenrequiredsubstantialfinancialandmaterialresources.Therepresentativesaidthatalotwasexpectedfromtheinternationaldonorcommunity.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction138.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedappreciationforthefrankandhonestreportandtheequallyfrankpresentation.ThefactthattheMinisterforWomen'sAffairsherselfintroducedthereportwasindicativeofthecommitmenttotheadvancementofwomeninthecountry.TheCommitteealsoappreciatedthefactthatEthiopiahadratifiedtheConventionaswellasseveralotherinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentsandhadacceptedtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionwithoutreservation.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention139.2 .2TheCommitteeidentifiedasmajorfactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention:poverty;deeprootedcustomsandtraditions;illiteracy;highbirthrates;andunemployment.Thesewerecompoundedbytheexistenceofdifferentkindsoflaws,nationalaswellasavarietyofcustomaryandreligiousones.&  2 .2Positiveaspects140.2 .2Appreciationwasexpressedforthepoliticalwillinadoptinganational'  policyfortheadvancementofwomenandpolicieswithagenderperspective,aswellasforthecreationofwomen'sfocalpointsinnational,regionalandlocalpoliticaldecisionmakingbodies.141.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentforthecommitmentsmadeattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenatBeijinginSeptember1995.142.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthehighpercentageofwomenatthelocalgovernmentlevel.143.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheaffirmativeactioneffortsforwomenattheuniversitylevel.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern144.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatneitherthecombinedreportnortheaddendumfollowedtheCommittee'sgeneralguidelines,whichhadcreatedobstaclestoconstructivedialoguebetweentheCommitteeandtheStateparty.145.2 .2TheCommitteefeltthatiftheareasofcompetenceofthemechanismssetupforchangingthestatusofwomenwerenotclearlydefinedandifproperfinancingwasnotsecured,initiativescouldbeblocked.146.2 .2WhilecommendingthetranslationoftheConventionintoAmharic,theCommitteewasneverthelessconcernedabouttheinsufficientdisseminationoftheConventioninviewofthenumberofotherlanguagesthatwerealsospokeninthecountry.147.2 .2Inadditiontothedeeprootedculturalobstacles,theCommitteewasconcernedwithstillexistingdiscriminatorylawsatthenationallevel,aswellaspersistentdiscriminationinthefamily.148.2 .2GreatconcernwasexpressedbytheCommitteeabouttheissueofwidespreadfemalegenitalmutilationaswellastheincidenceofviolenceagainstwomenandgirlsandtheinsufficiencyofmeasurestoeradicateit.149.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheprevalenceofprostitutionandmalepromiscuity,whichincreasedthespreadofAIDS.EarlymarriagewasalsoagreatconcerntotheCommittee.150.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthelowrepresentationofwomenatthehigherdecisionmakinglevelsandwasdoubtfulabouttheeffectivenessofprogrammesformulatedandadoptedwiththeinvolvementofwomenatthoselevels.ItexpresseditsdoubtsabouttheefficiencyofanymeasurestoeradicatepovertyaslongasthepercentageofwomeninGovernmentremainedaslowasitwasatpresent.151.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthehighlevelofilliteracy,thehighschooldropoutrate,sexualharassmentofgirlsatschoolandthelackofvocationaltrainingprogrammes.&  2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations152.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatsubsequentreportsfollowtheCommittee'sgeneralguidelinesforreporting.'  153.2 .2Whenresourcesareavailable,thetranslationoftheConventionmustbeinasmanylocallanguagesaspossiblesothatitmaybenefitmanypeople.154.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatareviewofallexistingcustomarylawsinethnicgroupsbecarriedoutinordertoevaluatethemastotheirsubstanceandtheircompatibilitywithinternationalconventionsandnationallegislation.155.2 .2Awarenessprogrammesandlegalmeasuresmustbeputinplaceurgentlytoabolishthepracticeoffemalegenitalmutilationandallothersuchpracticesthatdiscriminateagainstwomen.Thosewhoperformfemalegenitalmutilationmustbehelpedtofindothersourcesofincome.156.2 .2Trainingprogrammesshouldbeputinplaceaimedatrehabilitatingprostitutesandequippingthemandotherwomenwithskillsthatwillprovideanalternativesourceofincome.157.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattherebeanincreaseinthenumberofwomenindecisionmakingpositionsinpublicadministrationandthatprogrammesbedevelopedtoencouragewomentotakedecisionmakingpositions.158.2 .2Measures,includingtemporaryspecialmeasuresandprogrammes,mustbeadoptedtogivegirlsandwomenequalaccesstohighqualityeducationandtraining.159.2 .2Theageofmarriagemustbethesameforboysandgirls.160.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttoensureaccessbywomentoprimaryhealthservices,particularlyreproductivehealth,familylifeeducationandfamilyplanningservices.161.2 .2TheremustbeanintensiveprogrammetocombatthespreadofHIV/AIDS.Infectedwomenandmenmustbeguaranteedequalenjoymentoftheirhumanrights.162.2 .2TheGovernmentmustseekinternationalsupportforpovertyalleviationandeducationalprogrammesandforassistanceintheimplementationoftherecommendationsinparagraphs155,157,159and161above.163.2 .2Everyeffortmustbemadetoattainastableandpeacefulenvironmentinordertoreconstructthecountryandcreatetheconditionsnecessaryforthesustainabledevelopmentandtheintegrationofwomen.@ .3.Secondperiodicreports@ .Belgium882^ 882^ 882 164.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondperiodicreportofBelgium(CEDAW/C/BEL/2)atits300thand301stmeetings,on26January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.300and301).165.2 .2ThereportwasintroducedbythePermanentRepresentativeofBelgiumtotheUnitedNationsandbyarepresentativefromtheFederalGovernmentandoneeachfromtheFlemishandFrenchcommunities.Theyunderlinedthatthereportunderreview,submittedin1992,wasoutdatedtosomeextentsincetheconstitutionalreformof1994hadintroducedafederalsystem,givingcommunitiesandregionsthesamestandingasthefederalauthority.166.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedthatreservationstoarticle7andarticle15oftheConventionwouldbewithdrawn,sinceanewlawhadbeenadoptedtoenablewomentoexerciseroyalpowersandchangesintheConstitutionhadrenderedvoidthereservationrelatingtomarriagelaw.Thewithdrawalofthesereservationswouldbeundertaken,whilereservationstoallhumanrightsinstrumentswerebeingrevisedinkeepingwiththeViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction.167.2 .2Equalitywasapriorityforthefederalauthority,thecommunitiesandtheregions.CommitmentsonthepromotionofthehumanrightsofwomenmadeataninternationalandEuropeanlevelweretakenseriously.Tothatend,severalhighlevelpostshadbeenestablished,includingthatofaFederalMinisterforEquality,whowasalsoMinisterforEmploymentandWorkandaMinisterforEqualityintheFlemishGovernment.IntheFrenchcommunity,thismatterfallsdirectlyunderthecompetenceoftheMinisterPresident,astheheadofGovernment.Priorityconcernsweretheeradicationofviolenceagainstwomen,discriminationinemployment,lowlevelsofwomeningovernmentdecisionmaking,women'shealth,attitudesthatperpetuatedsexdiscriminationandstereotypesinthemedia.168.2 .2Toenhanceparticipationofwomenintheeconomyandindecisionmaking,numerousmeasuresofaffirmativeactionhadbeentaken.Toincreasethenumberofwomeninpubliclife,alawhadbeenadoptedin1994thatstipulatedthatthenumberofcandidatesofthesamesexshouldnotexceedtwothirdsonanyelectorallist.Asaresult,thepercentageofwomenhadrisenfrom10to12percentinthecommunalelectionsandfrom6to8women(32percent)intheelectionsfortheEuropeanParliament.Themediaisalsoanareawherewomen'sparticipationisparticularlyencouraged.169.2 .2Inordertocombatviolenceagainstwomen,theGovernmenthadadoptedanewlawonrape,thedefinitionofwhichincludedrapewithinmarriageandhomosexualrelationships.Anumberofmeasurestoavoidsecondaryvictimizationhadbeentakenwhichincludedasexualassaultpacktobeusedinpolicestationsandacampaigninthemedicalcommunitytoestablishconfidentialmedicalcertificatesforvictims.Alandmarklawhadbeenadoptedin1995ontraffickinginhumanbeings,whichincludedprovisionforactscommittedextraterritorially.170.2 .2Itwasreportedthatvoluntaryinterruptionofpregnancyhadbeenmadelegallypossibleundercertainconditionsforwomeninastateofdistressandupontheconfirmedwrittenrequestofthewoman.Counsellingandinformationarealsoprovidedaspartofpreventivemeasures.171.2 .2Representativesstatedthatwomenhadaccesstocreditandloansandcouldparticipateinallaspectsofculturallife.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction172.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedwithsatisfactionBelgium'sdetailedandexhaustivepresentation,whichreflectedthesignificancethecountryattachedtotheConvention.TheCommitteelikewisenotedtheupdatedinformationprovidedbytheoralreport,whichcomplementedthewrittenreport,addressedthequestionsraisedbyexpertsandhelpedtheCommitteetoappreciatefullytheimportanceofmorerecenteffortstoimplementtheConvention.173.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheeffortsbythefederalGovernmentandtheFrenchandFlemishcommunitiestosharefullytherichnessanddiversityoftheirexperiencesinpromotingwomen'sequalityintheirrespectivecommunitiesbysendingrepresentativesfromallthreetopresentthereport.2 .2Positiveaspects174.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedwithappreciationBelgium'sintentiontowithdrawitsreservationstoarticle7,section(b),withrespecttoroyalfunctions,andonarticle15,withrespecttomatrimonialpropertyofruralwomen.175.2 .2TheCommitteeviewedpositivelythebroadrepresentationoftheCouncilofEqualOpportunitiescomingfromvarioussectorssuchasnongovernmentalorganizations,youthandothersocialpartners.176.2 .2TheCommitteelaudedtheGovernmentforitsmulticulturalorientationinitsprogrammesonwomen,whichrespectedculturalidentitiesundertheumbrellaofafederalsystem.177.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionattheGovernment'sclarificationofthedefinitionofrapetoincludemaritalrapeanditscampaigntocombatviolenceagainstwomenbymobilizingthemediaforthatpurpose.Italsoappreciatedgovernmentsubsidiestosheltersforvictimsofviolenceandthetrainingprogrammestosensitizelawenforcementagenciesindealingwithviolenceagainstwomen.178.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedtheadoptionofalandmarklawagainsttraffickinginpersons,prostitutionandpornographywithextraterritorialapplications,whichwasadecisivestepbytheGovernmentofBelgiumtoaddresstheissueofsexualexploitationofwomen.179.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheGovernment'seffortstoadoptaffirmativeactionmeasures,includinglegislativemeasures,topromotewomen'semploymentinseniorpositionsinthepublicsector,aswellastonominatewomenascandidatesforgovernmentaladvisorybodies.180.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithinterestandsatisfactiontheincreasingnumberofwomeninpoliticsatthelocallevel.181.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithinterestthedecriminalizationofvoluntaryinterruptionofpregnancyandtheobservanceofconfidentialityincounsellingwomenwhomayormaynotoptforit,andwelcomedtheinformationthattherehadnotbeenanincreaseinthenumberofrequestsforvoluntaryinterruptionsofpregnancy.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern182.2 .2WhilelaudingtheeffortsoftheGovernmenttopromotewomen'sequality,theCommitteerecognizedtherelativelylowpresenceofwomeninpublicandpoliticallife,inhighlevelgovernmentpositions,thediplomaticservice,themilitary,politicalpartiesandtradeunions.183.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthecontinuingwagegapandworkplacesegregationbetweenmenandwomen,aswellasthehigherunemploymentratesamongwomen,leadingtothephenomenonofthefeminizationofpoverty.184.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheinterrelationshipsofthenumerousnationalmachineriesforwomenatthefederalandlocallevelsmightcreateproblemsofoverlappingandcoordination.185.2 .2Thewrittenreportlackedstatisticsandanalysisofthearticlesanddidnotreflecttherichnessoftheoralpresentation.186.2 .2InterestandconcernwereexpressedbytheCommitteeasregardseffortstoaddresstheneedsofminoritygroupssuchasmigrantwomen.187.2 .2TheissueofdiscriminationofwomeninsocialsecurityandtaxationislikewiseofconcerntothemembersoftheCommittee.TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutthehighnumberofwomenworkingparttimeascomparedtomenandthehiddendiscriminationthisrepresents.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations188.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatnationalmachineriesforwomenandothermechanismsofequalitylookintothepossibilityofamonitoringsystemtoensureeffectivecoordinationandtoavoiddiscrepanciesbetweenregions.189.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatmorestatisticaldataandanalysisofthearticlesoftheConventionbepresentedratherthanadejurepresentation.Adequatedatashouldbeprovidedonruralwomen,timeuseanalysisofwomeninhouseholds,femaleheadedhouseholdsandattitudestowardsminoritywomenoftheMaghrebandAfricancommunities.190.2 .2Measuresshouldbetakentoaddressthehiddendiscriminationinsocialsecurityandtaxationbetweendifferentgroupsofwomenandtobalancethenumberofwomenandmenworkingparttime.191.2 .2Toaddressthewagegap,jobreevaluationandreclassification,withaviewtoupgradingwomen'sjobcategories,shouldbeexplored.192.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentpromoteinterestinwomen'sparticipationinsportsandinmediacoverageofsuchevents.193.2 .2Programmesandprojectstoaddresstheneedsofmigrantwomenandothervulnerablewomenshouldbemadeavailableinthenextreport.194.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatinthenextreportmorefactualinformationbegivenontheimpactoftheaffirmativeactionpoliciesoftheGovernmentandontheobstaclesencounteredduringimplementation.195.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedclosemonitoringoftheimpactoftheenforcementofthelawagainsttraffickinginpersons,andthatinformationonthisbeprovidedinthenextreporttobesubmittedtotheCommittee.196.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtotheGovernmentofBelgiumthatittakemeasurestoincludethevalueofunremuneratedworkintothenationalaccountingsysteminaccordancewiththeBeijingPlatformforAction.@ . 4.Secondandthirdperiodicreports@ .$Cuba197.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportofCuba(CEDAW/C/CUB/23andAdd.1)atits294thand295thmeetings,on22January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.294and295).198.2 .2Inintroducingthecombinedreport,therepresentativeofCubarecalledthathercountryhadbeenthefirsttosignandthesecondtoratifytheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.ThatconstitutedanhistoricachievementforthecountryandshowedtheimportanceitattachedtotheConvention.Policiesforwomen,however,hadbegunalreadyin1959,followingtherevolution,andtheystillconstitutedapriority.199.2 .2Despitetheeconomicandpoliticalcircumstancesinwhichthecountryhadfounditselfsince1989asaresultofthesteppedupeconomicblockadebytheUnitedStatesofAmerica,whichhadhadsevererepercussionsonthesituationofwomenandchildrenandhadledtothedeteriorationofthequalityofpeople'slives,Cubahadnotceasedtogoforwardtowardsachievingfullequalitybetweenthesexes.200.2 .2TherepresentativesaidshewassorrythatthereportdidnotcomplywiththeCommittee'sgeneralguidelinesandrepliedtotheCommittee'swrittenquestionsonimplementationofthearticlesoftheConvention.201.2 .2TheeliminationofallformsofdiscriminationagainstwomenwasamajorgoaloftheGovernmentofCuba,anditslegalandpracticalimplementationwasunderconstantreviewbytheGovernmentaswellasbytheFederationofCubanWomen.Relevantministriesandinstitutionshaddevelopedandpromotedprogrammestochangesocioculturalpatternsofconductbetweenwomenandmenandtoeducatewomenontheirrights.Forchildrenbetween6and14yearsofage,theschoolingratewascurrently99percent.Girlsparticipatedateverylevel,andconstituted58percentofthestudentpopulationinhighereducation.Inthemostrecentparliamentaryelections,98.7percentofthepopulationhadparticipated.Therewere,however,stillmorementhanwomeninpositionsofpoliticalleadership.202.2 .2Womencurrentlymakeup40.6percentofthelabourforceinCuba,whichrepresentedaslightincreasesince1989,anddespitethedramaticdropinproductionandthesubsequentchangesinordertorestructureemployment,womenhadnotbeenthemostaffectedgroup.Effortswerebeingmade,nevertheless,toprovidemoretrainingforwomenandopportunitiesforredeployment,includingspecialmeasuresforfemaleheadedhouseholds.TheGovernmentwasstudyingthequestionofwagedifferentials.203.2 .2Whiletheimprovementofwomen'shealthhadbeenamajorachievement,theembargocurrentlyaffectedthedailydietofwomenandchildren.Furthermore,thereremainedaneedtoplaceemphasisonpreventionandriskreduction.Womenhadalifeexpectancyof77.6years,andtherehadbeenasteadyreductionininfantmortality.Therateofmaternalmortalityduetoabortionhaddecreasedto6.4perthousandbutstillrepresentedthemajorcauseofmaternalmortality.204.2 .2Womenhadtherighttoretaintheirnationalityandthatoftheirchildrenaftermarriage.TheviolationoftherighttoequalitywasacriminaloffenceinCuba,andthelawofferedprotectionincasesofviolenceagainstwomen.Effortswerebeingmadetostepupeducationforprostitutesandtheirfamilies,astherehadbeenareemergenceofprostitutioninrecentyears.Womenenjoyedthesamerightsasmenwithrespecttocreditandbankloansandcouldhavetitletolandonanequalbasiswithmen.205.2 .2RegardingthefollowuptotheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction,therepresentativesaidthatalargescaleprocessofinformationanddiscussionofthecommitmentscontainedintheBeijingdocumenthadbeguninwhichwomenandthewholesocietyweretakingpart.&  ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction'  206.2 .2TheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeoftheGovernmentofCubaforherdetailedresponsestothewrittenquestionswhichhadbeenprovidedpriortothesessionoftheCommittee.AlthoughtheCommitteenotedthatthesecondandthirdcombinedreportofCubahadnotcompletelyfollowedtheguidelinesestablishedbytheCommittee,sufficientinformationontheimplementationoftheConventionhadbeenpresentedtoshowtheprogressthatthecountrycontinuedtomakeintheareaofwomen'srights.Itwelcomedthehighlevelrepresentationinthedelegationfromthenationalmachineryforwomen.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention207.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthenegativeeffectoftheeconomicembargoonthecountry.This,combinedwiththedissolutionoftheUnionofSovietSocialistRepublicsanditssocialistallies,withwhichCubahadmaintainedcloseeconomic,commercialandcollaborativeties,hadhadseriousrepercussionsfortheCubaneconomy.Asaresult,someoftheprogrammestopromoteequalopportunitiesandtoeliminatestereotypesbetweenwomenandmenhadbeencurtailedorsuspended,andthefoodsituationingeneralhaddeteriorated.2 .2Positiveaspects208.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatCubanlegislationwasprogressiveinitsprovisionsaffirminggenderequalityandthatdiscriminationwaspunishableunderthelaw.209.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheGovernmentsupportfortheworkoftheCubanWomen'sFederation,whichrepresented90percentofthewomenofCuba.210.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithsatisfactionthesignificantincreaseinthenumberofwomeninallfieldsandlevelsofeducation,inthelabourforceinawidevarietyofoccupations,includingscienceandtechnology,medicine,sports,etc.,and,inparticular,inpolicymakingatlocal,nationalandinternationallevels.211.2 .2Thesteadydeclineinmaternalmortality,owinglargelytoimprovedcareforpregnantwomenandbettercareforchildrenintheirearlyyears,wasnotedbytheCommittee.Itwasalsonotedthatdecidingthenumberandspacingofone'schildrenhadbeenproclaimedafundamentalhumanright.212.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatdropoutratesforgirlshadbeendeclining,andadulteducationprogrammeshadbeendevelopedforwomen.213.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthattheGovernmenthadmadetheadjustmentsnecessarytoensurethattheeffectsofthedrasticdropineconomicgrowthwerenotfeltespeciallyorsolelybywomen.&  2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern'  214.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthefactthattheGovernmentintendedtoupholditsreservationconcerningarticle29.TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheeliminationofcertainareasofprogressforwomenowingtotheembargoandthesubsequenteconomicconstraints.215.2 .2TheCommitteeobservedthatgenderstereotypespersistdespitethehighlevelsofschoolenrolment,anddomesticworkandchildcarecontinuetobetheresponsibilityofwomen.216.2 .2TheCommitteepointedouttheneedtoexpandtheparticipationofwomenatthehighestlevelsofpoliticalpower.217.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthat,owingtothefactthatwomentraditionallywerelesswellpaid,therewasindirectdiscriminationinwomen'swages.Concernwasexpressedaboutthelackofinformationonwomenintradeunions.218.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsomescepticismthatdomesticviolencewasreportedtobeinfrequentandthatitwasnotconsideredtobeasocialproblem.219.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthattheeconomicsituationinCubaresultingfromtheeconomicembargohadproducedaseriousshortageofessentialproductslikemedicinesandcontraceptivedevices,whichhadbeenproblematicforthepopulationasawhole,andforwomeninparticular.220.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthereemergenceofprostitutioninCuba,whichwaslinkedtothegrowthintourismandtotheeconomicproblemsfacingwomen.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations221.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatdisaggregateddatabecollectedconcerningthenumberofcomplaintsregardingdiscrimination.222.2 .2Surveysandstudiesshouldbeundertakentodeterminetheextentandimpactofviolenceagainstwomen,inparticulardomesticviolence,evenifunreported,andtotakestepsinaccordancewithgeneralrecommendation19.223.2 .2Successfulprogrammestocombatsexistprejudicesandstereotyping,suchas"Mujeres","Muchachas"and"PerfilF",shouldberevivedassoonaspossible,sincetheyhelpedtoaddresstheattitudesofbothmenandwomenthatneedtobechanged,particularlywithregardtotheneedtoshareinthecareandeducationofchildreninkeepingwithgeneralrecommendation21.224.2 .2TheGovernmentshoulddoeverythingpossibletomeetthedemandforcontraceptives.Specialinformationprogrammesrelatingtosexuallytransmitteddiseases,especiallyHIV/AIDS,shouldbestrengthenedforyounggirls,particularlythoseengagedinprostitution,inkeepingwithgeneralrecommendation15.225.2 .2Everyeffortshouldbemadetofurthercheckthereemergenceofprostitution,tooffermoreandbetterjobopportunitiestowomenwhoengagedinprostitution,andnottoplacethesoleresponsibilityforprostitutiononthewomenthemselves.Strongermeasuresmustbeadoptedtoprosecuteprocurersandclientswhoviolatedthosewomen'srights.226.2 .2Anempiricalstudywasneededtodeterminewhetherwomenwerepaidthesamewagesasmenforworkofequalvalueandtodocumentoccupationalsegregationanditsrelationshiptoincome.227.2 .2TheCommitteeaskedthatmoreinformationbegiveninthenextperiodicreportonwomeninthelabourmarketandtheirincomesituation.TheCommitteewouldliketoreceivemoreinformationonthesituationofwomenintradeunionsinsubsequentreports.228.2 .2TheCommitteepointedouttheneedtoexpandtheparticipationofwomenatthehighestlevelsofpoliticalpower,andsuggestedthateffortsbecontinuedtoensurethatwomenhaveaneffectivevoiceindecisionsthataffectedtheirlives.@ .5.Thirdperiodicreports@ .Hungary229.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdperiodicreportofHungary(CEDAW/C/HUN/3andAdd.1)atits304thand305thmeetings,on30January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.304and305).230.2 .2Inhisintroductorystatement,therepresentativeofHungarystressedtheimportanceandhighpriorityattachedbyhisGovernmenttotheConvention,totheachievementofequalityofwomenandmen,andtotheintegrationofwomen'shumanrightsintothemainstreamofhumanrightsactivities.Humanrightseducationatalllevelswasconsideredtobetheappropriatetooltopromotetheeliminationofdiscrimination.231.2 .2Thetransitiontoanewpoliticalsystemresultingfromdemocraticelectionsin1990openedupnewopportunitiesforcivilsociety.Atthesametime,thetransitionfromStatesocialismtodemocracyhadunwantedconsequencesregardingwomen'sroleandpositioninsociety.Theconceptsofparity,democracyandofequalrightsofmenandwomen,whileenshrinedintheConstitutionandinlegislation,arenotyetareality.Whilewomenparticipateinlocalpolitics,theirrepresentationatthenationallevelremainslow,andwomen'sorganizationsarenotstrongorrepresentativeenoughtoinfluencegovernmentpolicyonequalityissues.232.2 .2Adifficulteconomicsituation,fallinglivingstandardsandeconomicstabilizationmeasuresrestrictthepossibilitiesforimplementingtheConvention,inparticularwithregardtowomen'sdefactoequality.Whiletherehasbeenadramaticincreaseinunemployment,sofarithasaffectedmenmorethanwomen.However,thesituationofelderlywomenisveryprecarious,andyoungwomenaredisadvantagedinthelabourmarket,owingtotheirlowerlevelofskillsandqualifications.Thelabourmarketremainssegregated.Ariseinprostitutionisalsoattributedtohighunemploymentandothereconomichardships.233.2 .2Recentchangesintroducedinthecountryincludedthemodificationofthefamilysupportsystem,accordingtowhichmostfinancialsupporttofamilieswillnowbeneedbased.Financialchildcarebenefitsarebeingabolished,andthenumberofStatesponsoreddaycarefacilitieshasdecreased.ThecostofprivatechildcareoftenexceedsthefinancialmeansofHungarianfamilies.Effortsareunderwaytoeducatefemaleemployeesabouttheirrightsintheworkplace,whichisconsideredveryimportantinatimeofdrasticeconomicchange.Awomen'smachinerywasestablishedwithintheframeworkoftheMinistryofLabour.234.2 .2ThesituationoftheRomaminority,manyofwhomliveinextremepoverty,isofparticularconcerntotheGovernment.Aprogrammeofactionisthereforebeingelaboratedtoaddresseducational,employment,socialwelfareandanti-discriminationaspects.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction235.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionwiththemannerinwhichtheStatepartyhadsubmitteditsthirdperiodicreportandengagedinaconstructivedialoguewiththeCommittee.236.2 .2Thereportdescribesthemajorchangesthathaveoccurredinthecountryandtheseriousdifficultiesconfrontingwomenwithregardtotheirrightsandtheireffectiverecognition.237.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthereportandtheoralpresentationprovidedanobjectiveanalysisofthesituation.&  FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention238.2 .2TheCommitteeisawarethatHungaryisundergoingaperiodofsocialandpoliticaltransitiontheeconomicconsequencesofwhicharenotconducivetoadvancingthestatusofwomen.239.2 .2Theeconomicrecessionandtheemergenceofneoconservativeandneoliberal'  ideashavehadasubstantialnegativeimpactonthecountry'soverallsituation,creatingafeelingofheightenedinsecurity.Inaddition,thechangeinattitudestowardsthetraditionalfamily,withasystemofvalueswherethemotheristhecentralelementofthehousehold,seemstolimitwomen'sopportunities.240.2 .2Women'sissuesareconsequentlynolongeramatterofprimaryconcernforthecountry.TheCommitteeisawarethatthistransitionperiodisdelayingimplementationoftheConventionandcompliancewiththecommitmentsmadebytheStatepartyattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.2 .2Positiveaspects  241.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatHungary'sConstitutionandlegislationguaranteeequalrightstowomenwithoutanydiscrimination.242.2 .2TheCommitteeparticularlyappreciatedthelegislativeandstructuralreformsrecentlyintroducedbytheGovernmenttoguaranteewomen'ssocialandpoliticalrights,includingtheEmbryoProtectionAct,whichhasconsiderablyreducedthenumberofinducedabortions.243.2 .2TheCommitteewaspleasedwiththeinclusionofhumanrightsteaching,includingwomen'srightsasanintegralpartthereof,inthecurriculaofprimaryandsecondaryschoolsandatuniversities.244.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedthecooperationbeingdevelopedbyHungarywithinternationalinstitutionssuchastheEuropeanUnion,theCouncilofEuropeandtheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)forthefurthertrainingofthelabourforce,thereby,interalia,providingwomenwithopportunitiestoimprovetheirsituation.245.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithinterestaresurgenceofwomen'snon-governmentalorganizations,whichareextendinglinksofsolidaritywitheachother,withaviewtomakingwomenawareoftheirrights.246.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheemergenceofbusinesswomeninHungary,whichcouldhelptostimulatethecountry'seconomy.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern247.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattherewasnocoherentpolicyoranypowerfulbodywithspecialresponsibilityforcoordinatingactioninfavourofwomen.248.2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedthatwomen'sissueswerenotapriorityfortheGovernmentpoliticalpartiesorpublicopinion.249.2 .2Sincetheirspecificneedswerenotbeingtakenintoaccount,defactoenjoymentofwomen'srightswasundeniablymeetingobstacles.250.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcerntheundueemphasisplacedonwomen'sroleasmotherswithoutbalancingitwiththeirroleascitizens.251.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthelowleveloffemalerepresentationinthedecisionmakingprocessandintheconductofpublicaffairs.252.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithalarmthatthenumberofactsofviolenceandsexcrimesagainstwomenmorethandoubledbetween1988and1993,andconsequentlydeploresthelackofspecialcriminallegislationdesignedtocurbthesecrimes.253.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithregretthattheeconomicconstraintsresultingfromthetransitionprocesswerehavinganegativeimpactonwomen'semploymentandhealth;femaleunemploymentwasincreasingandthequalityofsocialservicesprovidedtowomenwasdeteriorating.254.2 .2Inaddition,thestateofhealthofthefemalepopulationwasunsatisfactorywhenjudgedbyinternationalstandards.Inparticular,thehighcostofcontraceptivespreventedwomenfromfreelyplanningwhentohavechildren.TheveryhighincreaseintherateofabortionswasofconcerntotheCommittee.255.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthescaleoftheproblemofprostitution,whichaffectedgirlsandwomeninethnicminoritiesinparticular.256.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedtheveryprecarioussituationofrefugeewomen,whoaremoreoftenexposedtodiscriminatorytreatment.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations257.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartyensurethattheprovisionsoftheConventionareimplementedandthatthecommitmentsitmadeattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenarehonoured,byinstitutingahighlevelnationalmechanismresponsiblefordefiningandcoordinatingapolicyfortheadvancementofwomen.258.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitedtheGovernmenttotakethenecessarymeasurestoimprovethelevelofrepresentationofwomeninallareasofpoliticalandpubliclife.259.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttotakeurgentlegislativeandconcretemeasurestoprovidefemalevictimsofviolencewithprotectionandappropriateandsuitableservices.260.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttooffersexeducationprogrammestoallyoungpeopleandtosubsidizecontraceptivesinordertopromotefamilyplanningandreducethenumberofabortions.261.2 .2TheCommitteeurgentlyrequestedtheGovernmenttotakeallnecessarymeasurestorehabilitateandreintegrateprostitutesintosociety.262.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttoguaranteesocialprotectionforminorityandrefugeewomen.263.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentsupportwomen'snon-governmentalorganizations.Itshouldalsofacilitatetheestablishmentofanetworkofnon-governmentalorganizationswithaviewtostrengtheningtheiractions.264.2 .2TheCommitteeurgentlyrequestedtheGovernmenttotakefurtherstepstodisseminatetheConventionandthegeneralrecommendationsoftheCommittee. A UK     \R3'\ X      +C?<6X9`(CourierC( @ $(j882   @ .Ukraine  265.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdperiodicreportofUkraine(CEDAW/C/UKR/3andAdd.1)atits302ndmeeting,on29January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.302).266.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeofUkrainehighlightedthechangesthatthecountryhadundergonesincethereport'ssubmissionin1991,inparticular,thetransitionfromatotalitariantoademocraticregime.TheGovernmentwasintheprocessofestablishinganationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomen,andseveralbodieshadbeensetuptostudythesocialsituationofwomenandtoprotectwomen.Therehadalsobeenanincreaseinwomen'snongovernmentalorganizations.Currently,womenaccountedfor54percentofthepopulation.267.2 .2TherepresentativestatedthatthelegislationofUkrainewasconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandreportedonparliamentaryhearingsheldinJuly1995atwhichtheimplementationoftheConventionhadbeendiscussedindetail.Shementionedthehighlevelofeducationofwomenbutnotedthatpreferencewasgiventomenoverwomeninleadershippostsandthatwomenwerealsonotwellrepresentedinexecutivepositions.TherewerenowomenministersandnowomeninthePresidiumoftheSupremeSoviet,andwomenheldonly4percentoftheseatsinParliament.Womenwereequaltomeninprofessionaltraining.Theyhadequalaccesstosocial,politicalandculturalactivities.Theyreceivedequalwagesandbenefitedfromconditionsthatmadeitpossibleforthemtocombineworkwithmotherhood,includingparttimeworkandotherspecialbenefits.268.2 .2Therepresentativementionedseverallawsandmeasuresthathadbeenadoptedtoimprovethesituationoffamilieswithchildrenandthatalawonchildrenwouldsoonbeenacted.269.2 .2Therepresentativealsospokeaboutthesevereeconomiccrisis,whichhadhadamajorimpactonthesituationofworkingwomenandhadincreasedthethreatofpoverty.Seventyfourpercentoftheunemployedwerewomen.270.2 .2TherepresentativepointedoutthatUkrainewasundergoingthedeepestdemographiccrisisofthedecade.Intheagegroupbetween20and50yearsthemortalityofmenwasmorethanthreetimeshigherthanthatofwomen.Thelifeexpectancyofwomenis,asaresult,10yearsgreaterthanthatofmen.Therepresentativeoutlinedtheserioushealthproblemsofadolescentgirlsandsaidthatthenumberofabortionsexceededthenumberofbirths.ShesaidthatanationalprogrammeoffamilyplanninghadbeenlaunchedinSeptember1995,includingmakingcontraceptivesavailable.271.2 .2TherepresentativementionedthesettingupofanetworkofservicesandtheallocationoffundsfordealingwithnegativegeneticeffectsofradiationassociatedwiththeChernobylincident.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction272.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedappreciationforthefrankpresentationofthethirdperiodicreportofUkraineandwelcomedtheefforttoprovideupdatedinformationduringextensivereplies,whichsupplementedinlargemeasurethestatisticaldatathatshouldhavebeenincludedinthereport.ItregrettedthatthereportdidnotfollowtheCommittee'sgeneralguidelinesanddidnottakeintoaccountitsgeneralrecommendations.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention273.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgedthedramaticeconomiccrisisresultingfromthetransitionofthecountrytoademocraticmarketorientedsocietyandfromstructuraladjustments.Italsonotedtheseriousecologicalcrisisderivingfromvariousfactors,inparticulartheChernobylincident.BothcrisesendangeredtheimplementationoftheConventionandthedefactoenjoymentofthehumanrightsofwomen.274.2 .2Inaddition,thepervasiveandsystematicpersistenceofgeneralculturalpatternsandsocialgenderstereotypeswerefoundtobeamajorissueaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2Positiveaspects275.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthattheholdingofaparliamentaryhearingin1995specificallytodiscussissuesrelatedtotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenshowedtheimportanceattachedbytheGovernmenttotheConventionandtheCommittee'swork.Italsoappreciatedthepublicimpactofsuchastep.276.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatUkrainehadratifiedallmajorhumanrightstreatiesandhadadoptedanewActontheEffectofInternationalAgreementsonUkrainianTerritoryinDecember1991,bywhichallinternationaltreatiesratifiedautomaticallybecamepartofdomesticlegislation.TheCommitteecommendedthefactthatthecountryattachedgreatimportancetohumanrightsingeneral.277.2 .2ItwasalsonoteworthythattheGovernmenthadmadecommitmentsattheBeijingConferenceonimportantissuesrelatingtofamilylifeproblemsfacedbywomenasaconsequenceofeconomictransitionandhadalreadyestablishedregionalbodiestooverseetheimplementationofsuchspecialprojects.278.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionatthefundamentaleconomicandstructuralchangesthathadrecentlytakenplaceinUkraineasdescribedintheoralpresentation.ItwelcomedinparticulartheadoptionofseverallegalmeasurestoimplementtheprovisionsoftheConvention.279.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheadoptionofthenewconstitutionguaranteeingtheequalityofmenandwomeninallspheresoflifeinaccordancewiththeConvention.280.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthatwomenwithdisabledoryoungchildrenenjoyedearlypensionbenefitsunderUkrainianlaw.2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern281.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattheGovernmenthadnotmadeanyefforttocombatculturalandsocialstereotypesofwomenandmen.282.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthat,despitetheexistenceofseveralentitiestooverseeissuesrelatingtowomenandchildren,theGovernmenthadnoclearlyformulatedpolicyonwomen,andthatthenationalmachineryongenderissueshadnoeffectiveauthority.Itwasalsounclearwhetherandtowhatextentparliamentarybodieswerecommittedtoeliminatingdiscriminationagainstwomen.283.2 .2Whileacknowledgingthegoodintentionsbehindlegalmeasuresadoptedtoprotectmaternity,theCommitteewasoftheviewthatsuchmeasurescouldbeoverprotectiveanddetrimentaltothestatusofwomeninamarketorientedeconomy.284.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheabsenceofmeasuresorplansthatwouldenablementoshareparentalresponsibilitiesonanequalfootingwithwomen.285.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheprevailinglowproportionofwomenindecisionmakingpositions.286.2 .2TheCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutsexualstereotypingandoverprotectivelabourlegislation.Itnotedthatprotectivelabourlawshadthesoleeffectofrestrictingwomen'seconomicopportunities,andwereneitherlegitimatenoreffectiveasameasureforpromotingwomen'sreproductivehealth.Womenshouldhavearighttofreechoiceastotheiremployment,andthehighratesofinfantmortalityandfetalabnormalityresultingfromtheecologicaldisastershouldbeaddressedasamatterofpublichealth.̇287.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthelimitedaccessofruralwomentoeffective,affordableandacceptablemethodsoffamilyplanning.Thissituationoftenledlargenumbersofwomentoresorttounsafeabortions.288.2 .2Furtherconcernwasexpressedatthefactthattherateofwomen'seconomicactivityhaddeclinedsignificantlyinrecentyears.Womenconstituted80to90percentoftheunemployed.Thiswasduetothereductionofthepublicsectorasthemainemployerofwomenandthenonrecruitmentofwomenbytheemergingprivatesector.289.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithconcernthatwomenclusteredincertainoccupationsinwhichtheyreceivedsubstantiallylowerwagesthanthosepaidtomenemployedinotheroccupationalsectors.290.2 .2TheCommitteehadseriousconcernsregardingthehealthoftheUkrainianpeopleingeneralandofwomeninparticular.Theproblemsofsustainingnormalpregnancy,ofbirthdefectsandofinfertilityduetonuclearradiationpoisoningandstressrelateddifficultiesweighedheavilyonwomen.291.2 .2TheCommitteehadseriousconcernsaboutthedeepdemographiccrisisinthecountry,inparticular,andthefactthatthenumberofabortionsexceededthenumberofbirths.292.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthegrowingrateofsuicideanddeathsrelatedtoalcoholpoisoning.293.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthattheminimumageformarriagewasnotthesameforgirlsasforboys.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations294.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthatUkraineprovideanexplanation,insubsequentreports,of"partialnoncompliance"witharticles2,paragraphs(d)and(f),3,5,paragraphs(a)and(b),7,paragraph(b),8and14,paragraphs(a)(b)and(h),asstatedinthethirdperiodicreportandchangesintheirimplementationstatusinthenextreport.295.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatinsubsequentreportsfurtherinformationonthestatusofimplementationofcommitmentsmadeattheBeijingConferencebeprovided.296.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,inviewofthesuccessfulincorporationintodomesticlegislationofallinternationaltreatiesratifiedbythecountry,equalrightsaswellashumanrightseducationshouldbemademandatoryforjudgesandlawenforcementagenciesinUkraine.297.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentprovidemoredetailedinformationinthenextreportonviolenceagainstwomen,includingrape,wifebattering,childabuse,incestandotherformsofphysicalandpsychologicalviolenceagainstwomen,aswellasongovernmentalmeasurestocombatsuchviolence.298.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecommendedthatUkraineprovidedetailedstatisticalinformationonwomenofallminoritieslivinginthecountry,inparticularonCrimeanTartars.299.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttoreviewandamendthelegislationthatallowedtheactivitiesofnumeroussexservicesandthepracticeofhiringwomenasdancers,waitersorotherstafftoworkabroad,oftenleadingtoprostitution,andtotakemeasurestoprosecutecriminaloffendersandtorehabilitatethevictimsthrougheducation,trainingandsupportservices.300.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,inagreementwitharticle5oftheConvention,measuresbeadoptedsothatwomenandmenshareddomesticworkandthecareofchildrenequally.@ .T 6.Reportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasis@ .Rwanda  ( @ $(,2301.3  2 .2TherepresentativeofRwandamadeanoralpresentation,onanexceptionalbasis,atthe306thmeetingoftheCommittee,on31January1996(seeCEDAW/C/SR.306).SheexpressedappreciationfortheinteresttheCommitteewasshowingtowardshercountry.ShepointedoutthatRwandahadreportedfourtimestotheCommitteeonprogressinimprovingthestatusofwomenbeforethetragicanddramaticevents,whichincludednotonlyfouryearsofwarsince1990,butunprecedentedgenocide,withthemassacreofanestimatedonemillionpeople.Therehadbeenviolationsofhumanrightsonamassivescale.2302.3  2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutsomeofthesocial,politicalandeconomicconsequencesoftheeventsinhercountry,includingphysical,psychological,moralandspiritualdestabilizationofthepopulation,totaldestructionofthestructuresoftheStateandaneconomywhichisnowdominatedbyhumanitarianassistance.Shepointedoutthattherehadbeensystematicdestructionofthemeansofproductionandpublicservices.2303.3  2 .2Therepresentativeexplainedthateffortswereunderwaytoaddresstheproblemsofthecountryandtheeffectsofthegenocide,includingrehabilitationforthosemostaffectedinthepopulation.2304.3  2 .2Indescribingtheparticularsituationofwomen,sheprovidedinformationonthetotalinadequacyofmedicalservices,theextentofchronicmalnutrition,thelackofcleanwaterandtheprevalenceofHIV/AIDS,notingthatwomenandgirlswereparticularlyvulnerableandthat,betweentheagesof14and40,theincidenceofmaternaldeathandinfantdeathhadincreasedsubstantially.Theywerealsosufferingfromseverepsychologicaleffects;anxietyanddepressionwerecommon.2305.3  2 .2Withregardtoeducation,womenandgirlswereparticularlyaffectedbythedamagetotheeducationalsystemresultingfromthewar,asthecustomsandtraditionshadpreviouslyplacedwomenandgirlsatadisadvantageandtherehadbeennopossibilityforimprovementunderthecircumstances.2306.3  2 .2Sheprovidedinformationonthesmallnumberofwomeninpoliticallifeandnotedfactorsthatpreventedwomenfromplayingamoreactiveroleinpoliticaldecisionmaking,includingpovertyandlackofaccesstoinformation.2307.3  2 .2Therepresentativesummarizedeffortstopromotetheadvancementofwomen,suchaseconomicempowerment,greatersharingofresponsibilitiesamongmenandwomen,bettersocialservices,legalreformandprotectionforyoungwomen,butemphasizedthatsucheffortswerecontingentontherebuildingofthecountry.&  ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction2308.3  2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationthatthedistinguished'  representativeoftheGovernmentofRwandawasabletomaketheoralpresentation,takingintoaccounttheextremelydifficultsituationofhercountry.Thiswasindicativeofthecommitmenttotheadvancementofwomeninthecountry,evenduringthisdifficultperiodofthepostgenocidesituation.TheCommitteeexpresseditssolidarityandsympathywiththepeopleofRwanda,particularlythewomenandchildren.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationJ .JoftheConvention2309.3  2 .2TheCommitteeidentifiedasmajorfactorsanddifficultiesinimplementingtheConvention:theweakStatemachinerytoeffectivelymaintainthepeaceprocess;thedifficultprocessofnationalreconciliation;thebreakdownofpublicinfrastructureandprivatesupportsystems;thelargenumberofRwandanrefugeesandinternallydisplacedpersons;thegreatnumberofmilitiasandsomecivilianswhoarestillarmed;andtheshatteredeconomyandextremepoverty.&  2 .2Positiveaspects2310.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheestablishmentofthecommitteeofinquirytoinvestigatethegenocideof1994toensurejusticeforthe'  perpetratorsandsafetyandrehabilitationforsurvivors.2311.3  2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentforinitiatingareconciliationprocess.2312.3  2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheattemptmadebytheGovernmenttorebuildinfrastructureandtheeconomy.2313.3  2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernment'seffortstorehabilitatetraumatizedpeople,bothphysicallyandpsychologically,toenablethemtoregaintheirlostimage.2314.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithinteresttheestablishmentofawomen'spromotionoffice,whichisunderthePrimeMinister'soffice,aswellasafocalpointtoprovidelegalassistance,peace,educationandthedevelopmentofgendersensitiveprogrammes.2315.3  2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedgreatalarmatthecontinualsupplyofarmstoallinvolvedintheconflict,whichcouldseriouslyobstructthepeaceprocess.2316.3  2 .2TheCommitteereactedwithscepticismtotheinformationthatthegenocideandongoingproblemwiththecountrywerenotrelatedtoethnicconflicts.2317.3  2 .2Theslowrepatriationandresettlementofrefugees,themajorityofwhomarewomenandchildren,fromneighbouringcountriesisanissueofconcerntotheCommittee.2318.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthetraditionalcustoms,whichareprejudicialtowomen.2319.3  2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedandexpresseditsconcernatthehighrateofilliteracy,particularlyamongwomen.̇2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern2320.3  2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithdeepconcerntheextremepovertythatprevailed,thedecimatedeconomy,thedestructionofeconomicandsocialinfrastructureandthelackoffundingformedicalassistanceforthesurvivorsofthewar.2321.3  2 .2TheCommitteewasdismayedatthedeeppsychologicaltrauma,theunwantedpregnanciesandthemassiverapeofwomenandgirlsduringthegenocide,whichresultedinwidespreadHIV/AIDSandothersexuallytransmitteddiseases.Thiscanofcourseeventuallyleadtofurtherillnessanddeathforthousandsofwomenandgirls.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations2322.3  2 .2Theinternationalcommunity,includingallUnitedNationsagenciesandGovernments,mustgivemassivesupportforpovertyalleviationandeducationprogrammesaimedateliminatinghumanrightsviolationsandrehabilitatingRwanda.2323.3  2 .2TheGovernmentshouldsupportwomen'squestforequalrightsandtheircontributionsinallareasofsociety,inparticularinthereconciliationprocessandmaintenanceofpeace.2324.3  2 .2WomenandmenshouldbeequallyrepresentedontheInternationalTribunalforRwanda;itmustalsohaveafocusonwomen'srights.2325.3  2 .2Theremustbeawitnessprotectionunitinthewarcrimesprosecutor'sofficetoprotectthosewhotestifyaboutrape,sexualviolenceandothercrimes.2326.3  2 .2ThemonitoringunitoftheHumanRightsFieldOperationinRwandamustbeeducatedandtrainedaboutsexualassault,rape,andsystematicrape.Itisstronglyrecommendedthatinappointingmonitorswomen,inparticular,beappointed,andthattherebeanemphasisondiversityofexperienceandfamiliaritywithRwanda'scultureandlanguage.2327.3  2 .2Athoroughinvestigationofrapeandsexualassaultmustbeconducted.2328.3  2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentmakeeveryefforttoincludewomeninitsrehabilitationefforts,atleastonanequalbasiswithmen.2329.3  2 .2TheGovernmentmustputinplacelegalprovisionsthatwouldadvancewomen'sreproductiveandsexualrights,landtitlestowomenandtherightofwomentobetheirchildren'slegalguardian.2330.3  2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsimmediateimplementationofresolution1995/5,entitled"SituationofhumanrightsinRwanda",aswellasresolution1995/14,entitled"Systematicrapeandsexualslaveryduringperiodsofarmedconflict",oftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities.2331.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersthatitisnecessarytoorganizeaconsensusbuildingdiscussionconcerningtherepatriationofRwandanrefugeesandinternallydisplacedpersons.TheinternationalcommunityshouldonlyencouragerepatriationofrefugeeswhenthereareclearsignsfrominsideRwandathatsuggestsuchaction.@ .V.WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE332.2 .2Atits286thand307thmeetings,on15Januaryand1February1996,theCommitteeconsideredwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(agendaitem6).333.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen.SheintroducedthereportoftheSecretariatonwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1996/6).@ .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorkingGroupI334.2 .2Atits307thmeeting,on1February,theCommitteeconsideredthisitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupIandtookthefollowingdecisions:@ .1.Revisionofguidelinesregardingtheformandcontent@ .ofinitialandsubsequentreportsinthelightofthe@ .Z BeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction󀀀335.2 .2TheCommitteedecidestomakeanadditiontoitsguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentofinitialandsubsequentreportsofStatespartiestoreadasfollows:02 .2 ."Itshouldbenotedthataccordingtoparagraph323oftheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionadoptedattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomeninSeptember1995,'StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenareinvited,whenreportingunderarticle18oftheConvention,toincludeinformationonmeasurestakentoimplementthePlatformforActioninordertofacilitatetheworkoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomeninmonitoringeffectivelywomen'sabilitytoenjoytherightsguaranteedbytheConvention.'InpreparingtheirinitialandsubsequentreportsunderthearticlesoftheConventionorinsupplementaryoraland/orwrittenmaterialssuppliedinconnectionwithreportsalreadysubmitted,Statespartiesarethereforeinvitedtotakeintoaccountthe12criticalareasofconcerninchapterIIIofthePlatformforAction.ItshouldalsobenotedthattheseconcernsarecompatiblewiththearticlesoftheConventionandthereforewithinthemandateoftheCommittee."@ .2.Institutionalrelations336.2 .2TheCommitteerequeststhatoraland/orwrittenreportsoftheSpecialRapporteuronViolenceagainstWomenbemadeavailabletotheCommittee,andurgesthattheSpecialRapporteurconsultregularlywiththeCommitteeinaccordancewithCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1994/45of4March1994.TheCommitteealsorequeststhatreportsoftheCommitteeandinformationonviolenceagainstwomenreceivedbytheCommitteefromStatespartiesintheiroralandwrittenreports,bemadeavailablebytheSecretariattotheSpecialRapporteurtofacilitateherwork.337.2 .2TheCommitteedecidesthatitwouldbeusefulfordesignatedmembersoftheCommitteetoactasfocalpointsoneachoftheotherhumanrightstreatybodiesandtokeeptheCommitteeinformedonrelevantactivitiesofthosebodies.̇338.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitestheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomentoprovideforfuturesessionsoftheCommittee:2 .2(a) .Reports(includingconcludingcomments)ofthevarioushumanrightstreatybodiestobesentfromtheCentreforHumanRightsdirectlytothosemembersoftheCommitteedesignatedtoactasliaisonpersonstotherespectivehumanrightstreatybodies;2 .2(b) .ThemostrecentconcludingcommentsforcountryreportsunderconsiderationbytheCommittee,ofallhumanrightstreatybodies,tobedisseminatedinadvancetoallmembersoftheCommittee,orpreferablytobeattachedtotheDivision'sanalysisofcountryreportsbeforethebeginningofeachsession;2 .2(c) .PreliminaryreportssubmittedbytheSpecialRapporteurontraditionalpracticesaffectingthehealthofwomenandchildren,inaccordancewithCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1994/45.339.2 .2Pursuanttoarticle22oftheConvention,theCommitteerequeststhespecializedagenciestocontinuepresentingtoitreportsthatfocusontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivities.TheCommitteewelcomes,inparticular,reportsthatrefertothoseofStatespartiescurrentlyunderconsideration.TheCommitteealsowelcomestheassistanceandcooperationofthespecializedagenciesinimplementingitsmandateundertheConventionandtheBeijingPlatformforAction,aswellasgivingeffecttoitsgeneralrecommendations,andinthetranslationandwidedisseminationoftheConvention.340.2 .2InfollowinguptherecommendationsoftheBeijingPlatformforAction,andparticularlytheareasofconcerncontainedthereinthatarecompatiblewiththearticlesoftheConvention,andinordertocoordinateandavoidoverlapwiththeactivitiesofUnitedNationsspecializedagencies,organsandprogrammesandensurethattheimplementationoftheConventionremainsinthemainstreamofactivitiesfortheadvancementofwomen,theCommitteedecidesonthefollowingareasofpriority:2 .2(a) .Culturaltraditionsandstereotypes,withtheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO);2 .2(b) .Povertyandstructuraladjustmentprogrammes,withtheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),theUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen(UNIFEM),theWorldBank,theInternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopment(IFAD)andtheInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF);2 .2(c) .Violence,withtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)andUNESCO;2 .2(d) .Health,withWHOandtheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA);2 .2(e) .Employmentandmigration,withtheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)andtheInternationalOrganizationforMigration(IOM);2 .2(f) .Poweranddecisionmaking,withUNESCOandtheCommissionontheStatusofWomen;2 .2(g) .Elderlywomenanddisabledwomen,withtheprogrammefortheelderlyaswellasdisabledwithintheUnitedNationssystem;2 .2(h) .Education,trainingandmassmedia,withUNESCO,ILOandtheDepartmentofPublicInformation;2 .2(i) .Ruralwomen,withtheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO)andIFAD;2 .2(j) .Refugeewomen,withtheOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees.341.2 .2TheCommitteewillcontinuetodesignateoneofitsmemberstoserveasfocalpointwithparticularUnitedNationsentities.EffortswillbemadetoexplorecooperationinrelationtofieldlevelactivitiesandtodevelopfurtherwaysofintegratingtheConventionintotheworkoftheUnitedNationssystem.&  @ . 3.Reportstobeconsideredatthesixteenthsession342.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthereportsofeightStatespartiesbeconsideredatthesixteenthsession,providedthatthedurationofthesessionisthreeweeks.Bearinginmindthecriteriaofdateofsubmissionandgeographicalbalance,thereportsofthefollowingStatespartiesshouldbeconsidered:2 .2(a) .Initialreports'  2 .2 .SaintVincentandtheGrenadines2 .2 .Slovenia2 .2 .Israel2 .2 .Zaire2 .2(b) .Secondperiodicreports2 .2 .Argentina2 .2 .Turkey2 .2(c) .Thirdperiodicreports2 .2 .Canada2 .2 .Philippines343.2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesisnotabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteedecidestoconsiderthereportsofEquatorialGuineaandMorocco.344.2 .2ShouldapprovalbegivenfortheCommitteetoholdasecondthreeweeksessionin1997,reportsofthefollowingStatespartiesshouldbeconsidered:2 .2(a) .Initialreports2 .2 .Morocco2 .2 .AntiguaandBarbuda2 .2 .Armenia2 .2 .(AnAsiancountrytobedecided)&  ԇ2 .2(b) .Secondperiodicreports2 .2 .DominicanRepublic2 .2 .EquatorialGuinea'  2 .2(c) .Thirdperiodicreports2 .2 .Mexico2 .2 .Bangladesh345.2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesisnotabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteeproposestoconsiderthereportsofCroatiaandItaly.@ . 4.ReservationstotheConventionontheElimination@ ." ofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen346.2 .2TheCommitteerequeststheSecretariattoprovidethefollowingatitsnextsessiontofacilitateadiscussiononreservationstotheConvention:2 .2(a) .AreviewofwhatUnitedNationsconferenceshavesaidaboutreservationstotheConvention;2 .2(b) .Areviewofcommentsmadebywomen'shumanrightsnon-governmentalorganizationsconcerningreservationstotheConvention;2 .2(c) .AqualitativecomparisonofreservationstotheConventionwiththosetoothertreaties;2 .2(d) .AnanalysisofStatesparties'reservationsthatarecontrarytotheobjectandpurposeoftheConventionorwhichareotherwiseincompatiblewithinternationaltreatylaw.&  @ .Z 5.UnitedNationsmeetingstobeattendedbythe@ . Chairperson/membersoftheCommitteein1996347.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheChairpersonoranalternateshouldattendthefollowingmeetings(listedinorderofpriority):'  2 .2(a) .TheCommissionontheStatusofWomen;2 .2(b) .TheCommissiononHumanRights;2 .2(c) .Themeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies;2 .2(d) .TheGeneralAssembly(ThirdCommittee);2 .2(e) .TheUnitedNationsConferenceonHumanSettlements(HabitatII).  @ . 6.Membersofthepresessionworking@ . groupforthesixteenthsession348.2 .2TheCommitteedecidesthatthemembersofthepresessionworkinggroupforthesixteenthsessionoftheCommitteeandtheiralternatesshouldbe: 882  2 .2Member . . .Alternate2 .2Ms.IvankaCorti(W.Europe)0 .Ms.CarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal(pendingreelection)2 .2Ms.MiriamEstrada(LatinAmerica) .Ms.DesireP.Bernard2 .2Ms.TendaiRuthBare(Africa) .Ms.EmnaAouij2 .2Ms.AuroraJavateDeDios(Asia) .Ms.SunaryatiHartono@ . 7.DatesofthesixteenthsessionoftheCommittee349.2 .2Consistentwiththecalendarofconferencesfor1997,thesixteenthsessionshouldbeheldfrom13to31JanuaryinNewYork.Thepresessionworkinggroupwouldmeetfrom6to10January.@ . VI.IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION+ӈ350.2 .2Atits286thand308thmeetings,on15Januaryand2February1996,theCommitteeconsideredtheimplementationofarticle21oftheConvention(agendaitem5).351.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthefollowingreportsoftheSecretariat:2 .2(a) .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsprovidedbyspecializedagenciesoftheUnitedNationsontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivities(CEDAW/C/1996/3andAdd.14);2 .2(b) .ReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticles7and8oftheConvention(CEDAW/C/1994/4);2 .2(c) .ReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticle2oftheConvention(CEDAW/C/1995/4).̀A.ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof+̀WorkingGroupII352.2 .2Atits308thmeeting,on2February,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupIIandtookthefollowingdecision.@ .Discussionsongeneralrecommendationsonarticles7and8@ .oftheConvention353.2 .2TheCommitteeagreedtocontinueatitssixteenthsession,thepreparationofgeneralrecommendationsonarticle7oftheConventiononthebasisoftheworkingpaperpreparedatitsfifteenthsessionandanadditionaltexttobepreparedandsuppliedtomembersintheworkinglanguagesoftheCommitteewellinadvanceofthesixteenthsession.TheworkingpaperwaspreparedafterreviewingthedraftdevelopedattheCommittee'sthirteenthsessionandinthelightofdevelopmentsintheinterim.TheCommitteewillalsotakeupageneralrecommendationonarticle8.@ .Z B.StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficialsExecutiveDirectoroftheUnitedNationsPopulationFund354.2 .2Atthe288thmeeting,on16January1996,theExecutiveDirectorofUNFPAaddressedtheCommittee,statingthattheFundwouldworkwithotherUnitedNationsagenciestoinformwomen'snongovernmentalorganizationsandhumanrightsadvocatesoftheworkoftheCommittee.ShesaidthattheFundhopedthatsuchsensitizationwouldenableorganizationstomonitortheConvention'simplementationatthecountrylevel.355.2 .2TheExecutiveDirectorsaidthatthePlatformforActionadoptedattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,heldatBeijingin1995,statedexplicitlythatthehumanrightsofwomenandofthegirlchildareaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofallhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms.TheconsensusreachedattheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment,heldatCairoin1994,hadstressedtheneedforgenderequalityandequitytoenablewomentorealizetheirfullpotential.TheCairoConferencehadalsourgedmentotakeresponsibilityfortheirsexualandreproductivebehaviourandfamilyroles.356.2 .2ShealsoindicatedthattheBeijingPlatformforActionhadcalledforareviewoflawscontainingpunitivemeasuresagainstwomenwhohadundergoneillegalabortion.Sheaddedthattakingahumanrightsapproachtowomen'shealthhadimpliedthatnationalandinternationalpolicieswouldbebasedontherecognitionofwomen'srights.357.2 .2TheExecutiveDirectorconcludedthatUNFPAwascommittedtohumanrights,andspecificallytowomen'srights.Therighttohealthandtherightofcouplesandindividualstodeterminethenumberandspacingoftheirchildrenhadbeeninstrumentalindrivingitspolicies.DirectoroftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen358.2 .2Atthe297thmeeting,on23January1996,theDirectorofUNIFEMaddressedtheCommittee.ShenotedthattheactiveparticipationofCommitteemembersatBeijinghadensuredthattheConventionwouldbecomebetterrecognizedasthewomen'shumanrightsConvention.ShesaidthatUNIFEMwelcomedtheopportunitytosupporttheworkoftheCommittee.ShepointedoutthattheprincipalaimofUNIFEMwastofocusonthepoliticalandeconomicempowermentofwomen.ShenotedthatthehumanrightsframeworkwasacrucialelementintheFund'sanalysisofandinunderstandingandaddressingtheobstaclestowomen'sempowerment,andpledgedtoworkwiththeCommitteetoensurethatthecommitmentsmadetotheworld'swomenintheBeijingPlatformforActionwereimplemented.ShecitedseveralconcreteexamplesofUNIFEMsupportoftheConvention,includinganexpertgrouponthedevelopmentofguidelinestoincorporategenderperspectivesinthehumanrightsworkoftheUnitedNations,productionwiththeUnitedNationsChildren'sFundofaninformationkitontheConventionandadvocacyfortheConventionandwomen'shumanrightsatBeijing.ShealsonotedcollaborationwithUNFPAtowardsa"billofrights"forwomenandchildren.TheroleofUNIFEMasgenderadvisertoUnitedNationsresidentcoordinatorswouldincludeadvocacyinsupportoftheConvention.Sheconcludedthatdevelopmentwouldbeunsuccessfulifitdidnotincludethegenderperspectiveandthatsocietycouldflytonewheightsonlywhenbothwingsmovedfreely.ExecutiveDirectoroftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund359.2 .2TheExecutiveDirectorofUNICEFaddressedtheCommitteeatits303rdmeeting,on29January1996.SheunderlinedthecommitmentofUNICEFtopromotingtheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,notingthatthetwoConventionsweremutuallyreinforcing.ShesaidthatUNICEFwouldcontinuetoworkonbehalfofwomenandchildren,reenergizedbytheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,inthreepriorityareas.UNICEFwouldstrengthenitsworkregardinggirl'seducation,thehealthofgirlsandwomen,andwomen'srights.SheofferedtostrengthenthepartnershipwithCEDAWandtoworktogetherinthestruggleagainsttheapartheidofgender.UnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights360.2 .2Atthe305thmeeting,on30January1996,therepresentativeoftheCentreforHumanRightspresentedastatementonbehalfoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights.Inthestatement,theHighCommissionerregrettedthathecouldnotbepresent,butindicatedthataftertheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsandtheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,itwasacriticaltimeforpromotingandprotectingtheequalstatusandhumanrightsofwomen,forintegratingagenderperspectiveintotheworkandactivitiesofallorgansandbodiesofthehumanrightsprogramme,andforstrengtheningmechanismsandproceduresaddressingwomen'sstatusandrights.361.2 .2TheHighCommissionerprovidedanupdateonactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRightsinrelationtoadvancesinencouraginglateornonreportingStatestosubmitreportstotreatybodies,effortsforhumanrightseducation,theparticipationoftreatybodiesinworldconferences,theintegrationofagenderperspectiveintheworkoftreatybodies,theexchangeofinformationwithotherhumanrightsbodies,thewidedisseminationofinformationabouttheworkofUnitedNationstreatybodies,developmentsinthemethodsofworkoftreatybodiesandrecentactivitiesoftheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen.362.2 .2TheHighCommissionerunderlinedtheimportantroleofCEDAWintheoverallUnitedNationsstrategytopromoteandprotectallhumanrightsandassuredtheCommitteethathewoulddohisbesttopromotesystemwidecooperationandcoordinationonwomen'srightsandincludethewomen'sperspectiveinnewinitiativesontherighttodevelopment.363.2 .2Atits309thmeeting,on2February1996,theCommitteeheardastatementbyMs.AngelaKing,newlyappointedDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,DepartmentforPolicyCoordinationandSustainableDevelopment.364.2 .2TheDirectorcommentedontheroleoftheCommitteeplayedduringtheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenatBeijing.ShecontinuedbystatingthattheprioritiesupheldbythePlatformforActionweredirectlylinkedtotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.365.2 .2TheDirectoralsosaidas"guardian"oftheConvention,theCommitteewasinauniquepositiontohavedirectdialoguewithGovernmentsontheirprogrammesandontheobstaclestheyfacedinadvancingthestatusofwomenintheircountries.366.2 .2TheDirectorunderlinedthechallengetoimplementthedecisionmadebyGovernmentsatBeijingatacriticaltimeinthelifeoftheOrganization.ShealsostressedthatshewouldstrivetousealltheresourcesavailabletofosterthespiritofBeijing,andwouldmakeeveryeffortwiththestaffoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomentoprovidetheCommitteewiththesupportitneededtosuccessfullyfulfilitsmandate.@ . VII.RESULTSOFTHEFOURTHWORLDCONFERENCEONWOMEN367.2 .2Atits286thand309thmeetings,on15Januaryand2February1996,theCommitteeexchangedviewsonthefollowuptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen(agendaitem7).TheCommittee'sroleinmonitoringtheimplementationofthePlatformforActionwasdiscussed,takingintoaccountparagraphs322to325ofthePlatformforAction,3/inwhichtheCommitteewasinvitedtotakeintoaccountthePlatform,withinitsmandate,whenconsideringthereportssubmittedbyStatesparties.InthePlatform,StatespartieswereinvitedtoincludeinformationonmeasurestakentoimplementthePlatformwhenreportingontheimplementationoftheConvention.368.2 .2OneexpertsuggestedrevisingtheCommittee'sguidelinesforthepreparationofreportsofStatesparties,invitingStatespartiestoindicatemeasurestakentoimplementthePlatformaswellastheiradditionalcommitmentsmadeatBeijing.369.2 .2ToassisttheCommittee,itwassuggestedthatananalysisofthelinksbetweenthePlatformforActionandtheConventionbemadebytheSecretariat,includingananalysisofaspectsofthePlatformthatneededtobelookedatfromalegalperspectivebytheCommitteewithinitsmandate.370.2 .2ItwasnotedthattheCommitteeshouldavoidadecisionthatwouldinvitecountriestopreparewrittensupplementstoreportsthathadalreadybeensubmitted.ItwasproposedtoinviteStatespartiestoincludeintheirreportssubmittedbeginningSeptember1996informationontheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.Oralstatementscould,however,bemadeinothercasestoaddressthemeasurestakentoimplementthePlatformforActionandanyadditionalcommitmentsmadeattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenandtoexplainthereservationsmade,ifany.371.2 .2ItwasnotedthattheCommissionontheStatusofWomenhadtheprimarymandateformonitoringtheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.AdistinctionthereforeneededtobemadebetweenthemonitoringtobecarriedoutbytheCommissionandthattobeundertakenbytheCommitteeonthebasisoftheirdifferentcomposition,mandatesandmethodsofwork,aswellastheirdifferentoutreachtocountriesandtheinternationalcommunity.372.2 .2ItwasalsosuggestedthattheChairpersonoftheCommitteecontacttheofficialdesignatedbytheSecretaryGeneraltoserveasanadviserongenderissuestodiscusstheCommittee'sroleinthefollowuptotheBeijingConference.373.2 .2ItwasfurthersuggestedthattheCommitteemightwishtoreviewitsearliergeneralrecommendationsinthelightofthePlatformforAction,whichmightserveasayardstick.Therecommendationonviolenceagainstwomenwascitedasanexample.OthersquestionedthevalidityoftheCommitteeusingthePlatformforActionasayardstick,notingthatitwasapoliticallynegotiateddocumentthathadachievedconsensus;theCommittee,however,wasfreetogobeyonditinexaminingreportsonthebasisoftheConvention.PreviousdocumentsthathadgonefurtherthanthePlatformforActionandwereinsomecasesevenmoreprogressivethanthePlatformcouldalsobeusedbytheCommitteeinformulatingitsrecommendations.@ . VIII.PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHESIXTEENTHSESSION374.2 .2Atits307thmeeting,on1February1996,theCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaforitssixteenthsession(agendaitem8).375.2 .2Atits307thmeeting,onthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupI,theCommitteedecidedtoapprovethefollowingprovisionalagenda:2 .21. .Openingofthesession.2 .22. .Solemndeclaration.2 .23. .Electionofofficers.2 .24. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .25.0 .ReportoftheChairpersonontheactivitiesundertakenduringtheyear.2 .26.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention.2 .27.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConvention.2 .28.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.2 .29. .Provisionalagendafortheseventeenthsession.2 .210.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitssixteenthsession.@ .IX.ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT376.2 .2Atits309thmeeting,on2February1996,theCommitteeadoptedthereportonitsfifteenthsession(CEDAW/C/1996/L.1andAdd.1-12),asorallyamended.@ .Notes2 .21/ .SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyfifthSession,SupplementNo.38andcorrigendum(A/45/38andCorr.1),paras.2831.2 .22/ .OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.38(A/47/38),chap.I.2 .23/ .SeeReportoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Beijing,4-15September1995(A/CONF.177/20),chap.I,resolution1,annexII.@ .ANNEXI@ .lStatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllForms@ . ofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat2February1996򀀀L@4 , .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof  . DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession  . intoforce򀀀 8TpAlbaniaT .T11May1994a/p .p10June1994AngolaT .T17September1986a/p .p17October1986AntiguaandBarbudaT .T1August1989a/p .p31August1989ArgentinaT .T15July1985b/p .p14August1985ArmeniaT .T13September1993a/p .p13October1993AustraliaT .T28July1983b/p .p27August1983AustriaT .T31March1982b/p .p30April1982AzerbaijanT .T10July1995a/p .p9August1995BahamasT .T6October1993a/p .p5November1993BangladeshT .T6November1984a/,b/p .p6December1984BarbadosT .T16October1980p .p3September1981BelarusT .T4February1981c/p .p3September1981BelgiumT .T10July1985b/p .p9August1985BelizeT .T16May1990p .p15June1990BeninT .T12March1992p .p11April1992BhutanT .T31August1981p .p30September1981BoliviaT .T8June1990p .p8July1990BosniaandHerzegovinaT .T1September1993d/p .p1October1993BrazilT .T1February1984b/p .p2March1984BulgariaT .T8February1982c/p .p10March1982BurkinaFasoT .T14October1987a/p .p13November1987BurundiT .T8January1992p .p7February1992CambodiaT .T15October1992a/p .p14November1992CameroonT .T23August1994a/p .p22September1994CanadaT .T10December1981c/p .p9January1982CapeVerdeT .T5December1980a/p .p3September1981CentralAfricanRepublicT .T21June1991a/p .p21July1991ChadT .T9June1995a/p .p9July1995ChileT .T7December1989p .p6January1990ChinaT .T4November1980b/p .p3September1981ColombiaT .T19January1982p .p18February1982ComorosT .T31October1994a/p .p30November1994CongoT .T26July1982p .p25August1982CostaRicaT .T4April1986p .p4May1986C=ted'IvoireT .T19December1995a/p .p17January1996CroatiaT .T9September1992d/p .p9October1992CubaT .T17July1980b/p .p3September1981CyprusT .T23July1985a/,b/p .p22August1985CzechRepublice/T .T22February1993c/,d/p .p24March1993DenmarkT .T21April1983p .p21May1983DominicaT .T15September1980p .p3September1981DominicanRepublicT .T2September1982p .p2October1982EcuadorT .T9November1981p .p9December1981EgyptT .T18September1981b/p .p18October1981򀀀L@4 , .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof  . DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession  . intoforce򀀀 8TpElSalvadorT .T19August1981b/p .p18September1981EquatorialGuineaT .T23October1984a/p .p22November1984EritreaT .T5September1995a/p .p5October1995EstoniaT .T21October1991a/p .p20November1991EthiopiaT .T10September1981b/p .p10October1981FijiT .T28August1995a/p .p27September1995FinlandT .T4September1986p .p4October1986FranceT .T14December1983b/,c/p .p13January1984GabonT .T21January1983p .p20February1983GambiaT .T16April1993p .p16May1993GeorgiaT .T26October1994a/p .p25November1994Germanyf/T .T10July1985b/p .p9August1985GhanaT .T2January1986p .p1February1986GreeceT .T7June1983p .p7July1983GrenadaT .T30August1990p .p29September1990GuatemalaT .T12August1982p .p11September1982GuineaT .T9August1982p .p8September1982Guinea-BissauT .T23August1985p .p22September1985GuyanaT .T17July1980p .p3September1981HaitiT .T20July1981p .p3September1981HondurasT .T3March1983p .p2April1983HungaryT .T22December1980c/p .p3September1981IcelandT .T18June1985p .p18July1985IndiaT .T9July1993b/p .p8August1993IndonesiaT .T13September1984b/p .p13October1984IraqT .T13August1986a/,b/p .p12September1986IrelandT .T23December1985a/,b/,c/p .p22January1986IsraelT .T3October1991b/p .p2November1991ItalyT .T10June1985b/p .p10July1985JamaicaT .T19October1984b/p .p18November1984JapanT .T25June1985p .p25July1985JordanT .T1July1992b/p .p31July1992KenyaT .T9March1984a/p .p8April1984KuwaitT .T2September1994a/p .p2October1994LaoPeople'sDemocratic̀RepublicT .T14August1981p .p13September1981LatviaT .T14April1992a/p .p14May1992LesothoT .T22August1995a/p .p21September1995LiberiaT .T17July1984a/p .p16August1984LibyanArabJamahiriyaT .T16May1989a/,b/p .p15June1989LiechtensteinT .T22December1995a/p .p21January1996LithuaniaT .T18January1994a/p .p17February1994LuxembourgT .T2February1989b/p .p4March1989MadagascarT .T17March1989p .p16April1989MalawiT .T12March1987a/,c/p .p11April1987MalaysiaT .T5July1995a/p .p4August1995MaldivesT .T1July1993a/,b/p .p31July1993MaliT .T10September1985p .p10October1985MaltaT .T8March1991a/,b/p .p7April1991MauritiusT .T9July1984a/,b/p .p8August1984̇򀀀XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentofDateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀 8TpMexicoT .T23March1981b/p .p3September1981MongoliaT .T20July1981c/p .p3September1981MoroccoT .T21June1993a/,b/p .p21July1993NamibiaT .T23November1992a/p .p23December1992NepalT .T22April1991p .p22May1991NetherlandsT .T23July1991b/p .p22August1991NewZealandT .T10January1985b/,c/p .p9February1985NicaraguaT .T27October1981p .p26November1981NigeriaT .T13June1985p .p13July1985NorwayT .T21May1981p .p3September1981PanamaT .T29October1981p .p28November1981PapuaNewGuineaT .T12January1995a/p .p11February1995ParaguayT .T6April1987a/p .p6May1987PeruT .T13September1982p .p13October1982PhilippinesT .T5August1981p .p4September1981PolandT .T30July1980b/p .p3September1981PortugalT .T30July1980p .p3September1981RepublicofKoreaT .T27December1984b/,c/p .p26January1985RepublicofMoldovaT .T1July1994a/p .p31July1994RomaniaT .T7January1982b/p .p6February1982RussianFederationT .T23January1981c/p .p3September1981RwandaT .T2March1981p .p3September1981SaintKittsandNevisT .T25April1985a/p .p25May1985SaintLuciaT .T8October1982a/p .p7November1982SaintVincentandthèGrenadinesT .T4August1981a/p .p3September1981SamoaT .T25September1992a/p .p25October1992SenegalT .T5February1985p .p7March1985SeychellesT .T5May1992a/p .p4June1992SierraLeoneT .T11November1988p .p11December1988SingaporeT .T5October1995a/p .p5November1995Slovakiae/T .T28May1993c/,d/p .p27June1993SloveniaT .T6July1992d/p .p5August1992SouthAfricaT .T15December1995a/p .p14January1996SpainT .T5January1984b/p .p4February1984SriLankaT .T5October1981p .p4November1981SurinameT .T1March1993a/p .p31March1993SwedenT .T2July1980p .p3September1981TajikistanT .T26October1993a/p .p25November1993ThailandT .T9August1985a/,b/,c/p .p8September1985TheformerYugoslavRepublic̀ofMacedoniaT .T18January1994d/p .p17February1994TogoT .T26September1983a/p .p26October1983TrinidadandTobagoT .T12January1990b/p .p11February1990TunisiaT .T20September1985b/p .p20October1985TurkeyT .T20December1985a/,b/p .p19January1986UgandaT .T22July1985p .p21August1985UkraineT .T12March1981c/p .p3September1981򀀀XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentofDateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀 8TpUnitedKingdomofGreat̀BritainandNortherǹIrelandT .T7April1986b/p .p7May1986UnitedRepublicofTanzaniaT .T20August1985p .p19September1985UruguayT .T9October1981p .p8November1981UzbekistanT .T19July1995a/p .p18August1995VanuatuT .T8September1995a/p .p7October1995VenezuelaT .T2May1983b/p .p1June1983VietNamT .T17February1982b/p .p19March1982Yemeng/T .T30May1984a/,b/p .p29June1984YugoslaviaT .T26February1982p .p28March1982ZaireT .T17October1986p .p16November1986ZambiaT .T21June1985p .p21July1985ZimbabweT .T13May1991a/p .p12June1991򀀀XXR>42 .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".#882 P#@ .\ANNEXII@ .Z MembershipoftheCommitteeontheEliminationof@ .tDiscriminationagainstWomen 882 882P2 .2NameofmemberP .PP .PCountryofnationality 882D2 .2CharlotteAbaka**D .DD .DD .DD .DGhana8 .88 .82 .2EmnaAouij**D .DD .DD .DD .DTunisia . .2 .2GlAykor*D .DD .DD .DD .DTurkey2 .2TendaiRuthBare**D .DD .DD .DZimbabwe2 .2DesireePatriciaBernard**D .DD .DD .DGuyana2 .2CarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal*D .DSpain2 .2SilviaRoseCartwright*D .DD .DD .DNewZealand2 .2MiriamYolandaEstradaCastillo**D .DEcuador2 .2LilianaGurdulichdeCorrea*D .DD .DArgentina2 .2IvankaCorti**D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DItaly2 .2AuroraJavatedeDios**D .DD .DPhilippines2 .2EvangelinaGarcaPrince*D .DD .DVenezuela2 .2SunaryatiHartono**D .DD .DD .DIndonesia .2 .2SalmaKhan*D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DBangladesh2 .2PirkkoAnneliMkinen*D .DD .DD .DFinland2 .2ElsaVictoriaMuozG;mez*D .DD .DD .DColombia2 .2AhouaOuedraogo*D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DBurkinaFaso2 .2GinkoSato**D .DD .DJapan8 .88 .82 .2HannaBeateSchppSchilling*D .DD .DGermany . .2 .2CarmelShalev**D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DIsrael . .2 .2LinShangzhen**D .DD .DD .DD .DChina8 .88 .82 .2KongitSinegiorgis*D .DD .DEthiopiad .d+2 .2MervatTallawy**D .DEgypt8 .8882 D________________________2 .2*  . Termofofficeexpiresin1996.̀**  . Termofofficeexpiresin1998.@ .*ANNEXIII@ .. DocumentsbeforetheCommitteeatitsfifteenthsession882 Documentnumber󀀀Titleordescription882 882 CEDAW/C/1996/1 .  .ProvisionalagendaandannotationsCEDAW/C/1996/20 . 0 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1996/30 .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivitiesCEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.1 .ReportoftheWorldHealthOrganizationCEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.20 .ReportoftheInternationalLabourOrganizationCEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.30 .ReportoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationCEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.40 .ReportoftheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsCEDAW/C/1995/40 . 0 .ReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticle2oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1994/40 . 0 .ReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticles7and8oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1996/60 .ReportoftheSecretariatonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheworkoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1996/CRP.10 .ReportofthepresessionworkinggroupCEDAW/C/1996/INF.1/Rev.10 .ListofparticipantsCEDAW/C/1996/L.1andAdd.1120 .DraftreportoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1996/WG.I/WP.1,2 .ReportofWorkingGroupIandAdd.1CEDAW/C/1996/WG.II/WP.1and .ReportofWorkingGroupIIAdd.1,2882 @ . ReportsofStatesparties882 (CEDAW/C/CYP/120( .(CombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofCyprusCEDAW/C/ICE/120( .(Combinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsof! .!! .!! .!IcelandCEDAW/C/PAR/12and( .(CombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofAdd.1andAdd.20( .(ParaguayCEDAW/C/ETH/13andAdd.10( .(Combinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreportsofT .TT .TT .TEthiopiaCEDAW/C/BEL/2 . 0( .(SecondperiodicreportofBelgiumCEDAW/C/CUB/23andAdd.10( .(CombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofCubaCEDAW/C/HUN/3andAdd.10( .(ThirdperiodicreportofHungaryCEDAW/C/UKR/3andAdd.10( .(ThirdperiodicreportofUkraine@ .\ANNEXIV̀Statusofsubmissionandconsiderationofreportssubmittedby󀀀Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventiononthèEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat@ .2February1996*lm d,<< ,v<< , << ,<< +  )>>)Statesparties >> Dateduea/ >> Dateofsubmission >> ConsideredbyCommittee(session(year)) &x&A.Initialreportsdueasat2February1996 ";x"Albania  10June1995     ";x"Angola  17October1987     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1990  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)   "x"Argentina  14August1986  6October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.39)  Seventh(1988) "x"Armenia  13October1994  30November1994(CEDAW/C/ARM/1)   "x"Australia  27August1984  3October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.40)  Seventh(1988) "x"Austria  30April1983  20October1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.17)  Fourth(1985) ";x"Bahamas  5November1994     "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)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"BosniaandHerzegovina  1October1994     ";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"Cameroon  22September1995     "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)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"China  3September1982  25May1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.14)  Third(1984) "x"Colombia  18February1983  16January1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.32)  Sixth(1987) ";x"Comoros  30November1995     ";x"Congo  25August1983     ";x"CostaRica  4May1987     "x"Croatia  9October1993  10January1995(CEDAW/C/CRO/1)   "x"Cuba  3September1982  27September1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.4)  Second(1983) "x"Cyprus  22August1986  2February1994(CEDAW/C/CYP/12)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"CzechRepublic  24March1994     "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)16October1995(CEDAW/C/ETH/13/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) "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"Gambia  16May1994     ";x"Georgia  25November1995     "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     " x"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)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"India  8August1994     "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"Kuwait  1October1995     "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"Lithuania  17February1995     ";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"Maldives  1July1994     "x"Mali  10October1986  13November1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.43)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Malta  7April1992     "x"Mauritius  8August1985  23February1992(CEDAW/C/MAR/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Mexico  3September1982  14September1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.2)  Second(1983) "x"Mongolia  3September1982  18November1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.20)  Fifth(1986) "x"Morocco  21July1994  14September1994(CEDAW/C/MOR/1)   ";x"Namibia  23December1993     ";x"Nepal  22May1992     "x"Netherlands  22August1992  19November1992(CEDAW/C/NET/1)17September1993(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.1)20September1993(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.2)9October1993(CEDAW/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)23August1995(CEDAW/C/PAR/12/Add.1)20November1995(CEDAW/C/PAR/12/Add.2)  Fifteenth(1996) "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"RepublicofMoldova  31July1995     "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"Slovakia  27June1994     "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"Suriname  31March1994     "x"Sweden  3September1982  22October1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.8)  Second(1983) ";x"Tajikistan  25October1994     "x"Thailand  8September1986  1June1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.51)  Ninth(1990) "x"TheformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia  17February1995     ";x"Togo  26October1984     "x"TrinidadandTobago  11February1991     "x"Tunisia  20October1986  17September1993(CEDAW/C/TUN/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Turkey  19January1987  27January1987(CEDAW/C/5/Add.46)  Ninth(1990) "x"Uganda  21August1986  1June1992(CEDAW/C/UGA/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Ukraine  3September1982  2March1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.11)  Second(1983) "x"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  1March1994(CEDAW/C/ZAR/1)   "x"Zambia  21July1986  6March1991(CEDAW/C/ZAM/12)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Zimbabwe  12June1992     &;x& &;x&B.Secondperiodicreportsdueasat2February1996 ";x"Angola  17October1991     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1994  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)   "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)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Belize  15June1995     ";x"Bhutan  30September1986     ";x"Bolivia  8July1995     ";x"Brazil  2March1989     "x"Bulgaria  10March1987  6September1994(CEDAW/C/BGR/23)   "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"Chile  6January1995  9March1995(CEDAW/C/CHI/2)   "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)30November1995(CEDAW/C/CUB/23/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Cyprus  22August1990  2February1994  Fifteenth(1996) "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)16October1995(CEDAW/C/ETH/13/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"Finland  4October1991  9February1993(CEDAW/C/FIN/2)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"France  13January1989  10December1990(CEDAW/C/FRA/2andRev.1)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Gabon  20February1988     ";x"Germany  9August1990     "x"Ghana  1February1991  29January1991(CEDAW/C/GHA/12)  Eleventh(1992) ";x"Greece  7July1988     ";x"Grenada  29September1995     " x"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)  Fifteenth(1996) ";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"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15June1994     ";x"Luxembourg  4March1994     ";x"Madagascar  16April1994     ";x"Malawi  11April1992     ";x"Mali  10October1990     "x"Mauritius  8August1989  23February1992(CEDAW/C/MAR/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "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)23August1995(CEDAW/C/PAR/12/Add.1)20November1995(CEDAW/C/PAR/12/Add.2)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"Peru  13October1987  13February1990(CEDAW/C/13/Add.29)  Fourteenth(1995) "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/2andAmend.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"TrinidadandTobago  11February1995     "x"Tunisia  20October1990  17September1993(CEDAW/C/TUN/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Turkey  19January1991  7February1994(CEDAW/C/TUR/2)   "x"Uganda  21August1990  1June1992(CEDAW/C/UGA/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Ukraine  3September1986  13August1987(CEDAW/C/13/Add.8)  Ninth(1990) "x"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  7May1991  11May1991(CEDAW/C/UK/2andAmend.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.24andAmend.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.Thirdperiodicreportsdueasat2February1996 ";x"Angola  17October1995     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1998  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)   ";x"Argentina  14August1994     ";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"Belgium  9August1994     ";x"Bhutan  30September1990     ";x"Brazil  2March1993     "x"Bulgaria  10March1991  6September1994(CEDAW/C/BGR/23)   "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"CostaRica  4May1995     "x"Cuba  3September1990  13March1992(CEDAW/C/CUB/23)30November1995(CEDAW/C/CUB/23/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Cyprus  22August1994     "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)16October1995(CEDAW/C/ETH/13/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Finland  4October1995     ";x"France  13January1993     ";x"Gabon  20February1992     ";x"Germany  9August1994     ";x"Ghana  1February1995     ";x"Greece  7July1992     ";x"Guatemala  11September1991     ";x"Guinea  8September1991     ";x"GuineaBissau  22September1994     ";x"Guyana  3September1990     ";x"Haiti  3September1990     "x"Honduras  2April1992  31May1991(CEDAW/C/HON/3)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Hungary  3September1990  4April1991(CEDAW/C/HUN/3)3November1995(CEDAW/C/HUN/3/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Iceland  3July1994     ";x"Indonesia  13October1993     ";x"Iraq  12September1995     ";x"Ireland  22January1995     ";x"Italy  10July1994     ";x"Jamaica  18November1993     "x"Japan  25July1994  28October1993(CEDAW/C/JPN/3)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Kenya  8April1993     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1990     ";x"Liberia  16August1993     ";x"Mali  10October1994     ";x"Mauritius  8August1993     "x"Mexico  3September1990  1December1992(CEDAW/C/MEX/3)   ";x"Mongolia  3September1990     ";x"NewZealand  9February1994     "x"Nicaragua  26November1990  15October1992(CEDAW/C/NIC/3)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Nigeria  13July1994     "x"Norway  3September1990  25January1991(CEDAW/C/NOR/3)  Fourteenth(1995) ";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)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Rwanda  3September1990  18January1991(CEDAW/C/RWA/3)  Twelfth(1993) "x"SaintKittsandNevis  25May1994     ";x"SaintLucia  7November1991     ";x"Senegal  7March1994     "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"Thailand  8September1994     ";x"Togo  26October1992     ";x"Tunisia  20October1994     ";x"Turkey  19January1995     ";x"Uganda  21August1994     "x"Ukraine  3September1990  31May1991(CEDAW/C/UKR/3)21November1995(CEDAW/C/UKR/3/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  7May1995     "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  19September1994     ";x"Uruguay  8November1990     "x"Venezuela  1June1992  8February1995(CEDAW/C/VEN/3)   ";x"VietNam  19March1991     "x"Yemen  29June1993  13November1992(CEDAW/C/YEM/3)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Yugoslavia  28March1991     ";x"Zaire  16November1995     "x"Zambia  21July1994     &x&D.Fourthperiodicreportsdueasat2February1996 ";x"Austria  30April1995     ";x"Barbados  3September1994     ";x"Belarus  3September1994     ";x"Bhutan  30September1994     ";x"Bulgaria  10March1995     "x"Canada  9January1995  2October1995(CEDAW/C/CAN/4)   ";x"CapeVerde  3September1994     ";x"China  3September1994     ";x"Columbia  18February1995     ";x"Congo  25August1995     ";x"Cuba  3September1994     "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1995     ";x"Ecuador  9December1994     ";x"Egypt  18October1994     ";x"nElSalvador  18October1994     ";x"Ethiopia  10October1994     ";x"Guatemala  11September1995     ";x"Guinea  8September1995     ";x"Guyana  3September1994     ";x"Haiti  3September1994     ";x"Hungary  3September1994     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1994     ";x"Mexico  3September1994     ";x"Mongolia  3September1994     ";x"Nicaragua  26November1994     "x"Norway  3September1994  1September1994(CEDAW/C/NOR/4)  Fourteenth(1995) ";x"Panama  28November1994     ";x"Peru  13October1995     ";x"Philippines  4September1994     ";x"Poland  3September1994     ";x"Portugal  3September1994     ";x"Romania  6February1995     "x"RussianFederation  3September1994  31August1994(CEDAW/C/USR/4)  Fourteenth(1995) ";x"Rwanda  3September1994     ";x"SaintLucia  7November1995     "x"St.VincentandtheGrenadines  3September1994     ";x"SriLanka  4November1994     ";x"Sweden  3September1994     ";x"Ukraine  3November1994     ";x"Uruguay  8November1994     ";x"VietNam  19March1995     ";x"Yugoslavia  28March1995    &x&@ ." E.Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis "x"BosniaandHerzegovina    1February1994(oralreport(seeCEDAW/C/SR.253)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Croatia    15September1994(CEDAW/C/CRO/SP.1)  Fourteenth(1995) )>Wx)FederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro) >  > 2December1993(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)2February1994(oralreport(seeCEDAW/C/SR.254) > Thirteenth(1994)8` H .a/Oneyearpriortotheduedate,theSecretaryGeneralinvitestheStatepartytosubmititsreport.9611934(E)130696@ .$74XXX]oj`$0Code 3 of 9 4.6cpiBC]*9611934*C?<6X9`(CourierC