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(GdUNLOGO1.WPG- - _ )  Rl@..$    ڄ($     N j$  OriginallyissuedunderthesymbolA/52/38(PartI).( 2N$ !UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88  555 fX fXC  $#C--$882 X$  ++Ӏ  0  ڀ n )  882^   @ .$    ڄ L j$   Forthediscussion,seechap.Vbelow. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Q )   @ .$    ڄ ? j$   Atits313thmeeting,theCommitteewasinformedthatitsBureauhadwaivedthegeneralrulerequiringsimultaneousreleaseofofficialdocumentsinallworkinglanguagesoftheCommitteeandagreedtotakeupdocumentCEDAW/C/1997/PHI/4onthebasisoftheeditedEnglishversion. Q )   @ .$    ڄ j$  882    Effective17May1997,ZairewasrenamedDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo. n )  882 P  @ .$    ڄ e j$   Forthediscussion,seepartone,chap.VI,andchap.VIbelow. L j$   Forthediscussion,seechap.Vbelow. Q )   @ .$    ڄ  Q )   @ .$    ڄ Q )   @ .$    ڄ Q )   @ .$    ڄ Q )   @ .$    ڄ < j$   Atits346thmeeting,theCommitteewasinformedthatitsBureauhadwaivedthegeneralrulerequiringsimultaneousreleaseofofficialdocumentsinallworkinglanguagesoftheCommitteeandagreedtotakeupdocumentCEDAW/C/ITA/3onthebasisoftheeditedEnglishversion. Q )   @ .$    ڄ n )  882   @ .$    ڄ n )  882 (  @ .$    ڄ dTable_A   ( "2c$ !UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88  555 fX fXC  $#C--$882 X$  ++Ӏ  0    5u{13Right-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)#|d<6X9`("Courier 12cpid6X@8;@) `(CG TimesScalablec P7P) `(CG TimesScalable P7P* `(CG TimesScalablexx P7xP* `(CG TimesScalable P7P)`imesScalablec P7P)`imesScalableO P7P($UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88  555 fX fXC  $#C--$882 X$# e37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)\^)|U !UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88  555 fX fXC  $ C--$882 X$  ^ 8hX  _ 588""T%A/52/38/Rev.1'aO?;z (  ` @ H@EOOO߈     _  _ UnitedNations   _ S  #aPdd_xd y _bxd y y_xdReportoftheCommitteeonthe  EliminationofDiscriminatioǹagainstWomenb ybxd(Sixteenthandseventeenthsessions)  ?3   GeneralAssembly #% OfficialRecordsb b_  b_ _b_ԀFiftysecondSession  %' SupplementNo.38(A/52/38/Rev.1)  1&%( b bcj b    MA/52/38/Rev.1      U_) `(CG TimesScalableU ReportoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen #dPUb* `(CG TimesScalableU (Sixteenthandseventeenthsessions) GeneralAssembly  OfficialRecords-c)`-Ub* `(CG TimesScalableUԀFiftysecondSessionSupplementNo.38(A/52/38/Rev.1) * `'eO?;z (  ` @ H@`  - UnitedNations-c)`-Ub* `(CG TimesScalableUԀNewYork,1997   -c)`-Rl 4  4    @.. NOTE .. SymbolsofUnitedNationsdocumentsarecomposedofcapitalletterscombinedwithfigures.MentionofsuchasymbolindicatesareferencetoaUnitedNationsdocument. .. ThedesignationsemployedandthepresentationofthematerialinthisdocumentdonotimplytheexpressionofanyopinionwhatsoeveronthepartoftheSecretariatoftheUnitedNationsconcerningthelegalstatusofanycountry,territory,cityorareaorofitsauthorities,orconcerningthedelimitationofitsfrontiersorboundaries. #/ @..ISSN0255-0970#dd   f  UK     \R3'\ X      + 8  8 O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO    (  $(g882   #..[Original:English/French/Spanish]#..[12August1997]@..\CONTENTS̀PartOne:ReportoftheCommitteeontheElimination󀀀ofDiscriminationagainstWomenonits󀀀sixteenthsession* i    88tChaptert..tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") . .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL............................................P" .!x .I. .MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES...............P" .!1 . .A. .Decisions....................................................P" .!1 . . .Decision16/I................................................P" .!1 . . .Decision16/II...............................................P" .!1 . . .Decision16/III..............................................P" .!1 . .B. .Suggestions..................................................P" .!1 . . .Suggestion16/1..............................................P" .!1 . . .Suggestion16/2..............................................P" .!2 .II. .ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS..................... .<131P" .!3 . .A.0 .StatespartiestotheConventiononthe . . .EliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainst . . .Women............................................ . .<12P" .!3 . .B. .Openingofthesession........................... . .<39P" .!3 . .C. .Attendance....................................... . .1011P" .!4 . .D. .Solemndeclaration...............................0 .0 .12P" .!4 . .E. .Electionofofficers............................. .0 .13P" .!5 . .F. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.. .0 .14P" .!5 . .G. .Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup.......... . .1528P" .!5 . .H. .Compositionandorganizationofworkofthe . . .workinggroups................................... . .2931P" .!8 .4III. .REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIESUNDERTAKEN . .BETWEENTHEFIFTEENTHANDSIXTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHE . .COMMITTEE............................................ .3241P" .!9@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") .IV. .CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES . .UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION................... .42351P" .!11 . .A. .Introduction..................................... . .4244P" .!11 . .B. .ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties....... . .45351P" .!11 . . .1. . Initialreports.............................. .45122P" .!11 . . . . Morocco...................................... .4580P" .!11 . . . . Slovenia..................................... .81122P" .!15 . . .2. . Combinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodic . . . . reports...................................... .t123150P" .!21 . . . . SaintVincentandtheGrenadines............. .t123150P" .!21 . . .3. . Combinedsecondandthirdperiodicreports... .t151206P" .!24 . . . . Turkey....................................... .t151206P" .!24 . . .4. . Thirdperiodicreports....................... .t207274P" .!30 . . . . Venezuela.................................... .t207247P" .!30 . . . . Denmark...................................... .t248274P" .!34 . . .5. . Combinedthirdandfourthperiodicreports... .t275343P" .!38 . . . . Philippines.................................. .t275305P" .!38 . . . . Canada....................................... .t306343P" .!42 . . .6. . Reportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasis..... .t344351P" .!45 . . . . Zaire........................................ .t344351P" .!45 .V. .WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE .t352383P" .!470 .0 .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorking . .GroupI.............................................. .t354383P" .!47 .VI. .IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION....... .t384394P" .!54 . .A. .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof . . .WorkingGroupII................................. . .t386388P" .!54 . .B. .StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficials.... . .t389394P" .!55 .4VII. .PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHESEVENTEENTHSESSION....... .t395396P" .!57 .VIII. .ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT...............................0 .397P" .!58̇@ .CONTENTS(continued)̀PartTwo:ReportoftheCommitteeontheEliminatioǹofDiscriminationagainstWomenonits̀seventeenthsession 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") . .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL............................................P" .!60 .I. .MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES...............P" .!61 . .A. .Generalrecommendation23(sixteenthsession)................P" .!61 . .B. .Decisions....................................................P" .!71 . . .Decision17/I................................................P" .!71 . . .Decision17/II...............................................P" .!71 .II. .ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS..................... .<123P" .!72 . .A. .StatespartiestotheConventiononthe . . .EliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainst . . .Women............................................ . .<12P" .!72 . .B. .Openingofthesession........................... . .<311P" .!72 . .C. .Attendance....................................... . .1213P" .!73 . .D. .Solemndeclaration............................... .0 .14P" .!73 . .E. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.. .0 .15P" .!73 . .F. .Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup.......... . .1619P" .!74 . .G. .Compositionandorganizationofworkofthe . . .workinggroups................................... . .2023P" .!74 .4III. .REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIESUNDERTAKEN . .BETWEENTHESIXTEENTHANDSEVENTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHE . .COMMITTEE............................................ .2431P" .!76 .IV.0 .CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES . .UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION................... .32464P" .!78 . .A. .Introduction..................................... . .3234P" .!78 . .B. .ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties....... . .35464P" .!78 . . .1. . Initialreports.............................. .35131P" .!78 . . . . Armenia...................................... .3568P" .!78 . . . . Namibia...................................... .69131P" .!82@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") . . .2. . Initialandsecondperiodicreports.......... .t132227P" .!87 . . . . Israel....................................... .t132183P" .!87 . . . . Luxembourg................................... .t184227P" .!92 . . .3. . Initial,secondandthirdperiodicreports.. . .t228272P" .!97 . . . . AntiguaandBarbuda.......................... .t228272P" .!97 . . .4. . Secondandthirdperiodicreports............ .t273364P" .$!101 . . . . Argentina.................................... .t273321P" .$!101 . . . . Italy........................................ .t322364P" .$!106 . . .5. . Thirdperiodicreports....................... .t365408P" .$!111 . . . . Australia.................................... .t365408P" .$!111 . . .6. . Thirdandfourthperiodicreports............ .t409464P" .$!117 . . . . Bangladesh................................... .t409464P" .$!117 .V. .WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE .t465476P" .$!124 . .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorking . .GroupI.............................................. .t467476P" .$!124 .VI. .IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION....... .t477499P" .$!127 . .A. .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof . . .WorkingGroupII................................. . .t479485P" .$!127 . .B. .StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficials.... . .t486499P" .$!128 .4VII. .PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHEEIGHTEENTHSESSION........0 .500P" .$!132 .VIII. .ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT...............................0 .501P" .$!133@ .Annexes .I. .StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllForms . .ofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat25July1997...............P" .$!134 .II. .MembershipoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscrimination . .againstWomen....................................................P" .$!138 .4III. .DocumentsbeforetheCommitteeatitssixteenthandseventeenth . .sessions.........................................................P" .$!139@ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8 P") .IV. .Statusofsubmissionandconsiderationofreportssubmittedby . .Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventiononthe . .EliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat . .25July1997.....................................................P" .$!142 . .A. .Initialreports..............................................P" .$!142 . .B. .Secondperiodicreports......................................P" .$!149 . .C. .Thirdperiodicreports.......................................P" .$!155 . .D. .Fourthperiodicreports......................................P" .$!159 . .E. .Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis....................P" .$!161   @ .\PartOne@ .4REPORTOFTHECOMMITTEEONTHEELIMINATIONOFDISCRIMINATION@ . AGAINSTWOMENONITSSIXTEENTHSESSION882^ @ .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL# .31January1997Sir,2 .2Ihavethehonourtorefertoarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,accordingtowhichtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,establishedpursuanttotheConvention,"shall,throughtheEconomicandSocialCouncil,reportannuallytotheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsonitsactivities".2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditssixteenthsessionfrom13to31January1997atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.Itadopteditsreportonthesessionatits333rdmeeting,on31January.ThereportoftheCommitteeisherewithsubmittedtoyoufortransmissiontotheGeneralAssemblyatitsfiftysecondsession.2 .2Accept,Sir,theassurancesofmyhighestconsideration.# .(Signed)SalmaKHAN# .lChairperson# .CommitteeontheEliminationof# .DiscriminationagainstWomenHisExcellencyMr.KofiAnnanSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationsNewYork    UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(k882   @ .` I.MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES@ .0A.Decisions* l   ׈@ . Decision16/I.Concludingcomments2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomendecidedthatitsconcludingcommentswouldcontinuetofollowthestandardpatternthatithadintroducedatitsfifteenthsession.Concludingcommentswouldcontainanintroduction;asectiononfactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,asappropriate;asectiononpositiveaspectsorganizedintheorderofthearticlesoftheConvention;andasectionidentifyingprincipalareasofconcern,describedinorderoftheimportanceofeachparticularissueintheStatepartyunderconsideration.Thefinalpartofthecomments,thesuggestionsandrecommendations,wouldprovideconcretesuggestionsfromtheCommitteewithregardtotheproblemsidentifiedinthecomments.@ . Decision16/II.Nongovernmentalorganizations2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtoinvitetheUnitedNationsSecretariattofacilitateaninformalmeetingwithnongovernmentalorganizationsoutsidetheregularmeetingtimeoftheCommittee.Duringthatmeeting,nongovernmentalorganizationswouldbeinvitedtooffercountryspecificinformationontheStatespartiestobereviewedbytheCommittee.TheCommitteerecommendedthatStatespartiesconsultnationalnongovernmentalorganizationsinthepreparationoftheirreportsrequiredbyarticle18oftheConvention.ItrecommendedthatinternationalnongovernmentalorganizationsandUnitedNationsagencies,fundsandprogrammesbeencouragedtofacilitateattendanceatCommitteesessionsbyrepresentativesofnationalnongovernmentalorganizations.ItalsorecommendedthatspecializedagenciesandotherUnitedNationsentitieswithfieldrepresentationworkwithnongovernmentalorganizationstodisseminateinformationontheConventionandontheworkoftheCommitteeandtocalluponpastandpresentexpertsoftheCommitteetoparticipateinthoseefforts.@ . Decision16/III.ReportsofStatesparties2 .2InordertoaddressthebacklogofreportsawaitingconsiderationandtoencourageStatespartiestoreportinatimelyfashion,theCommitteedecided,onanexceptionalbasisandasatemporarymeasure,toinviteStatespartiestocombineamaximumoftwoofthereportsrequiredunderarticle18oftheConvention.@ .B.Suggestions*@ .Z Suggestion16/1.Technicalandadvisoryservices2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatthebudgetoftheCentreforHumanRightsoftheUnitedNationsSecretariatfortechnicalandadvisoryservicesbemadeavailabletopromotetheConventionandtheworkoftheCommittee,andtofacilitateseminarsonsuchissuesasreservations.AsmallworkinggroupofCommitteememberswouldbeconvenedatitsseventeenthsessiontoconceptualizethoseseminarsand,interalia,toexaminefundingrequirements.TheCommitteefurtherrecommendedthattheexpertiseofitspastandpresentexpertsbedrawnuponinthatconnection.@ . Suggestion16/2.Presessionworkinggroup2 .2TheCommitteeproposedthat,startingfromitsseventeenthsession,itspresessionworkinggroupbeconvenedattheendofthesessionpriortotheoneatwhichselectedStatespartieswouldreportinordertoprovideStatespartiespresentingperiodicreportswiththeCommittee'squestionswellinadvance.@ . II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@ .. A.StatespartiestotheConventionontheElimination@ . ofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen󀀀1.2 .2On31January1997,theclosingdateofthesixteenthsessionoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,therewere155StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,whichwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution34/180of18December1979andopenedforsignature,ratificationandaccessioninNewYorkinMarch1980.Inaccordancewitharticle27,theConventionenteredintoforceon3September1981.2.2 .2AlistofStatespartiestotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@ .B.Openingofthesession3.2 .2TheCommitteehelditssixteenthsessionatUnitedNationsHeadquartersfrom13to31January1997.TheCommitteeheld24plenarymeetings(310thto333rd),anditstwoworkinggroupsheld7meetings.4.2 .2ThesessionwasopenedbytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,Ms.IvankaCorti(Italy),whohadbeenreelectedatthefourteenthsessionoftheCommittee,inJanuary1995.5.2 .2Inheropeningstatement,theDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenwelcomedthenewmembersoftheCommitteeelectedattheninthmeetingoftheStatespartiestotheConvention,inFebruary1996,andcongratulatedthefivenewmemberswhohadbeenelectedatthatmeeting.Sheexpressedhergratitudetotheexpertswhosetermshadendedin1996.6.2 .2ShesaidthesixteenthsessionoftheCommitteecameatanimportanttimeinthelifeoftheUnitedNations,justaftertheappointmentofthenewSecretaryGeneralandatthebeginningoftheyearthatmarkedthefiftiethanniversaryoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen.ItalsocameafteranimportantcycleofUnitedNationsconferencesthathadsolidifiedlinksamongallpartsoftheUnitedNationssystem,MemberStates,civilsocietyandnon-governmentalorganizations,settingthestageforfurtherconsolidatingactionandimplementationbythoseactors.7.2 .2ShestatedthattheCommitteewasencouragedbythesteadyincreaseinthenumberofStatesthathadratifiedoraccededtotheConvention;thatnumberhadreached155,makinguniversalratificationbytheyear2000anachievablegoal.Sincethefifteenthsession,Algeria,Andorra,BotswanaandPakistanhadbecomeStatesparties.SheexplainedthatalthoughtheConventioncontinuedtobesubjecttoalargenumberofreservations,someofwhichwerefarreaching,progresshadalsobeenachievedinthatregard.ShereferredtoGeneralAssemblyresolution51/68of12December1996,inwhichtheAssemblyurgedStatestolimittheextentofanyreservationtheylodgedtoensurethatnoreservationswereincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeoftheConventionorotherwiseincompatiblewithinternationaltreatylawandtoreviewtheirreservationsregularly,withaviewtowithdrawingthem.ReferringtotheCommittee'smeetingtimeasprovidedinarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConvention,sherecalledthattheGeneralAssembly,initsresolution50/202of22December1995,hadapprovedanamendmenttothatarticlewhichwassubjecttotheapprovaloftwothirdsoftheStatespartiestotheConvention.Asat10January1997,11Statespartieshadacceptedtheamendment.Shefurtherexplainedthatinitsresolution51/68,theGeneralAssemblyhadapprovedtheCommittee'sholding,intheinterim,twosessionsannually,eachofthreeweeks'duration.SheinformedtheCommitteethatthatarrangementwouldbeginwiththeseventeenthsessionoftheCommittee,whichwouldbeheldfrom7to25July1997,precededbyapre-sessionworkinggroupfrom30Juneto3July1997.8.2 .2TheDirectordescribedpositivestepsthatwerebeingtakenbytheSecretariat,includingencouragingStatespartiesthathadnotsubmittedreportstotheCommitteetodosoinatimelyfashionandmeasuresthatwouldencourageStatespartiestoactinthespiritofthePlatformforActionadoptedbytheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen1andregularizetheirreportingobligationsbytheyear2000.ShealsoindicatedthatconcreteeffortscontinuedtobemadetodevelopacomplaintsmechanismintheformofanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention.SherecalledthatduringthefortiethsessionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,in1996,anopenendedworkinggroupoftheCommissionhaddiscussedtheelementsofsuchaprotocol,onthebasisofsuggestion7madebytheCommitteeatitsfourteenthsession,in1995.2TheworkinggroupwouldcontinueitsworkduringtheCommission'sforty-firstsession.9.2 .2Underagendaitem8,sheproposedthattheCommitteetakeup,inapreliminaryway,thereviseddraftoftherulesofprocedure,whichwouldthenbetakenupindetailattheseventeenthsession.TheCommittee,atitspresentsession,woulddiscussthequestionofitsrelationswithnon-governmentalorganizationsandtheworkingmethodsoftheCommittee.Itwouldalsobeconsideringitsworkingrelationswithotherhumanrightstreatybodies,specialthematicrapporteurs,includingtheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen,itscausesandconsequences,andcountryrapporteurs.ShewishedtheCommitteewellinitseffortstomonitortheimplementationoftheConventionandtodevelopgeneralrecommendationsasanimportanttool,notingthatatthepresentsessionitwouldcontinueitsdraftingofageneralrecommendationonarticles7and8.@ .0C.Attendance10.2 .2AllmembersoftheCommitteeattendedthesixteenthsession,withtheexceptionofMs.DesireeP.Bernard,Ms.SunaryatiHartonoandMs.KongitSinegiorgis.Ms.MervatTallawyattendedfrom17to31January,Ms.GinkoSatofrom19to31JanuaryandMs.Yung-ChungKimfrom13to17January1997.11.2 .2AlistofthemembersoftheCommittee,indicatingthedurationoftheirtermsofoffice,appearsinannexIItothepresentreport.@ .D.Solemndeclaration12.2 .2Attheopeningofthesixteenthsession,beforeassumingtheirfunctions,thenewlyelectedmembers,Ms.AyseFerideAcar(Turkey),Ms.YolandaFerrerG;mez(Cuba),Ms.AdaGonzlezMartnez(Mexico),Ms.Yung-ChungKim(RepublicofKorea)andMs.AnneLiseRyel(Norway),andfiveofthesixre-electedmembers,Ms.CarlotaBustelo(Spain),Ms.SilviaR.Cartwright(NewZealand),Ms.SalmaKhan(Bangladesh),Ms.AhouaOuedraogo(BurkinaFaso)andMs.HannaBeateSchpp-Schilling(Germany),madethesolemndeclarationasprovidedforunderrule10oftherulesofprocedureoftheCommittee.Beingabsentfromthesixteenthsession,Ms.KongitSinegiorgis(Ethiopia)wasunabletomakethesolemndeclaration.@ .<E.Electionofofficers13.2 .2Atits310thmeeting,on13January1997,theCommitteeelectedthefollowingofficersforatermoftwoyears(1997-1998)byacclamation,inaccordancewitharticle19oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandrules13and14oftheCommittee'srulesofprocedure:Ms.SalmaKhan(Bangladesh),Chairperson;Ms.CharlotteAbaka(Ghana),Ms.CarlotaBustelo(Spain)andMs.MiriamEstrada(Ecuador),Vice-Chairpersons;andMs.AuroraJavatedeDios(Philippines),Rapporteur.@ . F.Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork14.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaandorganizationofwork(CEDAW/C/1997/1)atits310thmeeting,on13January1997.Theagendaasadoptedwasasfollows:2 .21. .Openingofthesession.2 .22. .SolemndeclarationbythenewmembersoftheCommittee.2 .23. .Electionofofficers.2 .24. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .25.0 .ReportoftheChairpersonontheactivitiesundertakenbetweenthefifteenthandsixteenthsessionsoftheCommitteeandconsiderationofthereportoftheseventhmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesandactiontakenbytheGeneralAssemblyconcerningtreatybodies.2 .26.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesandarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .27.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .28. .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.2 .29. .Provisionalagendafortheseventeenthsession.2 .210. .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitssixteenthsession.@ . G.Reportofthepre-sessionworkinggroup15.2 .2TheCommitteehaddecided,atitsninthsession,3toconveneapre-sessionworkinggroupforfivedaysbeforeeachsessiontopreparelistsofquestionsrelatingtosecondandsubsequentperiodicreportsthatwouldbeconsideredbytheCommitteeatthesession.TheCommitteedecidedthatitsmembersshouldsubmittotheSecretariatthedraftquestionsonspecificcountriesandarticlesoftheConventionpriortothemeetingoftheworkinggroup.16.2 .2TheCommitteehaddecidedatitsfifteenthsession4thatthefollowingfourmembers,representingdifferentregionalgroups,wouldparticipateintheworkinggroup:IvankaCorti(Europe),TendaiRuthBare(Africa),AuroraJavatedeDios(AsiaandthePacific)andMiriamEstrada(LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean).17.2 .2InaccordancewiththeprovisionalagendaoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1997/1),theworkinggrouppreparedlistsofissuesandquestionsrelatingtothereportsoffiveStatesparties,tobesenttotheGovernmentsofCanada,Denmark,thePhilippines,TurkeyandVenezuela.18.2 .2Thepre-sessionworkinggroupnotedthatthemajorityofthereportsitreviewedfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelinesforthepresentationofreports.ThisallowedtheworkinggrouptoassesstheprogressmadebyStatespartiesinimplementingtheConventionsincetheState'spreviousreporttotheCommittee.TheworkinggroupappealedtoStatespartiestocontinuetofollowtheCommittee'sguidelinesforthepresentationofreportssoastoexpeditetheworkofthepre-sessiongroupandtoallowittoanalysetheprogressofindividualStatespartiesingreaterdepth.Thegroupalsonotedthatthemajorityofthereportstobereviewedbythepre-sessionworkinggrouphadbeenpreparedpriortotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.Thus,therevisedreportingguidelinesprovidedbytheCommitteeandrevisedatitsfifteenthsessiondidnotapply.Nevertheless,thepre-sessionworkinggrouptooktheopportunitytoraisequestionsrelatingtotheimplementationoftheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionandthecommitmentsundertakenbyeachStatepartyduringtheConference.19.2 .2Atthe320thmeeting,on20January1997,theChairpersonofthepre-sessionworkinggroupintroducedthereportofthegroup(CEDAW/C/1997/CRP.1andCorr.1andAdd.15),indicatingthatquestionsregardingreportshadbeensubmittedbyCommitteemembers.Sheregrettedthefactthatnotallmembershadtakentheopportunitytosubmitwrittenquestionsinadvanceandstatedthatthatprocedurewasimportantfortheformulationofconcludingcommentsandthatitenhancedtheworkofthegroup,whichmetforonlyashorttime.20.2 .2TheChairpersonoftheworkinggroupindicatedthatmostStatespartieshadfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines,butrecommendedthatStatespartiesthathadnotfollowedthemberequestedtodosowhennextreporting.Shealsomadeitclearthatsomeprogressinimplementationcouldbediscernedintheperiodicreports.21.2 .2TheChairpersonoftheworkinggroupmadeitclearthattheworkinggrouphadbeengivenfullsupportbytheSecretariatanddrewtheCommittee'sattentiontothediscussiontheworkinggrouphadhadwiththeDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenconcerningthemethodsofworkofthegroup.ShenotedthattheSecretariatwould,infuture,integratequestionssentbyexpertsandclassifytheminadvance,whichwouldallowthegrouptodiscussimplementationingreaterdepth.22.2 .2TheChairpersonsuggestedthat,atfuturesessions,thepresessionworkinggroupmightmeetwithnon-governmentalorganizationstoconductathematicdiscussiononaparticulararea.ShesuggestedthatWorkingGroupIshoulddiscusstheroleofthepre-session,inparticulargiventhattheCommitteewouldnowhavetwosessionsperyear.ShesuggestedthatreportsforconsiderationbytheCommitteewouldnowneedtobeidentifiedtwosessionsinadvanceandthatitmightwellbemoreappropriateforthepre-sessiontobeheldattheendoftheprevioussession,asisthepracticeofsomeotherhumanrightstreatybodies.Inaddition,sheraisedthequestionofspecializationofCommitteemembersandtheuseofconcludingcommentsinfutureconsiderationofimplementationoftheConventioninindividualStatesparties.23.2 .2AnumberofmembersoftheCommitteecommentedonthesuggestionsputforwardbytheChairpersonoftheworkinggroup.Onemembersuggestedthatifthegroupmetattheendoftheprevioussession,theworkoftheStatespartiesandnon-governmentalorganizationswouldbefacilitatedandadialoguecouldbeenteredintowithStatesparties.24.2 .2Onemembersuggestedthattherewasnoreasontoemploydifferentproceduresforinitialandperiodicreports.Othermemberssuggestedthatthemostdifficulttaskwastocomparefirstandperiodicreports.Anothersuggestedthatthepre-sessionworkinggroup,whichmetbeforethecurrentsession,shouldhavereviewedreportsselectedforconsiderationfortheJulysession,asthatwouldallowforricherquestionsfromtheCommittee,givenon-governmentalorganizationsanopportunitytointerveneandStatespartiestimetoanswerthequestions.ItwasstressedthatastheworkinggroupconsistedofonlyfourmembersoftheCommittee,allotherCommitteemembersshouldsendtheirquestionswithregardtoperiodicreportswellinadvancesothattheycouldbeintegratedbytheSecretariat.Shealsourgedthedispatchofnon-governmentalorganizationreportswellinadvance.25.2 .2TheChairpersonofthepre-sessionworkinggroupexplainedthatinprevioussessionstheCommitteehaddecidednottoconsiderinitialreportsintheworkinggroupbecauseitwasimportanttoestablishadirectconstructivedialoguewiththeStateparty.ShenotedthattheCommittee'sconcludingcommentsfacilitatedthemaintenanceofthatdialogueandurgedthatthoseformulatedatthecurrentsessionshouldfollowthearticlesoftheConventionandbeascompleteaspossible.ShenotedthattheconcludingcommentswereaninvaluablebasisfortheconsiderationofthesubsequentreportoftheStatesparties.26.2 .2Anumberofmemberssuggestedthatthepre-sessionworkinggroupshouldcontinuetoreviewperiodicreportsonlyandnotinitialreports.SeveralalsourgedthedevelopmentofspecializationamongCommitteemembers,makingitclearthatspecializationwouldnotprecludegeneraldiscussion.Supportwasexpressedforspecialization,anditwassuggestedthatexpertsshouldidentifyannuallytheareainwhichtheywishedtospecialize.27.2 .2Othermembersurgedthatreportsbeselected12monthsinadvanceofconsiderationandthattheybeconsideredbyaworkinggroupatthesessionpriortotheoneatwhichtheyaretobeconsideredbytheCommittee.Inthatcontext,onemembersuggestedthattheanalysisofreportsprovidedbytheSecretariatbesimplifiedandthattheycontainthetextofreservationsenteredbytheStatepartyconcerned,amendmentsandwithdrawalnoticesandtheconcludingcommentsoftheCommitteeandothertreatybodieswithregardtotheState.28.2 .2ItwasnotedthattheCommitteerequiredmoreorganizedproceduresandthatstepswereneededtoensurethatquestionsfortheStatepartyconcernedweresentwellinadvancesothatwrittenrepliescouldbeprovided,allowingtheCommitteedulytodiscussissueswiththeStateparty.SomemembersnotedthattheCommitteewasalargeoneandthatmembersshouldspeakonce,ratherthanrepeatingquestionsalreadyposed.TheCommitteeconcludedthattheissuesraisedwereproperlytheprovinceofWorkingGroupI,butthatifadecisionweremadetochangetheproceduresoftheCommittee,somebridgingmeasureswouldberequired.Inthatcontext,itwassuggestedthattheguidelinesforreportingmightwarrantrevision,asmighttheCommittee'smethodsofwork.@ .H.Compositionandorganizationofworkoftheworkinggroups29.2 .2Atits311thmeeting,on13January1997,theCommitteeagreedonthecompositionofitstwostandingworkinggroups:WorkingGroupI,toconsiderwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee,andWorkingGroupII,toconsiderwaysandmeansofimplementingarticle21oftheConvention.30.2 .2WorkingGroupIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:IvankaCorti,MiriamEstrada,YolandaFerrerG;mez,AdaGonzlez,SalmaKhan,LinShangzhen,AhouaOuedraogoandHannaBeateSchpp-Schilling.31.2 .2WorkingGroupIIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:CharlotteAbaka,AyseFerideAcar,EmnaAouij,TendaiRuthBare,CarlotaBustelo,SilviaR.Cartwright,IvankaCorti,YolandaFerrerG;mez,AdaGonzlez,AuroraJavatedeDios,SalmaKhan,Yung-ChungKim,AnneLiseRyelandCarmelShalev.@ .Notes2 .21ReportoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Beijing,4-15September1995(UnitedNationspublication,SalesNo.E.96.IV.13),chap.I,resolution2,annexII.2 .22OfficialRecordsofthemGeneralAssembly,FiftiethSession,SupplementNo.38(A/50/38),chap.I,sect.B.2 .23Ibid.,FortyfifthSession,SupplementNo.38andcorrigendum(A/45/38andCorr.1),paras.2831.2 .24Ibid.,FiftyfirstSession,SupplementNo.38(A/51/38),para.348.ǀIII.REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIESUNDERTAKEǸBETWEENTHEFIFTEENTHANDSIXTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHÈCOMMITTEE32.2 .2TheformerChairpersonoftheCommittee,Ms.IvankaCorti,reportedonheractivitiesasChairpersonsincethefifteenthsessionoftheCommittee.ShealsoreflectedondevelopmentswithregardtotheCommitteewhichhadoccurredduringthefouryearperiodofherchairpersonship.33.2 .2Ms.CortiindicatedthatsincethefifteenthsessionshehadparticipatedinthecelebrationofInternationalWomen'sDayattheheadquartersoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO),whereshetookpartinaroundtableonviolenceagainstwomeninallitsforms.ShealsoparticipatedinaseminaronviolenceagainstwomenhostedbytheFrenchMinistryofJustice,heldfrom8to10March1996.Moreover,sheparticipatedintwotrainingsessionsattheInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)InternationalTrainingCentreinTurin,aswellasconferencesofnon-governmentalorganizationsinVeniceandTunis.34.2 .2Ms.CortihadalsoattendedthefortiethsessionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenasanobserver,inparticular,themeetingsheldduringthesessionoftheopenendedworkinggroupontheelaborationofadraftoptionalprotocol,whichshedescribedtothemembersoftheCommittee.SheindicatedthatboththeCommissionontheStatusofWomenandtheEconomicandSocialCouncilhadadoptedresolutionsprovidingfortheattendanceofamemberoftheCommitteeasaresourcepersonatthemeetingsoftheoptionalprotocolworkinggroupatthefortyfirstsessionoftheCommission.35.2 .2Ms.CortibriefedmembersoftheCommitteeonthemeetingofpersonschairinghumanrightstreatybodiesheldattheCentreforHumanRightsinSeptember1996,atwhichshehadalsobeenelectedchairperson.TopicsdiscussedatthemeetingincludedtherelationshipofspecializedagenciesandotherUnitedNationsbodieswithtreatybodiesandtheroleofnon-governmentalorganizationsintheworkofthosebodies.36.2 .2Ms.CortidiscussedthestepsshehadtakenduringtheyeartopromotelinksbetweentheCommitteeontheonehandandthespecializedagenciesandotherbodiesoftheUnitedNationssystemontheother.SheandthreeothermembersoftheCommitteehadparticipatedinajointmeetingwiththeCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildsponsoredbytheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF)heldatCairofrom18to20November1996.Themeetingconstitutedanimportantsteptowardsstrengthenedcooperationamongthehumanrightstreatybodies.TheformerChairpersonalsoreportedonthemeetingwiththeExecutiveDirectorofUNICEF,atwhichconcreteproposalsforfuturecooperationwiththeCommitteewereputforward.37.2 .2Ms.CortiremindedtheCommitteeofthesuggestionshehadmadetotheExecutiveDirectoroftheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA),followingtheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentthatUNFPAshouldworkwiththeCommitteetoconsiderthehumanrightsimplicationsoftheConference'sProgrammeofActionanditsrelevancetotheworkoftheCommitteeandthehumanrightstreatybodies.Thosesuggestionsresultedintheroundtableonhumanrightsapproachestowomen'shealth,withafocusonreproductiveandsexualhealthrights,co-sponsoredbyUNFPA,theDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,andtheOfficetheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRightsandheldatGlenCove,NewYork,from9to11December1996.Thiswasthefirstsuchmeetingofchairpersonsoftreatybodiesonthematicissues.ItwasfollowedbyfurtherdiscussionsbetweentheExecutiveDirectorandmembersoftheCommittee.Ms.CortialsocommendedthestepsthathadbeentakenbytheUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen(UNIFEM)topromoteboththeConventionandtheCommittee.38.2 .2Expressingtheviewthatshehadfelthonouredtorepresentsuchanextraordinarycommitteeofwomendevotedtothedefenceofwomen'shumanrights,Ms.CortirecalledthatwhenshefirstassumedthechairpersonshipoftheCommittee,measureswereneededtomaketheConventionandtheCommitteebetterknown.TheVienna,CairoandBeijingconferenceshadprovidedanimportantframeworkforthatwork.ShepointedtothevariousachievementsoftheCommitteeduringthisperiod,beginningwiththeformulation,withUNESCO,ofthemanifesto"TowardsaGenderinclusiveCulturethroughEducation".SheremindedmembersoftheextraordinaryoneweeksessionorganizedbyaStateparty(Spain)inMay1995,andtheamendmenttoarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConvention.Shenotedthegrowinginterestofnon-governmentalorganizationsintheworkoftheCommittee,specificallymentioningtheparticipationofanumberofCommitteemembersinworkshopsattheNon-governmentalOrganizationForumoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenandtheworkoftheInternationalWomen'sRightsActionWatch,theInternationalHumanRightsLawClinicoftheCityUniversityofNewYorkLawSchoolandtheInternationalHumanRightsLawGroupinpromotingtheConventionandsupportingtheworkoftheCommittee.ShealsodescribedinthatcontexttheRoundTableonWomen'sHealthasaHumanRight,organizedbytheCommonwealthMedicalAssociationatTorontoinOctober1996,inwhichmembersoftheCommitteeparticipated.39.2 .2Ms.CortidrewattentiontodevelopmentsinvariousareasoftheCommittee'sworkduringherchairpersonship.Shenotedinparticulargeneralrecommendation21onequalityinmarriageandfamilyrelations1andthefactthattheCommitteehadupdateditsreportingguidelinesatitsfifteenthsessiontotakeaccountoftheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction,adoptedattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomeninSeptember1995.40.2 .2Ms.CorticongratulatedMs.KhanonherelectionasChairpersonandnotedthathertaskwouldbeachallengingone.SheremindedmembersthattheCommitteewouldnowmeettwiceyearlyandthatitsworkrequiredrationalization.StepsneededtobetakentoreducethebacklogofreportsawaitingconsiderationbytheCommitteeandtoestablishpermanentrelationswithnon-governmentalorganizationsandencouragetheirgreaterinvolvementintheCommittee'swork.Thenewrulesofprocedurerequiredfinalization,andapermanentrelationshipneededtobeforgedwiththenontreatyhumanrightsmechanism,andinparticular,withtheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen.ShenotedtheimportanceoftheestablishmentoftheWomen'sRightsUnitintheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenandtheappointmentoftheChiefofthatsection,whomsheencouragedtomaintaincloselinkswiththeChairpersonoftheCommittee.41.2 .2Finally,Ms.CortithankedcurrentandformerCommitteemembers,themembersoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenandthestaffoftheCentreforHumanRights,non-governmentalorganizationsandthevariousacademicswhohadcontributedtothepopularizationandappreciationoftheConvention.Inconclusion,sheexpressedappreciationforthesolidarityofallwomen,whichwasfundamentaltotheCommittee'ssuccess.@ .Notes2 .21OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyninthSession,SupplementNo.38(A/49/38),chap.I,sect.A.̇+  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(n882   ݀IV.CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATESPARTIES̀UNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION@ .A.Introduction42.2 .2Atitssixteenthsession,theCommitteeconsideredthereportssubmittedbyeightStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention:twoinitialandonecombinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreport;onecombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreport;twothirdperiodicreports;andtwocombinedthirdandfourthperiodicreports.TheCommitteealsoconsideredonereportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasis.43.2 .2Asdecidedatitsthirteenthsession,in1994,theCommitteepreparedconcludingcommentsoneachreportconsidered.44.2 .2TheCommittee'sconcludingcommentsonthereportsofStatesparties,aspreparedrespectivelybythemembersoftheCommittee,andasummaryoftheintroductorypresentationsbytherepresentativesoftheStatespartiesareprovidedbelow.ThesummaryrecordsprovidemoredetailedinformationontheCommittee'sconsiderationofthereportsoftheStatesparties.@ . B.ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties@ .61.Initialreports@ .Morocco45.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofMorocco(CEDAW/C/MOR/1)atits312th,313thand320thmeetings,on14and20January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.312,313and320).46.2 .2Inintroducingthereport,therepresentativeofMoroccoinformedtheCommitteethatMorocco'sinitialreporthadbeensubmittedtotheSecretariatinJuly1994inaccordancewitharticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,oneyearafterMoroccohadaccededtotheConvention.KingHassanIIhadtakentheinitiativein1992andhadinvitedvariouswomen'sassociationstosubmitamendmentstotheexistingPersonalStatusCodeinordertoeliminatetheobstaclesimpedingMoroccanwomenfromtheenjoymentandexerciseoftheirrights.AnumberofarticlesofthePersonalStatusCodewereamendedaccordinglyandinconformitywithvariousinternationalagreementsandinstruments,whiletheCodemaintaineditsrespectfortheprinciplesofIslamiclaw,theshariah.47.2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthattheinitialreportdescribedinstitutional,legal,administrativeandothermeasurestakentopromoteandprotectthehumanrightsofwomenwithinanoverallpoliticalandlegalframework.TheGovernmentofMoroccolinkedthestatusofwomentohumanrightsandrecognizedtheinseparablelinksbetweentherespectforhumanrights,democracyandsocial,economicandculturaldevelopment.ThehumanrightsprotectionaspectsoftheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenandtheadvancementofwomenweretransferredfromthesocialaffairsministriestotheMinistryofHumanRights,whichwasworkingincooperationwithotherministerialdepartmentsontheseissues.48.2 .2TheConstitution,revisedin1992and1996,nowcontainedprovisionsintendedtoensureagreaterrespectforhumanrightsingeneralandforthehumanrightsofwomeninparticular.TherevisedConstitutionestablishedabicameralparliamentandalsoallowedfortheestablishmentoffactfindingcommissionstoaddresstheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomen.AsaresultofthereformofMorocco'sfamilylaw,anycaseofdiscriminationagainstwomencouldnowresultinlegalproceedings.49.2 .2TherepresentativethenbriefedtheCommitteeonlegalandadministrativemeasuresthathadbeentakeninhiscountrytoachieveequalitybetweenwomenandmenwithintheframeworkofpromotionandprotectionofwomen'shumanrights.Thelegislationrelatingtoemployment,aswellasthePenalCode,hadbeenmodified.Effortshadbeenmade,especiallyinthefieldofeducationandemployment.TheGovernmentwasconcernedaboutthehighrateofilliteracyamongwomen,anditconsideredwomeninruralareasthemostvulnerablegroup.Aliteracycampaignhadthereforebeenlaunchedwiththegoalofreducingtheilliteracyrateto10percentbytheyear2010,specificallyamongruralwomen.However,whileallcitizenshadanequalrighttoeducationandemployment,pursuanttoarticle13oftheConstitution,therepresentativeacknowledgedthatthereexistedanumberofstatutoryexceptionsthatexcludedwomenfromenteringcertainprofessions.50.2 .2Inconcludinghispresentation,therepresentativeofMoroccorecognizedthattherewerestillanumberofbarrierspreventingwomenfromexercisingandenjoyingtheirhumanrightsandparticipatingfullyinthesocioeconomicdevelopmentofthecountry,butheassuredtheCommitteeofhisGovernment'swillingnesstopursuethetaskofeliminatingallsuchobstacles.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction51.2 .2TheCommitteethankedtheStatepartyforitsreport,whichhadbeensubmittedontime.Itnoted,however,thattheformatofthewrittenreporthadnotadheredtotheCommittee'sguidelines.TheStatepartyhadneverthelessestablishedafrankandconstructivedialoguewiththeCommitteethroughitsoralreportanditsreplies.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention52.2 .2TheCommitteewasoftheviewthat,althoughtheinstrumentofratificationoftheConventionbytheKingdomofMoroccowasinitselfanimportantevent,thefactthatithadbeenaccompaniedbydeclarationsandreservationsconcerningthesubstanceoftheConventionseriouslyhinderedthelatter'simplementation.53.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheobviouscontradictionsbetweentheobligationsderivingfromtheundertakingmadebytheStatepartyatthetimeofsigningtheConventionandthepersistenceofconsiderablediscriminationagainstwomeninMorocco,particularlyinthefieldoffamilylaw.2 .2Positiveaspects54.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontherevisionoftheConstitution,whichstrengthenedtheruleoflawinMoroccobysolemnlyproclaimingthecountry'scommitmenttointernationallyrecognizedhumanrights.55.2 .2TheCommitteebelievedthatthatundertakingbytheStatewouldinevitablybenefitwomen,sincewomen'srightswereanintegralpartofhumanrights.56.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatthewomen'sunitsetupwithintheMinistryofHumanRightswasinvolvedintheoverallprocessinitiatedbyMoroccointhatregard.57.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheeffortsmadebytheStatepartytoreviseandamendthePersonalStatusCode(Moudouana).ThosepreliminaryeffortsreflectedthepoliticaldeterminationoftheStateparty,atthehighestlevel,tofurtherthedevelopmentofthelegalstatusofwomen.58.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheemergenceofawomen'smovementwhichhadmanagedtogiveexpressiontowomen'sdemandsandtogivetheirconcernsanationaldimension.2 .2Principalareasofconcern59.2 .2TheCommitteewasdeeplyconcernedatthenumberandimportanceofthereservationsmadebyMorocco,particularlythereservationtoarticle2,oneoftheConvention'scentralarticles.TheCommitteeconsidersanyreservationtothatarticletobecontrarytotheobjectandpurposeoftheConventionandincompatiblewithinternationallaw.TheCommitteewaslikewiseconcernedthatthecombinationofreservationstoarticles2and15leavenoroomforevolvingconceptsofIslamiclaw.60.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithregretthattheStatepartydidnotenvisagewithdrawinganyofitsreservations.61.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthat,unlikeotherinternationaltreaties,theConventionhadnotbeenmentioned,publicizedorpublishedintheOfficialGazette.62.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedregretthattherewasnospecificwomen'srightsmachinerythatcouldcoordinateandguideactivitiesandprojectsforwomeninordertoimproveandbetterinformwomenoftheirrights.63.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernthat,despitetheeffortsmadeinthepoliticalsphere,women'srepresentationatthepolicymakinglevelwasminimal.64.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedthatculturalcharacteristicscouldnotbeallowedtounderminetheprincipleoftheuniversalityofhumanrights,whichremainedinalienableandnonnegotiable,nortopreventtheadoptionofappropriatemeasuresinfavourofwomen.Asaresult,theCommitteeremainedconcernedattheprofoundinequalitiesaffectingthestatusofwomeninMorocco.Considerablediscriminationintheareasofmarriage,conjugalrelations,divorceandthecustodyofchildrenstillexists.Lawsregardingthepunishmentofadulteryandtheabilitytopassonnationalitycontinuetobenefitthehusbandtothedetrimentofthewife.65.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedthatdiscriminationwasnotlimitedtotheprivatespherebutalsoaffectedthepublicrealm.Blatantinequalitiescouldbeobservedinwomen'srecruitment,wagesandleaveentitlements,aswellasinlegalrestrictionsonwomen's,butnotmen's,employment,whichreflectedstereotypicalattitudesregardingappropriateworkforwomen.66.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatnolegislationwasenvisagedtoprotectwomenagainstallformsofviolence.TheCommitteewasalsosurprisedthatthereportmadenomentionofarticle6oftheConvention,whichconcernedprostitution.67.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthehighrateoffemaleilliteracy,whichaffectedgirlsandruralwomeninparticular.68.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthehighrateofmaternalmortalityinMorocco,thehighnumberofunattendedbirths,theunavailabilityofsafeabortionandtheneedtodevelopfurtherreproductiveandsexualhealthservices,includingfamilyplanning.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations69.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartyincorporatetheprincipleofequalitybetweenmenandwomenintoallspheresoflifeandintotheConstitution,andthatitbringtheConstitutionintolinewiththerelevantinternationalnormsoftheConvention.70.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedthehopethattheGovernmentwouldenvisage,throughthepoliticalwillofitsleaders,theprogressivewithdrawalofthemanyreservationsthatwereseriouslyunderminingtheproperimplementationoftheConvention.71.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedthattheGovernmentcontinueitseffortstoamendlegislationthatwasstilldiscriminatoryinordertobringitintolinewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.WhilerespectingthestagesinMorocco'spolitical,economic,sociologicalandculturalevolutionandtheneedforthepopulationtosupportanyreformconcerningwomen'srights,theCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttopersevereinusingijtihad,whichwastheevolvinginterpretationofreligioustextssoastogivethenecessaryimpetustotheimprovementofthestatusofwomenandthusgraduallytochangeattitudes.72.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtheestablishmentofspecificmachinerylocatedatthehighestpolicylevel,withadequatefinancialandhumanresources,thatwouldcoordinateandguideactioninfavourofwomen,wouldbeabletopreventthepersistenceofattitudes,prejudicesandstereotypesthatdiscriminateagainstwomenandwouldnarrowthegapbetweendejureanddefactoequality.73.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecommendedthateducationinwomen'srights,coveringnationalandinternationallegislation,beprovidedinallschoolsanduniversitysystemsandtowomen'sassociationsandnongovernmentalorganizations,aswellasinruralareas.74.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatthecompetentnationalbodies,thewomen'ssectionsofthedifferentpoliticalpartiesandassociationsandnon-governmentalorganizationsdotheirutmosttobringaboutasgreatachangeinmen'straditionalroleinthefamilyandinsocietyasinwomen's,soastoensuregenuineequalityofopportunitybetweenmenandwomeninallspheres.Itobservedthatrevisingthecontentandorientationofschooltextbooksinordertoeliminatestereotypesandnegativeimagesofwomencouldhelptospeedupachangeofmentalityandremovecertainobstacles.75.2 .2TheCommitteealsoaskedtheGovernmenttopayparticularattentiontovulnerablegroups,womenheadsofhousehold,abandonedwomenanddisabledwomen,andtotakethenecessarystepstoprotectthemfromanyformofexclusionormarginalization.Overcominginequalitycontributedtopovertyreductionandtothecountry'seconomicdevelopment.76.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtotheGovernmentthatappropriate,effectivemeasuresbetakentoreduceboththeilliteracyrateandthematernalmortalityrate,whichwerehighinruralareas.77.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttoaddresstheissueofviolenceagainstwomen,toadoptthenecessarymeasurestoovercomethisphenomenonandtoestablishsupportservicesforvictimsofviolence,inbothurbanandruralareas,inaccordancewithgeneralrecommendation19.78.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedthattheGovernmenttakespecialmeasurestoreducematernalmortalityratesandprotectwomen'srighttolifebyensuringfullandtimelyaccessofallwomentoemergencyobstetriccare.79.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentreviewexistingrestrictionsonwomen'saccesstoemployment,particularlythosebasedonstereotypicalassumptionsconcerningwomen'swork.80.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofMoroccotoaddresstheconcernsincludedinthepresentconcludingcommentsinitsnextreport,toincludeinformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationsandtofollowtheCommittee'sreportingguidelinescarefully,includingwithregardtothefollowuptotheBeijingPlatformforAction.ItrequestedtheGovernmenttoprovidestatisticaldatadisaggregatedbysexwithregardtoallareasintheConventioninitsnextreport.Inparticular,itrequestedthewidedisseminationofthesecommentsthroughoutMorocco.@ .\Slovenia821.3  2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofSlovenia(CEDAW/C/SVN/1)atits314th,315thand321stmeetings,on15and20January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.314,315and321).822.3  2 .2ThereportwasintroducedbythePermanentRepresentativeofSlovenia,whoemphasizedtheimportancehisGovernmentattachestotheinternationalhumanrightstreatiesandinparticulartotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,andexpresseditssupportforanearlyadoptionoftheoptionalprotocoltotheConvention.823.3  2 .2TheDirectoroftheOfficeforWomen'sPolicyofSloveniathenproceededtoprovideanupdateofSlovenia'sinitialreport,submittedtotheSecretariatin1993inaccordancewitharticle18oftheConvention.ShenotedthatthereporthadbeenpreparedduringaperiodofeconomicandpoliticalrestructuringbytheOfficeandincooperationwiththeresponsibleministriesandotherinstitutions,includingnon-governmentalorganizations.Theimpactofthetransitiononwomencouldnotyetbefullyassessed,butSloveniahadpreparedanupdatedreportasanappendixtotheinitialreport,whichithadsubmittedtotheCommitteeearlyin1997.Theinformationprovidedinthatdocumentallowssomeinitialassessmentinthisregard.824.3  2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedthattheOfficeforWomen'sPolicyhadbeencreatedduringtheearlystageoftransitionfromsocialismtoparliamentarydemocracy.IthadbeenestablishedbytheGovernmentinJuly1992asthecentralpolicycoordinatingunitoftheGovernmentresponsibleforimplementingtherightsofwomenguaranteedbytheConstitution,lawsandinternationalagreements.TheOfficewasanimportantstepforwardintheintegrationoftheprincipleofgenderequalityintogovernmentpolicies.825.3  2 .2TherepresentativeofSloveniaoutlinedthepolitical,economicandlegalsituationinSloveniaanditsimpactonthedefactostatusofwomen.Sloveniaisacountryintransitionwhichhaspreservedarelativelyhighdegreeofsocialprotectioninanenvironmentofeconomicstabilityandgrowth.Unemploymentandotherproblemsoftransitionhaveaffectedwomenbuttoalesserdegreethanmen.TheCommitteetooknoteofthegeneralcircumstancesandfocusedonthespecificissuespertainingtothequestionsoftherightsofwomen.TheCommitteealsotooknoteofhowtherightsofwomenwereguaranteedandprotectedbytheConstitution,towhatextentSlovenewomenwereinvolvedinpoliticaldecision-makingandhowtheyhadbeenparticipatinginongoingdemocratization.826.3  2 .2TheGovernmentofSloveniawasparticularlyconcernedabouttheprevalenceoftraditionalgenderstereotypesandcertainformsofdefactodiscriminationagainstwomen.Withregardtoeducation,itwasreportedthatwhilewomenenjoyedahighlevelofeducationingeneral,therewerecleardifferencesinwhatwomenandmenpreferredtostudy,withwomenconcentratedintraditionallyfemalesubjects.Women,especiallytheyoungandeducated,werefacingdifficultiesinfindingemployment.TheSlovenepensionsystembenefitedwomenandmendifferently.Women'sgenerallylowerpensionswereareflectionofthelowerpaidsectorsinwhichwomenwereemployedandthefrequentleavetheytookinordertocarefortheirchildren.Despitethelawthatguaranteestherightofbothparentstotakeparentalleave,fathersstillfailedtoplayanequalroleinthecareandeducationofchildren.Withregardtowomen'sreproductivehealth,itwasnotedthattherighttoabortionwasguaranteedbytheConstitution,however,theCommitteewasalertedtothehighrateofabortion,despitethewideandlegalavailabilityofcontraceptionandcontraceptiveadvice.827.3  2 .2Inconcludingthepresentation,therepresentativeofSloveniarecognizedthatmuchremainedtobedonetoachievefullequalitybetweenwomenandmen,andassuredtheCommitteeofthewillingnessofherGovernmenttoundertakeallthenecessarymeasurestoachievetheprinciplesestablishedintheConvention.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee&  2 .2Introduction828.3  2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthehigh-levelrepresentationoftheGovernmentofSloveniaandapplaudedthefactthat,aftergainingitsindependence,the'  GovernmenthadquicklyacceptedtheinternationalhumanrightsobligationsassumedbytheformerSocialistFederalRepublicofYugoslavia.ItcommendedtheGovernmentforitstimelysubmissionofawell-structured,informativeandhonestreport,whichfollowedthereportingguidelinesoftheCommitteeandgaveafrankpictureofthesituationofwomeninSlovenia.Italsowelcomedtheadditionalcollectionofstatisticaldata,whichwerecomprehensiveincertainareasandweredisaggregatedbysex,aswellastheextensiveanswerstotheCommittee'squestions,whichweregiveninbothoralandwrittenform.TheCommitteealsotooknoteofthesupportoftheGovernmentofSloveniatotheformulationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionandapplaudedthefactthatanactionplanwasbeingpreparedtoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforAction.̇&  2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention829.3  2 .2TheCommitteewasawareofthedifficultiesSloveniawasfacingasaresultofthetransitiontowardsdemocracyandasocial/marketeconomyandtheneedto'  buildadifferentcivilsociety.ManyofthosedifficultiescouldanddidhaveanegativeimpactonthesituationofwomeninSloveniaandthusimpededthelegalandpracticalimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteewasalsoawarethatsex-rolestereotypesrelatingtothenatureofwomenandmenandthe"appropriate"workforeachsexwerepervasiveinSlovenesociety.Thosestereotypeshadnotbeenquestionedundertheformerpoliticalsystem,despiteitsadherencetoformalequalitybetweenwomenandmen.2 .2Positiveaspects90.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthesensitivitytowardsgenderissuesexpressedbytheGovernmentofSloveniaandbycertainsectorsofthenewlyemergingcivilsociety,inparticularinthenumberofnon-governmentalorganizationsforwomen.91.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheextensivehumanrightsguaranteesintheSloveneConstitution,inparticularthoseguaranteesrelatingtothehumanrightsofwomen.ItwelcomedthefactthattheConventiontookprecedenceovernationallegislation.TheimmediateeffectoftheConventionintheSlovenelegalsystemandlegislationprovidingwomenwithdejureequalitywerewelcomedbytheCommittee,aswastheintegrationofhumanrightsprinciplesintoitsongoingprocessoflegislativereformandintoitsnewlyformulatedpolicies.92.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheactiveroleofthewomen'smachinery,theOfficeforWomen'sPolicy,foundedin1992,whichoperatedasanindependentgovernmentadvisoryserviceadvisingtheGovernmentonlegislation,policiesandprogrammesandwhich,throughcampaignsandprogrammes,soughttoimprovegendersensitivityinthepopulation.93.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoeliminatestereotypedimagesofwomeninthemediaandinadvertising,aswellastheNationalProgrammeforHouseholds,whichaimedathelpingyoungwomenandmentoshareworkandfamilyresponsibilitiesinanon-stereotypicalway.94.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheGovernmentofSloveniawasawareofthewidespreadviolenceagainstwomenintheprivatesphereandthatitwasdeveloping,throughitsnationalmachineryandbysupportingnon-governmentalorganizationsthatactonbehalfofwomen,measurestocombatthatviolenceandtoassistvictims.Italsocommendedthestepstowardsnewlegislationtoprotectprostitutes.95.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedthetemporaryspecialeffortsoftheOfficeforWomen'sPoliciestoraisepublicawarenessandtointroducemeasurestoincreasewomen'srepresentationinParliament.Itnotedwithsatisfactionthehighnumberofwomeninthejudiciaryandthepromisingfiguresofwomen'senrolmentinthefacultiesoflawatSloveneuniversities.Italsonotedthesignificantrepresentationofwomeninhighleveladministrativejobs.Itapplaudedthefactthatalargenumberofnon-governmentalorganizationsforwomenhadbeenformedinarelativelyshorttimeandthecooperationfosteredbytheOfficeforWomen'sPolicieswithnon-governmentalorganizations,inparticularduringthepreparationofthereportandintheformulationoftheNationalPlatformofAction,theaimofwhichwastoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforAction.̇96.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentonthehighlevelofwomen'seducationinSlovenia,onenvisionededucationalreformsandontheeffortsthathadbeenmadetoincludehumanrightseducationatvariouslevelsoftheschoolcurriculum.Itnotedwithsatisfactionthatcoursesinwomen'sstudieswereofferedatsomeuniversitiesandthatresearchontheimpactofthedepictionofwomenintextbookswasbeingcarriedout.97.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteoftheexistenceofaformalday-caresystemthatprovidesdaycaretoslightlymorethan50percentofchildrenuptotheageofsix.TheCommitteewelcomedtherevisionoftheexistinglabourlegislationandtheformulationofnewequalityprovisionsinthatlegislativearea.Italsowelcomedthefactthatinlabourlegislation,theprincipleofequalpayforequalworkandforworkofequalvaluewouldbeconsidered.Itnotedwithsatisfactionthatahighpercentageofwomenwereemployed.Itwelcomedtheenvisionedprovisionsagainstsexistlanguageinjobclassificationsandadvertisementsandnotedwithsatisfactionthediscussionofalegislativeproposalonparentalleavethatwouldgiveagreatershareofresponsibilitytofathers.98.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheinclusionoftherighttoabortionintheConstitutionofSlovenia.2 .2Principalareasofconcern99.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattheOfficeforWomen'sPolicieshadanadvisoryroleonlyandwas,therefore,dependentonthepoliticalwilloftheGovernment.ItwasconcernedthatthehumanandfinancialresourcesoftheOfficemightbetoosmallconsideringthetasksithadtotackle.100.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithconcernthepervasivenessandentrenchednatureofsex-rolestereotypesandpointedtotheriskthatsuchstereotypesmightbestrengthenedbecauseofthedifficulteconomic,socialandculturalchangesthepopulationofSloveniawasfacing.TheCommitteewasoftheviewthatoneoftheresultsofsex-rolestereotypingwasthatwomenperformedmostofthehouseholdworkandthushadadoubleburdenofwork.101.2 .2Concernwasalsoexpressedastowhethertherealextentofviolenceagainstwomenwasbeingdiscoveredandwhetherthecurrentmeasuresweresufficientnotonlytocombatit,butalsotoassistitsvictims.TheCommitteewasconcernedthattheGovernmentshouldensurethatvictimsofviolencereceivesupportfromthepolice,understandingofthedynamicsofviolenceagainstwomenfromjudges,counsellingandplacementinsheltersand,inparticular,thattheybeassistedinrebuildingtheirlives.102.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithgreatconcernthatthenumberofwomenrepresentedinpoliticswasfallingdespitethevariousmeasuresthathadbeenundertakeninthatsphere.103.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheclusteringoffemalestudentsincertaindisciplines,atbothschoolsanduniversities,thatdidnotprovideoptimumemploymentopportunities.104.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatlessthan30percentofchildrenunderthreeyearsofageandslightlymorethanhalfofallchildrenbetweenthreeandsixwereinformaldaycare,andthattheremainingchildren,whilecaredforbyfamilymembersandotherprivateindividuals,mightmissoutoneducationalandsocialopportunitiesofferedinformaldaycareinstitutions.̇105.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatwomenwereclusteredincertainjobsandprofessionsandatcertainjoblevels.Itnotedthefeminizationofthemedicalprofessionandthelowwagesinthatsector.Itwasalarmedbythehighnumberofyoungunemployedwomenwhowerelookingforafirstjobandwasawarethatfailuretofindsuchemploymentmightconfinewomentotheroleofhomemaker.Inthatcontext,theCommitteetookaccountoftheunfortunatefactthatmarketeconomiestendedtofavourmaleemployeeswho,byvirtueoftraditionalrolesandworkallocation,weredeemedtobeunencumberedbyfamilyresponsibilities.106.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattemporaryworkforwomenmightbeinstitutionalizedandthatwomenwouldthusbemarginalizedinthelabourmarketandbecomevictimsofindirectdiscrimination.Itwasalsoconcernedthatoccupationalhealthstandardsforwomenmightresultindiscriminationagainstwomeninemployment.107.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcerntheveryhighnumberofabortionsandthecorrespondinglowuseofcontraception.Concernwasalsovoicedwithrespecttothelargenumbersofsingleparentfamilies,whichwereusuallyheadedbywomen.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations108.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheongoingrevisionoflawsshouldtakeaccountofhidden,indirectandstructuraldiscriminationandthatsufficientattentionshouldbepaidtotheformulationoftemporaryspecialmeasuresinthefieldsofpolitics,education,employmentandtheimplementationofdejureanddefactoequalityforwomen.Itrecommendedthatthejudiciarybemadeawareofthemeaningofindirectandstructuraldiscrimination,defactoequalityandtheconceptoftemporaryspecialmeasures.109.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentofSlovenia,aswellasthenon-governmentalorganizationsforwomen,shouldbeawarethattheconceptofprivacyoffamilylifeandthereproductiveroleofwomencouldbeutilizedtohideviolenceagainstwomenandreinforcesex-rolestereotypes.110.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtheestablishmentoftheproposedgenderequalityombudsperson.111.2 .2ItrecommendedtheestablishmentofaformalcomplaintprocedureandaformalevaluationboardoutsidetheChamberofCommerce,whichwouldincludeallsectorsofsociety,toaddresssexistadvertisements.Thatprocedureshouldincorporatesanctionsagainstoffendingadvertisingagents.112.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedneweffortsdirectedatthepoliticaleducationofwomenandmenandofpoliticalpartiesinordertoensuremoreeffectivetemporarymeasuresthatwouldincreasetherepresentationofwomenatalllevelsofpoliticallife.113.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentofSloveniamakesystematiceffortstoensurethatwomenstudentsareencouragedtoenterdiversedisciplinessoastoovercometheclusteringoffemalestudentsincertaindisciplinesatschoolsanduniversities.Suchmeasurescouldincludespecialcounsellingandgenderspecifictemporarymeasureswithnumericalgoalsandtimetables.Italsorecommendedthatwomen'sstudiesbeformallyestablishedatuniversitiesandmadepartoftheschoolcurriculum.TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentofSloveniareviewitsgenderneutraleducationalframeworkanddeveloppositivemeasurestocounteracthiddenstereotypicaleducationalmessagesandpractices.114.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthecreationofmoreformalandinstitutionalizedchild-careestablishmentsforchildrenunderthreeyearsofageaswellasforthosefromthreetosix.115.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedthatrevisedlabourlegislationcontainequalityandanti-discriminationprovisionsandstrongsanctionsfornon-compliance.Italsorecommendedtemporaryspecialmeasureswithconcretenumericalgoalsandtimetablesinordertoovercomeemploymentsegregation.TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedtheadoptionofparentalleavelegislationinwhichpartoftheleavemustbetakenbythefather.116.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttocreateassistanceprogrammesforwomenwhowishedtostarttheirownbusinesses,toeducatebanksandotherrelevantinstitutionsaboutwomen'scapacitiesinthatarea,tocreatespecificgovernment-subsidizedemploymentopportunitiesforyoungwomenandtoaddresstheirunemploymentwithspecificmeasures,includingquotasrelatedtotheirpercentageoftheunemployedpopulation.117.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedmeasuresbeputinplacetoexpeditethecollectionofdatainthehealthsectorsoastoprovidethebasisforlegislation,policiesandprogrammes.118.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatcurrenteffortstorestructurethefinancialsystemsunderlyinghealthcareandsocialsecuritybenefits,includingpensions,shouldbedesignedtoavoiddetrimentaleffectsonwomenaswageearnersandbeneficiariesinthosesectors.119.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattherewasaneedtoanalysethereasonsforthehighrateofabortionamongSlovenewomen.Itstronglyrecommendededucationforwomenandmenonthefullrangeofsafeandreliablecontraceptivemethods,stressingthemutualresponsibilityofbothsexesforfamilyplanningaswellasrecommendingthatsuchmethodsbewidelyavailable.120.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthateducationforsexualandreproductivehealthcovergenderrelationsandviolenceagainstwomenandthathealthcareprofessionalsalsobetrainedtoidentifycasesofviolenceagainstwomenandtotreatthemappropriately.121.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedincreasedmeasuresfortheearlydetectionandthepreventivetreatmentofbreastcancer.122.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedthewidedisseminationofthepresentconcludingcommentsinSloveniatomakeSlovenesawareofthestepsthathadbeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthatregard.&  @ .. 2.Combinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreports@ . SaintVincentandtheGrenadines123.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreportsofSaintVincentandtheGrenadines(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3andAdd.1)atits316th,317thand322ndmeetings,on16and21January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.316,317and322).'  124.2 .2Inintroducingthereports,therepresentativeofSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesapologizedthatthereportsubmittedtotheCommitteein1992(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)hadbeensentowingtoanadministrativeerror.TherepresentativerequestedthatthereportsubmittedtotheCommitteein1994(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3/Add.1)beconsideredastheprincipalreport.Shefurtherindicatedherwillingnesstoclarifystatementsinthedocumentdated4November1991oftheInternationalWomen'sRightsActionWatch.125.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthatanumberoflegislativereforms,includingtheDomesticViolenceActandtheEqualPayAct,hadbeenimplementedsincethesubmissionofthereportin1994.AFamilyCourtandlegalaidhadbeenintroducedwithinthatperiodaswell.Therepresentativeindicatedthattreatieswerenotself-executinginSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesand,althoughtherewasnospecificlawagainstdiscrimination,awomanwhowasdiscriminatedagainstmightseeklegalredressintheHighCourtundersection16oftheConstitution.TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenhadbeenseenasamajorstepindevelopinglegallybindingandinternationallyacceptedprinciplesaimedatachievingequalrightsforwomen.ConsequentlytheGovernmenthadintroducednationallegislationthatconformedtothearticlesoftheConvention.126.2 .2TherepresentativebriefedtheCommitteeontheadministrativemeasuresthathadbeentakentoadvancethestatusofwomen,includingtheestablishmentofawomen'sdeskin1984,whichhadsubsequentlybeenupgradedtotheDepartmentofWomen'sAffairs.TheDepartment,alongwiththeNationalCouncilofWomen,wasfocusedonestablishingequalitybetweenwomenandmen,proposingsociallyresponsivelegislationandimplementingpoliciesthatfavourablyaffectedwomen.127.2 .2TheGovernmentofSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesexpressedconcernwithregardtoseveralimportantsocio-economicissues,includingyouthunemployment,thehighrateoffemalemigration,decreasedexportearningsintheagriculturalsector,thehighrateofpregnancyamongpre-teenagersandadolescents,traditionalsocio-culturalattitudesreflectingstereotypedgenderrolesandtheprevalenceofdomesticviolence.128.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthat,whileallcitizenshadanequalrighttoeducation,employment,politicalparticipationandrepresentation,obstaclesremainedforwomenintertiaryeducationandtherewasoccupationalsegregationinthelabourmarket.Agendergapalsopersistedinpublicsectoremployment,particularlyatdecision-makinglevelsandinpoliticallife.Womenexperiencedlimitedaccesstocreditandlandownership,particularlyintheruralareas,despitethefactthattheyrepresentedahighpercentageoftheagriculturallabourforce.129.2 .2Inconcludingherpresentation,therepresentativeofSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesindicatedthatsheeagerlyanticipatedquestionsthatmightberaisedbytheexpertsonthedevelopmentofthestatusofwomenandpledgedtotakeappropriateactionsonbehalfofthewomenofSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesandinkeepingwiththeirneeds.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction130.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedappreciationforthefrankpresentationofthecombinedinitial,secondandthirdreports.Theoralpresentationcomplementedthecomprehensivewrittenreports.TheGovernmentofSaintVincentandtheGrenadineswascommendedforbeingoneofthefirstcountriesthathadratifiedtheConvention,andhaddonesowithoutreservation.TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionwiththewellstructuredreportsthatfollowedthereportingguidelines.Thereportformat,withfulltextofthearticles,followedbyrelevantcomments,wasagoodpracticeandmadethereportaveryusefuleducationaldocument.Thereportprovidedexcellentdata.However,theCommitteeregrettedthelackoffocusonhowthestatusofwomenhadprogressedsincetheratificationin1981todate.Italsoregrettedthedelayinthepresentationoftheinitialreport.Thereportfailedtomakeanyreferencetoafollow-uptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenorcommitmentsmade.TherewasalsonoinformationonimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention131.2 .2UnderthelegalsystemofSaintVincentandtheGrenadines,theConventionisnotselfexecutinganditwasnecessarytoenactlegislationtogiveitfulleffect.Pervasivetraditional,social,andculturalvalues,aswellasgenerallyacceptedbehaviourpatterns,impedetheadvancementofwomen.2 .2Positiveaspects132.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedtheGovernment'seffortstoconformtotheprovisionsoftheConventionbyintroducingseverallegalreforms.ItwasalsoappreciatedthattheGovernmentandnon-governmentalorganizationswerecollaboratingintheimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2Principalareasofconcern133.2 .2LegalmeasuresthathadbeentakendidnotaddressallaspectsoftheConvention.SomeexistingdomesticlawscontravenedtheConvention.TheCommitteeregrettedthattheConstitutiondidnotspecificallyrefertotheequalityofwomen.ItalsoregrettedthattheConventionhadneverbeencitedinanylegalproceedings.134.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthattheGovernmenthadnotmadeuseofaffirmativeactionmeasurestoacceleratetheunequalstatusofwomen,particularlyintheareasofemploymentandpublicservice.135.2 .2Thenon-availabilityofshelterhomes,whichalsoprovidedvictimswithcounsellingservices,wasofconcerntotheCommittee.Again,theCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutthepersistenttraditional,stereotypicalrolesandattitudestowardswomenandgirls.Moreover,domesticviolencewasrampant,afactthatwasalsoofgreatconcerntotheCommittee.&  136.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatnoresearchhadbeenundertakenontherealsituationconcerningprostitutionandtraffickinginwomen.'  137.2 .2ThelowparticipationofwomeninthepoliticalpartiesandascandidatesforelectionwasofgreatconcerntotheCommittee.138.2 .2AlthoughtheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandhumanrightsingeneralwerepartoftheschoolcurriculum,theCommitteewasconcernedthattheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenwasnottaughtinschools.TheCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutthehighrateofteenageandpreteenpregnancy,whichsometimesforcedchildrentobemotherswithveryserious,negativeconsequencesfortheirfuture,inparticular,theinterruptionoftheireducation.139.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheveryhighrateofunemploymentamongwomen,whichincreasedtheirvulnerabilitytodomesticviolence.ItnotedwithconcernthattheGovernmenthadnotmadeuseofaffirmativeactiontoredressthatproblem.TheCommitteealsoexpresseditsconcernaboutthefeminizationofmigration.140.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatwomenhadtoseekspousalconsentfortuballigation.Thatcontravenednotonlyarticle12,butalsoarticle15oftheConvention.TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedthatthelawprecludedsafeabortionandpreventedwomenfromtakingcontroloftheirreproductivehealth.141.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthehighrateoffemalemigrationoutsideSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesandtheconsequencesitcreatedinsociety.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations142.2 .2TherewasaneedtoreviewalldomesticlawswiththeaimofidentifyingwhichshouldbeamendedandwhatnewlawsshouldbeenactedinorderforwomentoenjoyfullyalltherightsprovidedforundertheConvention.143.2 .2SubsequentreportsmustgiveinformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationsandconcludingobservationsandalsoonfollow-upprogrammesfortheimplementationoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.144.2 .2TheCommitteealsowantedtobeapprisedofthefollowupprogrammestotheConferenceandthecommitmentsmadetherebytheGovernmentofSaintVincentandtheGrenadinesinrelationtotheimplementationoftheConvention.145.2 .2ThenextreportmustindicatespecialmeasuresthathadbeentakenbytheGovernmentandthepoliticalpartiestoclosethegapbetweendejureanddefactoequality,particularlyintheareaofpoliticaldecisionmakingandemployment.146.2 .2Thenextreportshouldalsoprovidemoredetailedinformationonprostitutionandtrafficking.147.2 .2TheGovernment,incollaborationwithnon-governmentalorganizations,churchesandallindividualsandcompetentauthorities,shouldintroducegendersensitivereproductiveandsexualhealtheducation,informationandcounsellinginordertocurbtheveryhighrateofpreteenandteenagepregnancyandshouldintegratereproductiveandsexualhealthservices,includingfamilyplanning,intoprimaryhealthcare.̇148.2 .2Thelawonabortionshouldbereviewedwithaviewtoremovingthepenalprovisionsandinordertoguaranteesafeabortionandmotherhood.149.2 .2GovernmentandtheprivatesectormustworktowardscreatingjobopportunitiestohelpkeepwomeninSaintVincentandtheGrenadinessothattheycouldbettercontributetothedevelopmentofsocietyingeneral.150.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedthewidedisseminationofthepresentconcludingcommentsinSaintVincentandtheGrenadinestomakebothwomenandmenawareofthestepsthathadbeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthatregard.Inaddition,theCommitteerequestedthatthenextreportdescribestepstakenbytheGovernmenttoimplementtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction.@ . 3.Combinedsecondandthirdperiodicreports@ .Turkey151.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsofTurkey(CEDAW/C/TUR/2-3)atits318thand319thmeetings,on17January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.318and319).152.2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativeofTurkeypointedoutthatthereporthadbeenpreparedinaparticipatorywayandreflectedthecontributionsofdifferentwomen'sorganizations.Sheplacedwomen'sstatuswithintheframeworkofglobalization,whichseemedtooffernewhopes,butalsothepossibilityofgrowinginequalities,includingbetweenwomenandmen.Sheunderlinedthatrespectforthehumanrightsoftheindividual,withoutculturalboundaries,andtheconceptofequalcitizenshipinaStategovernedbytheruleoflawcontinuedtoprovidethemostworkableframework,aswellasnewopportunities,forachievinggenderequality.153.2 .2TherepresentativenotedthatinTurkey,contradictionsofglobalization,modernizationandtraditionalismhadanimpactonthestatusofwomeninsociety.Constraintsofunderdevelopmentandstructuraladjustmentandofreligiousfundamentalismandclaimsbasedonethnicrivalriespresentedsourcesofconflictwithlong-termprospectsthatmaybeunfavourableforthestatusofwomen.154.2 .2Whileacknowledgingcontinuinginequalitiesanddisparitiesinthestatusofwomen,therepresentativehighlightedprogressandpointedtothedevelopmentofagendersensitiveagendainTurkey.Supportedbygrowingfeministandwomen'smovements,womenhadbecomevisibleandhadbeenexpandingtheirsphereofaction.ThemostarduousandurgenttaskfacingtheGovernmentnowwastorespondtothedemandsofwomen,particularlytheenhancementoftheirbasiccitizenshiprightswithinasecularsocialorder.155.2 .2InTurkey,asecularcountrywithapredominantlyMuslimpopulation,theequalityofmenandwomenwasrecognizedintheConstitutionandinstatutes.WhilesomediscriminatoryclausesintheTurkishCriminalandCivilCodeshadbeenrepealedinrecentyears,anoverallreformoftheCivilCoderemainedtobecompleted.156.2 .2TheDirectorateGeneralontheStatusandProblemsofWomenhadbeenestablishedin1991andwasattachedtothePrimeMinistry.Despiteitslimitedstaffandbudget,theDirectorateactedasthecoordinatingbodyvis--visgovernmentinstitutions,networkedwithnon-governmentalorganizationsandsupportedresearchandtraining.GenderissueswereanintegralpartofTurkey'sfive-yeardevelopmentplan.Whileanumberofspecialmeasuresandinitiativeshadbeenintroducedtostrengthenwomen'sactiveparticipationindevelopment,morewasneededtoreachalargernumberofwomen.CurrentlytheestablishmentoftheUnder-SecretariatforWomen'sAffairsandFamilywasunderway.157.2 .2AmongthechallengesfacedbyTurkeyinachievingwomen'sequality,therepresentativeidentifiedthedisparitiesinstatusandopportunitiesforurbanmiddle-classandruralwomen;violenceagainstwomenintheprivatedomain;astrengtheningofthecontributionofthemediatotheadvancementofwomen,includingthroughanincreaseinthenumberoffemaleprofessionalsinthisarea;andtherevisionofeducationalmaterials,whichcontinuedtoportraywomenintheirtraditionalrolesasmothersandwives.Likewise,women'sparticipationinpoliticsandinParliamentremainedlow,notwithstandingtheintroductionofquotasbypoliticalparties.158.2 .2Disparitiesinsocio-economicareasremainedagreatconcernandincludedwomen'slowliteracyrates,theiraccesstoeducationandopportunities,aswellaspatternsofemployment.Women'slowstatusalsoaffectedtheiraccesstohealthservices.ParticularproblemspersistedforTurkey'sruralwomenineasternandsoutheasternAnatolia,whocontinuedtoliveintraditionalsocialframeworksandwereaffectedbyanongoingarmedconflictandwhoseaccesstoopportunitiesandservicesremainedseverelylimited.159.2 .2AttheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Turkeycommitteditselftowithdrawingallitsreservationsunderarticles15and16oftheConventionbytheyear2000,astepwhichrequirestherevisionofanumberofdiscriminatorylawscontainedintheCivilCode.Turkeyalsocommitteditselftoachievingfullliteracyofwomenbytheyear2000.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction160.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationtotheGovernmentofTurkeyforitshigh-leveldelegation,whichwasheadedbytheMinisterofStateresponsibleforWomen'sAffairsandtheFamily,andtheexhaustiverepliesandinformationprovidedbytheGovernmentinresponsetothequestionsofthepre-sessionworkinggroup.161.2 .2Thefranknessoftheassessmentofthestatusofwomen,particularlyintheoralpresentation,andtheacknowledgmentofpersistinginequalitiesanddisparities,indicatingtheGovernment'swillingnesstoconfrontthecriticalissuesfacingwomeninTurkey,wasappreciatedbytheCommittee.TheCommitteealsonotedwithsatisfactionthattheGovernmentofTurkeyhadexpresseditssupportfortheadoptionofanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention.162.2 .2TheCommitteealsoappreciatedthewellstructured,frankanddetailedreport,whichfolloweditsguidelines.TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionthat,inthecourseofthedialoguewiththeCommittee,therepresentativesoftheStatepartyhadmanifestedthedeterminedpoliticalwilloftheGovernmenttoimplementtheConventionprogressively.Atthesametime,andinaself-criticalmanner,therepresentativesdescribedthedifficultiesencounteredintheimplementationofpoliciesandprogrammesconsistentwiththeConvention.&  2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention163.2 .2Thereservationstoarticles15and16oftheConventionwereregardedby'  theexpertsasseriousimpedimentstothefullimplementationoftheConventionintheStateparty.164.2 .2Thedifficultiesemanatingfromglobalization,modernizationanddeeplyrootedtraditionalisminterplayedstronglyinthecontextofthestatusofwomeninTurkey.BeingasecularcountrywithapredominantlyMuslimpopulation,Turkeywasexperiencingpressuresfromvariouspoliticalgroups.TheCommitteerecognizedtheseriousimpactthatthosepressureshadontheconditionofwomenandthattheyservedtoperpetuatetheexistinginequalitybetweenwomenandmenandhamperedthedejureanddefactoimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2&  Positiveaspects165.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheconsolidatedsecondandthirdreportswere'  preparedwiththecontributionsofgovernmentalinstitutions,specialistsandacademiciansworkingonwomen'sissues,women'sgroups,politicalparties,tradeunions,representativesofthemediaandnon-governmentalorganizations.166.2 .2Thedistributionofthepreviousreporttoallinstitutionsandpersonsconcernedwithwomen'shumanrightsandthetranslationoftheConventionintoTurkishwaswelcomedbytheCommittee.167.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheinformation,reiteratedintheexcellentoralpresentationofthedelegationoftheStateparty,relatingtothedraftlawtoamendthevariousarticlesoftheCivilCodepertainingtofamilylaw,whichwouldallowforthewithdrawalbyTurkeyofitsreservations.168.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomedtheinformationinthereportrelatingtotheGovernment'sintentiontorevisetheCitizenshipLaw.169.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherwelcomedthedecisionoftheGovernmentofTurkeytoconcludebilateralagreementswithothercountriesthatwouldpermitTurkishcitizens,womenandmenalike,tokeeptheircitizenshipuponmarriagetoaforeignnational.170.2 .2TheCommitteecongratulatedtheGovernmentforlegallyguaranteeingtheequalrightofgirlsandboystofreeeducationandtraining.ItalsowelcomedtherecommendationofthefifteenthNationalCouncilofEducationtoincreasecompulsoryanduninterruptedprimaryeducationtoeightyearsanditsdecisiontodevelopcurriculaandrevisetextbooksandteachingmethodstobefreeofsex-basedstereotypesandtoeliminategender-basedprejudicesfromeducationalprogrammes.171.2 .2Takingnoteoftheextensiveanddetailedinformationandstatisticaldatarelatedtothesituationofwomeninthefieldofemployment,theCommitteeappreciatedthefactthatwomenwereentitledtothesameemploymentopportunitiesasmen.Italsowelcomedtheparticipationofwomeninthelabourforceindifferenteconomicactivities.172.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteoftheimpactofthemicro-creditschemeinpromotingwomenentrepreneurs.173.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomedthecommitmentsmadebyTurkeyattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomentotheeffectthatbytheyear2000itwould:̇2 .2(a) .Reduceinfantandmaternalmortalityratesby50percent;2 .2(b) .Raisecompulsoryeducationtoeightyears;2 .2(c) .Eradicatefemaleilliteracy;2 .2(d) .WithdrawthereservationstotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .2Principalareasofconcern174.2 .2TheCommitteewasdeeplyconcernedaboutthereservationsofTurkeytoarticle15,paragraphs2and4,andarticle16,paragraphs1(c),(d),(f)and(g).ItwasalsoconcernedwiththeprolongeddiscussionsandtheresistancetothereformoftheCivilCode,althoughitappreciatedthateffortshadbeenmadeinthatcontextbytheGeneralDirectorate,womenmembersofParliamentandtheMinistryofJustice.TheCommitteeurgedtheStatepartytofacilitateandhastenthatprocesssothattheLawonCitizenship,theCivilCodeandtheCriminalCodecouldbebroughtintoconformitywiththearticlesoftheConvention.175.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernthattheGeneralDirectoratehadnocorrespondingbodiesatregionalandlocallevels.176.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthelackofanintegratedandsystematicapproachbythenationalmachineryandtherelevantministriestoallareascoveredbytheConvention,inparticularwithregardtowomeninruralareas,vulnerablegroupssuchasethnicminorities,youngwomenandwomeninprisons.177.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithdeepconcernvariousarticlesofthePenalCode,includingthoserelatingtotheabductionofsingleandmarriedwomenandtoadultery,whichwereincontradictiontoarticle2,paragraph(f)oftheConvention.Inparticular,itnotedthatgreaterpenaltieswereimposedfortherapeofawomanwhowasavirgin.178.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwiththegravestconcernthepracticeofforcedgynaecologicalexaminationsofwomenintheinvestigationofallegationsofsexualassault,includingofwomenprisonerswhileincustody.TheCommitteeemphasizedthatsuchcoercivepracticesweredegrading,discriminatoryandunsafeandconstitutedaviolationbystateauthoritiesofthebodilyintegrity,personanddignityofwomen.179.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheprovisionsofthePenalCodethatallowedlessrigoroussanctionsorpenaltiesfor"honourkillings".Thatconceptcontravenedtheprincipleofrespectforhumanlifeandthesecurityofallpersons,whichwasprotectedbyalltheinternationalhumanrightslaws.180.2 .2TheCommitteedeeplyregrettedthatnospecialtemporarymeasureshadbeenputinplacetoredressthesituationofKurdishwomen,whosuffereddoublediscrimination.181.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedbythepervasiveviolence,inallitsforms,perpetratedagainstwomenandgirlsandtheinadequacyoflegalandeducationalmeasurestocombatsuchviolence.TheCommitteewasconcernedthatneitheritsgeneralrecommendation19onviolenceagainstwomennortheDeclarationontheEliminationofViolenceagainstWomen,adoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution48/104of20December1993,hadbeentakenintoconsideration.Thelawcategorizingviolenceas"crimeagainstpublicdecencyandpublicorder"contradictedthespiritoftheConventionandcontravenedthedignityoftheperson.182.2 .2TheCommitteewasparticularlyconcernedthatjuridicaloreducationalmeasuresthatmayhavebeenundertakenbytheStateinpursuanceofarticle5,paragraph(a),inthecontextofviolencewithinthefamily,hadnotbeeneffective.183.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatsufficientappropriatemeasureshadnotyetbeentakentopreventandcombattheacceptanceofmaledominanceandviolenceagainstwomeninruralaswellasurbanareas,asreflectedinsuchpracticesasbeatingwomenandrequiringsilentobediencefromthem.Equally,therewasalackofconcretemeasurestopreventthehighnumberofsuicidesamongwomenvictimsofviolence.184.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernthatspousalconsentwasrequiredforabortion,arequirementitconsideredtobeincontraventionofarticle15oftheConvention.TheCommitteealsoexpresseditsdisapprovalattheexistenceofbrothelsregulatedbylawandthelackofinformationandstatisticaldataaboutthephenomenon.185.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattheTurkishpoliticalparties,tradeunionsandotherpublicinstitutionswerenotsufficientlysensitivetotheimportanceoftheimplementationofarticle7oftheConventionandtheneedforrepresentationindecisionmakingbodies,includingParliamentandtheGovernment,wherethenumberofwomenwasstillverylow.186.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheTurkishCitizenshipLaw,whichprovidedthataTurkishwomanwhodecidedtoassumethenationalityofherforeignhusbandwouldloseherTurkishnationality.187.2 .2TheCommitteelikewiseexpresseditsconcernatthehighlevelofilliteracyamongwomenandgirls,especiallyintheruralareas,thedrop-outratesofgirlsinschoolsowingtofamilypractices,earlymarriagesandtheprioritizationofboysinschoolenrolmentandothergenderdiscriminatorypracticesineducation.TheclusteringofwomeninhighereducationinareasregardedassuitableforwomenwasalsonotedbytheCommittee.188.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredwithconcerntheverylowminimumageforemployment,whichcontravenedrelevantILOconventions.Thehighlevelofunemploymentofmigranturbanfemaleworkers,thelackofmeasurestointegratethemintothelabourmarketsandthepersistentoccupationalsegregationinlowerpaidjobsimpededtheirupwardmobilityandfurtherreinforceddiscriminationagainstwomeninthelabourmarket.189.2 .2Thelackoflegalliteracyprogrammestoraisetheawarenessofruralwomenregardingtheirrightswasalsoamatterofconcern.190.2 .2TheCommitteewasparticularlyconcernedatthehighnumberofwomeninruralareasworkinginfamilyenterprises,sincetheirworkwasnotrecognizedintheformaleconomy,theydidnotreceivesocialsecuritybenefitsandtheiraccesstohealthserviceswaslimited.&  2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations191.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofTurkeytotakestepstoaddress'  theaforementionedprincipalsubjectsofconcernandtoreflectprogressmadeinitsnextperiodicreport.192.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitedtheGovernmenttoreviewtheCivilCode,particularlywithregardtofamilylaw,withaviewtoremovingthereservationstotheConvention.ItalsosuggestedthattherelatedprovisionsofthePenalCodeberevisedinordertoensurewomenthefullprotectionofthelawonequaltermswithmen.193.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitedtheGovernmentofTurkeytoeducatewomenandmentowardsacultureofsharedobligationsandresponsibilitiesoffamilyworkandtherearingofchildren.Inaddition,informationandtrainingeffortsdirectedatbothsexeswereneededtostoptheperpetuationoftraditionalattitudinalandbehaviouralpatternsandtocreateawarenessofwomen'srightsasexpressedintheConvention.194.2 .2Seriouseffortswererequiredtoaddressviolenceagainstwomen,especiallydomesticviolence,throughlegislationandcomprehensive,gendersensitiveawarenessraisingandeducationforthepublicingeneralandforlawenforcementagencies,suchasjudges,lawyersandpoliceinparticular.Batteredwomen'ssheltersshouldbeestablishedandprovidedwithadequatefinancialandhumanresources.195.2 .2Thepracticeofsocalledhonourkillings,basedoncustomsandtraditions,wasaviolationoftherighttolifeandsecurityofpersonsandthereforemustbeappropriatelyaddressedunderthelaw.TheGovernmentwasalsoinvitedtoreviewinacriticalmannerthepracticeofvirginityexaminationsincasesofallegedrape;likewise,itwasinvitedtoinvestigatewhethercoercedvirginityexaminationshadbeencarriedoutonwomenintheinvestigationofsexualattacksorabusesorinanyothercircumstances.196.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthereviewoftherequirementofspousalconsentforabortion.197.2 .2Themediashouldbemobilizedinsupportofadvancingthestatusandtherightsofwomen,includingthroughnon-sexistandnon-stereotypicalportrayalofwomeninthemediaandthroughprogrammestoaddressviolenceagainstwomen.Effortstoincreasethenumberofwomeninthemedia,particularlyindecision-makingpositions,shouldbeintensified.198.2 .2Thesituationofminoritywomenneededtobemonitoredurgently,andasystematiceffortwasnecessarytoensureforthemtheirfulllegalrightsguaranteedbytheConvention.199.2 .2Temporaryspecialmeasureswithnumericalgoalsandtimetablesshouldbeinitiatedinaccordancewitharticle4,paragraph1,oftheConvention,inparticularinthepoliticalsphereandthepublicsector.200.2 .2ConsiderationshouldbegiventotherevisionoftheCitizenshipLawinordertogivewomenequalrightswithmeninallareasofnationalitylaw.201.2 .2Continuingsupportshouldbegiventofemalestudentsinordertoincreasetherateoffemaleuniversitygraduatesandtheirparticipationinnon-traditionalfields.̇202.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofTurkeytotakeadequatemeasurestoprovideskillstraining,retrainingandcreditfacilitiesorothersupportservicesthatwouldprovideemploymentopportunitiesorself-employmentforurbanmigrantworkers,tocorrectoccupationalsegregationthroughconcretemeasuresandtoprovidethenecessaryprotectiontoworkingwomentoensuretheirsafetyandhealthyconditionsofwork.203.2 .2Concretetrainingprogrammesaimedatincreasingopportunitiesforwomentomakeuseofmicrocreditprogrammeswouldalsobenecessary.204.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitedtheGovernmentofTurkeytotakemeasurestorecognizeruralwomen'sworkinfamilyenterprisesforthepurposesofpensionentitlement.Inaddition,theGovernmentshoulddisseminateinformationintheConventionrelatingtoruralwomen'srights.205.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthecompilationofcurrentdataandstatisticsonfamilyplanningmethods,theuseofsuchmethodsbymenandwomenandaccesstocontraceptiondisaggregatedbyageandsex.206.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttodisseminatewidelycopiesoftheConvention,theCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationsandthepresentconcludingcommentsandtotranslatethosedocumentsintolocallanguageswherenecessarysoastoensurethatallwomenhaveaccesstothem.TheCommitteealsorequestedtheGovernmenttoaddresstheconcernsraisedinthesecommentsinitsnextreport.ThenextreportshouldlikewisecontaininformationonstepstakenbytheGovernmenttoimplementtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction.@ .4.Thirdperiodicreports@ .*Venezuela207.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdperiodicreportofVenezuela(CEDAW/C/VEN/3)atits323rdand324thmeetings,on22January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.323and324).208.2 .2TherepresentativeofVenezuelaexplainedthatthethirdperiodicreportdescribedimplementationoftheConventionfrom1989to1995.IthadbeenpreparedaftertheGovernmentwasformedin1994.209.2 .2TherepresentativeemphasizedthatthethirdperiodicreportoutlinedtheprogressachievedbywomeninimplementingtheConventionduringtheperiodindicated.However,shestressedthatthereportdidnotincludetheninthnationalplandrawnupbytheGovernment.Theplanguaranteedequalopportunitiesforwomenandmeninallareasofpubliclife,aswellastheintegrationofagenderperspective,andsoughtthefullrealizationofthegoalofgenuinedemocracy.210.2 .2TherepresentativestatedthattheprocessofpreparingthereporthadprovidedtheGovernmentofVenezuelawiththeopportunitytoassesstheprogressachievedintheimplementationoftheConvention.ShealsoacknowledgedtheroleoftheCommitteeinthefollowuptotheimplementationoftheBeijingPlatformforAction,andexpressedthehopethatthecriticalviewsexpressedbytheCommitteewouldimprovetheGovernment'swork.211.2 .2TherepresentativemadeclearthatVenezuela,aswellastherestofLatinAmerica,wasexperiencingsocial,political,economicandculturaltransformationsthatwerehavingatremendousimpactonsociety,particularlyonwomen,whohadseentheirincomesandtraditionalsourcesofsupportreducedandtheirresponsibilitiesexpanded.However,shepointedoutthattheeconomicandpoliticalcrisisofthe1980sandpartofthe1990shadforcedwomentodemandgreaterparticipationinsocietyandtheState.Itwasinthatcontextthatdemandsfor"participativerepresentation"werebeingmadebynewplayers,especiallywomen.212.2 .2TherepresentativestressedthatVenezuelahadoneofthehighestratesofpopulationgrowthinLatinAmerica.Shesaidthatthecountrywasaffectedbytheendoftherevenuebasedmodel,whichwascausinginflationandaffectingthelivingconditionsofthepopulation,especiallywomenheadsofhousehold.Shesaidthatthe"PlanVenezuela"hadbeenputinplacetoalleviate,intheshortterm,theimpactofstructuraladjustmentprogrammesonthemostvulnerablesectorsofthepopulation.213.2 .2Therepresentativeprovidedareviewofthemajorachievementswithrespecttoequalitybetweenwomenandmen.Shedescribedvariouslegislativeamendments,inparticulartheSexualandDomesticViolenceBill,theamendmentstotheCivilCodeconcerningequalityofrightsandresponsibilitiesbetweenspousesinmarriage,theprincipleofsolidarityandsharingofresponsibilitieswithinthefamily,andtherightforteenagemotherstoremaininschool.Inaddition,sheindicatedthattheNationalWomen'sCouncilwasthemachinerythatmonitoredtheimplementationofthelegalreformsandthestrategiesagreedtointheBeijingPlatformforAction.214.2 .2Therepresentativemadeclearthat,inspiteoftheprogressindicated,insufficientemphasiswasbeinggiventowomen'saccesstotrainingandliteracyandtoprogrammesfortheempowermentofwomen,andthatpersistentstereotypes,oftenfoundineducationaltextsandculturalattitudes,remainedobstaclestotheadvancementofwomen.ShealsoinformedtheCommitteethateconomicinequalitiespersistedagainstwomen,particularlyinthelabourforce,wheretheirpositionandremunerationhadplacedthematalowerlevelthanmen.Inaddition,womenwerestillmarginalizedintermsofresources,andtheirpoliticalparticipationwasquitelimitedowingtotheresistancetoquotasofpoliticalparties.215.2 .2Therepresentativeemphasizedactionstobetakenintheshortterm,includingamendmentstotheEqualOpportunitiesforWomenAct,whichwereexpectedtoleadtotheestablishmentofanindependentwomen'sinstitute.216.2 .2TherepresentativeregrettedthattheCommittee'sproceduresforperiodicreports,whichallowedonlyashorttimeforGovernmentstorespondtowrittenquestions,didnotenablethemtoprovidedeepanalysisandappropriatereplies.SheconcludedbyemphasizingthataStatepartyshouldnotbesubjectedtounduepressuresasaresultofCommitteeprocedures.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction217.2 .2Venezuelapresentedareportcoveringtheperiodfrom1989to1995.TheCommitteeexpressedappreciationtotherepresentativeofVenezuelaforthefranknesswithwhichshedescribedthesocial,economicandpoliticalsituationofwomeninhercountryandthewayinwhichherGovernmenthadtriedtoimplementtheConvention.218.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthereporthadnotbeenpreparedaccordingtotheCommittee'sguidelinesandhadnotprovidedstatisticsonproblemsrelatedtoeacharticleoftheConvention.Nordiditcontainadetailed,factualdescriptionofthepoliciesandprogrammesbeingcarriedoutandtheirsuccessinmeetingthedefactoneedsofVenezuelanwomenwithaviewtocomplyingwiththeConvention.219.2 .2Nevertheless,thereportcontainedalargeamountofdataonthedejuresituationofwomeninVenezuela;thatinformationhadbeentakenupagainand,insomecases,expandeduponintheoralpresentation.TheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeforansweringmostofthe74questionsputtotheGovernmentandnotedwithunderstandingtherepresentative'sstatementthatlackoftimehadmadeitdifficulttoprovidetheCommitteewithmoredetailedanswersor withupdatedstatistics.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention220.2 .2ThemostseriousobstacletoimplementingtheConventioninVenezuelawasclearlythepovertyfacingalargepercentageofthepopulation(77percentoftheurbanpopulationand75percentoftheruralpopulationwerelivinginpoverty).Thatproblemhadbeenexacerbatedbythefactthat83.99percentofthepopulationhadmovedtourbanareas,leavingonly16.01percentinthecountryside.Amongthepopulationaged25to44years,thepercentageofwomenmigrantswasgreaterthanthatofmen.221.2 .2Anotherseriousproblemwaswhatwasreferredtoasthe"exhaustionoftherevenuebaseddevelopmentmodeloftheVenezuelaneconomy",whichhadforcedtheGovernmenttotakeeconomicmeasurestocontrolinflationandbalancethebudget,atthecostofsocialinvestment.Thesevererestrictionsplacedonsocialspendinghadprimarilyaffectedthemostvulnerablepopulationgroups,includingwomen,leadingtothesocalledfeminizationofpoverty.222.2 .2Thecountryhadbeenunabletorevitalizeandbalanceitseconomy,althoughithadimplementedaplantocombatpovertyinanattempttomitigatethesocialcostsofadjustment.Theplanhadnotbeenverysuccessful,asthereportindicated.223.2 .2Theeconomicsituationwasexacerbatedbythepersistenceofentrenchedpatriarchalpatternsandofstereotypesandprejudicesagainstwomeninpeople'ssocialattitudes.Suchpatternsandattitudeswerereinforcedbyasetoflawsthathadthusfarresistedamendment(forinstance,aproposalforamendingthePenalCodehadbeenunderconsiderationsince1985),despiteconsiderableeffortsonthepartofvariousgovernmentalbodiesandnongovernmentalorganizations.224.2 .2AnotherobstacletotheimplementationoftheConventionwasthelackofcontinuityinStatepoliciesandprogrammesforwomen,whichmeantthatconcepts,methodsandmechanismsforsolvingproblemsandimplementingtheConventioncoherentlyandsystematicallykeptchanging.225.2 .2Afurtherproblemwasthatitwasdifficulttosecurepassage,bythelegislativebranch,ofproposalsforcombatingdiscriminationagainstwomen.226.2 .2ThenationalmachineryforimplementingtheConvention,theNationalWomen'sCouncil,didnotseemtohavetheresources,decisionmakingpowersandnecessaryinfluencetointroduceagenderperspectiveinthevariousgovernmentbodies.̇&  2 .2Positiveaspects227.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthePenalCodeReformBillandtheSexualandDomesticViolenceBill.'  228.2 .2TheCommitteeviewedasverypositivetheEqualOpportunitiesforWomenAct,underwhichanindependentwomen'sinstituteandanationalofficeforthedefenceofwomen'srightsweretobeestablished.229.2 .2TheincorporationofagenderperspectiveintheEighthNationalPlanandthepreparationofanationalprogrammeforwomenwiththatperspectivewereimportantachievements.230.2 .2Thepromulgationoflegislationguaranteeingthatpregnantteenagerscouldcompletetheireducationandcouldnotbewithdrawnfromschoolbecauseoftheirpregnancywasagreatsuccess.231.2 .2ThecooperationinitiatedbytheNationalWomen'sCouncilwithnon-governmentalorganizationsandthecreationofsevennationalwomen'snetworkswereextremelypositivesteps.&  2 .2Principalareasofconcern232.2 .2InadditiontothepovertyinwhichVenezuela'spopulationwasliving,the'  Committeewasextremelyconcernedattheabsenceofanypoliciesandprogrammesatthegrassrootslevelforpromotingwomen'sinterestsandatthefactthatitwasdifficulttosecurepassageoflegislativeproposalsformeetingwomen'sneeds.233.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedthatthecountryhadnotmademuchrealprogressinimplementingtheConventionandthat,despiteitsefforts,ithadyettorespondeffectivelytoproblemssuchasdomesticviolence,prostitution,earlypregnancy,femaleilliteracy,discriminationintheworkplaceintermsofhowmuchwomenwerepaid,thehighpercentageofwomenreceivinglessthantheminimumwageandtheeliminationofstereotypes.234.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatVenezuelahadnotmadethenecessarychangestoitslegalsystemandthatthatcontinuedtoreinforcepatriarchalpatternsofbehaviour.235.2 .2TheGovernmenthadalsofailedtosetupanationalprogrammeforimplementingthestrategiessetforthinthePlatformforActionadoptedattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,evenstrategiesinsuchurgentpriorityareasaspovertyeradication.236.2 .2Anotherareaofconcernwasthereductioninhealthbudgets,theriseinthematernalmortalityrate,thelackofandlimitedaccesstofamilyplanningprogrammes(especiallyforteenagers),thelackofstatisticsonacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndromeandwomen'slimitedaccesstopublichealthservices.Inaddition,legislationthatcriminalizedabortion,evenincasesofincestorrape,remainedinforce.237.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatemploymentopportunitiesforwomenhadbeenlostasaresultofcutbacksintheStateemploymentsector,especiallysincethatwasforcingwomenintotheinformaleconomyandintolowpaidservicejobs.238.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsodeeplyconcernedatthefactthattheStatehadnotprioritizedtheallocationoffundstosocialprogrammes.239.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthataVenezuelanmanhadtherighttoconferhisnationalityonhiswifeuponmarriage,butaVenezuelanwomandidnothavetherighttoconferhercitizenshiponherhusband.Thatconstitutedaviolationofarticle9oftheConvention.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations240.2 .2TheCommitteeespeciallyrecommendedtheimplementationofeffectiveprogrammesforcombatingpoverty,whichaffectedwomeninparticular.241.2 .2TheCommitteesaidthatitwouldwelcomeearlyadoptionoftheamendmentstothePenalCodeandoftheSexualandDomesticViolenceBillandtherepealofthearticleoftheCivilCodeconcerningcitizenshiprightsthatconflictedwiththeConvention.242.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatVenezuelafulfilthecommitmentsithadmadeinadoptingtheBeijingPlatformforAction.243.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatpoliciesandprogrammesshouldbeundertakentohalttheriseinthematernalmortalityrateandthatfamilyplanningprogrammesforteenagersshouldbedeveloped,inbothurbanandruralareas.244.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentshouldworkforearlyapprovaloftheestablishmentofthenationalmachinerywithsufficientintegrationintothepoliticalsystemandsufficienthumanandfinancialresources.245.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentundertakebroadbasedprogrammesdirectedattheentirepopulation,throughthemassmediaandotherpossiblechannels,tocombatgenderstereotypes.246.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattheGovernmentundertakemeasurestoclosethewagegapbetweenwomenandmenundertheprincipleofequalpayforworkofequalvalue.247.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofVenezuelatoaddresstheconcernsraisedinthepresentcommentsinitsnextreport,includingfollowingtheCommittee'sreportingguidelines.InformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationsandstepstobetakeninregardtothefollowuptotheBeijingPlatformforActionshouldalsobeincluded.ItrequestedtheGovernmenttoprovidestatisticaldatadisaggregatedbysexwithregardtoallareasoftheConventioninitsnextreport.Finally,theCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttodisseminatetheseconcludingcommentswidelythroughoutVenezuela.@ .Denmark248.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdperiodicreportofDenmark(CEDAW/C/DEN/3)atits328thand329thmeetings,on24January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.328and329).249.2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativenotedthatthereporthadbeenpreparedinaparticipatorywayandincludedthecommentsofvariouswomen'sorganizationsinDenmark.TofurtherstrengthentheoutreachoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,boththeConventionandthereporthadbeentranslatedintoDanishandpublishedbywomen'sorganizations.250.2 .2TherepresentativepointedoutthatmuchhadbeenaccomplishedintermsofimprovingthestatusofwomeninDenmark,butthesuccesswentbeyondtheprovisionoflegalrights.Moreimportantly,Danishsocietyhadalsostartedtochangeitsattitudetowardswomen.Anunderstandingoftheconceptofgender,includingtherolesofbothmenandwomen,hadgainedground.DenmarkhadfocuseditseffortsonchangingattitudestowardswomenandgenderrolesinDanishsociety.InthefollowuptotheBeijingPlatformforAction,Denmarkhadfocusedonmainstreaminggenderissuesinalllevelsofsociety.251.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeaboutrecenteffortstostrengthentheinstitutionalframeworkfortheadvancementofwomenthathadnotbeenreflectedinthereport.Anadhoccommitteehadbeenestablishedtodevelopnewideasandstrategiestoimprovenationalmachineryandtoconsultequalityinstitutionsinothercountries.Furthermore,theGovernmentofDenmarkhadincreaseditssupporttotheEqualStatusCouncilintermsofpersonnelandfunding.252.2 .2Therepresentativehighlightedsomerecentchangesinlegislationdesignedtoadvancethestatusofwomenfurther.Forexample,DanishcountieswerenowobligedtoreporttothenationalGovernmentonissuesrelatedtoequalityinemploymentintheirregion,andaproposalwouldbediscussedinParliamentconcerningwomen'srighttojointhearmyunderconditionsalmostequaltothoseapplicabletomen.253.2 .2TherepresentativedescribedthespecialeffortsundertakenbyDenmarktoencouragefatherstoshareparentalresponsibilityfortheraisingofchildren.Thelegalframeworkprovidedunmarriedcoupleswiththepossibilityofsharingcustodyandgrantedbothparentstherighttoparentalleave.Therepresentativealsopointedoutthatthosemeasureshadtobeaccompaniedbyprogrammesdesignedtomotivatemenactuallytousetheparentalleaveschemes.Therefore,theMinisterofEmploymentwasexploringnewmodelstoencouragefatherstomakeuseoftheirnewlyacquiredrights.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction254.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedappreciationfortheclearandwellorganizedthirdperiodicreportofDenmark,whichcloselyfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines.255.2 .2TheCommitteewaspleasedtonotethatthereportandDenmark'sanswerstothequestionsoftheCommittee'spresessionworkinggroupprovidedrelevantanduptodatestatistics.ThatallowedtheCommitteetodiscerntheevolutionofconditionsinrelationtothemajorityofthearticlesoftheConvention.256.2 .2TheCommitteealsocommendedtheGovernmentofDenmarkforincludingcommentsofnon-governmentalorganizationsinitsreportandinparticularthefactthatthosecommentsrespondedtothereportoftheStateparty.TheCommitteeevaluatedthatpracticeasapositiveinnovation.&  02 .2Positiveaspects257.2 .2Denmark'scommitmenttohighstandardsofgenderequalityanditsconsistenteffortstocreateanegalitariansocietywithrespecttogenderwereregardedbytheCommitteeasexemplary.'  258.2 .2TheCommitteewasawareofthelegalmeasurestakenbyDenmarkandthefactthatthestatisticsondifferentaspectsofgenderequalityinDenmarkreflectedconstantimprovementovertime.TheCommitteewaspleasedtoobservetheinstitutionalizedparticipationofwomen'snon-governmentalorganizationsinthepoliticsofequalityandthemainstreamingofgenderequalitythroughthecreationofEqualityCommissionsinamajorityofministriesinDenmark.259.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedtheGovernment'sholisticapproachtotheimplementationoftheConventionandwaspleasedtonotethatconscientiouseffortswerealreadyunderwayfortheimplementationoftheBeijingPlatformforAction.260.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsopleasedtolearnthatprovisionsconcerningpersecutiononthebasisofgenderhadbeenincorporatedintothelawsonthestatusofrefugeesinDenmark.&  2 .2Principalareasofconcern261.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthechallengescurrentlyfacingeffortsto'  implementtemporaryspecialmeasurestohastengenderequality,suchastheremovalofquotasbypoliticalparties.Althoughtheparticipationofwomeninpoliticswasatahigherlevelthaninothercountries,Denmarkhadyettoreachgenderparityinthepoliticalsphere.262.2 .2Thedisproportionatelylowlevelsofwomen'sparticipationinacademe,inresearchpositionsandinmanagementpositionsinthepublicandprivatesectorssuggestedthatinsufficientsystematicandgoalorientedadvocacyandactionwastakingplaceinthelightofDenmark'sleadingroleinthoseareas.263.2 .2TheinadequacyofculturallyandgendersensitivemeasuresandprogrammesforimmigrantandrefugeewomentoenablethemtobenefitfromlegalandsocialservicesavailableinDenmarkwasnotedasanareaofconcernbytheCommittee.264.2 .2Theabsenceofaspecificlawonviolenceagainstwomenwasnotedasaprincipaldeficiency.TheCommitteeexpressedadesiretohavefullerinformationabouttheactualincidenceofviolence,rapeandincestandwasconcernedabouttheabsenceofspecificlegislationand/ormeasurestosensitizethepolice,thejudiciaryorthepublicingeneralregardingthoseissues.265.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatstereotypicalperceptionsofgenderrolecontinuedtoexistinsocietyandwererelatedtotheperseveranceofattitudesandbehaviourthatkeptwomenawayfromdecisionmakingpositionsandkeptmenfromassuminganequalshareoffamilyresponsibilities.266.2 .2Thefactthatwomen,despitetheirhighlevelofeducation,weremoreseriouslyaffectedbyunemploymentthanmenwasnotedwithconcernbytheCommittee.TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedthatwomenwerestillpaidlessthanmen,despiteeffortstoinitiateassessmentsofequalpayforworkofequalvalue.&  2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations267.2 .2Temporaryspecialmeasuresshouldbemaintainedandstrengthened,particularlyintheareasofreducingunemploymentamongwomen;ensuringthatwomenandmenreceiveequalpayforworkofequalvalue;increasingwomen's'  participationinprivatesectordecisionmaking;increasingthenumberoffemaleuniversityprofessorsandresearchers;andencouragingmentodevotemoretimetochildcareandhousework.Suchinitiativesshouldincludequantitativetargets,timelimitsfortheirachievement,specificmeasuresandsufficientbudgetaryresources.268.2 .2Moreresearchshouldbeconductedontheincidenceofviolenceagainstwomen,particularlyinvulnerablegroupssuchasimmigrants,aswellasontheadvantagesofenactinglegislationspecificallydirectedatreducingsuchviolence.Theresearchfindingshouldbeincludedinthenextreportsubmittedinaccordancewitharticle18oftheConvention.269.2 .2Inparticular,moreeffortsshouldbemadetodeterminewhethertraffickinginwomenandexploitationofprostitutionaretakingplaceandwhethernewcommunicationstechnologies,especiallytheInternet,arebeingusedforsuchpurposes.270.2 .2Thegenderandculturecourse,whichiscurrentlyoptionalinpre-universitycurricula,shouldbemademandatoryinsecondaryeducation.271.2 .2InaccordancewiththeBeijingPlatformforAction,itisrecommendedthatthevalueofnonremuneratedworkdonebybothwomenandmenshouldbeincludedinnationalaccounts,throughsatelliteaccounts.272.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatDenmarkcontinuetoincludeamongtheobjectivesofitsdevelopmentassistanceprogrammesthepromotionoftherightsofwomenandtheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenand,inparticular,theimplementationoftheConventioninbeneficiarycountries.273.2 .2Inadditiontoinformationrelatingtotherecommendationsabove,theCommitteerequestedthatthenextreportincludeinformationon:2 .2(a) .ImplementationoftheBeijingPlatformforActionandofthecommitmentsannouncedbyDenmarkattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen;2 .2(b) .Thenumberofwomenandmenwhowork:(i)parttime;(ii)onaflexibleschedule;and(iii)outsidetheworkplace,usingnewtechnologies;2 .2(c) .Thestepstakenbytradeunionsandbusinessorganizationstoimplementtheprincipleofequalpayforworkofequalvalue;2 .2(d) .Theuse,incasesofabortion,oftheRU486pill;2 .2(e) .Thenumberofwomenwhousemedicallyassistedreproductiontechniquesandthenumberofchildrenadopted;2 .2(f) .Disabledwomen,especiallyintermsoftheiraccesstoeducationandemployment;2 .2(g) .Concreteresultsandthedefactoimpactofpoliciesonandprogrammesforwomen;2 .2(h) .Theeconomicsituationofwomen,includingsuccessfulmeasurestocombattheunemploymentofwomen.274.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofDenmarktoaddresstheconcernsincludedinthepresentconcludingcommentsinitsnextreport.ItalsorequestedwidedisseminationofthesecommentsthroughoutthecountrytomakethepeopleofDenmarkawareofthestepsthathadbeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthatregard.@ . 5.Combinedthirdandfourthperiodicreports@ .Philippines275.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdandfourthperiodicreportsofthePhilippines(CEDAW/C/1997/PHI/3and4)* o   ׀atits327thand328thmeetings,on27January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.327and328).Therepresentatives,includingtheChairpersonoftheNationalCommissionontheRoleofFilipinoWomen,presentedathree-partdocumentcontainingextensiveresponsestothequestionsoftheCommittee'spre-sessionworkinggroup.Thedocumenthadbeenpreparedcollaborativelybyministerialagenciesandnon-governmentalorganizations.276.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedofthevariousmeasurestheGovernmenthadtakenintheimplementationoftheConvention.A30-yearperspectiveplanhadbeendevisedcontaininginformationonthestatusofwomenineverysectorandstipulatingmeasurestobetakentoachievefullequalitybetweenwomenandmen.ItwasthepolicyoftheGovernmenttopursueagenderresponsiveapproachtopovertyalleviation.Moreover,theNationalCommissionontheRoleofFilipinoWomenhadbeengivendirectaccesstothehighestpolicy-makinglevel.TheGovernment'scommitmentwasalsoreflectedinthesecuredfundingwithinthenationalbudgetforthepurposeofimprovingwomen'slives.TheCommitteewasfurtherinformedthatconsiderableimprovementshadbeenmadeinthefieldsofwomen'shealthandeducation.277.2 .2Atthesametime,therepresentativeofthePhilippinesacknowledgedthat,althoughmuchprogresshadbeenachievedsincetheconsiderationoftheStateparty'ssecondreport,therewasstillmoretobedonebeforetheConventionwasfullyimplementedinthecountry.ShealsonotedthelackofaneffectivemechanismtomonitortheimplementationoftheConvention.ShedescribedthemajorchallengeposedbytheGovernment'sdecentralizationpolicytotheachievementoftheeffectiveimplementationoftheConvention.278.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthat,inspiteoftherapideconomicrecovery,womeninthePhilippinessuffereddisproportionatelyfrompoverty,thuscontributingtothecontinuedfeminizationofoverseasemployment.Ruralwomenwereparticularlyaffected,andthishadledtothemigrationofalargenumberofruralwomentourbanareasaswellasoverseas.ShereportedthatthatwasamajorconcernoftheGovernmentofthePhilippines,whichhadsetup,interalia,monitoringcentres,counsellingservicesandspecificsupportprogrammes,aswellasprovidingwelfareassistance.TheCommitteewasinformedthatmostwomenmigrantworkerswereemployedasentertainersanddomestichelpers.Thosejobsoftenputtheminaveryvulnerablepositionandexposedthemtorisksofviolentabuse.Inthatrespect,therepresentativerecognizedthatfurthereffortswererequiredtoestablishmoreeffectivesystemstoallowtheparticularneedsandproblemsofwomenmigrantworkerstobeaddressed.279.2 .2TherepresentativealertedtheCommitteetotheincreasingincidenceofcrimesofviolenceagainstwomen.VariousmeasureshadbeentakenbytheGovernmenttocombatsuchviolence,reflectingtheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendation19onviolenceagainstwomen.TheCommitteewasinformedthatvarioussupportsystemshadbeensetup,includingwomen'sshelterhomesanda24-hourhelpline.Severalbillshadbeenproposed,forexampleonrapeanddomesticviolence,asaresultofthelobbyingofnongovernmentalorganizationsandgovernmentagencies.However,itremainedtobeseenwhethertheycouldbeeffectivelyimplemented.TheGovernmentwasawarethattheprevailinggenderstereotypedimageshadtobeeliminatedandthatapublicawareness-raisingcampaignneededtobeorganizedinthatregard.280.2 .2TheCommitteewasfurtherinformedthatprostitutionwasillegalinthePhilippines.However,therepresentativenotedthattherehadbeenchangesinpublicopiniononthatsubject,andmuchdebatehadbeentakingplaceinthecountryinrelationtotheissue.281.2 .2TherepresentativeofthePhilippinesconcludedherpresentationbyassuringtheCommitteeofherGovernment'scommitmenttoadvancingthestatusofwomen.&  ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction282.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthepresentationbytheGovernmentofthePhilippines,andcommendeditinparticularonthehighqualityofitsfourth'  periodicreport,whichcontaineddetailedinformationontheimplementationoftheConventioninaccordancewiththeCommittee'sguidelines.ThereportgaveacomprehensiveoverviewoflegalandadministrativemeasurestakenbytheGovernmentofthePhilippines,andtheanalysisindicatedagoodunderstandingoftheobstaclestotheadvancementofwomen.Atthesametime,itlackedfactualinformation,includingstatistics,ontheactualeffectofgovernmentprogrammesandpolicies.TheCommitteeapplaudedtheinitiativeoftheGovernmenttocollaboratewithnongovernmentalorganizationsinpreparingthereport.Itwasparticularlypleasedwiththefrankandsincereapproachofthenationalmachineryinidentifyingthemajorobstaclestotheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomen.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention283.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthemajoreconomicpoliciesundertakenbytheGovernment,includingeconomicandtradeagreementsattheregionalandgloballevels,whichwillhaveaprofoundimpactonwomen.Inparticular,thedirectiontowardseconomicliberalizationandprivatizationmayhaveseriousimplicationsfortheeconomicpositionofwomenand,inparticular,ontheeconomicpositionofwomeninthefreetradezonesandinruralareas.TheCommitteewasconcernedthatthetrendtowardsfeminizationofmigrationanditsattendantproblems,includingviolenceagainstwomenmigrantworkers,mightbeexacerbated.&  2 .2Positiveaspects284.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheadoptionbytheGovernmentofthePhilippinePlanforGenderresponsiveDevelopment,1995-2025,andalsotheprioritypolicy'  imperativessetbythenationalmachineryforwomentoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforActionandtomainstreamgenderanddevelopmentthroughouttheGovernment.285.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedthedecisiontoallocateagivenpercentageofallgovernmentalbudgetstowomen'sprogrammesandprojects,andencouragedanincreaseintheminimumpercentageallocated.286.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionseveralmeasurestakenbetweenthethirdandfourthperiodicreports,suchastheprovisionofcreditassistancetowomen,legislationprohibitingsexualharassment,raisingtheminimumwagefordomesticworkersandincreasingmaternityandpaternitybenefitsforemployedpersons.287.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedthereportonaninitialconsultationtomeasurewomen'sunremuneratedworkwithinasatelliteaccounttothenationaleconomicsystem.288.2 .2TheCommitteealsocommendedtheincreaseinthenumberofwomen'snon-governmentalorganizationsworkingatthegrassrootslevelandtheirsignificantcontributiontotheadvancementofwomen,whichwasreflectedinthereportsoftheStateparty.289.2 .2TheCommitteewasgratifiedattheexceptionallyhighlevelofliteracy(93percent)amongFilipinowomen.2 .2Principalareasofconcern290.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcerntheinadequacyofmonitoringmechanismsandindicatorstomeasuretheimpactofgovernmentpoliciesandprogrammes,aswellaslawsandadministrativedirectivesandregulations,especiallyatthelocallevel.291.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsgraveconcernabouttheeconomicreforms,whichhadresultedingrowthinthegrossnationalproduct,ontheonehand,butinanincreasinggapintheratesofemploymentofwomenandmenandtheeconomicmarginalizationofwomenontheother.Suchdamage,evenifshortterm,wouldbeincreasinglyhardtorectify.Itappearedthat,owingtothelackofalivelihood,ruralwomenweremigratingtourbanareas,whereunemploymentwashigherthanever,whichcouldaccountforthelargenumberofwomenworkingasprostitutesandforthehighproportionofwomenmigratingasoverseascontractworkers.292.2 .2TheCommitteecommentedonthediscriminatoryapplicationoflawsenforcedagainstwomenprostitutesandnotthemeninvolvedastraffickers,pimpsandclients,andnotedfurtherthatforcedmedicalexaminationsofthewomenwithoutsimilarattentiontothemaleclientswasnoteffectiveasapublichealthmeasure.293.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsdeepconcernaboutdeficienciesinthelegalsystemwithregardtoviolenceagainstwomen,inviewofthefactthatincestanddomesticviolencewerenotspecificallypenalizedbylawandwerestillshroudedinsilence.̇294.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthedecentralizationofpopulationanddevelopmentprogrammesshouldbringservicesclosertothepeople.TheCommitteewasconcernedthatwithouttherequisiteresourcecapacitiesandgendersensitivityofofficials,suchdecentralizationcoulddenywomenaccesstothoseservicesincontraventionoftheConvention.295.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatdespitetheincreasedparticipationofwomenindecisionmakinginthepublicsphere,especiallyinnon-governmentalorganizations,therewasstillverylowrepresentationofwomeninpolitics,toplevelsofGovernmentandthejudiciary.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations296.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofthePhilippinestoadoptatop-prioritypolicyofcreatingsafeandprotectedjobsforwomenasaviableeconomicalternativetothecurrentunemploymentofwomenandtheirparticipationassubcontractorsand,intheinformalsector,asworkersinfree-tradezones,asprostitutesorasoverseascontractworkers.297.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentensurethatitseconomicpolicydidnotleadtomarginalizationandexploitationsothatwomenwereencouragedtoseekoverseasemploymenttothedetrimentofsociety.298.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedthattheGovernmentstrengthenagenciesthatprovideinformationandsupportservicestowomenbeforetheydepartforoverseaswork,aswellasinthereceivingcountriesincasesofneed.299.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatmeasuresfordealingwithprostitutionshouldfocusonpenalizingtraffickersandcreatingalternativejobopportunitiesforthewomen.300.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheGovernmenttoenactlegislationtocombatviolenceagainstwomenandtocompiletherelevantdata.301.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatreproductiveandsexualhealthservices,includingfamilyplanningandcontraception,bemadeavailableandaccessibletoallwomeninallregions.302.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattemporaryspecialmeasuresbeadoptedtoincreasetheparticipationofwomenintop-leveldecisionmakingpositionsinthepublicsector.303.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattherewasastrongneedfordevelopinggender-disaggregateddatainallareas.304.2 .2InordertofacilitatetheimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteerecommendedthatmonitoringmechanismsandindicatorsbedevelopedtomeasuretheeffectofgovernmentpoliciesandprogrammes.305.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofthePhilippinestoaddresstheconcernsincludedinthepresentconcludingcommentsinitsnextreportandtoincludeinformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations,aswellasinformationrelatingtothefollowuptotheBeijingPlatformforActioninaccordancewithitsrevisedreportingguidelines.ItalsorequestedwidedisseminationofthecommentsthroughoutthePhilippines.&  @ .Canada306.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdandfourthperiodicreportsofCanada(CEDAW/C/CAN/3and4)atits329thand330thmeetings,on28January1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.329and330).'  307.2 .2Inintroducingthereports,therepresentativeplacedtheimplementationoftheConventionandthePlatformforActionadoptedattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenwithintheframeworkoftheCanadianfederalsystem.ShenotedthatinCanada,thefederalandprovincial/territorialgovernmentssharedlegislativeauthority.Responsibilityforareassuchaseducation,healthandsocialserviceswaslargelydevolvedtotheprovincial/territoriallevel.Canada'snationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomenwaswellestablishedatthefederallevel,andwomen'sbureauxoragenciesexistedatthelevelofallprovincial/territorialgovernments.308.2 .2Canada'sapproachtopromotinggenderequalitywasbasedontherecognitionthatgenderfactorsinfluencedpolitical,economicandsocialsystems.Asaconsequence,allsocialpolicymusttakeintoaccountthedifferentialimpactofpoliciesonmenandwomen.Thenationalmachineryprovidedgenderanalysisandpolicyadvicetogovernmententitiestoensurethatgenderfactorswereincorporatedintolegislation,policiesandprogrammes.309.2 .2TherepresentativestressedthatherGovernmentattachedgreatimportancetoclosecooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsandcivilsocietyasacrucialaspectoftheadvancementofwomen.Variouseffortswereundertakentoreflecttheviewsofcivilsocietyinpolicymakingprocesses.Extensivenetworksexistedwithnon-governmentalorganizations,andtheGovernmentprovidedfundingtomanywomen'sorganizations.310.2 .2NotingthatCanadafacednewdomesticandglobalsocio-economicchallenges,therepresentativeemphasizedthatCanadahadtakendecisivestepstoprovidewomenwithaneffectivelegalframeworkagainstdiscrimination.TheCanadianCharterofRightsandFreedomsguaranteedequalitybeforethelawandunderthelawandtheequalprotectionofthelawtowomenandmen.Individualsandgroupscouldchallengelegislationandpracticesofthefederalorprovincial/territorialgovernmentsiftheyperceivedthemtobediscriminatory.TheCharterprovidedprotectionagainstintentionaldiscriminationaswellassystemicdiscriminationandprotectedwomenagainstlawsandpracticesthatresultedinadvertentlyinunfairtreatmentofwomen.AspecialprogrammeprovidedfinancialsupportforgroupsandindividualsseekingtheequalityprotectionoftheCharter.ArecentamendmenttotheCanadianHumanRightsActgrantedprotectionagainstdiscriminationonthebasisofsexualorientation.311.2 .2TherepresentativehighlightedanumberofrecenteffortsbyherGovernmenttoadvancewomen'sequalityintheeconomicandsocialfields.Aswomen'semploymentandeconomicautonomywereconsideredtobekeybuildingblocksforwomen'sequality,improvementswereneededwithregardtowomen'searningsandtodealwithpersistentoccupationalsegregation.Anumberofrecentlegislativemeasureswereintendedtoaddressthoseareas.Effortswerealsoongoingtomeasureandvaluewomen'sandmen'sunpaidworkinthehouseholdandtotakeitintoaccountinpolicy.312.2 .2Theeliminationofviolenceagainstwomenandchildrenwasanotherissueofhighpriority.Canadaapproachedtheprobleminacomprehensiveandholisticway,withparticularattentiontotheunderlyingcausesofsuchviolence.InadditiontorecentamendmentstostrengthentheCriminalCode'sresponsetoviolence,anumberoflegislativeinitiativeswerepending.313.2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthatspecialassistancewasprovidedtowomenwhoweremultiplydisadvantaged,athirdareaofrecentinitiativesbytheGovernment.Canadarecognizedthatwomenweredisadvantagednotonlybecauseofgenderbutalsobecauseofethnicity,disabilityorincome.Thesituationofaboriginalwomenrequiredspecialattention,andrecommendationscontainedinarecentlycompletedstudybytheRoyalCommissiononAboriginalPeoplewereexpectedtoplayanimportantroleinfuturepolicy-makinginthatfield.314.2 .2Afourthareawastoensurewomen'sequalaccesstohealthcare.GivenrisinghealthcarecostsinCanada,majorchangesintheCanadianhealthcaresystemwereexpectedtobeimplementedoverthenextdecade.Thepreservationofwomen'sequalaccesstoqualityhealthcarewouldbeanessentialconcerninthatprocess.315.2 .2Inconclusion,therepresentativerecognizedthatdespitetheprogressmadeinmanyareas,alotremainedtobedone.SheassuredtheCommitteeofherGovernment'swillingnesstodevelopinnovativesolutionstotheremainingproblems,workingcloselywithallpartsofCanadiansociety.&  ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction316.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheCanadianGovernmentforitsthirdandfourth'  periodicreportsandfortheexcellentandcomprehensiverepliestothenumerouswrittenquestionspreparedbytheexperts.317.2 .2TheCommitteealsoappreciatedthehighleveldelegation,whichincludedrepresentativesfromtheprovinces.318.2 .2TheCommitteefoundtheformatofthewrittenreports,brokendownbyprovinces,difficulttoanalyseandevaluate.Asaresult,expertswereunabletoappreciatefullythegainsandobstaclesinimplementingtheConvention.319.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheleadingroleofCanadainpromotinggenderequalityattheinternationallevelthroughitsdevelopmentcooperationprogrammesongendermainstreamingandviolenceagainstwomen.320.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthatwhileinthereporttherewasacomprehensivereviewofnewlegislationandjurisprudenceonhumanrightsaffectingwomen,theinformationprovideddidnotadequatelyexplaintheimpactoneitherwomeningeneraloronspecificgroupsofwomen.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention321.2 .2Therestructuringoftheeconomy,aphenomenonoccurringinCanadaandotherhighlyindustrializedcountries,appearedtohavehadadisproportionateimpactonwomen.AlthoughtheGovernmenthadintroducedmanymeasuresdesignedtoimprovethestatusofwomen,therestructuringwasseriouslythreateningtoerodethesignificantgainsandadvancesmadebyCanadianwomen.GiventheGovernment'sproudrecordofleadershiponwomen'sissuesglobally,thosedevelopmentswouldnotonlyhaveanimpactonCanadianwomen,butwouldalsobefeltbywomeninothercountries.&  2 .2Positiveaspects322.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedthehighdegreeofimportanceattachedtothepromotionandimplementationofhumanrightsinCanadaemphasizedbyitsCharterofRightsandFreedomsaswellasitsratificationofinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,includingtheConvention.'  323.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatCanadahad,byitslandmarkdecisionmakinggender-basedviolenceabasisforgrantingasylumtowomen,onceagainledtheway.324.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheintroductionoftheFederalPlanforGenderEquality,whichwasCanada'sframeworkandblueprintforimplementingtheBeijingPlatformforAction.325.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedCanada'semphasisontheparticipationofcivilsocietyinpromotinggenderequalityandinprovidingmechanismsforcooperationanddialogue,inparticularwithnon-governmentalorganizations.TheannualconsultationonviolenceagainstwomenconductedbytheMinisterofJusticeincooperationwiththeCouncilontheStatusofWomenwasparticularlycommendable.326.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithsatisfactionthatCanadacontinuedtostrengthenandrefineitsgendermainstreamingeffortsatalllevels.2 .2Principalareasofconcern327.2 .2Whilemanymeasures,includinglaws,wereinplacetoaddressviolenceagainstwomen,theincidenceofsuchviolencewasnotdiminishing,buthadinfactincreasedinsomeareas.328.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttherisingteenagepregnancyrate,withitsnegativeimpactonhealthandeducationandtheresultingincreaseinthepovertyanddependencyofyoungwomen.329.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthetrendtowardstheprivatizationofhealthcareprogrammes,whichcouldseriouslyaffecttheaccessibilityandqualityofservicesavailabletoCanadianwomen,especiallythemostvulnerableanddisadvantaged.330.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatwithintheframeworkofeconomicandstructuralchanges,includingthosearisingfromregionalandinternationaleconomicarrangements,insufficientattentionhadbeenpaidtotheirimpactonwomeningeneralandondisadvantagedwomeninparticular.331.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthedeepeningpovertyamongwomen,particularlyamongsinglemothers,aggravatedbythewithdrawal,modificationorweakeningofsocialassistanceprogrammes.332.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatdespitethestepstakentoimplementtheFederalEmploymentEquityActinthepublicsector,itwasstilltoolimitedtohavearealimpactonwomen'seconomicpositionandsufferedfromweakenforcement.333.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatprogrammesdirectedataboriginalwomenmighthavediscriminatoryeffects.334.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpresseditsconcernthatcurrentbudgetcutbackswereaffectingthecontinuityofservicesinwomen'scrisiscentres.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations335.2 .2ThelevelofviolenceagainstCanadianwomeningeneralandsexuallyexploitedwomenandgirls,prostitutesandwomenvictimsoftraffickinginparticularrequiresurgentaction.Measurestocombatviolenceagainstwomenneedtobecontinuouslymonitoredandevaluatedfortheirimpactonlong-termbehavioursandattitudes.336.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentaddressurgentlythefactorsresponsibleforincreasingpovertyamongwomenandespeciallywomensingleparentsandthatitdevelopprogrammesandpoliciestocombatsuchpoverty.337.2 .2Informationonthevaluationandqualificationofwomen'sunpaidwork,includingdomesticwork,shouldbeprovidedinfuturereports.338.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatinthenextreporttheGovernment,withinthepossibilitiesofitslegalframework,integratetheinformationfromfederalandprovinciallevelsarticlebyarticle.TheCommitteealsorecommendedthatthereportincludeexplicitinformationontheimpactoflegislation,policiesandprogrammesonCanadianwomeningeneralandspecificgroupsofwomeninparticular.339.2 .2Methodologiestoassessprogressmadeinclosingthegapinpaybetweenmenandwomenandinensuringequalpayforworkofequalvalueshouldbedeveloped.340.2 .2TheFederalPlanforGenderEqualityshouldhaveaspecifictimeframe,benchmarkandmeasurablegoalstomonitorimplementationandthespecificresourceallocationrequired.341.2 .2Acomprehensivepictureofthesituationofaboriginalwomenshouldbeprovided,includingtheireducationalsituation,theirpositioninthelabourforceandadescriptionandevaluationofpastandpresentfederalandprovincialprogrammesforaboriginalwomen.Programmesdirectedataboriginalwomenshouldbemonitoredforpossiblediscriminatoryeffects.Theplightofaboriginalwomeninprisonisofurgentconcern.342.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatsocialassistanceprogrammesdirectedatwomenberestoredtoanadequatelevel.343.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedthewidedisseminationofthepresentconcludingcommentsinCanadatomakeCanadiansawareofthestepsthathadbeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthatregard.@ .T 6.Reportsubmittedonanexceptionalbasis@ .Zaire344.2 .2Atits317thmeeting,on16January1997,theCommittee,ontherecommendationofitsBureau,consideredanoralreportpresentedonanexceptionalbasisbytherepresentativeofZaire(seeCEDAW/C/SR.317).345.2 .2TheCommitteehadoriginallyscheduledtotaketheinitialreportofZaireatitssixteenthsession.However,asaresultofabreakdownincommunicationbetweenNewYorkandKinshasa,theGovernmentdidnotinformtheSecretariatthatitwasreadytopresentitsreport.Asaresult,theinitialreportofZairewasnotincludedintheCommittee'sagenda.346.2 .2However,astherepresentativeofZairearrivedinNewYorkexpectingtopresenttheStateparty'sinitialreport,theCommitteeinsteadagreedthattherepresentativeofZairewouldmakeanoralreportonanexceptionalbasisonthesituationofwomeninZaire.TheCommitteeagreedontheunderstandingthattheregularreportofZairewouldberescheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatafuturedate.347.2 .2TherepresentativestatedthateasternZairewasinastateofrebellion,andasmanyas600,000Zairians,predominantlywomenandchildren,weredisplacedwithinthecountry.Atthesametime,ZairewashosttoasignificantnumberofrefugeesfromRwandaandBurundi.Manypersons,includingwomenandchildren,bothZairiansandrefugees,hadfallenvictimtoviolence,includingmurder,rapeandotherabuses.&  CommentsoftheCommittee348.2 .2TheCommitteereiteratedthattheoralreporthadbeenheardonan'  exceptionalbasisandasamatterofcourtesyforthedelegationofZaireandthattheregularreportwouldberescheduled.ItexpresseditsparticularconcernforthesituationofZairianwomeninthoseareaswhereconflicthadoccurredandwhererefugeepopulationswerehigh.349.2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedthattheoralreportbytheStatepartyhadnotsufficientlyreflectedthecloselinkthatexistedbetweendiscriminationagainstwomen,genderbasedviolenceandviolationoftherightsandfundamentalfreedomsofwomen,particularlyinthelightofthecurrentsituationinthecountry.350.2 .2TheCommitteewasoftheviewthateffectiveandimmediatemeasuresneededtobetakentoprotectthephysicalandmoralintegrityofrefugeeanddisplacedwomenandofallwomenvictimsofarmedconflict.351.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheStateparty,whenpresentingitsinitialandsubsequentreports,toprovideinformationontheconsequencesofarmedconflictwithinZaireforthelivesofZairianwomen,aswellasforthelivesofrefugeewomenfromcountriesneighbouringZaire.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(p882   @ .V.WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE352.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(agendaitem8)atits311thand332ndmeetings,on13and31January1997.353.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheChiefoftheWomen'sRightsUnitoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whointroducedthereportsoftheSecretariatonreservationstotheConvention(CEDAW/C/1997/4)andonwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(CEDAW/C/1997/5)andaworkingpapercontainingdraftrulesofprocedure(CEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.1).@ .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorkingGroupI354.2 .2Atits332ndmeeting,on31January1997,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupI(CEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.2andAdd.1).@ .n1.Concludingcomments355.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtomaintainitspracticeofdesignatingamaincountryrapporteurandbackuprapporteurforeachStatepartyreport.Itdecidedthattheexpertnominatedasthemaincountryrapporteurwoulddrafttheconcludingcommentsandworkinclosecollaborationwiththebackuprapporteur,thegeneralrapporteuroftheCommitteeandtheSecretariat.Thecountryrapporteurshouldseekadditionalinformationonbothinitialandsubsequentreportsaboutthecountryunderreview.Shewastopresentherfindingsasanintroductiontothereportataclosedmeeting,beforetheStateparty'spresentation,buttheconcludingcommentsdraftedthereafterwouldreflecttheviewsexpressedatthemeetingsduringwhichthereportwaspresentedratherthantheviewsoftheindividualrapporteur.356.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatconcludingcommentsshouldfollowthestandardpatternelaboratedbyitatitsfifteenthsession.Itrecommendedthatastandardformatwithfiveheadingsshouldbefollowed,butsomeflexibilitywouldbenecessarytomeetunusualsituations.TheintroductiontothecommentsshouldincludewhetherthereporthadfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines,whetheritwassufficientorinsufficient,whetherithadincorporatedstatisticaldatadisaggregatedbysexandthenatureandqualityoftheoralreport.Itwassuggestedthatthereshouldbeanobjectiveindicationofthestrengthsofthereportandthelevelofthedelegation,whichshouldbeconsideredinanopenfashion,asitwasimpossibleforsomecountriestosendlargeorhighleveldelegations.357.2 .2ThesectiononfactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConventionwoulddescribemajorareasoftheConventionthathadnotbeenimplementedbyStatesparties.ItwouldaddresswhethertheConventionwasselfexecutingandwhetherlegislationhadbeenputinplacetogiveeffecttoit,aswellasoverarchingsocialfactors,suchastraditionandculturalandbehaviouralpatterns.ThatsectionshouldalsoincludegeneralfactorssuchastheimpactofstructuraladjustmentandtransitiononthewomenoftheStatepartyunderreview.AnyreservationstotheConventionshouldbeaddressedinthatsection.358.2 .2ThesectiononpositiveaspectsshouldbeorganizedintheorderofthearticlesoftheConvention.Thesectiononprincipalareasofconcernshouldbeorganizedintheorderoftheimportanceoftheparticularissuetothecountryunderreview.ThesuggestionsandrecommendationsshouldprovideconcretesolutionsfromtheCommitteetotheproblemsidentifiedintherestofthecomment.359.2 .2TheconcludingcommentswouldalsoincludeareferencetoanycommitmentsoftheStatepartymadeattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,andwouldclosewitharecommendationrelatingtothedisseminationoftheConvention,thereportsandtheconcludingcomments.Eachsetofconcludingcommentswouldbeinternallybalanced,andtheCommitteewouldstrivetoachieveconsistencyandbalance,particularlyintermsofpraiseandexpressionsofconcern,amongtheconcludingcommentselaboratedateachsession.360.2 .2TheCommitteewouldholdaclosedmeetingafterthecloseofconstructivedialoguewitheachStatepartyinordertoreflectonthemainissuesandtendenciestobediscussedintheconcludingcommentsrelatingtothereportoftheStateparty.361.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthattheseguidelinesforconcludingcommentsshouldbeprovidedbytheSecretariattotheCommitteeateachofitssessions.ForthedecisionoftheCommittee,seechap.I,sect.A,above,decision16/I.@ .Z 2.Relationswithnongovernmentalorganizations362.2 .2TheCommitteewasbroadlysupportiveoftheinvolvementofnongovernmentalorganizationsinitswork,itsgeneralviewbeingthatnongovernmentalorganizationmaterialdidnotcompromisetheindependenceofthemembers,whohadbeenselectedonthebasisofexpertiseandintegrity.TheCommitteewelcomedtheinputofnongovernmentalorganizationsandproposedthattheiradvocacyrolebeencouraged.Itrecommendedthat,asfromtheseventeenthsession,theSecretariatshouldfacilitateaninformalmeetingwithnon-governmentalorganizations,whichwouldinclude,interalia,countryspecificinformation,ifpossiblewithinterpretation,duringthefirstandseconddaysofitssession.TheWorkingGroupnotedthatreportsofnon-governmentalorganizationswereabletoshedlightonthedefactoimplementationoftheConventioninStatespartiesandthatthosereportsshouldbemadepublicandsharedwith,andmadewidelyknownin,theStatepartyconcerned.ItwasstressedthattheinputofnongovernmentalorganizationsshouldnotbeperceivedasclandestinematerialgiventoCommitteemembers.ForthedecisionoftheCommittee,seechap.I,sect.A,above,decision16/II.@ . 3.Relationswithothertreatybodies363.2 .2ThepracticeofnominatingCommitteememberstoserveasfocalpointstoothertreatybodiesshouldcontinue.TheSecretariatshouldensurethattheconcludingcommentsoftheCommitteearetransmittedimmediatelytoothertreatybodiesandthattheconcludingcommentsandobservationsoftheotherbodiesaremadeavailabletotheCommitteeassoonaspossible.364.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheinitiationofmeetingsbetweentheCommitteeandtheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildandcalledforfurthercollaborationwithothertreatybodies.Inparticular,theCommitteeshouldtakeintoaccountthegeneralcommentsandrecommendationsofothertreatybodies.TheWorkingGrouprecommendedthatthosememberswithfellownationalsinothertreatybodiesshouldcollaboratewiththemasmuchaspossible.&  @ . 4.Specializedagenciesandotherentities365.2 .2LinksbetweentheCommitteeandspecializedagenciesandotherentitiesoftheUnitedNationsshouldbestrengthened.TheSecretariatshouldensurethat'  theconcludingcommentsoftheCommitteearesubmittedtotheheadsofspecializedagenciesassoonaspossibleaftertheirconclusion.Specializedagencies,particularlythosewithfieldleveloffices,shouldkeepinmindtheprinciplesandrecommendationsoftheCommitteeindefiningtheirworkprogrammes.TheinputofspecializedagenciesandotherentitiesintotheCommittee'sworkwithinarticle22oftheConventionshouldbemorestructured.SuchinputshouldbecountryspecificandincludeinformationontreatiesacceptedbythereportingStateparty,informationfromcountryorregionalstudiesabouttheStateparty,newstatisticsabouttheStatepartycollectedbytheagenciesandadescriptionofthecountrylevelprogrammesoftheagenciesintheStatepartyunderreview.TheCommitteewouldreviewitspracticeofnominatingfocalpointsforspecializedagenciesandotherentitiesatitsnextsession.@ .5.Institutionalrelations366.2 .2AnongoingformalexchangeshouldbeestablishedbetweentheCommitteeandtheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen,itscausesandconsequences.TheSpecialRapporteurshouldbeinvitedtoreporttotheCommitteeongeneraldevelopmentswithinhermandate,aswellasontheresultsofspecificstudiesundertakenbyherwhichrelatedtoStatespartiesunderreviewbytheCommittee.367.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthatrelationsbemaintainedwiththeSpecialRapporteurontraditionalpracticesaffectingthehealthofwomenandchildren,aswellasotherrelevantcountryspecificandthematicmechanisms.@ .66.Analysisreport368.2 .2TheanalysisreportpreparedbytheSecretariatshouldprovidethetextofanyreservationsenteredbytheStateparty,informationaboutwhetherthosereservationshadbeenwithdrawnormodifiedandthetextofreservationstoothertreaties.ThereportshouldalsoincludethereactionsofotherStatespartiestoreservationstotheConventionandcurrentstatisticsculledfromUnitedNationssources.TheSecretariatwouldalsoprovideananalysisofwhetheranyrecommendationsintheconcludingcommentsoftheCommitteerelatingtotheearlierreportoftheStatepartywereaddressedinthesubsequentreport.@ .B7.Presessionworkinggroup369.2 .2OnthebasisofwrittenobservationsofmembersoftheCommitteeaswellasobservationsofmembersofthepresessionworkinggroup,thepresessionworkinggroupwouldformulateashortlistofquestionsconcentratingonmajorareasofconcerninregardtoimplementationoftheConventionbytheStateparty.ThepresessionshouldbeconvenedatthesessionpriortotheoneatwhichselectedStatespartiesweretoreport;writtenquestionswouldbesubmittedtotheStateparty,whichwouldbeansweredinwritingbytheStatepartyinadvanceofthesession(seechap.I,sect.B,above,suggestion16/2).TheCommitteewouldenterintoaconstructivedialogueonthebasisofthosereplies.&  @ .8.TheCommittee'spracticesduringconstructivedialogue370.2 .2GuidelinesshouldbeformulatedtoguideStatespartieswithregardtotheirpresentationofsubsequentreports.Thoseguidelinesshouldbepartof'  theCommittee'sexistingguidelinesforthepreparationofreports.TheguidelinesshouldindicatethattheStatepartypresentingitsreportwouldaddresstheCommitteeforuptoonehourwithoneandahalfmeetingsbeingavailableforconsiderationbytheCommitteeofthereport.371.2 .2Committeemembersshouldidentifythoseareasinwhichtheywishedtospecializeatthenextsession.Agroupofuptothreememberswouldcommunicatewitheachotherabouttheirareaofspecializationandpreparethematicquestions.Specializationwouldnotprecludemembersfromposingquestionsinareasoutsidetheirspeciality.@ .9.Rulesofprocedure372.2 .2AfirstreadingofthereviseddraftrulesofprocedurepreparedbyMs.Bernardwasbegun,andgeneralcommentsthatwouldbesubmittedtoMs.Bernardandreflectedinherreviseddraftfortheseventeenthsessionweremade.ItresolvedthatanyfurthercommentswouldbesentthroughtheSecretariattoMs.Tallawy,whowouldcompilethemandsubmitthemthroughtheSecretariattoMs.Bernard.Thepreparationofrulesgoverningreportsonanexceptionalbasiswasrecommended.@ . 10.Technicalandadvisoryservices373.2 .2ThebudgetfortechnicalandadvisoryservicesoftheCentreforHumanRightsshouldbemadeavailabletopromotetheConventionandtheworkoftheCommittee(seechap.I,sect.B,above,suggestion16/1).374.2 .2Anumberofregionalandinternationalseminars,concerning,interalia,gendersensitivity,dejureanddefactoequalityandreservationstotheConventionweresuggestedbytheCommittee.AsmallworkinggroupofCommitteememberswouldbeconvenedtoconceptualizethefirstsuchseminarandtoexaminefundingrequirementsforthefirstsuchseminarduring1997andearly1998.TheCommitteerecommendedthattheexpertiseofpresentandpastCommitteemembersshouldbecalleduponasaresourceforsuchactivities.@ .( 11.ReportsofStatespartiesandoverduereports375.2 .2InordertoaddressthebacklogofreportsawaitingconsiderationandtoencourageStatespartiestoreportinatimelyfashion,theCommitteedecided,onanexceptionalbasisandasatemporarymeasure,toinviteStatespartiestocombineamaximumoftwoofthereportsrequiredunderarticle18oftheConvention(seechap.I,sect.A,above,decision16/III).376.2 .2TheSecretariatwasrequestedtopresentalisttotheCommitteeatfuturesessionsofthoseStatespartieswhosereportshadbeenoverdueformorethanfiveyears.882  &  2 .2 .12.Reportstobeconsideredattheseventeenthand2 .2 . . eighteenthsession377.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthereportsof10Statespartieswouldbeconsideredatitsseventeenthsession,inJuly1997,andthatthereportsof'  another10Statespartieswouldbeconsideredattheeighteenthsession,inJanuary1998.378.2 .2Bearinginmindthecriteriaofdateofsubmission,geographicalbalanceandreportsdelayedfromearliersessions,thereportsofthefollowingStatespartiesshouldbeconsidered:@ .6Seventeenthsession2 .2Initialreports2 .2AntiguaandBarbuda2 .2Armenia2 .2Israel2 .2Namibia2 .2Luxembourg2 .2Secondperiodicreports2 .2DominicanRepublic2 .2Argentina2 .2Italy2 .2Thirdperiodicreports2 .2Australia2 .2Bangladesh379.2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesshouldbeunabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteedecidedtoconsiderthefollowingreports:2 .2Initialreports2 .2Azerbaijan2 .2Belize&  2 .2Croatia2 .2Zimbabwe'  2 .2Secondperiodicreports2 .2EquatorialGuinea2 .2Bulgaria2 .2RepublicofKorea&  @ .hEighteenthsession2 .2Initialreports2 .2Azerbaijan2 .2Belize2 .2Croatia'  2 .2Zaire* q   2 .2Zimbabwe2 .2Secondperiodicreports2 .2Bulgaria2 .2EquatorialGuinea2 .2Indonesia2 .2Thirdperiodicreports2 .2Mexico2 .2RepublicofKorea380.2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesshouldbeunabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteedecidedtoconsidertheinitialreportoftheCzechRepublic.2 .2 . . 13.UnitedNationsmeetingstobeattendedbythe2 .2 . .  . ChairpersonormembersoftheCommitteein1997381.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheChairpersonoranalternateshouldattendthefollowingmeetings(listedinorderofpriority):2 .2(a) .CommissionontheStatusofWomen;2 .2(b) .CommissiononHumanRights;2 .2(c) .Meetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies;2 .2(d) .GeneralAssembly(ThirdCommittee).2 .2 .14.Membersofthepresessionworkinggroupforthe2 .2 . . seventeenthsession382.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthemembersofthepresessionworkinggroupfortheseventeenthsessionoftheCommitteeandtheiralternatesshouldbe:̀Member󀀀Alternate882 P2 .2Ms.MiriamEstrada(LatinAmerica)P .PMs.AdaGonzlez2 .2Ms.EmnaAouij(Africa)P .PMs.AhouaOuedraogo2 .2Ms.AyseFerideAcar(Europe)P .PMs.CarlotaBustelo2 .2Ms.AuroraJavatedeDios(Asia)P .PMs.SalmaKhan@ .` 15.DatesoftheseventeenthsessionoftheCommittee383.2 .2Consistentwiththecalendarofconferencesfor1997,theseventeenthsessionshouldbeheldfrom7to25July1997,inNewYork.Thepresessionworkinggroupwouldmeetfrom30Juneto3July1997.@ . VI.IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION384.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheimplementationofarticle21oftheConvention(agendaitem7)atits311thand332ndmeetings,on13and31January1997.385.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthefollowingdocuments:2 .2(a) .ReportoftheSecretariatontheanalysisofarticles7and8oftheConvention(CEDAW/C/1994/4);2 .2(b) .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivities(CEDAW/C/1997/3);2 .2(c) .ReportoftheInternationalLabourOrganization(CEDAW/C/1997/3/Add.2);2 .2(d) .ReportoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(CEDAW/C/1997/3/Add.3);2 .2(e) .Workingpapercontainingadraftgeneralrecommendationonarticles7and8oftheConvention(CEDAW/C/1997/WG.II/WP.1).2 .2 . . A.ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportof2 .2 . . WorkingGroupII386.2 .2Atits332ndmeeting,on31January,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupII(CEDAW/C/1997/WG.II/WP.2andCorr.1andAdd.1-3)andtookthefollowingaction:@ .B1.Generalrecommendation23387.2 .2TheCommitteeadoptedgeneralrecommendation23onarticles7and8oftheConventionrelatingtowomeninpubliclife,andauthorizedMs.SilviaCartwright,inconjunctionwiththeSecretariat,toeditthetextsothatitcouldbeincludedinfinalforminthereportoftheCommitteeonitsseventeenthsession(forthetext,seeparttwo,chap.I,sect.A).2 .2 .2.Openendedworkinggroupontheelaborationofa2 .2 . . draftoptionalprotocoltotheConvention388.2 .2TheCommitteedesignatedMs.SilviaCartwrighttorepresenttheCommitteeasaresourcepersonatthemeetingsoftheopenendedworkinggroupoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenontheelaborationofadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConventiontobeheldduringthefortyfirstsessionoftheCommission.&  @ .Z B.StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficialsExecutiveDirectoroftheUnitedNationsPopulationFund389.2 .2Atthe314thmeeting,on15January1997,theExecutiveDirectorofUNFPAaddressedtheCommittee,observingthattheworkoftheCommitteehadbeen'  groundbreaking,notablyinthecontextofwomen'shealth,andinparticularofwomen'sreproductivehealth.Theguaranteeofreproductiverightswasindispensableinachievinggenderequalityandtheimprovementofwomen,andthosegoalswereessentialconditionsforachievingsustainabledevelopment.390.2 .2SheindicatedthatUNFPAhadbeenhonouredtosponsor,togetherwiththeDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenandtheOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights,therecentroundtableonhumanrightsapproachestowomen'sreproductiveandsexualhealthrights,andacknowledgedtheimportantroleplayedbytheCommitteeinthatinitiative.Theroundtable,whichwasthefirstoccasionatwhichexpertsfromallsixhumanrightsbodiesaswellasrepresentativesofUnitedNationsagenciesandnon-governmentalorganizationshadbeenbroughttogethertoaddressathematicissue,madeanumberofrecommendations,inoneofwhichitcalledupontreatybodies,UnitedNationsagencies,non-governmentalorganizationsandotherstostrengthentheirworkingrelationshipssoastofosteragenderintegratedhumanrightsperspectiveintheirrespectiveprogrammes.TheExecutiveDirectormadeclearthatUNFPAhadalreadysoughttoimplementanumberoftherecommendationsoftheroundtableandhadmetwiththeDivisionandtheCommissionertodiscussfollowupactions.391.2 .2Shealsoexpressedtheviewthatthehumanrightstreatyprocesswascriticalincreatinganinternationalstandardthattranscendedculture,traditionsandsocietalnorms.Althoughthelatterwereimportantforcesbindingsocietiestogether,theyshouldnotbeusedtoforcewomenintoasubordinaterole,damagetheirhealthandminimizetheircontributionstofamily,thecommunityandtheircountries.ExecutiveDirectoroftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund392.2 .2Alsoatthe314thmeeting,theCommitteeheardanaddressbytheExecutiveDirectorofUNICEF.Sheindicatedthat1996hadseenprogresstowardsacloserelationshipbetweentheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,andnotedthattheUNICEFExecutiveBoardhaddesignatedtherightsofchildrenandwomenasoneofthethreeareasforfollowupoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.Sheemphasizedtheimportanceofthefirstjointmeetingofthetwocommittees,heldatCairofrom16to25November1996,anddescribedtheseveralsubsequentfollowupmeetingstothatmeeting.Shealsoobservedthat,undertheUNICEFMissionStatement,theorganizationwasguidedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandwascommittedtotheprincipleofnon-discriminationandtheequalrightsofwomenandgirls.DeputyAssistantAdministratorandDeputyDirector,BureauforPolicyandProgrammeSupport,UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme393.2 .2Atthe331stmeeting,on29January1997,theDeputyAssistantAdministratorandDeputyDirector,BureauforPolicyandProgrammeSupport,oftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)addressedtheCommitteeandstressedthecommitmentofUNDPtotheempowermentofwomen.Sheindicatedthattheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenhadtwoprongssoastobuildcountrycapacityin134programmecountriestostrengthentheenablingpolicyandlegalframeworkforgenderequalityandtoimprovewomen'saccesstoassetsandresources,includingdecisionmaking.ShealsoindicatedthatUNDPwasguidedbytheprimaryobjectiveofeliminatingpovertyandrecognizingthatforthemajorityoftheworld'swomen,overcomingpovertywasthegreatestchallengethattheyfaced.Shenotedthatwomenpredominatedinthecareeconomy,whichtendedtobeunpaidandundervalued.ShealsonotedthatUNDPhadtakenthefirststepinthelongjourneytowardsbringinghumanvaluesintotheeconomicequation.Sheindicatedthatwomenmustbeclearonthevaluesystemtheywillperpetuatethroughsocializationandtheirownleadership.SheemphasizedthatUNDPwouldworkwiththeCommitteetoaddressdiscriminationagainstwomen.&  DirectoroftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomen394.2 .2Alsoatthe331stmeeting,theDirectorofUNIFEMaddressedtheCommittee.'  SheaffirmedthecontinuedinterestofUNIFEMinsupportingtheworkoftheCommittee.SheacknowledgedtheworkofMs.Corti,theoutgoingChairperson,andcongratulatedthenewChairperson,Ms.SalmaKhan,assuringherofUNIFEMsupporttoherinhernewcapacity.ShedescribedtheworkofUNIFEMtopromotetheConventionandtheCommittee.Inparticular,shedescribedtherecentinitiativeofUNIFEMincollaborationwithInternationalWomen'sRightsActionWatch(Asia/Pacific),whichallowedeightwomenfromsixcountrieswhowereandwouldsoonbereportingtotheCommitteetoattendthesessionandtotakepartinanintensiveorientationontheConvention.SheindicatedthatthishadintensifiedthecommitmentofUNIFEMtofindinnovativewaystosupportimplementationoftheConvention.Inthatcontext,shelookedforwardtolearningtheCommittee'sviewsonfutureinteractionwithwomenaroundtheworld.@ . VII.PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHESEVENTEENTHSESSION395.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaforitsseventeenthsession(agenda9)atits333rdmeeting,on31January1997.396.2 .2Atthesamemeeting,onthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupI,theCommitteedecidedtoapprovethefollowingagenda:2 .21. .Openingofthesession.2 .22. .Solemndeclaration.2 .23. .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .24.0 .ReportoftheChairpersononactivitiesundertakenbetweenthesixteenthandseventeenthsessionsoftheCommittee.2 .25.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .26.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .27.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.2 .28.0 .Provisionalagendafortheeighteenthsession.2 .29.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitssixteenthsession.@ .BVIII.ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT397.2 .2Atits333rdmeeting,on31January1997,theCommitteeadoptedthereportonitssixteenthsession(CEDAW/C/1997/L.1andAdd.1-12),asorallyamended.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(r882   @ .\PartTwo@ .4REPORTOFTHECOMMITTEEONTHEELIMINATIONOFDISCRIMINATION@ . AGAINSTWOMENONITSSEVENTEENTHSESSION@ .LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL# .25July1997Sir,2 .2Ihavethehonourtorefertoarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,accordingtowhichtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,establishedpursuanttotheConvention,"shall,throughtheEconomicandSocialCouncil,reportannuallytotheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsonitsactivities".2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenhelditsseventeenthsessionfrom7to25July1997atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.Itadopteditsreportonthesessionatits359thmeeting,on25July.ThereportoftheCommitteeisherewithsubmittedtoyoufortransmissiontotheGeneralAssemblyatitsfiftysecondsession.2 .2Accept,Sir,theassurancesofmyhighestconsideration.̀(Signed)SalmaKHAǸChairpersoǹCommitteeontheEliminatioǹofDiscriminationagainstWomenHisExcellencyMr.KofiAnnanSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationsNewYork̇@ .` I.MATTERSBROUGHTTOTHEATTENTIONOFSTATESPARTIES@ . A.Generalrecommendation23(sixteenthsession)* s   ׈@ .Womeninpubliclife@ .*Article702 .2 .StatesPartiesshalltakeallappropriatemeasurestoeliminatediscriminationagainstwomeninthepoliticalandpubliclifeofthecountryand,inparticular,shallensuretowomen,onequaltermswithmen,theright:02 .2 .(a) . Tovoteinallelectionsandpublicreferendumsandtobeeligibleforelectiontoallpubliclyelectedbodies;02 .2 .(b) . Toparticipateintheformulationofgovernmentpolicyandtheimplementationthereofandtoholdpublicofficeandperformallpublicfunctionsatalllevelsofgovernment;02 .2 .(c) . Toparticipateinnon-governmentalorganizationsandassociationsconcernedwiththepublicandpoliticallifeofthecountry.Background1.2 .2TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenplacesspecialimportanceontheparticipationofwomeninthepubliclifeoftheircountries.ThepreambletotheConventionstatesinpart:02 .2 ."Recallingthatdiscriminationagainstwomenviolatestheprinciplesofequalityofrightsandrespectforhumandignity,isanobstacletotheparticipationofwomen,onequaltermswithmen,inthepolitical,social,economicandculturallifeoftheircountries,hampersthegrowthoftheprosperityofsocietyandthefamilyandmakesmoredifficultthefulldevelopmentofthepotentialitiesofwomenintheserviceoftheircountriesandofhumanity".2.2 .2TheConventionfurtherreiteratesinitspreambletheimportanceofwomen'sparticipationindecision-makingasfollows:02 .2 ."Convincedthatthefullandcompletedevelopmentofacountry,thewelfareoftheworldandthecauseofpeacerequirethemaximumparticipationofwomenonequaltermswithmeninallfields".3.2 .2Moreover,inarticle1oftheConvention,theterm"discriminationagainstwomen"isinterpretedtomean:02 .2"anydistinction,exclusionorrestrictionmadeonthebasisofsexwhichhastheeffectorpurposeofimpairingornullifyingtherecognition,enjoymentorexercisebywomen,irrespectiveoftheirmaritalstatus,onabasisofequalityofmenandwomen,ofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsinthepolitical,economic,social,cultural,civiloranyotherfield".4.2 .2Otherconventions,declarationsandinternationalanalysesplacegreatimportanceontheparticipationofwomeninpubliclifeandhavesetaframeworkofinternationalstandardsofequality.TheseincludetheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,1theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,2theConventiononthePoliticalRightsofWomen,3theViennaDeclaration,4paragraph13oftheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforAction,5generalrecommendations5and8undertheConvention,6generalcomment25adoptedbytheHumanRightsCommittee,7therecommendationadoptedbytheCounciloftheEuropeanUniononbalancedparticipationofwomenandmeninthedecisionmakingprocess8andtheEuropeanCommission's"HowtoCreateaGenderBalanceinPoliticalDecisionmaking".95.2 .2Article7oftheConventionobligesStatespartiestotakeallappropriatemeasurestoeliminatediscriminationagainstwomeninpoliticalandpubliclifeandtoensurethattheyenjoyequalitywithmeninpoliticalandpubliclife.Theobligationspecifiedinarticle7extendstoallareasofpublicandpoliticallifeandisnotlimitedtothoseareasspecifiedinsubparagraphs(a),(b)and(c).Thepoliticalandpubliclifeofacountryisabroadconcept.Itreferstotheexerciseofpoliticalpower,inparticulartheexerciseoflegislative,judicial,executiveandadministrativepowers.Thetermcoversallaspectsofpublicadministrationandtheformulationandimplementationofpolicyattheinternational,national,regionalandlocallevels.Theconceptalsoincludesmanyaspectsofcivilsociety,includingpublicboardsandlocalcouncilsandtheactivitiesoforganizationssuchaspoliticalparties,tradeunions,professionalorindustryassociations,women'sorganizations,community-basedorganizationsandotherorganizationsconcernedwithpublicandpoliticallife.6.2 .2TheConventionenvisagesthat,tobeeffective,thisequalitymustbeachievedwithintheframeworkofapoliticalsysteminwhicheachcitizenenjoystherighttovoteandbeelectedatgenuineperiodicelectionsheldonthebasisofuniversalsuffrageandbysecretballot,insuchawayastoguaranteethefreeexpressionofthewilloftheelectorate,asprovidedforunderinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,suchasarticle21oftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsandarticle25oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights.7.2 .2TheConvention'semphasisontheimportanceofequalityofopportunityandofparticipationinpubliclifeanddecision-makinghasledtheCommitteetoreviewarticle7andtosuggesttoStatespartiesthat,inreviewingtheirlawsandpoliciesandinreportingundertheConvention,theyshouldtakeintoaccountthecommentsandrecommendationssetoutbelow.Comments8.2 .2Publicandprivatespheresofhumanactivityhavealwaysbeenconsidereddistinct,andhavebeenregulatedaccordingly.Invariably,womenhavebeenassignedtotheprivateordomesticsphere,associatedwithreproductionandtheraisingofchildren,andinallsocietiestheseactivitieshavebeentreatedasinferior.Bycontrast,publiclife,whichisrespectedandhonoured,extendstoabroadrangeofactivityoutsidetheprivateanddomesticsphere.Menhistoricallyhavebothdominatedpubliclifeandexercisedthepowertoconfineandsubordinatewomenwithintheprivatesphere.9.2 .2Despitewomen'scentralroleinsustainingthefamilyandsocietyandtheircontributiontodevelopment,theyhavebeenexcludedfrompoliticallifeandthedecision-makingprocess,whichnonethelessdeterminethepatternoftheirdailylivesandthefutureofsocieties.Particularlyintimesofcrisis,thisexclusionhassilencedwomen'svoicesandrenderedinvisibletheircontributionandexperiences.10.2 .2Inallcountries,themostsignificantfactorsinhibitingwomen'sabilitytoparticipateinpubliclifehavebeentheculturalframeworkofvaluesandreligiousbeliefs,thelackofservicesandmen'sfailuretosharethetasksassociatedwiththeorganizationofthehouseholdandwiththecareandraisingofchildren.Inallcountries,culturaltraditionsandreligiousbeliefshaveplayedapartinconfiningwomentotheprivatespheresofactivityandexcludingthemfromactiveparticipationinpubliclife.11.2 .2Relievingwomenofsomeoftheburdensofdomesticworkwouldallowthemtoengagemorefullyinthelifeoftheircommunities.Women'seconomicdependenceonmenoftenpreventsthemfrommakingimportantpoliticaldecisionsandfromparticipatingactivelyinpubliclife.Theirdoubleburdenofworkandtheireconomicdependence,coupledwiththelongorinflexiblehoursofbothpublicandpoliticalwork,preventwomenfrombeingmoreactive.12.2 .2Stereotyping,includingthatperpetratedbythemedia,confineswomeninpoliticallifetoissuessuchastheenvironment,childrenandhealth,andexcludesthemfromresponsibilityforfinance,budgetarycontrolandconflictresolution.Thelowinvolvementofwomenintheprofessionsfromwhichpoliticiansarerecruitedcancreateanotherobstacle.Incountrieswherewomenleadersdoassumepowerthiscanbetheresultoftheinfluenceoftheirfathers,husbandsormalerelativesratherthanelectoralsuccessintheirownright.2 .2Politicalsystems13.2 .2Theprincipleofequalityofwomenandmenhasbeenaffirmedintheconstitutionsandlawsofmostcountriesandinallinternationalinstruments.Nonetheless,inthelast50years,womenhavenotachievedequality,andtheirinequalityhasbeenreinforcedbytheirlowlevelofparticipationinpublicandpoliticallife.Policiesdevelopedanddecisionsmadebymenalonereflectonlypartofhumanexperienceandpotential.Thejustandeffectiveorganizationofsocietydemandstheinclusionandparticipationofallitsmembers.14.2 .2Nopoliticalsystemhasconferredonwomenboththerighttoandthebenefitoffullandequalparticipation.Whiledemocraticsystemshaveimprovedwomen'sopportunitiesforinvolvementinpoliticallife,themanyeconomic,socialandculturalbarrierstheycontinuetofacehaveseriouslylimitedtheirparticipation.Evenhistoricallystabledemocracieshavefailedtointegratefullyandequallytheopinionsandinterestsofthefemalehalfofthepopulation.Societiesinwhichwomenareexcludedfrompubliclifeanddecisionmakingcannotbedescribedasdemocratic.Theconceptofdemocracywillhaverealanddynamicmeaningandlastingeffectonlywhenpoliticaldecision-makingissharedbywomenandmenandtakesequalaccountoftheinterestsofboth.TheexaminationofthereportsofStatespartiesshowsthatwherethereisfullandequalparticipationofwomeninpubliclifeanddecisionmaking,theimplementationoftheirrightsandcompliancewiththeConventionimproves.2 .2Temporaryspecialmeasures15.2 .2Whileremovalofdejurebarriersisnecessary,itisnotsufficient.Failuretoachievefullandequalparticipationofwomencanbeunintentionalandtheresultofoutmodedpracticesandprocedureswhichinadvertentlypromotemen.Underarticle4,theConventionencouragestheuseoftemporaryspecialmeasurestogivefulleffecttoarticles7and8.Wherecountrieshavedevelopedeffectivetemporarystrategiesinanattempttoachieveequalityofparticipation,awiderangeofmeasureshasbeenimplemented,includingrecruiting,financiallyassistingandtrainingwomencandidates,amendingelectoralprocedures,developingcampaignsdirectedatequalparticipation,settingnumericalgoalsandquotasandtargetingwomenforappointmenttopublicpositions,suchasthejudiciaryorotherprofessionalgroups,thatplayanessentialpartintheeverydaylifeofallsocieties.Theformalremovalofbarriersandtheintroductionoftemporaryspecialmeasurestoencouragetheequalparticipationofbothmenandwomeninthepubliclifeoftheirsocietiesareessentialprerequisitestotrueequalityinpoliticallife.Inorder,however,toovercomecenturiesofmaledominationofthepublicsphere,womenalsorequiretheencouragementandsupportofallsectorsofsocietytoachievefullandeffectiveparticipation,encouragementwhichmustbeledbyStatespartiestotheConvention,aswellasbypoliticalpartiesandpublicofficials.Statespartieshaveanobligationtoensurethattemporaryspecialmeasuresareclearlydesignedtosupporttheprincipleofequalityandthereforecomplywithconstitutionalprincipleswhichguaranteeequalitytoallcitizens.2 .2Summary16.2 .2Thecriticalissue,emphasizedintheBeijingPlatformforAction,5isthegapbetweenthedejureanddefacto,ortherightasagainsttherealityofwomen'sparticipationinpoliticsandpubliclifegenerally.Researchdemonstratesthatifwomen'sparticipationreaches30to35percent(generallytermeda"criticalmass"),thereisarealimpactonpoliticalstyleandthecontentofdecisions,andpoliticallifeisrevitalized.17.2 .2Toachievebroadrepresentationinpubliclife,womenmusthavefullequalityintheexerciseofpoliticalandeconomicpower;theymustbefullyandequallyinvolvedindecision-makingatalllevels,bothnationallyandinternationally,sothattheymaymaketheircontributiontothegoalsofequality,developmentandtheachievementofpeace.Agenderperspectiveiscriticalifthesegoalsaretobemetandiftruedemocracyistobeassured.Forthesereasons,itisessentialtoinvolvewomeninpubliclifetotakeadvantageoftheircontribution,toensurethattheirinterestsareprotectedandtofulfiltheguaranteethattheenjoymentofhumanrightsisforallpeopleregardlessofgender.Women'sfullparticipationisessentialnotonlyfortheirempowermentbutalsofortheadvancementofsocietyasawhole.Article7(a)(therighttovoteandtobeelected)18.2 .2TheConventionobligesStatespartiesinconstitutionsorlegislationtotakeappropriatestepstoensurethatwomen,onthebasisofequalitywithmen,enjoytherighttovoteinallelectionsandreferendums,andtobeelected.Theserightsmustbeenjoyedbothdejureanddefacto.19.2 .2TheexaminationofthereportsofStatespartiesdemonstratesthat,whilealmostallhaveadoptedconstitutionalorotherlegalprovisionsthatgranttobothwomenandmentheequalrighttovoteinallelectionsandpublicreferendums,inmanycountrieswomencontinuetoexperiencedifficultiesinexercisingthisright.20.2 .2Factorswhichimpedetheserightsincludethefollowing:2 .2(a) .Womenfrequentlyhavelessaccessthanmentoinformationaboutcandidatesandaboutpartypoliticalplatformsandvotingprocedures,informationwhichGovernmentsandpoliticalpartieshavefailedtoprovide.Otherimportantfactorsthatinhibitwomen'sfullandequalexerciseoftheirrighttovoteincludetheirilliteracy,theirlackofknowledgeandunderstandingofpoliticalsystemsorabouttheimpactthatpoliticalinitiativesandpolicieswillhaveupontheirlives.Failuretounderstandtherights,responsibilitiesandopportunitiesforchangeconferredbyfranchisealsomeansthatwomenarenotalwaysregisteredtovote;2 .2(b) .Women'sdoubleburdenofwork,aswellasfinancialconstraints,willlimitwomen'stimeoropportunitytofollowelectoralcampaignsandtohavethefullfreedomtoexercisetheirvote;2 .2(c) .Inmanycountries,traditionsandsocialandculturalstereotypesdiscouragewomenfromexercisingtheirrighttovote.Manymeninfluenceorcontrolthevotesofwomenbypersuasionordirectaction,includingvotingontheirbehalf.Anysuchpracticesshouldbeprevented;2 .2(d) .Otherfactorsthatinsomecountriesinhibitwomen'sinvolvementinthepublicorpoliticallivesoftheircommunitiesincluderestrictionsontheirfreedomofmovementorrighttoparticipate,prevailingnegativeattitudestowardswomen'spoliticalparticipation,oralackofconfidenceinandsupportforfemalecandidatesbytheelectorate.Inaddition,somewomenconsiderinvolvementinpoliticstobedistastefulandavoidparticipationinpoliticalcampaigns.21.2 .2Thesefactorsatleastpartiallyexplaintheparadoxthatwomen,whorepresenthalfofallelectorates,donotwieldtheirpoliticalpowerorformblocswhichwouldpromotetheirinterestsorchangegovernment,oreliminatediscriminatorypolicies.22.2 .2Thesystemofballoting,thedistributionofseatsinParliament,thechoiceofdistrict,allhaveasignificantimpactontheproportionofwomenelectedtoParliament.Politicalpartiesmustembracetheprinciplesofequalopportunityanddemocracyandendeavourtobalancethenumberofmaleandfemalecandidates.23.2 .2Theenjoymentoftherighttovotebywomenshouldnotbesubjecttorestrictionsorconditionsthatdonotapplytomenorthathaveadisproportionateimpactonwomen.Forexample,limitingtherighttovotetopersonswhohaveaspecifiedlevelofeducation,whopossessaminimumpropertyqualificationorwhoareliterateisnotonlyunreasonable,itmayviolatetheuniversalguaranteeofhumanrights.Itisalsolikelytohaveadisproportionateimpactonwomen,therebycontraveningtheprovisionsoftheConvention.Article7(b)(therighttoparticipateinformulationofgovernmentpolicy)24.2 .2Theparticipationofwomeningovernmentatthepolicylevelcontinuestobelowingeneral.Althoughsignificantprogresshasbeenmadeandinsomecountriesequalityhasbeenachieved,inmanycountrieswomen'sparticipationhasactuallybeenreduced.25.2 .2Article7(b)requiresStatespartiestoensurethatwomenhavetherighttoparticipatefullyandberepresentedinpublicpolicyformulationinallsectorsandatalllevels.Thiswouldfacilitatethemainstreamingofgenderissuesandcontributeagenderperspectivetopublicpolicymaking.26.2 .2Statespartieshavearesponsibility,whereitiswithintheircontrol,bothtoappointwomentoseniordecisionmakingrolesand,asamatterofcourse,toconsultandincorporatetheadviceofgroupswhicharebroadlyrepresentativeofwomen'sviewsandinterests.27.2 .2Statespartieshaveafurtherobligationtoensurethatbarrierstowomen'sfullparticipationintheformulationofgovernmentpolicyareidentifiedandovercome.Thesebarriersincludecomplacencywhentokenwomenareappointed,andtraditionalandcustomaryattitudesthatdiscouragewomen'sparticipation.Whenwomenarenotbroadlyrepresentedintheseniorlevelsofgovernmentorareinadequatelyornotconsultedatall,governmentpolicywillnotbecomprehensiveandeffective.28.2 .2WhileStatespartiesgenerallyholdthepowertoappointwomentoseniorcabinetandadministrativepositions,politicalpartiesalsohavearesponsibilitytoensurethatwomenareincludedinpartylistsandnominatedforelectioninareaswheretheyhavealikelihoodofelectoralsuccess.Statespartiesshouldalsoendeavourtoensurethatwomenareappointedtogovernmentadvisorybodiesonanequalbasiswithmenandthatthesebodiestakeintoaccount,asappropriate,theviewsofrepresentativewomen'sgroups.ItistheGovernment'sfundamentalresponsibilitytoencouragetheseinitiativestoleadandguidepublicopinionandchangeattitudesthatdiscriminateagainstwomenordiscouragewomen'sinvolvementinpoliticalandpubliclife.29.2 .2MeasuresthathavebeenadoptedbyanumberofStatespartiestoensureequalparticipationbywomeninseniorcabinetandadministrativepositionsandasmembersofgovernmentadvisorybodiesincludetheadoptionofarulewhereby,whenpotentialappointeesareequallyqualified,preferencewillbegiventoawomannominee;theadoptionofarulethatneithersexshouldconstitutelessthan40percentofthemembersofapublicbody;aquotaforwomenmembersofcabinetandforappointmenttopublicoffice;consultationwithwomen'sorganizationstoensurethatqualifiedwomenarenominatedformembershipinpublicbodiesandoffices;andthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofregistersofsuchwomentofacilitatethenominationofwomenforappointmenttopublicbodiesandposts.Wheremembersareappointedtoadvisorybodiesuponthenominationofprivateorganizations,Statespartiesshouldencouragethoseorganizationstonominatequalifiedandsuitablewomenformembershipinthesebodies.Article7(b)(therighttoholdpublicofficeandtoperformallpublicfunctions)30.2 .2TheexaminationofthereportsofStatespartiesdemonstratesthatwomenareexcludedfromtoprankingpositionsincabinets,thecivilserviceandpublicadministration,inthejudiciaryandinjusticesystems.WomenarerarelyappointedtotheseseniororinfluentialpositionsandwhiletheirnumbersmayinsomeStatesbeincreasingatthelowerlevelsandinpostsusuallyassociatedwiththehomeorthefamily,theyformonlyatinyminorityindecisionmakingpositionsconcernedwitheconomicpolicyordevelopment,politicalaffairs,defence,peacemakingmissions,conflictresolutionorconstitutionalinterpretationanddetermination.31.2 .2ExaminationofthereportsofStatespartiesalsodemonstratesthatincertaincasesthelawexcludeswomenfromexercisingroyalpowers,fromservingasjudgesinreligiousortraditionaltribunalsvestedwithjurisdictiononbehalfoftheStateorfromfullparticipationinthemilitary.Theseprovisionsdiscriminateagainstwomen,denytosocietytheadvantagesoftheirinvolvementandskillsintheseareasofthelifeoftheircommunitiesandcontravenetheprinciplesoftheConvention.Article7(c)(therighttoparticipateinnongovernmentalandpublicandpoliticalorganizations)32.2 .2TheexaminationofthereportsofStatespartiesdemonstratesthat,onthefewoccasionswheninformationconcerningpoliticalpartiesisprovided,womenareunderrepresentedorconcentratedinlessinfluentialrolesthanmen.Aspoliticalpartiesareanimportantvehicleindecisionmakingroles,Governmentsshouldencouragepoliticalpartiestoexaminetheextenttowhichwomenarefullandequalparticipantsintheiractivitiesand,wherethisisnotthecase,shouldidentifythereasonsforthis.Politicalpartiesshouldbeencouragedtoadopteffectivemeasures,includingtheprovisionofinformation,financialandotherresources,toovercomeobstaclestowomen'sfullparticipationandrepresentationandensurethatwomenhaveanequalopportunityinpracticetoserveaspartyofficialsandtobenominatedascandidatesforelection.33.2 .2Measuresthathavebeenadoptedbysomepoliticalpartiesincludesettingasideforwomenacertainminimumnumberorpercentageofpositionsontheirexecutivebodies,ensuringthatthereisabalancebetweenthenumberofmaleandfemalecandidatesnominatedforelection,andensuringthatwomenarenotconsistentlyassignedtolessfavourableconstituenciesortotheleastadvantageouspositionsonapartylist.Statespartiesshouldensurethatsuchtemporaryspecialmeasuresarespecificallypermittedunderantidiscriminationlegislationorotherconstitutionalguaranteesofequality.34.2 .2Otherorganizationssuchastradeunionsandpoliticalpartieshaveanobligationtodemonstratetheircommitmenttotheprincipleofgenderequalityintheirconstitutions,intheapplicationofthoserulesandinthecompositionoftheirmembershipswithgenderbalancedrepresentationontheirexecutiveboardssothatthesebodiesmaybenefitfromthefullandequalparticipationofallsectorsofsocietyandfromcontributionsmadebybothsexes.Theseorganizationsalsoprovideavaluabletraininggroundforwomeninpoliticalskills,participationandleadership,asdonongovernmentalorganizations.@ .*Article802 .2 .StatesPartiesshalltakeallappropriatemeasurestoensuretowomen,onequaltermswithmenandwithoutanydiscrimination,theopportunitytorepresenttheirGovernmentsattheinternationallevelandtoparticipateintheworkofinternationalorganizations.Comments35.2 .2Underarticle8,Governmentsareobligedtoensurethepresenceofwomenatalllevelsandinallareasofinternationalaffairs.Thisrequiresthattheybeincludedineconomicandmilitarymatters,inbothmultilateralandbilateraldiplomacy,andinofficialdelegationstointernationalandregionalconferences.36.2 .2FromanexaminationofthereportsofStatesparties,itisevidentthatwomenaregrosslyunder-representedinthediplomaticandforeignservicesofmostGovernments,particularlyatthehighestranks.Womentendtobeassignedtoembassiesoflesserimportancetothecountry'sforeignrelationsandinsomecaseswomenarediscriminatedagainstintermsoftheirappointmentsbyrestrictionspertainingtotheirmaritalstatus.Inotherinstancesspousalandfamilybenefitsaccordedtomalediplomatsarenotavailabletowomeninparallelpositions.Opportunitiesforwomentoengageininternationalworkareoftendeniedbecauseofassumptionsabouttheirdomesticresponsibilities,includingthatthecareoffamilydependantswillpreventthemacceptingappointment.37.2 .2ManypermanentmissionstotheUnitedNationsandtootherinternationalorganizationshavenowomenamongtheirdiplomatsandveryfewatseniorlevels.Thesituationissimilaratexpertmeetingsandconferencesthatestablishinternationalandglobalgoals,agendasandpriorities.OrganizationsoftheUnitedNationssystemandvariouseconomic,politicalandmilitarystructuresattheregionallevelhavebecomeimportantinternationalpublicemployers,buthere,too,womenhaveremainedaminorityconcentratedinlower-levelpositions.38.2 .2Therearefewopportunitiesforwomenandmen,onequalterms,torepresentGovernmentsattheinternationallevelandtoparticipateintheworkofinternationalorganizations.Thisisfrequentlytheresultofanabsenceofobjectivecriteriaandprocessesforappointmentandpromotiontorelevantpositionsandofficialdelegations.39.2 .2Theglobalizationofthecontemporaryworldmakestheinclusionofwomenandtheirparticipationininternationalorganizations,onequaltermswithmen,increasinglyimportant.Theintegrationofagenderperspectiveandwomen'shumanrightsintotheagendaofallinternationalbodiesisagovernmentimperative.Manycrucialdecisionsonglobalissues,suchaspeacemakingandconflictresolution,militaryexpenditureandnucleardisarmament,developmentandtheenvironment,foreignaidandeconomicrestructuring,aretakenwithlimitedparticipationofwomen.Thisisinstarkcontrasttotheirparticipationintheseareasatthenongovernmentallevel.40.2 .2Theinclusionofacriticalmassofwomenininternationalnegotiations,peacekeepingactivities,alllevelsofpreventivediplomacy,mediation,humanitarianassistance,socialreconciliation,peacenegotiationsandtheinternationalcriminaljusticesystemwillmakeadifference.Inaddressingarmedorotherconflicts,agenderperspectiveandanalysisisnecessarytounderstandtheirdifferingeffectsonwomenandmen.10Recommendations2 .2Articles7and841.2 .2StatespartiesshouldensurethattheirconstitutionsandlegislationcomplywiththeprinciplesoftheConvention,andinparticularwitharticles7and8.42.2 .2Statespartiesareunderanobligationtotakeallappropriatemeasures,includingtheenactmentofappropriatelegislationthatcomplieswiththeirConstitution,toensurethatorganizationssuchaspoliticalpartiesandtradeunions,whichmaynotbesubjectdirectlytoobligationsundertheConvention,donotdiscriminateagainstwomenandrespecttheprinciplescontainedinarticles7and8.43.2 .2Statespartiesshouldidentifyandimplementtemporaryspecialmeasurestoensuretheequalrepresentationofwomeninallfieldscoveredbyarticles7and8.44.2 .2Statespartiesshouldexplainthereasonfor,andeffectof,anyreservationstoarticles7or8andindicatewherethereservationsreflecttraditional,customaryorstereotypedattitudestowardswomen'srolesinsociety,aswellasthestepsbeingtakenbytheStatespartiestochangethoseattitudes.Statespartiesshouldkeepthenecessityforsuchreservationsunderclosereviewandintheirreportsincludeatimetablefortheirremoval.2 .2Article745.2 .2Measuresthatshouldbeidentified,implementedandmonitoredforeffectivenessinclude,underarticle7,paragraph(a),thosedesigned:2 .2(a) .Toachieveabalancebetweenwomenandmenholdingpubliclyelectedpositions;2 .2(b) .Toensurethatwomenunderstandtheirrighttovote,theimportanceofthisrightandhowtoexerciseit;2 .2(c) .Toensurethatbarrierstoequalityareovercome,includingthoseresultingfromilliteracy,language,povertyandimpedimentstowomen'sfreedomofmovement;2 .2(d) .Toassistwomenexperiencingsuchdisadvantagestoexercisetheirrighttovoteandtobeelected.46.2 .2Underarticle7,paragraph(b),suchmeasuresincludethosedesignedtoensure:2 .2(a) .Equalityofrepresentationofwomenintheformulationofgovernmentpolicy;2 .2(b) .Women'senjoymentinpracticeoftheequalrighttoholdpublicoffice;2 .2(c) .Recruitingprocessesdirectedatwomenthatareopenandsubjecttoappeal.47.2 .2Underarticle7,paragraph(c),suchmeasuresincludethosedesigned:2 .2(a) .Toensurethateffectivelegislationisenactedprohibitingdiscriminationagainstwomen;2 .2(b) .Toencouragenon-governmentalorganizationsandpublicandpoliticalassociationstoadoptstrategiesthatencouragewomen'srepresentationandparticipationintheirwork.48.2 .2Whenreportingunderarticle7,Statespartiesshould:2 .2(a) .Describethelegalprovisionsthatgiveeffecttotherightscontainedinarticle7;2 .2(b) .Providedetailsofanyrestrictionstothoserights,whetherarisingfromlegalprovisionsorfromtraditional,religiousorculturalpractices;̇2 .2(c) .Describethemeasuresintroducedanddesignedtoovercomebarrierstotheexerciseofthoserights;2 .2(d) .Includestatisticaldata,disaggregatedbysex,showingthepercentageofwomenrelativetomenwhoenjoythoserights;2 .2(e) .Describethetypesofpolicyformulation,includingthatassociatedwithdevelopmentprogrammes,inwhichwomenparticipateandthelevelandextentoftheirparticipation;2 .2(f) .Underarticle7,paragraph(c),describetheextenttowhichwomenparticipateinnon-governmentalorganizationsintheircountries,includinginwomen'sorganizations;2 .2(g) .AnalysetheextenttowhichtheStatepartyensuresthatthoseorganizationsareconsultedandtheimpactoftheiradviceonalllevelsofgovernmentpolicyformulationandimplementation;2 .2(h) .Provideinformationconcerning,andanalysefactorscontributingto,theunder-representationofwomenasmembersandofficialsofpoliticalparties,tradeunions,employersorganizationsandprofessionalassociations.2 .2Article849.2 .2Measureswhichshouldbeidentified,implementedandmonitoredforeffectivenessincludethosedesignedtoensureabettergenderbalanceinthemembershipofallUnitedNationsbodies,includingtheMainCommitteesoftheGeneralAssembly,theEconomicandSocialCouncilandexpertbodies,includingtreatybodies,andinappointmentstoindependentworkinggroupsorascountryorspecialrapporteurs.50.2 .2Whenreportingunderarticle8,Statespartiesshould:2 .2(a) .Providestatistics,disaggregatedbysex,showingthepercentageofwomenintheirforeignserviceorregularlyengagedininternationalrepresentationorinworkonbehalfoftheState,includingmembershipingovernmentdelegationstointernationalconferencesandnominationsforpeacekeepingorconflictresolutionroles,andtheirseniorityintherelevantsector;2 .2(b) .Describeeffortstoestablishobjectivecriteriaandprocessesfortheappointmentandpromotionofwomentorelevantpositionsandofficialdelegations;2 .2(c) .DescribestepstakentodisseminatewidelyinformationontheGovernment'sinternationalcommitmentsaffectingwomenandofficialdocumentsissuedbymultilateralforums,inparticular,tobothgovernmentalandnon-governmentalbodiesresponsiblefortheadvancementofwomen;2 .2(d) .Provideinformationconcerningdiscriminationagainstwomenbecauseoftheirpoliticalactivities,whetherasindividualsorasmembersofwomen'sorotherorganizations.&  @ .B.Decisions  * t   ׈@ .Decision17/I.Timelimitforsubmissionofadditionalinformation2 .2TheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomendecidedthat'  StatespartiespresentingreportsattheJanuarysessioninanyyearshouldsubmitanyadditionalinformation,includinganyadditionalreports,priorto15Septemberofthepreviousyear.InthecaseoftheJulysession,theCommitteedecidedthatadditionalinformationshouldbesubmittedby30Marchofthatyear.@ .Decision17/II.Numberofreportstobeconsideredateachsession2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthemaximumnumberofreportstobeconsideredateachsessionwillnormallybeeight,drawnfromaproposedlistofuptotencountries.@ .Notes2 .21GeneralAssemblyresolution217A(III).2 .22GeneralAssemblyresolution2200A(XXI),annex.2 .23GeneralAssemblyresolution640(VII).2 .24ReportoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,Vienna,1425June1993(A/CONF.157/24(PartI)),chap.III.2 .25ReportoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Beijing,4-15September1995(UnitedNationspublication,SalesNo.E.96.IV.13),chap.I,resolution1,annexI.2 .26SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortythirdSession,SupplementNo.38(A/43/38),chap.V.2 .27OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FiftyfirstSession,SupplementNo.40(A/51/40),annexV.2 .2896/694/EC,Brussels,2December1996.2 .29EuropeanCommissiondocumentV/1206/96EN(March1996).2 .210Seepara.141ofthePlatformforActionadoptedbytheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,heldatBeijingfrom4to15September1995(ReportoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,chap.I,resolution1,annexII).Seealsopara.134,whichreadsinpart:"Theequalaccessandfullparticipationofwomeninpowerstructuresandtheirfullinvolvementinalleffortsforthepreventionandresolutionofconflictsareessentialforthemaintenanceandpromotionofpeaceandsecurity."u@ . II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@ .. A.StatespartiestotheConventionontheElimination@ .. ofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen󀀀1.2 .2On25July1997,theclosingdateoftheseventeenthsessionoftheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomen,therewere160StatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,whichwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinitsresolution34/180of18December1979andopenedforsignature,ratificationandaccessioninNewYorkinMarch1980.Inaccordancewitharticle27,theConventionenteredintoforceon3September1981.2.2 .2AlistofStatespartiestotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@ .B.Openingofthesession3.2 .2TheCommitteehelditsseventeenthsessionatUnitedNationsHeadquartersfrom7to25July1997.TheCommitteeheld26plenarymeetings(334thto359th),itstwoworkinggroupseachheldtwomeetings,andsubgroupofWorkingGroupIalsoheldtwomeetings.4.2 .2ThesessionwasopenedbytheChairpersonoftheCommittee,Ms.SalmaKhan(Bangladesh),whohadbeenelectedatthesixteenthsessionoftheCommitteeinJanuary1997.5.2 .2AddressingtheCommitteeonbehalfoftheSecretaryGeneralandtheAssistantSecretaryGeneralandSpecialAdviseronGenderIssuesandtheAdvancementofWomen,theDeputyDirectoroftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenstatedthattheseventeenthsessionoftheCommitteewasanhistoricoccasionasitwasthefirsttimethattheCommitteewasmeetingforasecondsessioninoneyear.6.2 .2ShenotedthattheGeneralAssembly'sapprovalofthesecondsessionwasaninterimmeasurependingtheacceptancebytwothirdsoftheStatespartiestotheConventionoftheamendmenttoarticle20,paragraph1.Thusfar,14Statespartieshadacceptedtheamendment.SheaddedthatsincethesixteenthsessionoftheCommittee,fivemorecountrieshadbecomeStatespartiestotheConvention,namely,Kyrgyzstanon10February1997,Switzerlandon27March1997,Mozambiqueon16April1997,Lebanonon21April1997andTurkmenistanon1May1997.7.2 .2ShesaidthatsignificantprogresshadbeenmadetowardstheelaborationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,whichwouldprovidefortherighttopetitiontheCommittee.TheopenendedworkinggroupoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,whichhadmetforthefirsttimeduringthefortiethsessionoftheCommission,hadcontinueditsworkduringthefortyfirstsession,inMarch1997.ShestatedthattheworkinggrouphadconsideredadraftoptionalprotocolpreparedbyitsChairperson,Ms.AloisiaWrgetter(Austria),onthebasisoftheCommittee'ssuggestionnumber7andcommentsmadebyMemberStates.SheinformedtheCommitteethatthefirstreadingoftheChairperson'sdrafthadbeencompletedbytheworkinggroup,andthatthedraftwouldbebuiltuponwhentheCommissionmetin1998.TheCommissionhadagaininvitedarepresentativeoftheCommitteetoattendasaresourcepersonoftheopenendedworkinggroupwhenitmetduringthefortysecondandfortythirdsessionsoftheCommission,in1998and1999,respectively.8.2 .2TheDeputyDirectorinformedtheCommitteethattheCommissionatitsfortyfirstsessionhadmarkeditsfiftiethanniversary.Shenotedthat,atitsfortysecondsession,theCommissionwouldreviewfourcriticalareasofconcernoftheBeijingPlatformforActionadoptedbytheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,1whichincorporatedissuesofcentralimportancetotheCommittee,namely,violenceagainstwomen;womeninarmedconflict;humanrightsofwomen;andthegirlchild.AspartofthepreparationsfortheCommission'ssession,theDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomenwouldconveneexpertgroupmeetingsonthoseissues.ShestatedthattheDivisionwouldwelcomeinputsfromtheCommitteeonthesubstanceoftheexpertgroupmeetings.9.2 .2TheDeputyDirectorstatedthattheDivisionwasworkingcloselywithnon-governmentalorganizationstoprepareforthefiftiethanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsin1998andsuggestedthattheCommitteemightconsidermakingacontributiontotheobservationofthatanniversary.10.2 .2ShecommendedthepresessionworkinggroupoftheCommitteeonitsworkandsuggestedthattheCommitteemightwishtoconsiderfurtherwaysinwhichtheSecretariatcouldassisttheworkinggrouptofulfilitstask.ShealsosuggestedthattheCommitteemightwishtorevisitthequestionofthetimingofthepresessionworkinggroup.11.2 .2TheDeputyDirectorinformedtheCommitteethatsinceitslastsessiontheworkingmethodsofUnitedNationshumanrightstreatybodieshadbeensubjectedtoscrutinybyatleasttwoacademicconferences.ThefinalreportonenhancingtheirlongtermeffectivenesshadbeensubmittedtotheCommissiononHumanRightsatitsfiftythirdsessioninMarch1997.@ .0C.Attendance12.2 .2AllmembersoftheCommitteeattendedtheseventeenthsession,withtheexceptionofMs.HannaBeateSchppSchilling.Ms.TendaiRuthBareattendedfrom11to25July,Ms.MiriamEstradafrom10to25July,Ms.AnneLiseRyelandMs.GinkoSatofrom7to11JulyandMs.MervatTallawyon17and18July1997.13.2 .2AlistofthemembersoftheCommittee,indicatingthedurationoftheirtermsofoffice,appearsinannexIItothepresentreport.@ .D.Solemndeclaration14.2 .2Attheopeningoftheseventeenthsession,beforeassumingherfunctions,thereelectedmemberoftheCommittee,Ms.KongitSinegiorgis(Ethiopia),madethesolemndeclarationasprovidedforunderrule10oftherulesofprocedureoftheCommittee.@ . E.Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork15.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaandorganizationofwork(CEDAW/C/1997/II/1)atits334thmeeting,on7July1997.Beforeadoptingtheagenda,theCommitteeagreedwiththeproposalofitsBureautoconsidertherecentlyreceivedthirdreportofItalyonthebasisofanEnglishtextonly,notingthatitwoulddosoonanexceptionalbasis.Theagendaasadoptedwasasfollows:2 .21.0 .Openingofthesession.02 .22.0 .SolemndeclarationbythenewmemberoftheCommittee.02 .23.0 .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.02 .24.0 .ReportoftheChairpersononactivitiesundertakenbetweenthesixteenthandseventeenthsessionsoftheCommittee.02 .25.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.02 .26.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.02 .27.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.02 .28.0 .Provisionalagendafortheeighteenthsession.02 .29.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitsseventeenthsession.@ . F.Reportofthepresessionworkinggroup16.2 .2TheCommitteehaddecided,atitsninthsession,2toconveneapre-sessionworkinggroupforfivedaysbeforeeachsessiontopreparelistsofquestionsrelatingtosecondandsubsequentperiodicreportsthatwouldbeconsideredbytheCommitteeatthesession.17.2 .2Thefollowingthreemembers,representingdifferentregionalgroups,participatedintheworkinggroup:AuroraJavatedeDios(AsiaandthePacific),AyseFerideAcar(Europe)and .MiriamEstrada(LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean).Theworkinggroupcompleteditstaskinfourdays,thefifthdaybeingaholiday.18.2 .2TheworkinggrouppreparedlistsofissuesandquestionsrelatingtothereportsoffourStatesparties,namely,Argentina,Australia,BangladeshandItaly.19.2 .2Atthe342ndmeeting,on11July1997,theChairpersonofthepresessionworkinggroupintroducedthereportofthegroup(CEDAW/C/1997/II/CRP.1andAdd.14).@ . G.Compositionandorganizationofworkof@ . theworkinggroups󀀀20.2 .2Atits335thmeeting,on7July1997,theCommitteeagreedonthecompositionofitstwostandingworkinggroups:WorkingGroupI,toconsiderwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee,andWorkingGroupII,toconsiderwaysandmeansofimplementingarticle21oftheConvention.Asub-groupofWorkingGroupIwasestablishedtoreviewthedraftrevisedrulesofprocedureoftheCommittee.21.2 .2WorkingGroupIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:AyseFerideAcar,EmnaAouij,DesireeBernard,SilviaCartwright,IvankaCorti,YolandaFerrerG;mez,AdaGonzlez,AuroraJavatedeDios,SalmaKhan,Yung-ChungKim,LinShangzhen,AhouaOuedraogo,AnneLiseRyel,GinkoSato,CarmelShalevandKongitSinegiorgis.ThesubgrouptoreviewthereviseddraftrulesofprocedurecomprisedDesireeBernard,SilviaCartwright,IvankaCorti,AdaGonzlezandKongitSinegiorgis.v22.2 .2WorkingGroupIIwascomposedofthefollowingmembersoftheCommittee:CharlotteAbaka,CarlotaBustelo,SilviaCartwright,AdaGonzlez,SunaryatiHartono,LinShangzhen,AhouaOuedraogoandCarmelShalev.23.2 .2ThespecificissuesaddressedbyWorkingGroupsIandIIwerethefollowing:2 .2(a) .WorkingGroupI.Overduereportsandwithdrawalofreportsandotherpractices;draftguidelinesonconcludingcomments;reportoftheindependentexpertontheeffectivefunctioningofbodiesestablishedpursuanttoUnitedNationshumanrightsinstruments;methodsofworkandtimingofthepresessionworkinggroup;relationswiththeSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomenandotherrapporteurs;seminarstobedevelopedbytheCommittee;andreportstobeconsideredatthenineteenthandtwentiethsessionsoftheCommittee;2 .2(b)WorkingGroupII.Methodofformulationofgeneralrecommendationsandlongtermprogrammeofworkinthisregard(thatis,articlestobethefocusofgeneralrecommendations);relationswithspecializedagencies;possiblecontributionoftheCommitteetothecelebrationofthefiftiethanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,forexample,statementfortheCommissiononHumanRights;andbriefingfortheresourcepersonontheworkinggroupontheoptionalprotocol.@ .Notes2 .21ReportoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Beijing,4-15September1995(UnitedNationspublication,SalesNo.E.96.IV.13),chap.I,resolution1,annexII.2 .22OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyfifthSession,SupplementNo.38andcorrigendum(A/45/38andCorr.1),paras.2831.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(w882   @ .Z III.REPORTOFTHECHAIRPERSONONTHEACTIVITIES@ . UNDERTAKENBETWEENTHESIXTEENTHAND@ . SEVENTEENTHSESSIONSOFTHECOMMITTEE24.2 .2TheChairpersonoftheCommitteenotedthatmostofheractivitiesbetweenthesixteenthandseventeenthsessionsoftheCommitteehadconsistedofparticipatinginseminarsontheConventionorganizedbynon-governmentalorganizations.TheonlyUnitedNationsmeetingshehadattendedwastheforty-firstsessionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,whichwasofparticularimportancebecausetheopen-endedworkinggroupoftheCommissionontheelaborationofadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConventionhadmetduringthesession.25.2 .2TheChairpersoninformedtheCommitteethat,throughoutitsmeetings,theopen-endedworkinggrouphadbeenappreciativeofcommentsandrepliestoquestionsbyMs.SilviaCartwright,whohadparticipatedasaresourcepersononbehalfoftheCommittee.26.2 .2TheChairpersonstatedthattheCommitteehadnotbeendirectlyrepresentedatthefiftythirdsessionoftheCommissiononHumanRights,butthatMs.IvankaCortihadattendedinhercapacityasChairpersonofthemeetingofpersonschairinghumanrightstreatybodies.TheChairpersonsuggestedthatinthefuturetheCommitteeshouldberepresentedindependently.27.2 .2TheChairpersondescribedthevariousmeetingsofnon-governmentalorganizationsinwhichshehadparticipated.From8to10April1997,shehadattendedaninternationalroundtableheldatAmman,onequalopportunitiesforwomen:aquestionofrightsandhumanity,convenedbytheLondon-basedRightsandHumanityGroup.On8and9May,shehadattendedaroundtableatNewDelhionUnitedNationsreforms,goodgovernanceandcivilsociety,organizedjointlybytheCommissiononGlobalGovernance,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentFundforWomenandWomen'sFeatureServices.From23to28February,shehadvisitedtheIslamicRepublicofIranattheinvitationoftheGovernmentandhadaddressedtheWomen'sSolidarityAssociationoftheIslamicRepublicofIranontheConventionandtheroleandresponsibilityoftheCommitteeandStatespartiestotheConventioninrelationtothehumanandsocialrightsofwomen.ShehadvisitedSouthAfricafrom25to31May,attheinvitationoftheNationalInstituteforPublicInterestLawsandResearch,sharingherexperiencesoftraininginherowncountrywithrespecttotheCommittee,andgivingbriefingsontheworkingproceduresoftheCommittee.28.2 .2TheChairpersonremindedmembersthattheCommitteehadadoptedgeneralrecommendation23onarticles7and8atitssixteenthsession.ShepointedoutthatvariousmembersoftheCommitteehadsuggestedthatnewprocedureswerenecessaryfortheadoptionofgeneralrecommendations,aswasthedevelopmentbytheCommitteeofalong-termprogrammeofworkforgeneralrecommendations.SheinformedtheCommitteethatMs.CarmelShalevhadproposedthattheCommitteebeginworkonageneralrecommendationonarticle12relatingtowomen'shealth.29.2 .2TheChairpersonrecalledthattheCommitteehaddecidedatitssixteenthsessiontocontinuethereviewofitsrulesofprocedureattheseventeenthsession.30.2 .2Ms.Cartwright,therepresentativeoftheCommitteeasresourcepersontotheopen-endedworkinggroupoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomenontheelaborationofadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,notedthatsupportfortheproposedoptionalprotocol,whichwouldprovidefortherighttopetitiontheCommittee,hadgainedmomentumsince1996.Shehadnotedbroadsupportfortheinclusionofaninquiryprocedureintheprotocol.Ms.Cartwrightindicatedthatmajorissuesremainedtobeconsideredbytheworkinggroup,includingthequestionofwhoshouldbeentitledtolodgecomplaintswiththeCommitteeunderanyprotocolandtheresourceimplicationsofanyprotocol.Shesuggestedthattheworkunderanyoptionalprotocolshouldbeconductedbyadesignatedsub-groupofCommitteeexpertsandthattheCommitteebegintoconsiderworkingmethodsandproceduresthatwouldbeemployedwhentheprotocolenteredintoforce.Ms.CartwrightrequestedtheSecretariattoprovidetheCommitteewithareportrelatingtotheproceduresoftheHumanRightsCommittee,theCommitteeontheEliminationofRacialDiscriminationandtheCommitteeagainstTorturewithregardtotheircommunicationsproceduresandsuggestedthattheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomenconsiderappropriateproceduresforanoptionalprotocolatitsnineteenthsession.31.2 .2Ms.Cortistatedthatshehadattendedthefifty-thirdsessionoftheCommissiononHumanRightsinhercapacityofchairpersonofthemeetingofpersonschairinghumanrightstreatybodies.Shehadalsoattendedthethirdmeetingofthespecialrapporteurs/representatives/expertsandchairpersonsofworkinggroupsofthespecialproceduresoftheCommissiononHumanRightsandoftheadvisoryservicesprogrammeinMay1996,inthesamecapacity.Ms.Cortiunderlinedtheimportanceofthetreatybodies,andparticularlytheCommittee,withinthehumanrightsframeworkandsuggestedthattheCommissiononHumanRightsshouldgivemoreprominencetotheroleofthesebodies.ShealsosuggestedthattheCommitteeshouldfurtherdevelopitslinkswiththeCentreforHumanRightsandtakestepstodevelopacloserrelationshipwiththeSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomen,itscausesandconsequences.@ . IV.CONSIDERATIONOFREPORTSSUBMITTEDBYSTATES@ . PARTIESUNDERARTICLE18OFTHECONVENTION@ .A.Introduction32.2 .2Atitsseventeenthsession,theCommitteeconsideredthereportssubmittedbynineStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConvention:twoinitialreports,twocombinedinitialandsecondperiodicreports,andonecombinedinitial,secondandthirdreports;twocombinedsecondandthirdperiodicreports;onethirdperiodicreport;andonecombinedthirdandfourthperiodicreport.33.2 .2Asdecidedatitsthirteenthsession,in1994,theCommitteepreparedconcludingcommentsoneachreportconsidered.34.2 .2TheCommittee'sconcludingcommentsonthereportsofStatesparties,aspreparedrespectivelybythemembersoftheCommittee,andasummaryoftheintroductorypresentationsbytherepresentativesoftheStatespartiesareprovidedbelow.ThesummaryrecordsprovidemoredetailedinformationontheCommittee'sconsiderationofthereportsoftheStatesparties.@ . B.ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties@ .61.Initialreports@ .Armenia35.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofArmenia(CEDAW/C/ARM/1andCorr.1)atits344th,345thand349thmeetings,on14and16July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.344,345and349).36.2 .2TherepresentativeofArmeniaemphasizedthat,afterthedeclarationofindependencein1991,Armeniahadbeguntheimplementationofeconomicandpoliticalreforms.Theprocessoftransitiontoamarketeconomyhadbeenaffectedbytheblockadeofthemaintransportationroutes,asevereenergycrisisandthedamageinflictedbythedevastatingearthquakeof1988.Despitesocialandeconomicdifficulties,theGovernmentofArmeniaattachedgreatimportancetotheinternationalhumanrightstreaties,includingtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,towhichithadaccededin1993withoutreservations.TosecurethesufficientimplementationoftheConvention,theGovernmenthadstartedtocarryoutlegalreformsaimedatadjustingexistinglegislationtointernationalnormsandstandardsspecifiedinthatinstrument.TheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenhadmarkedaturningpointforwomen'srightsinArmenia.37.2 .2TherepresentativenotedthattheinitialreporthadbeensubmittedtotheSecretariatin1995.Thereporthadbeenpreparedduringtheperiodofeconomicandpoliticalrestructuringandtheblockadeongoods,servicesandenergyimposedbyAzerbaijanandTurkeyandinasituationofcontinuingconflictbetweenNagornyKarabakhandAzerbaijan.38.2 .2ThereporthadbeenpreparedincooperationwiththeMinistryofJustice,theMinistryofSocialAffairs,theMinistryofHealthandappropriatecommissionsoftheNationalAssembly.Thecorrigendum,dated11February1997,replacedpartoftheoriginalreportandreflectedchangesresultingfromtheadoptionoftheConstitutionin1995,developmentsinthelegalframeworkandactualconditionsforArmenianwomen.39.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattherewasnospecialinstitutionresponsiblefortheprotectionofwomen'srights.TheMinistryforSocialSecurityandtheCentreforDemocracyandHumanRightswerethemaininstitutionscurrentlyresponsibleforwomen'sissuesinthecountry.40.2 .2TherepresentativeofArmeniaoutlinedthepolitical,economicandlegalsituationinArmeniaanditsimpactonthestatusofwomen.HestatedthatthenewConstitutionunderlinedtheprincipleofequalityofhumanrightsofwomenandmen.Legally,womenenjoyedfullguaranteesagainstdiscriminationbutthedifficultsocioeconomicsituationinthecountryhadnotalwaysallowedtheirfullimplementation.Thatsituation,whichhadresultedinadrasticdeclineinthestandardofliving,anincreaseintheunemploymentrateandimpoverishment,hadaffectedwomenmorethanmen.Hence,theParliamenthadadoptedin1991aresolutiononurgentmeasuresfortheprotectionofwomen,maternityandchildhoodandthestrengtheningofthefamily,whichgrantedsupplementaryrightstowomenandmothers,especiallysinglemothers,intheareasofworkandsocialsecurity.Anationalprogrammeofactionhadbeenlaunched,interalia,todisseminatelawsonprotectionofwomen'srightsandtoestablishinformationandlegalcounsellingservices.41.2 .2InArmenia,amajorityofwomenhadachievedahighlevelofeducationandoftenoutnumberedmenintheareaofhighereducation.However,womenaccountedforahigherlevelofunemploymentthanmenandoccupiedfewpositionsatalllevelsofdecision-making.Womeninthelabourmarketwereusuallyconcentratedintraditionalfemaleoccupations.Inspiteofthelowrepresentationofwomeningovernmentalpositions,theywereactiveinsocialandeconomiclife.Duringrecentyears,morethan30women'sorganizationshademergedinthecountryandcoveredawidespectrumofissues,includingthepreparationofwomenforleadershiprolesinsocietyandtheprotectionoftheirrights.42.2 .2Withregardtowomen'sreproductivehealth,therepresentativenotedthatwomenhadtherighttoabortionuntilthefourteenthweekofpregnancy.Hestated,however,thatinrealityabortionwastheprimarymethodofbirthcontrolinArmeniaandtherewasalackoffamilyplanningservices.TheGovernmentwastakingmeasurestodisseminateinformationaboutcontraceptivesandtoimprovetheiravailability.43.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthattheGovernmentofArmeniawasparticularlyconcernedaboutthelargenumberofrefugeesinthecountry,withwomenconstitutingthemajority,andwasimplementingawidesetofmeasuresaimedattheirintegrationintosocialandeconomiclife.44.2 .2TherepresentativeconcludedbystatingthattheGovernmentofArmeniarecognizedthatmuchremainedtobedonetoachievefullequalitybetweenwomenandmen.HeassuredtheCommitteeofthewillingnessoftheGovernmenttocontinuetotakeallthenecessarymeasurestoimplementtheprinciplesoftheConvention.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction45.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthepresentationbytheGovernmentofArmeniaandcommendeditonitsratificationoftheConventionwithoutreservationssosoonafterindependencein1991andonthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreport,whichcontaineddetailedinformationabouttheimplementationoftheConventioninaccordancewiththeCommittee'sguidelines.ItexpresseditsappreciationofthewillingnessoftherepresentativesofArmeniatoengageinanopen,candidconstructivedialoguewiththeCommittee.2 .2Positiveaspects46.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentonitsefforttocarryoutreformofitslawssoastoalignthemwiththestandardsofinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,includingtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.47.2 .2ItnotedwithsatisfactiontheincorporationoftheConventionindomesticlaw,anditsprecedenceoverconflictingnationallegislation.TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthattheGovernmenthadtranslatedtheConventionintoArmeniananddisseminateditwidely.48.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgedfavourablytheGovernment'sintentiontointroduceafundamentallegalreformwithintheongoingrevisionofthecriminalcode,inrespectofviolenceagainstwomenandtheirsexualexploitationthroughprostitutionandtrafficking.49.2 .2TheCommitteeobservedwithsatisfactiontheexceptionallyhighlevelofliteracyandeducationinArmenia,inparticularamongwomen.50.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentonitsidentificationoffourpriorityareasofconcerninrelationtowomen'shealth,andonitsprogrammetoestablishasystemoffamilyplanningservicesandtoprovidecontraceptivestowomenfreeofcharge.&  2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention51.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthattheimmediateeffectofthecompetitivepoliticsintroducedasaresultofdemocratizationinArmeniahadbeenadverseto'  thepositionofwomen.Thiswasreflectedintheirdramaticlossofrepresentationatalllevelsofdecision-making.52.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedthattheprocessoftransitiontoamarketeconomyappearedtohaveresultedintheeconomicmarginalizationofwomen,exacerbatedbytheeconomictollofthe1988earthquake,andthearmedconflictaroundNagornyKarabakh.53.2 .2TheCommitteenotedculturalstereotypeswhichoveremphasizedthetraditionalroleofwomenasmothersinaprotectiveandrestrictiveway.2 .2Principalareasofconcern54.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedandreiterateditsgravestconcernabouttheabsenceofaspecificnationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomenandtheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomen.55.2 .2TheCommitteewasextremelyconcernedthattheGovernmentofArmeniahaduntilnowfailedtoacknowledgeandaddressthematterofviolenceagainstwomen,whichappearedtobeasubjectoftabooinArmeniansociety,althoughthereweremanyindicatorsofitbeingasseriousaproblemasinothersocieties.̇56.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoextremelyconcernedaboutthehighrateofunemployment(over60percentaccordingtothereport),theoccupationalsegregationofwomeninlow-payingsectorsandthesmallnumberofwomeninpositionsattheseniormanagementlevel.57.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthefactthattherewerenopoliciesandprogrammesinplacetoguaranteesecurityandsocialbenefitstowomenwhoworkedintheinformalsector.58.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithconcernthepaternalisticrestrictionsimposedbythelabourlaws,whichwereaimedatprotectingmaternityandresultedinthelegallimitationofwomen'semploymentopportunitiesandchoices.59.2 .2Similarly,theCommitteewasconcernedabouttheGovernment'sreportofincreasingprostitution,especiallyinrelationtothelimitedeconomicoptionsforwomeninArmenia.TheCommitteenotedthelackofaccessofwomenengaginginprostitutiontoappropriatehealthservices,includingforthepreventionandcareofHIV/AIDS.60.2 .2Astothesubjectofwomen'shealth,theCommitteeexpresseditsdeepconcernwithregardtotheGovernment'splantoconsiderproposalsforprivatizationofthehealthsystem.TheCommitteeemphasizedtheadverseeffectsforwomenandothervulnerablegroupsofprivatizationinthehealtharea,eveninhighlydevelopedcountries.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations61.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheGovernmentofArmeniatoestablishanationalmachineryfortheadvancementofwomen,fullystaffedandresourced,soastointegratetheperspectiveofwomen'shumanrightsandgenderanalysisintoallongoingpolicymakingandstrategicdevelopmentplanningactivities.62.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmenttaketemporaryspecialmeasurestocreateemploymentopportunitiesforwomen,includingspecialcreditandloanprogrammesforwomenentrepreneurs.63.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattemporaryspecialmeasuresbeadoptedtoremedytheseveredecreaseinthepoliticalrepresentationofwomensinceindependence,andtoincreasetheirparticipationinallareasofpubliclife.64.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecommendedthattheGovernmentgivedueattentiontothesubjectofviolenceagainstwomen,byencouragingapublicdiscussionofitsvariousforms,initiatingappropriatelegislation,traininglawenforcementofficers,judgesandhealthprofessionals,includingadequatenumbersoffemalepersonnel,toidentify,manageandeliminatethemanifestationsofviolenceagainstwomen,andbyguaranteeingthatthenecessarypsycho-socialandhealthservicesareavailabletovictimsofviolence,withparticularattentiontointernallydisplacedandrefugeewomen.65.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheGovernmenttousetheeducationsystemandtheelectronicmediatocombatthetraditionalstereotypeofwomen"inthenobleroleofmother"andtoraiseawarenessoftheroleofmenincaringandtheirresponsibilityforparenting.66.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattherewasastrongneedtocollectinformationandsexdisaggregateddatainallareas,inparticularasregardsviolenceagainstwomen,prostitutionandhealth.67.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatintheplanningandimplementationofprivatizationpoliciesandprogrammestheGovernmentofArmeniashouldensurethatitfulfilleditssocialresponsibilitiesandobligationsunderinternationalhumanrightslawsothatitspoliciesandprogrammeswouldnotdeprivewomenandothervulnerablegroupsofenjoymentoftheirhumanrights,especiallyintheareaofhealth.68.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttoaddresstheconcernsincludedinthepresentcommentsinitsnextreport,andtoincludeinformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations,particularlygeneralrecommendation19onviolenceagainstwomen.ItalsorequestedthewidedisseminationofthesecommentsthroughoutArmenia.@ .Namibia69.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofNamibia(CEDAW/C/NAM/1)atits336th,337thand342ndmeetings,on8and11July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.336,337and342).70.2 .2ThereportwasintroducedbytheDirector-GeneralofNamibia'sDepartmentofWomenAffairsintheOfficeofthePresident.SherecountedthatNamibiahadaccededtotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,withoutreservations,on23November1992,withintwoyearsofgainingitsindependence.TheConventionhadservedasacomplementtoaConstitutiondesignedtopromotetherightsofwomen.71.2 .2TheDepartmentofWomenAffairshadbeenestablishedshortlyafterindependencein1990.Itsaimwastoensuretheintegrationofwomenintotheoveralldevelopmentprocess,toguidepolicyformulation,tomonitoritsimplementationandtoseethatthegendercomponentwasalwaystakenintoaccount.TheDepartmentactivelypublicizedtheConventionandencouragedwomentoasserttheirrights.TherepresentativeexplainedthatallgovernmentpoliciesandprogrammesinNamibiawouldbeguidedbyamoreintegratedgenderpolicytobefinalizedin1997.72.2 .2SheexplainedthatNamibia'sinitialreportdescribedninegender-sectoralcommitteescomprisingrepresentativesofgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationswhowereconsultedintheimplementationofnationalprogrammestoensurethatallgovernmentpoliciesandprogrammesweregender-sensitive.73.2 .2Theinitialreport,whichhadbeensubmittedtotheSecretariatin1996,coveredtheperiodfrom1992to1995.Therepresentativesummarizedthereportandsuppliedfurtherinformationupto1997,therebygivinganup-to-datesummaryofthesituationinNamibia.ShehighlightedtheMarriedPersonsEqualityAct,whichhadbeenpassedsincethesubmissionofthereport,andwhichprovidedforequalitybetweenspousesinfinancialtransactions,maritalpropertyandguardianshipofchildren.74.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedthattheDepartmentofWomenAffairswasintheprocessofformulatinganationalgenderpolicy,andthattheLawReformandDevelopmentCommissionhadresponsibilityforguidinglawreform,whichwouldremoveallexistinglegaldiscriminationagainstwomen.ViolenceagainstwomenandchildrenhademergedasoneofthegreatestchallengestotheadvancementofwomeninNamibia,andwasperceivedtobeawidespreadandseriousproblemdespitealackofcurrentstatisticalinformation.Legislationwascurrentlybeingenactedtoaddressviolenceagainstwomen.Reportsofrapeandattemptedrapewereincreasingannually,andtherewerecallsforlawreforminthatarea,asthecurrentlawremaineddiscriminatoryinsomeareasandwasconsideredineffective.75.2 .2Religiousbeliefs,culturalpracticesandremaininginequitiesundergeneralandcustomarylawswerefactorsthatcontinuedtoallowmentodominatewomeninthefamilycontext.Sexualstereotypingofwomenasmothershadledtodifficultiesformanywomeninchoosingcareerpathsotherthanmotherhood.RegionalgenderworkshopsorganizedbytheGovernmentwerebeingusedtocombatsexualstereotyping.76.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthattherehadbeenaslightimprovementintheproportionofwomeninpoliticalpositions,andthattheimpactofwomeninParliamentwouldbestrengthenedbytheParliamentaryWomen'sCaucus.Sheemphasizedthattheimplementationofaffirmativeactionwouldservetoattracttheparticipationofmorewomeninpolitics.Womenstilltendedtobeunderrepresentedinseniorpositionsinbothgovernmentandtheprivatesector.Namibia'sfirstwomanjudgehadbeenappointedsincetheinitialreportwascompleted,andthepostofOmbudsmanwasoccupiedbyawoman.77.2 .2TheNamibianConstitutionguaranteedtherightofeducationtoallpersons,andeducationwascompulsoryupto16yearsofage.Femaleenrolmenthadincreasedateveryagelevel,andtherehadbeenacorrespondingimprovementinfemaleliteracyamongyoungeragegroups.Teenagepregnancy,whichwascommon,wasthebiggestchallengetofemaleeducationaladvancement.Itwasamajorfactorintheschooldrop-outrateforgirls.78.2 .2Sexdiscriminationandsexualharassmentinthelaboursectorwereforbiddenbythe1992LabourAct.EqualpayforequalworkwasamandateoftheAct,althoughwomencurrentlyworkedinoccupationsthattendedtobeassociatedwithlowlevelsofremuneration.RuralwomenwerethelargestdemographicgroupinNamibia.79.2 .2Namibia'sfertilityratewasoneofthehighestintheworldandtheGovernmentcontinuedtobecommittedtoreducingthatratethroughpubliccampaignsandexpandedfamilyplanningservices.Abortionwasillegal,exceptincasesofincestandrapeandforreasonsofhealthofthemotherorbaby.LegalabortionsandinfanticideweresignificantproblemsinNamibia,butthelawonabortionandsterilizationwasunderdiscussion.Therewasalsoahighincidenceofpolygamyinsomecommunities.HIVandAIDSwereincreasingatanalarmingrate,especiallyamongwomen,asaresultoftheirlowsocialandeconomicstatus.80.2 .2WorkshopstoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforActionwerebeingheldnationally,andcommunityprogrammeswerebeingdeveloped.TheConventionandthePlatformforActionwereseenascomplementaryandofequalimportance,butshenotedthattheimplementationofbothwasaffectedbyalackoffunds.SheremindedtheCommitteethatNamibiahadmadeafirmcommitmentattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomentopayspecialattentioninfourareas:education,trainingandthegirlchild;womenandlaw;violenceagainstwomenandchildren;andhealth.81.2 .2TherepresentativeconcludedbystatingthatNamibiahadmadegreatstridesinimprovingthepositionofwomen,althoughitwouldtakemoretimetotransformNamibiaintoatrulygender-equalsociety.ThatwasarealizableobjectivebecauseofthewillingnessofNamibianwomentohavetheirvoicesheard,andtheprogressiverealizationoftheguaranteesintheConstitutionandtheConvention,andthepromisesofthePlatformforAction.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction82.2 .2TheCommitteethankedtheStatepartyforitsreport,whichwasbothwellstructuredandcontaineddetailedinformation.ItalsocomplimentedtheDirectorGeneraloftheDepartmentofWomenAffairsintheOfficeofthePresidentforherlucidandfrankpresentation.83.2 .2TheCommitteewassatisfiedwiththedetailedanalysisgiveninthereport,whichpresentedaclearandfrankpictureofthesituationofwomeninNamibia.84.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentofNamibiaforthepeacefultransitiontoanindependentStateandfordemonstratinggeneralrespectforthehumanrightsofallpeopleinNamibia.&  2 .2Positiveaspects85.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentofNamibiaforratifyingtheConventionwithoutreservationssosoonafteritssuccessfulandlongstruggle'  forindependence.86.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatnon-governmentalorganizationshadbeeninvolvedinthepreparationofthereport.87.2 .2TheestablishmentoftheDepartmentofWomenAffairsandtherecentupgradingoftheDepartmenttocabinetlevelwerealsocommendedbytheCommittee.TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheachievementsoftheDepartment.88.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheestablishmentoftheLawReformandDevelopmentCommissionandthelegalmeasuresthathadbeenputinplacefollowingtheratificationoftheConvention.Itnotedthattheyhadcontributedtotheimpressiveprogresstowardsgenderequality.89.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheMarriedPersonsEqualityActandlookedforwardtotheenactmentoftheproposedChildren'sAct.90.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthepositivedevelopmentsintheareaofwomenindecision-makingand,inparticular,theappointmentinDecember1996ofawomanasthefirstOmbudsman.91.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedNamibiafortheestablishmentofwomenandchildabusecentres.92.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheappointmentofthefirstwomanjudge.93.2 .2ItcommendedtheGovernmentforfocusingonaffirmativeactionasameansofclosingthegapingenderequality.94.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheestablishmentofninegender-sectoralcommitteesandcommendedtheprogrammeofsensitizationofparliamentariansandpublicofficerswithrespecttotheConvention.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention95.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatwomeninNamibiacontinuedtofacepersistentdiscriminationwhicharoseoutofsometraditionalandcustomarylaws.96.2 .2TheCommitteealsoidentifiedthegenerallackofknowledgerelatingtohumanandlegalrightsasanobstacletotheimplementationoftheConvention.97.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatpovertyafflictedthemajorityoftheNamibianpopulationandamajorityofthepoorwerewomen.Itconsideredthatwomen'spovertymadeitdifficultforthemtofulfiltheiraspirationsasguaranteedbytheConvention.2 .2Principalareasofconcern98.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernthatthereportdidnotaddresstheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations.99.2 .2TheCommitteeidentifiedasareasofconcernthelackofatime-frameintheimplementationofaffirmativeactionprogrammesandalsothelackofprogrammestosustaintheobjectivesandachievementsofthoseprogrammes.100.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedwiththelackofhumanrightseducation,aswellaseducationforlegalliteracy,andadvocacyprogrammestoachievedefactoequality.101.2 .2TheCommitteewasgreatlyconcernedabouttheprevalenceofdomesticviolenceandthepersistenceofcertaintraditionalpracticeswhichreinforcedstereotypedattitudesandstrengtheneddiscriminationagainstwomen.102.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthefactthatdespitenewlaws,women,inparticularthoseintheruralareas,wereunabletoownland.103.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthattheissueofmaternityleavewasdealtwithunderarticle4oftheConventionasitwasoftheviewthatsuchameasurewasnotameasureofaffirmativeaction.104.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthattheMarriedPersonsEqualityActdidnotsufficientlyaddressdiscriminationinthefamily.105.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernthatthehealthofprostituteswasnottakenintoaccountandthat,unlikeotherwomen,theydidnothaveaccesstohealthcare.106.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithseriousconcernthelowlevelofparticipationofwomeninhighereducationandthehighdrop-outrateofgirlsfromtheformaleducationsystem.107.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpressedconcernwithrespecttothecurrentinadequacyofthelawonrapeandotherformsofviolenceagainstwomen.108.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedthatpregnantteenagewomenwerepunishedbyexpulsionfromschool.̇109.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcerntheincidenceofdiscriminationagainstwomeninthelabourmarket.110.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheprevalenceofpolygamousmarriagesandthenonregistrationofcustomarymarriages.111.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutthehighnumberofillegalabortionsinNamibiaandthehighrateofmaternalmortality,andthefactthattheinadequacyoftheexistinglawonabortioncontributedtotheproblem.112.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseddissatisfactionwiththefactthatalthoughtheDirector-GeneraloftheDepartmentofWomenAffairshadbeenupgradedtocabinetlevelshedidnothavetherighttovoteintheCabinet.02 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations113.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheStatepartytoensurethattheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendationswereaddressedinNamibia'snextreporttotheCommittee.114.2 .2TheCommitteestressedthattheimplementationofaffirmativeactionmeasuresshouldhavetimeframesandshouldincludeeducationalandotherprogrammesthatwouldsustaintheobjectivesandachievementsofexistingaffirmativeactionprogrammes.115.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtheadoptionofanintegratedprogrammeforthefullimplementationoftheConvention.116.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentintensifyeducationalandadvocacyprogrammestoachievedefactoequalityanddesignandimplementprogrammesthatwouldredefinetherolesofwomenandmeninthefamily.117.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentintroduce,atalllevels,moreeducationalprogrammesonhumanrightsandlegalliteracyforwomen.118.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheDepartmentofWomenAffairsensurethatresearchwasdonetoidentifythecustomarylawsthatcontravenedtheletterandspiritoftheConventionandthatattemptsbemadetoreplacethoselaws.119.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentensuretheeffectivemonitoringoftheimplementationofallaffirmativeactionpoliciesandprogrammes.120.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmenttakeimmediateactiontocombatdomesticviolence.Thatshouldincludesuchlegalmeasuresasamendingthelawonrapeandextendingittoincludemaritalrape.TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattheStatecourtshavesolejurisdictionincasesofsexualviolence,andthatvictimsbegivenbetterprivacyandprotectionduringcourtproceedings.121.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceofmeasuressuchasimprovingtheeconomicempowermentofwomen,toreducetheirdependenceonmenandtheirvulnerabilitytodomesticviolence.TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattheGovernmentintroduceawarenessraisingprogrammesforhealthprofessionals,thepoliceandthejudiciarytoimprovetheirunderstandingoftheproblemthatviolenceposedforwomen.122.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentintroducemeasuresandprogrammes,includingaffirmativeaction,toincreasewomen'sparticipationatalllevelsofthejudiciary.123.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentshouldendeavourtobringaboutlegalchangewithregardtolandownershipbywomen,especiallyinruralareas.124.2 .2Recallingitsrecommendationscontainedingeneralrecommendation21inthisregard,theCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttoaddresstheissueofpolygamousmarriages.TheDepartmentofWomenAffairsshouldintroduceanintensiveprogrammetodiscouragepolygamy.125.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentensure,assoonasfeasible,theregistrationofallcustomarymarriages,soastoensurethatwomencouldenjoyallrightsthataccruedasaresultofmarriage.126.2 .2WhiletheCommitteerecognizedtheneedtosustaintraditionalcourts,iturgedtheGovernmenttoensurethatthosecourtscomplywiththeprinciplesoftheConventioninallrespects.127.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentofNamibiaadoptthenecessarymeasurestoreviewthelawscontainingpunitivemeasuresagainstwomenwhohadundergoneillegalabortions.128.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentcontinueitscollaborationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsinimplementingtheConventionandreportingunderit.129.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheStatepartytoencouragepoliticalpartiesinNamibiatoencouragetheparticipationofwomenandtotakeallappropriatemeasuresinthatregard.130.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttoaddressinitsnextreporttheconcernsincludedinthepresentcommentsandtoprovideinformationontheimplementationoftheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations.131.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthewidedisseminationinNamibiaoftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeNamibiansawareofthestepsthathavebeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO(  $(x882   @ .N 2.Initialandsecondperiodicreports@ .Israel132.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitialandsecondreportsofIsrael(CEDAW/C/ISR/12)atits350th,351stand353rdmeetings,on17and21July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.350,351and353).133.2 .2TherepresentativeofIsraelindicatedthathercountrysawthesigningandratificationoftheConventionasnaturalandimportantstepsinthegeneralprocessofensuringtheachievementofequalitybetweenwomenandmen.ShenotedthatIsraelattachedgreatimportancetotheprocessofreportingtotheCommitteeandconsideredthelattertobeavehicletoachievetheadvancementofwomen.134.2 .2TherepresentativeobservedthatthecompilationofthereporthadaffordedanopportunitytotakeacomprehensiveviewoftheachievementsinandtheobstaclestotheadvancementofwomeninIsrael.Ithadcreatedaninstitutionalawarenessofwomen'ssocialconcernsandneeds.Non-governmentalorganizationshadhadtheopportunitytoofferfeedbackonthereportandthishadledtoanewforumofongoingdialoguebetweengovernmentandcivilsociety.135.2 .2ShestatedthatIsraelplacedgreatimportanceonthesituationandstatusofwomeninsociety,andnotedthattheissueofwomen'sstatusinsocietyhadconstantlybeenonthenationalagenda.Aconstitutionalandnormativeinfrastructurehadbeenestablishedandacontinuousprocessofreviewandpassageoflegislationwastakingplacewithregardtothestatusofwomen.Implementationmechanismshadbeenestablishedanddevelopedaccordingtoneed.ShenotedthattheprocessappliedequallytoallwomeninIsraelJewishandArabalike.136.2 .2Therepresentativeelaboratedthetwoparametersinformingwomen'sstatus.Thefirstreflectedthebasicqualityofwomen'slives,andthesecondinvolvedtheevaluationofparticipationofwomeninpubliclife,theworkplace,wageequityandeducationalopportunities.137.2 .2ShenotedthatdiscriminationagainstwomenwasdefinedbyIsrael'slegalsysteminconformitywiththedefinitioncontainedinarticle1oftheConvention.Theprincipleofequalitywasunderstoodasbeingsubstantiveandnotmerelyformalandtookintoaccountdefactodiscriminationandtheimportanceofaffirmativeaction.138.2 .2LegislativedevelopmentshaddonemuchtoadvancethestatusofallwomeninIsraelandplayedanimportantroleineducatingtheyoungergenerationandthepublicingeneralconcerningthespecialnormsadoptedfortheadvancementofwomen.Theprocessofinstillingnormsandvaluesofgenderequalitywasanongoingone,andseveralimportantbillsinthisareawereatdifferentstagesofthelegislativeprocess.139.2 .2Therepresentativedescribedvariousgovernmentalinitiativestopromotetheadvancementofwomen.AmongthemweretheappointmentofthePrimeMinister'sAdviserontheStatusofWomen,andtheKnessetCommitteefortheAdvancementoftheStatusofWomen.140.2 .2Sheindicatedthateducationwasakeyfactorinanyrealandstablechangeofperceptionsandofgenderroles.Thereductionofilliteracyamongwomenwasencouragingandwomen'senrolmentinuniversitieswasgreaterthanthatofmen.Women'shealthwassteadilyimprovingamongallpopulationgroups.Women'sparticipationintheworkforcewasrelatedtoeducationallevelandfamilysituationbutwomenhadagreatertendencytoworkparttime.141.2 .2Sheexplainedthatthescopeofsocialandworkrelatedbenefitswasoneofthemostinfluentialfactorsaffectingwomen'seconomicstatusinIsrael.Maternityinsuranceandthesystemofalimonypaymentsbenefitedwomenpositively.Shenotedthatdespitethelackofsufficientdataontheeconomicsituationofsingleparentfamiliesheadedbywomen,legislationhadbeenenactedtoensuregeneroussupport.142.2 .2TherepresentativedescribedthesituationinIsraelwithregardtomarriage,ageofmarriage,cohabitation,childcustody,propertydistribution,selectionoffamilynamesandnewreproductivetechnologies.ShestatedthatmuchprogresshadbeenmadewithregardtogenderbasedviolenceinIsrael.Therehadbeenlegislativedevelopments,towhichtheworkofseveralinvestigativeandreformcommitteeshadcontributedextensively,aswellaspracticaldevelopments.143.2 .2TherewasalackofconcretedataandinformationontheissuesofprostitutionandexploitationofwomenandtheIsraelilegalframeworktookanabolitionistapproachtoprostitution.TherepresentativedrewtheCommittee'sattentiontothepositionofcertaingroupsofwomeninIsraelisociety,includingBedouinwomenandwomenimmigrantsfromtheformerSovietUnionandEthiopia.144.2 .2Shestatedthatsocialpatterns,genderrolesandstereotypingaffectedtheadvancementofwomeninanysociety.Women'sinvolvementinthemediawasanexampleofthis;thepositionofwomenvisvistheIsraelimediawasinconsistent.Althoughemploymentofwomeninthemediaandcoverageofcertainwomen'sissueswereincreasing,stereotypingofwomenassexobjectsandvictimscontinuedtosomeextent.145.2 .2Whiletherehadbeenlittleprogressintheadvancementofwomenatthenationalpoliticallevel,women'sparticipationinlocalpoliticswasmorepositive.Women'sparticipationattheseniorlevelsofgovernmentandthecivilservicehadshowngradualimprovementaswell.Followingenactmentoftherelevantlegislation,theintroductionofaffirmativeactionintotheboardsofdirectorsofgovernmentcompaniesandintothecivilservicehadcontributedsignificantlytotheadvancementofwomen.146.2 .2TherepresentativeconcludedbydrawingtheCommittee'sattentiontotheemploymentofwomeninthesecurityanddefenceforces.ThatparticipationhadreceivedextensiveattentionandbeenthesubjectofdebatebecauseoftheimportantsocialroleplayedbyarmyserviceinIsraelisociety.The"glassceiling"phenomenoncouldbeseeninthedefenceforces,withwomen'spromotiontaking,onaverage,ninemonthslongerthanthatofmen.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction147.2 .2TheCommitteethankedtheStatepartyforitsverycomprehensiveandfrankreport,whichdealtwithallthearticlesoftheConventionfromboththejuridicalandthesociologicalperspectives.ItalsoappreciatedthehighlevelofthedelegationandcomplimentedtherepresentativeoftheStatepartyforherlucidpresentation.148.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedthefactthatthereportwassubmittedontimeandfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines.149.2 .2TheCommitteewaspleasedthatnon-governmentalorganizationshadbeengivenanopportunitytoconsiderthereportandthattheywereabletosubmitsupplementaryreports.150.2 .2TheCommitteewasdisturbedthatallthequestionsputforwardbymemberstotherepresentativesofIsraelwerenotrespondedtointheGovernment'swrittenanswers.TheCommitteeisoftheviewthatresponsetoallthequestionswouldhaveclarifiedissuesandproblems.&  2 .2Positiveaspects151.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedthefactthatIsraelhaddevelopedprogressivelegislationaswellascomprehensiveprogrammesonviolenceagainstwomenandon'  equalemploymentopportunities.152.2 .2AlthoughequalitywasnotpartofthebasiclawofIsrael,theCommitteecommendedthefactthattheSupremeCourtcouldgiveeffecttotheprincipleofequalityinitsjudgements.153.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthatmostIsraeliwomenhadahighlevelofeducation,especiallyatthetertiarylevel.154.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheveryextensiveanalysisofwomeninthemediaandtheprogrammestoreorientsocietyagainststereotypicalimagesofwomen.155.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheexistenceofthecompulsoryNationalHealthInsuranceLawof1995,whichguaranteesuniversalaccesstohealthcareforallcommunities.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention156.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthatthefactthatnobasiclawembodiedtheprincipleofequalityorprohibiteddiscriminationhinderedtheimplementationoftheConvention.157.2 .2TheCommitteeregrettedthefactthatIsraelhadmaintaineditsreservationstoarticles7(b)and16oftheConvention.Italsoregrettedthefactthatwomencouldnotbecomereligiousjudgesandthatthereligiouslawsthattoaconsiderabledegreegovernfamilyrelationsdiscriminatedagainstwomen.158.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthatthepersistenceofconflictandviolencehinderedtheimplementationoftheConvention.Moreover,asaconsequenceoftheongoingconflict,muchpowerwasconcentratedinthearmedforces.Women,whowerenotrepresentedinseniorleadershipinthearmedforces,werediscriminatedagainstandtheirperspectiveonpeacekeepingandtheirnegotiatingskillswerenotutilized.2 .2Principalareasofconcern159.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthattheGovernmenthadnotformulatedanoverallplanormeasurestoimplementtheConventionandtheBeijingPlatformforAction.160.2 .2TheCommitteewasveryconcernedaboutthefactthattherewasnospecificgovernmentalmachineryresponsibleforpromotingandcoordinatingpoliciesforwomen.161.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatnon-JewishwomenhadworselivingconditionsthanJewishwomen.Theyreceivedalowerlevelofeducation,participatedlessinthegovernmentserviceandoccupiedlimiteddecisionmakingposts.162.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedbecausenon-Jewishwomenenjoyedpoorerhealth,resultinginveryhighmaternalandinfantmortalityrates.Therewerealsofeweremploymentopportunitiesavailabletothem.̇163.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutremaininginstancesofpolygamy,forcedmarriageandgenitalmutilation,aswellas"honourkillings".164.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthataverylowpercentageofwomenoccupiedpoliticaldecisionmakingpostsandthatthesituationhadbarelychangedovertheyears.165.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatamarkeddisparityexistedbetweentheaverageearningsofwomenandmeninmanysectorsandthatwomenwerealsodisproportionatelyrepresentedinparttimeemployment.166.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatmanymorewomenthanmenworkedintheinformalsectorandperformedunpaidwork,therebyprospectivelylimitingtheiraccesstobenefitsassociatedwiththeformalsector.167.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatthepublichealthsystemallocatedconsiderableresourcestoinvitrofertilization,yetcontraceptiveswerenotfreeofcharge.168.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatalargenumberofwomenwerearrestedforprostitution.TheCommitteewaslikewiseconcernedaboutthelargenumberofadvertisementsforsexservicesindailynewspapers,whichcontributedsignificantlytothespreadofprostitution.169.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedbecausedespitetheexistinglegislation,casesofviolenceagainstwomenstilloccurredfrequently,owinginlargemeasuretotraditionalideasoftherolesofwomenandnegativesocietalattitudestowardstheproblemofviolenceagainstwomen.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations170.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentofIsraelshouldensurethattheConventionwasimplementedthroughouttheterritoryunderitsjurisdiction.171.2 .2TheGovernmentortheparliamentshouldadoptanoverallplanfortheimplementationoftheConventionandtheBeijingPlatformforActionthroughspecificmeasuresandwithinadefinitetimeframe.172.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattherighttoequalityandtheprohibitionofbothdirectandindirectdiscriminationagainstwomenshouldbereflectedinabasiclaw.173.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatinordertoguaranteethesamerightsinmarriageandfamilyrelationsinIsraelandtocomplyfullywiththeConvention,H!theGovernmentshouldcompletethesecularizationoftherelevantlegislation,placeitunderthejurisdictionofthecivilcourtsandwithdrawitsreservationstotheConvention.174.2 .2ThepreambletotheConventionstatesthatfulldevelopmentandthecauseofpeacerequirethemaximumparticipationofwomenonequaltermswithmeninallfields.TheCommitteethusrecommendedthatallnecessarymeasuresbetakentoensurepeacewiththefullparticipationofallwomen,JewishandChristian,MuslimandDruzealike.Thiswasnecessarytocreateanenvironmentwherewomencouldenjoytheirrightsfullyandsothatequalityofopportunitiesineconomicandsocialdevelopment,especiallyofruralwomen,couldbeassured.175.2 .2TheCommitteelookedforwardtotheadoptionofthebillcreatingthegovernmentalmachinerytobeknownasthe"AuthorityontheStatusofWomen"andhopedthatthemachinerywouldbegivensufficientresourcestocarryoutitswork.176.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatmeasurestoguaranteetheexerciseofhumanrightsofnon-Jewishwomen,includingthoselivingintheruralareas,particularlyinrelationtohealth,educationandemployment,shouldbeintensified.SpecialmeasuresshouldbetakentoclosethegapbetweenArabandJewishschoolsandaddressthehigherdropoutratesofArabandBedouingirls.Adequateresourcesshouldbeallocatedforschoolfacilitiesandeducationopportunities,includingscholarships.Further,theparticipationofArabwomeninthecivilserviceandindecisionmakingpostsshouldbeincreased.177.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentstrengthenitseffortsandexpanditsactionstoeliminateviolenceagainstwomen,especiallyviolencewithinthefamily,inallcommunities.178.2 .2TheCommitteestronglysuggestedthattheGovernmentofIsraeltakenecessarystepstoeliminatepracticeswhichcouldnotbejustifiedonanygrounds,suchasforcedmarriages,femalegenitalmutilation,honourkillingsandpolygamy.179.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatsatelliteaccountsshouldbeusedtoevaluatethevalueofunpaidworkandthattheyshouldbeincorporatedintothenationalaccounts.180.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatsomeoftheresourcesallocatedtothetreatmentofinfertilityshouldbeusedtostudyitscausesanditsprevention.181.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatpublichealthservicessupplyfreeandaccessiblecontraceptives.182.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofIsraeltoaddressthefollowingissuesinitsnextreport:thestatusofdisabledwomen;howindirectdiscriminationintheworkplaceisdealtwith;theleaveentitlementofmothersandfathersforthebirthofachildorwhentheyhaveyoungchildren,andtheactualusemadeofsuchentitlement;theimpactonthesocialrolesofwomenandmenofprogrammesaimedatchangingstereotypes;programmesforgendersensitizationofthejudiciary,policeandhealthprofessionals;andfinancialsupportprovidedbytheGovernmentforallnon-governmentalorganizationsintheterritoryofIsrael.183.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthewidedisseminationinIsraeloftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeindividualsawareofthestepsthathavebeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO(  $(y882   @ .Luxembourg184.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialandsecondperiodicreportsofLuxembourg(CEDAW/C/LUX/1and2)atits338th,339thand344thmeetings,on9and11July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.338,339and344).185.2 .2ThereportswereintroducedbytheDirectoroftheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomen,whothankedtheCommitteeforconsideringthereportssosoonaftertheirsubmission.SheinformedtheCommitteethatLuxembourghadrecentlyassumedthePresidencyoftheCouncilofMinistersoftheEuropeanUnionandwouldputemphasisontheequalityofwomenandmenduringitsterm,inparticularinthecontextofthefollow-uptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenandinthenegotiationsontheexpansionoftheEuropeanUniontoincludethecountriesofCentralEuropeaswellasinaEuropeanconferenceonorganizationofwork.186.2 .2Inits"ActionPlan2000",thenationalactionplantoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforAction,theGovernmentofLuxembourghadcommitteditselftothewithdrawalofthetworeservationstotheConvention.Thereservationtoarticle7,concerningthehereditarytransmissionofthecrownoftheGrandDuchyofLuxembourgtotheoldestmaledescendant,mightberemovedinthenearfuture,astheSovereignhadagreed,inprinciple,toaministerialproposaltochangearticle3oftheNationalConstitutiontothateffect.Attemptstowithdrawthereservationtoarticle16relatingtochoiceofsurnameofchildrenwouldmeetwithstrongopposition,asthetraditionwherebychildrentooktheirfather'ssurnamewasdeeplyrootedandlongstanding.187.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthatdifficultieshadbeenencounteredinattemptstoenlistwomenundertheirownnamesonelectorallistsandnot,ashadbeenthecustom,undertheirhusband'ssurname.TheActof18August1995hadestablishedfullequalityofwomenandmenwithregardtonamesonelectorallists.188.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedaboutthevariousstepsbeingtakentoestablishanationalmachinery,ashadbeenrequestedbythewomen'smovementforover30years.Initially,aservicewithintheMinistryoftheFamilyandSolidarityhaddealtwiththeadvancementofwomen.In1995,thecreationoftheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomenhadgivenwomenandmentheappropriateinstitutionalmechanism,separatefromfamilypolicy,toensureequalrightsandequalopportunitiesforbothsexes.189.2 .2TherepresentativeoutlinedthethreeprioritiesofactionoftheMinistry:mainstreamingofgenderconcerns;education,trainingandemployment;andsocialpolicy.Inthefieldofmainstreaming,theActionPlan2000describedmeasurestobetakenintheshort,mediumandlongterm.Anefforthadbeenmadetomainstreamgenderconcernsintoeducationandtraining,sustainabledevelopment,anddevelopmentassistancetooffergendertrainingtothecivilservice.TheNationalCouncilofLuxembourgWomenhadinitiatedamajorstrategyonmainstreaminggenderequality,notablybyinvitinglocalcommunitiestodesignatefocalpointsfortheadvancementofwomenandtosetupcommissions.190.2 .2Therepresentativepointedoutthat,inthefieldofeducation,trainingandemployment,thefirststepwastochangementalitiesamongallmembersofsocietyandthatthatshouldstartatanearlystage.Variouspartnersatthecommunitylevelwereinvolvedincombatingsex-rolestereotypes,includingteachers'andparents'associationsandnon-governmentalorganizations.Thesecondstepwastopromotegenderequalityintheworkplace.Lawsonsexualharassmentandthedesignationofgenderfocalpointsintheprivatesectorhadbeenelaborated.TheGovernmentalsointendedtodesignategenderfocalpointsinthecivilservice.Discriminationintheworkplacepersisted,however,withwomenearningonly70percentofthesalaryoftheirmalecounterparts.191.2 .2Referringtosocialpolicy,theDirectorstressedthatthemajorconcernofherMinistrywasguaranteedindividualsocialinsuranceforallwomen.Asuccessfulcampaignhadbeenlaunched,targetinggirlsandyoungwomenagedfrom12to21years,tocombatviolenceagainstwomen,offeringinformation,shelterandcounselling.SheinformedtheCommitteethatLuxembourgwouldtaketheinitiative,includingattheEuropeanandinternationallevels,tocombattraffickinginandsexualexploitationofwomen.Specificmeasureswithregardtohousing,guidanceandadministrationhadbeentakentointegratemigrantwomenintosociety.192.2 .2TherepresentativenotedthatequalitybetweenwomenandmenwasnotyetadefactorealityinLuxembourgandthatitwasnecessarytoraisetheawarenessofmenabouttheirresponsibilities.Achangeofmentalityandbehaviourwasneeded.Thatwouldbealongandcomplexprocessinvolvingallactorsinsociety.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction193.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthefirstandsecondperiodicreportsofLuxembourg,whichfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines.194.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionfortheexcellentpresentationoftherepresentativeoftheGovernmentofLuxembourgandnotedthatLuxembourgcurrentlyheldthePresidencyoftheEuropeanUnion.TheCommitteethankedtherepresentativeforherexplanationofthehistoricalandculturalcontextofthecountryandfortheadditionalinformationprovidedintherepliestothequestionsofexperts,inparticularwithregardtopolicyandthedirectionofthenationalactionplanfortheimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2Positiveaspects195.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheseparationoftheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomenfromtheMinistryoftheFamilyandnotedthattheMinistryaimedtopromotethemainstreamingofgenderinallpoliciesandprogrammesoftheGovernmentandlocalauthoritiesandtherebyrecognizedgenderasafundamentaldimensioninallareasofprivateandpubliclife.196.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationthepreparationofthenationalactionplanasafollowuptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.Itcommendedtheactionplan,whichincludedthenewgovernmentalpolicyforcooperationwithdevelopingcountriesandtheprovisionoffundsfortheadvancementofwomen.197.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheprogrammeoftheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomentodisseminatetheConventionwidelyandinparticularnoteditsnewpublicationforschoolsandtrainingcourses.198.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomedthenewmeasurestocombatviolenceagainstwomenandthenewlyestablishedfacilitiesforyoungwomenvictimsofsexualviolence.199.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherwelcomedthepermanentcontactandconsultationstheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomenhadestablishedwithnon-governmentalorganizations,whichhadfacilitatedtheelaborationoftheactionplanandequalitypolicyingeneral.2 .2&  FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention200.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthereservationsmadebytheStateparty'  Ԁtoarticles7and16(g)impededthefullimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.Althoughtherehadbeenattemptstoremovethereservationtoarticle7,theCommitteefounditdifficulttounderstandwhygreatereffortshadnotbeenmadetoaddressthereservationtoarticle16(g).2 .2Principalareasofconcern201.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernatthefactthatacleardefinitionoftheprincipleofequalitybetweenthesexeswasnotexpresslyenshrinedintheConstitution.Itnotedthatfailuretoincludeanexpressconstitutionalprovisionrequiredlegislativeamendmentonacasebycasebasistoensureequalityineachsector.202.2 .2Insofarastheimplementationofarticle11oftheConventionwasconcerned,theCommitteenotedwithconcernthepersistenceofdiscrimination,withthemajorityofwomeninpart-timejobsandtheevidentdisparitiesintreatmentbetweenthepublicandprivatesectors.203.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernatthelackofsexdisaggregatedstatisticalinformationinthefieldsoflabour,health,prostitutionandruralwomen.ItnotedthatthatimpededassessmentoftheprogressintheimplementationoftheConventionovertime.204.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthefactthat,althoughaconstitutionalreviewwascurrentlyunderway,therewasnoinformationastowhentheprincipleofequalitywouldbediscussed.205.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthepersistenceofgenderdisparities,inparticularinlabourconditions,jobevaluationandgender-basedjobinsecurityandwithregardtotheevidentdiscriminationwomensufferedintheprivatesector.206.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthattheStatepartyhadnotyetmadeuseofarticle4oftheConventiontoensureequitableparticipationofwomenintheconductofpublicaffairsand,generally,intheeconomic,socialandculturallifeofthecountry.Additionally,theCommitteeregrettedthateffectivemeasurestoovercomeattitudesbasedontraditionalroles,whichhinderedequalitybetweenmenandwomen,hadnotyetbeenadopted.207.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthehighlevelofviolenceagainstwomen,inparticulardomesticviolence,andregrettedthedelayinadoptionofalawonsexualharassment.208.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedattheexistingnationalprovisionsconcerningtheimplementationofarticle6oftheConvention,inparticularthelackofeffectivemeasuresfortheprotectionandrehabilitationofwomenprostitutes.209.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedbythelackofgenderanalysisofwomen'shealthneeds,inparticularinrelationtotheirreproductiverights.210.2 .2TheCommitteewasdeeplyconcernedattheexistinglegislationonabortion,whichpenalizedwomen.Itnotedthat,atthesametime,nosufficientmechanismstopreventabortion,includingfreedistributionofcontraceptives,wereinplace.211.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatnoadequatestepshadbeentakentoensurethatthehighnumberofwomenforeignersinLuxembourgwereabletotakeadvantageoftheguaranteesintheConvention.212.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcerninrespectofrestrictionsonwomeninrelationtoremarriageafterdivorce.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations213.2 .2TheCommitteestronglysuggestedtheintroductionofstepstowardstheremovalofthereservationstoarticles7and16(g)aspromisedintheoralpresentationoftherepresentativeoftheGovernment.TheCommitteeencouragedtheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomeninitseffortstothatendandrequestedtheGovernmenttokeepitinformedofdevelopmentsonthematter.214.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedthatconstitutionalreformsincludetheincorporationoftheprincipleofequalityinthetextoftheConstitution.215.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedtheintroductionoftemporaryspecialmeasurestostrengthentheparticipationofwomeninthepolitical,economicandsociallifeofthecountry.216.2 .2InthelightofrecentachievementsinsomeothercountriesoftheEuropeanUnionintheimplementationofarticle7oftheConvention,theCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentexaminestrategiestoensurethebetterrepresentationofwomenindecisionmakingpostsinallfields.217.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheMinistryfortheAdvancementofWomeninitiatetheadoptionofmeasuresaimedateliminatingthegapbetweenthetreatmentofwomenandmeninthepublicandprivatesectors.TheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthattheGovernmentexaminethegapbetweenwomenandmeninthelabourforce,particularlyinthecontextofparttimework.218.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatconcretemeasuresbetakentoimplementfullytheconclusionsofTheHagueMinisterialDeclaration,whichareinthespiritofarticle6oftheConvention.219.2 .2Inrelationtotheremovalofthestereotypedattitudesandperceptionsoftheroleofwomeninsocietyandtoraisetheawarenessofmenoftheirfamilyresponsibilities,theCommitteesuggestedthateducationalprogrammesinschoolsbereorientedinaccordancewitharticle5oftheConvention.220.2 .2Inthefieldofviolenceagainstwomen,theCommitteerecalleditsgeneralrecommendation19(eleventhsession),onviolence,1andsuggestedthattheMinistrytakeallappropriatemeasures,includinglegislation,tocombatthesexualabuseofwomen,inparticularwithinthefamily,soastoensureeffectiveprotectionofwomenagainstdomesticandotherformsofviolence.221.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedtheneedfortheadoptionofeffectivemeasurestopreventabortionandforareviewofthesocialinsurancebenefitssystemsoastoallowwomentohaveaccesstofreecontraceptivemethods.222.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatananalysisofwomen'shealthneedsbeundertakenandthatawareness-raisingcampaignsonmammographycontinuesoastoensurethatmorewomenmadeuseofthatservice.223.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatlegislativestepsbetakentoremoveoutdatedrestrictingwomen'srighttoremarryafterdivorce,aswellasthosethatclassifychildrenas"legitimate/natural"or"illegitimate",adistinctionthatisinthespiritofneitherthepresentConventionnortheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtowhichLuxembourgisalsoaparty.̇224.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendedthattheactionplanincludeprovisionsforthebetterintegrationofrefugeeandmigrantwomenintothesocialandeconomiclifeofLuxembourg.225.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheStatepartytopursueanddevelopfurtheritspolicyofdisseminatinginformationandincreasingawarenessoftheConvention.ItrecommendedtheintegrationoftheprovisionsoftheConventionandwomen'srightsintothetrainingcurriculaofprofessionalgroups,suchasteachers,lawenforcementandcorrectionalofficers,judges,socialworkersandhealthpersonnel,whodealwithwomen.226.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernment,whenpreparingitsthirdreport,totakeintoaccounttheCommittee'sgeneralrecommendations,thepresentconcludingcommentsandtheissuesaddressedduringtheconstructivedialoguewiththeCommitteeatitsseventeenthsession.Thereportshould,inparticular,includedetailedinformationontheextenttowhicheachrightprotectedundertheConventionisenjoyedinpracticeandshouldrefertospecificfactorsanddifficultiesthatmightimpedetheapplicationoftheConvention.TheCommitteealsorequestedtheGovernmenttoincludeinitsnextreportstatisticaldatadisaggregatedbysex.227.2 .2TheCommitteealsorequestedthewidedisseminationinLuxembourgoftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeindividualsawareofthestepsthathavebeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.@ . 3.Initial,secondandthirdperiodicreports@ .6AntiguaandBarbuda228.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreportsofAntiguaandBarbuda(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)atits340th,341stand348thmeetings,on10and16July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.340,341and348).229.2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativeoftheStatepartyindicatedthatAntiguaandBarbudahadbecomepartytotheConventionon31August1989,atwhichtimetheConventionhadbeenfullyincorporatedindomesticlaw.ShenotedthatthereportbeforetheCommitteehadbeensubmittedin1994andthatsignificantdevelopmentsinimplementationhadoccurredsincethen.Accordingly,anaddendumhadbeensubmittedtotheCommitteetoupdatethereport.230.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthattheWomen'sDeskhadbeenupgradedin1985toaDirectorateofWomen'sAffairs,whichhadresponsibilityforpromotingthesocial,politicalandeconomicinterestsofwomenandtheirdevelopment.PursuanttotheBeijingPlatformforAction,theDirectoratehadidentifiedaspriorityareasofconcerntheeliminationofviolenceagainstwomen,educationandtraining,theeradicationofpoverty,theencouragementofmorewomentobecomeinvolvedinthedecisionmakingprocessandtheexpansionofgeneralhealthandreproductivehealthprogrammesmainlytargetedatyoungwomen.Tofulfilinternationalandregionalcommitments,theDirectorate'splanstomainstreamgenderinallgovernmentdepartments/divisionsincludedatrainingworkshopinvolvingheadsofministries,localgovernmentofficers,non-governmentalorganizationsandheadsofdepartment.IthadalsoreviseditsnationalPlanofActionforGenderAffairs.TheDirectoratehadrecentlyorganizedaforumtopublicizetheConventionandwasplanningtointroducecoursestoencouragewomentoenterpoliticsanddecision-making.231.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthatseveralmajorlegalreformshadbeenintroducedorwerecurrentlypendingorplanned.TheSexualOffencesAct1995andtheMaintenanceActwerenowinforce.Thefamily(protectionagainstdomesticviolence)bill,whichwouldprovideforprotectionordersandorderswithregardtotheoccupationofthematrimonialhome,wouldbedebatedduring1997andanequalopportunityactwouldbeintroducedinthenearfuture.232.TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatsex-rolestereotypingremainedaprobleminAntiguaandBarbuda.Withintheeducationsystem,theneedtoreducethestereotypingofroleswasaccepted.Forthatreason,bothsexeswereexposedtosimilardisciplinesandtrainingwithinthesystem.However,therewasarealizationthatsocializationwithinthehomeandwidersocietyalsoinfluencedboysandgirlstochoosetraditionalskillsevenwhenofferedawiderrangeofoptions.Withintheschoolsystem,boysweremoreexposedtotechnicalskillsandgirlstodomesticskills.TheMinistriesofEducation,HealthandLabourofferedfamilylifeeducationprogrammestopromoteattitudesofequalresponsibilityofwomenandmeninthecareandsocializationofchildren.Domesticviolence,sexualharassment,sexualabuse,batteryandrapewereprevalentandrarelyreportedasmanymenconsideredsuchconductacceptable.Therepresentativenotedthata24-hourdomesticviolencehotlinewasscheduledtobeintroducedinAugust1997bytheDirectorate,incollaborationwithanumberofnon-governmentalorganizationsandtheprivatesector.233.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatplanscurrentlyinplacetoallowpregnantteenagerstocontinuetheireducationincludedworkingwithfathersasappropriateandtheprovisionoffunctionalliteracyskillsprogrammes,skillstraining,parentingclassesandfamilylifeeducation,whichinvolvedfamilyplanningandHIV/AIDSeducation.234.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthatalthoughwomenconstitutedthemajorityofvotersinAntiguaandBarbuda,thepoliticalparticipationofwomenremainedlowandstrategiesandplansofactionwouldbeintroducedtoreversethat.235.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethattherewasahighrateofperinatalmortalityamongwomeninAntiguaandBarbuda.Shenotedthatabortionwasillegalinthecountry,althoughterminationofpregnancyonmedicalgroundswaspermitted.236.2 .2TheCommitteewastoldthatwomencomprisedasignificantpartoftheagriculturalpopulationinAntiguaandBarbuda.Althoughtheywerenotsubjecttodirectdiscrimination,farmsoperatedbywomenfarmerswereusuallylessthanhalfthesizeofthoseoftheirmalecounterpartsandwomenfarmersveryoftenhadmultipleresponsibilities.TheDirectorateofWomen'sAffairsprovidedtrainingandsupporttowomenfarmers.237.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthattheDivorceAct1997providedirretrievablebreakdownasthesolegroundfordivorceandallowedfordivorcetobesoughtafteroneyearofmarriage.Incertaincircumstances,mencouldnowbeconvictedofsexualassaultagainsttheirwives.Therepresentativenoted,however,thatwomenindefactorelationshipssufferedlegaldisadvantages.238.2 .2TherepresentativereiteratedthestrongcommitmentofAntiguaandBarbudatotheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenandtheimplementationoftheConventionandtheBeijingPlatformforAction.ShestatedthatthatcommitmenthadbeenmanifestedinthepreparationsforandparticipationintheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,aswellasinthepreparationsforthepresentationofAntiguaandBarbuda'sreportbeforetheCommittee.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction239.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthatAntiguaandBarbudahadratifiedtheConventionwithoutreservations.TheCommitteecommendedtheStatepartyforitsreport,giventhatitwasasmallislandStatewithlimitedresources.240.2 .2TheCommitteealsocommendedtheStatepartyonitsfrankandfullpresentationandthesubmissionoftheaddendumtoitsreport,which,althoughpresentedlateintheday,togetherwiththerepresentative'sstatement,providedacompletepictureoftheimplementationoftheConventioninAntiguaandBarbuda.TheCommitteewasgratifiedwiththeobviouspoliticalwillinthecountrywithregardtotheadvancementofwomen.241.2 .2However,theCommitteewasdisappointedthatthereportprovidednoinformationwithregardtotheimplementationofthePlatformforActionandthemeasuresthathadbeentakenbytheStatepartytoaddressthegeneralrecommendationsoftheCommittee.2 .2Positiveaspects242.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedAntiguaandBarbudaontheearlyestablishmentoftheWomen'sDesksoonafterattainingindependence,anditslaterupgradingandexpansiontotheDirectorateofWomen'sAffairs.TheCommitteealsocommendedtheGovernmentonitsintentiontoupgradethatofficefurther,toaministry,whenawomanwaselectedtooffice.243.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheintroductionofimportantlegislation,includingtheEqualOpportunityAct,theDivorceActandtheSexualOffencesAct.ItlookedforwardtotheresultsoftheintroductionoftheequalpayanddomesticviolencebillsandnotedwithappreciationtheusebyAntiguaandBarbudaofmodellegislationdevelopedbytheCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM).244.2 .2TheCommitteecomplimentedtheStatepartyonthesuccessfulmeasuresithadtakentoreducethebirthrate.245.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheintroductionofgendermanagementsystems.246.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedtheassurancesmadebythePresidentthattheinequalitiesinpowersharingatthehighestdecisionmakinglevelswouldberedressed.247.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheintroductionofthedomesticviolencehotlineandrelatedsupportservices.248.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheintroductionofmeasurestoaddressteenagepregnanciesandthefocusonthesituationofthegirlchild.02 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention249.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatAntiguaandBarbuda,beingasmallislandState,seemedtobehandicappedbyalackoffinancialandhumanresourcesinthecompilationofstatisticaldata,whichmightbeanobstacleinfullyimplementingtheConvention.2 .2Principalareasofconcern250.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatfewmeasureshadbeentakentoincreasethepoliticalparticipationofwomen.ItnotedtheabsenceofwomeninParliamentandthelackofmeasurestoincreasetheparticipationofwomeninpubliclifegenerally.251.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthelackofintegratedmeasurestoaddressviolenceagainstwomen.252.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthelackofdecisionmakingpoweroftheDirectorateforWomen'sAffairs.253.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthelackofinformationinthereportonprostitutionandtraffickinginwomen.254.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutthecontinuingselectionbyfemalestudentsofstereotypicalsubjects.Itwasalsoconcernedaboutthegreaterexposureofgirlswithintheschoolsystemtodomesticskillsandboystotechnicalskills.255.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthelowlevelofoccupationalachievementbyeducatedwomenandmaledominanceintechnicalandprofessionalfields,ontheonehand,andtheconcentrationofwomeninthelowerpaidservicesector,includingthetouristindustry,ontheother.256.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatwomen'sconcernshadnotyetbeenintegratedintothenationalfiveyearplan.257.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthesituationofruralwomenandtheiraccesstocredit.258.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutthecontinuingillegalityofabortion,whichwouldleadtounsafeabortions.Italsonotedwithconcernthelackoffamilyplanningeducationprogrammesandthefactthatcontraceptiveswerenotcoveredbymedicalbenefitsschemes.259.2 .2TheCommitteewasdeeplyconcernedaboutthehighlevelofteenagepregnancy.260.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthehighrateofperinatalmortality.261.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthelackofspecialmeasuresforwomenwithHIV/AIDS,aswellastheabsenceofmeasurestoaddressdrugaddictionamongwomen.TheCommitteeexpressedthehopethatmoreinformationwouldbegivenabouttheprobleminthenextreport.262.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthepositionofwomenincommonlawrelationships.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations263.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheDirectorateofWomen'sAffairsbeelevatedtoahigherrankandthusupgradedandstrengthened.264.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatgenderissuesbeintegratedintothefiveyearplan.265.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernmentofAntiguaandBarbudautilizearticle4oftheConventioninacceleratingdefactoequalityforwomen.266.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentofAntiguaandBarbudaencouragegreaterparticipationofwomeninpoliticsbyintroducingtemporaryspecialmeasures.267.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatAntiguaandBarbudaintroduceappropriatepoliciesandprogrammesforsexeducationandfamilyplanningeducation.268.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatAntiguaandBarbudaratifyInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)ConventionNo.100concerningEqualRemunerationforMenandWomenWorkersforWorkofEqualValueandtakethenecessarymeasuresforitsimplementation.269.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedtheintroductionofprogrammestoencouragementotakeaccountoftheirfamilyresponsibilities.270.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatcultureisapositivevehicleforinfluencingtheadvancementofwomen,andsuggestedthatculturalartformsbeusedasavehicletopromoterespectforwomen.TheCommitteealsosuggestedthatthemediabeusedtopromotepositiveattitudestowardswomen.271.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofAntiguaandBarbudatoincludeinitsnextreportfullerinformationontheremainingobstaclestothefullenjoymentofwomen'shumanrights,particularlyinrelationtoarticle6oftheConventionandinregardtothelegalandeconomicpositionofwomenincommonlawrelationships.272.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthewidedisseminationinAntiguaandBarbudaoftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeindividualsawareofthestepsthathavebeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.@ . 4.Secondandthirdperiodicreports@ .*Argentina273.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondandthirdperiodicreportsofArgentina(CEDAW/C/ARG/2andAdd.1and2andCEDAW/C/ARG/3)atits355thand356thmeetings,on22July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.355and356).274.2 .2Inintroducingthereports,therepresentativeofArgentinapointedoutthatthecountryhadundergoneprofoundchangessincetheNationalGovernmenthadtakenofficein1989.Duringthattime,programmesonhealth,educationandsocialwelfarehadbeentransferredtotheprovincesinordertostrengthenthefederalsystem.275.2 .2ThereformoftheNationalConstitutionin1994wasanimportantsteptowardstheachievementofequalityforArgentinewomen.Mostinternationalhumanrightstreaties,includingtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,nowhaveconstitutionalstatusandarethereforeconsideredcomplementarytotherightsguaranteedinthetextoftheConstitution.Furthermore,thenewConstitutionpromotesaffirmativeactioninordertoachievedejureanddefactoequality.Italsoreaffirmstheneedforspecialsecurityregulationstocoverwomenduringpregnancyandlactation.276.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthattheNationalWomen'sCouncilhaddevelopedastrongpolicyformonitoringtheapplicationoftheQuotasAct,whichhadledeventothepresentationoflegalactionsdemandingthatlistsofpoliticalpartieswhichdidnotcomplywiththerequirementsofthelawbedeclarednonofficial.277.2 .2TherepresentativestressedthehighstatusoftheNationalWomen'sCouncil,whichwasattheministeriallevelandreporteddirectlytothePresident.TheCouncilhadrecentlyfocusedondecentralizingitsstructurebystrengtheningthemachineryoftheprovinces.Thusfar,provincialcouncilsforwomenhadbeenestablishedin9ofthe24provinces.TheNationalCouncilalsoprovidedtechnicalassistanceandtrainingtosupportthemachineryattheprovinciallevel.278.2 .2Regardingthestatusofwomeninthelabourmarket,theNationalWomen'sCouncilhadestablishedclosecooperationwiththeMinistryofLabourandSocialSecurity,aimedatpromotingwomeninthelabourforce.279.2 .2Todisseminateinformationontherightsofwomen,theNationalWomen'sCouncilhaddistributed35,000freecopiesofabimonthlymagazineandaCD-ROMcontaininginformationonthenationalandinternationallegislationinthefieldofwomen,includingtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheBeijingPlatformforAction.280.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeaboutmeasurestakentopreventviolenceinthefamilyandtoassistthevictimsofviolence.Specialcentresforinformationandadviceandpermanenttelephoneserviceshadbeenestablished.AnagreementbetweentheNationalWomen'sCouncilandtheMinistryofJusticehadproposedatrainingprogrammeforcouncillorsandofficialswhodealwithvictimsofviolence.TogetherwiththeUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF),theNationalWomen'sCouncilhadlaunchedanationaltrainingprogrammeonviolenceagainstwomen.281.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthat,atalleducationallevels,womenconstitutedmorethan50percentofthestudents.TheMinistryofEducationandCulturehadestablishedaspecialentityinchargeofwomen'saffairs.Itsactivitiesincludedtherevisionofcurricula,trainingofstaffintheprovincesandaresearchcompetitionrelatingtowomenintheeducationalsystem.282.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthatwomen'shealthhadimprovedthroughoutthelastdecade.Thelifeexpectancyofwomenincreasinglyexceededthatofmenandmaternalmortalityrateshadgonedown.TheMinistryofHealthhadlaunchedtrainingprogrammestopromotewomen'shealthissues.283.2 .2Tosupportruralwomen,aprojectprovidingtrainingandcreditfacilitiesforwomenfarmerswassetupin1989.284.2 .2TheSecretariatofNaturalResourceshaddeclareditscommitmenttoincludingagenderperspectiveinallprogrammesandpolicies,asrequestedintheBeijingPlatformforAction.285.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatmeasureshadbeentakenforthefullimplementationoftheintegratedsystemofretirementpensionsofhousewivesapprovedbyLaw24.828.Furthermore,billshadbeenpresentedtotheNationalCongresstoregulatelabourrelationsconcerningdomesticemployeesandtheirretirementsystem.286.2 .2Therepresentativeconcludedbystatingthatlegalmeasureswereinpreparationtoensurethatwomenreceivedalimony;abillcreatinganationalregisterofthoseindefaultofalimonypaymentshadalreadybeenpassedbytheHouseofRepresentativesandwaspendingintheSenate.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction287.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationforthedetailedresponsesprovidedbytheGovernmentofArgentinatoallthequestionssentinadvance,aswellastheupdatingoftheinformationcontainedinthesecondandthirdperiodicreportswhichthedelegationhadprovidedduringtheirpresentation.288.2 .2TheCommitteewasveryappreciativeofthefactthatthedelegationhadreiteratedthefirmstancetakenbytheGovernment,aspartofdemocratization,regardingitswillingnesstocontinuetodevelopapoliticalideologyofequalityforwomenandtoensurethefullimplementationoftheConvention.2 .2Positiveaspects289.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheconsolidationofdemocracyinArgentina.290.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentforgrantingtheConventionanormativestatusonaparwiththeConstitution.291.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthattheConstitutionrecognizedthecompetenceoftheNationalCongresstoadoptaffirmativeactionlawssoastoguaranteeequalityofopportunityandtreatment.292.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedtheincreaseinthenumberofwomenparliamentarians,asaresultoftheeffectiveapplicationoftheQuotaAct.293.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedtheconstitutionalrecognitionoftherightofpersonsaffected,oftheHighCommissionerandofassociationstotakespeedyamparoproceedingsagainstactsoromissionsthatharmedorthreatenedrightsrecognizedbytheConstitution.294.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotedwithsatisfactionthecreationoftheFederalWomen'sCouncilandtheNationalWomen'sCouncil,organsentrustedwiththetaskofpromotingandcoordinatingpoliciesofequality.&  2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention295.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernthatwomenhadbeenadverselyaffectedby'  theeconomicreformsandbytheamendmentstothelabourandsocialsecuritylawsadoptedrecently.̇296.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthepersistenceofstereotypeswithregardtothesocialrolesofwomenandmen.2 .2Principalareasofconcern297.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatreformofthePenalCode,whichwouldbringitintolinewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,wasstillpending.298.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernatthefactthatthepercentageofwomenpursuingtechnicalcareerscontinuedtobelow.299.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedbecausethereportsoftheGovernmentofArgentinalackeddataandanalysisconcerningthesituationofwomensubjectedtoslaveryandexploitationforthepurposesofprostitution.300.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheverylownumberofwomenoccupyingmanagerialpostsintheprivatesector.301.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthattherateofunemploymentforwomen(20.3percent)wasfivepercentagepointshigherthanthatformen(15.7percent).302.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthattherewerenoregulationsgoverningthelabourrelationsofdomesticemployees.303.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernatthefactthattherewerenoregulationstopenalizesexualharassmentintheworkplaceintheprivatesector.304.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthat,despiteeconomicandsocialdevelopmentinArgentina,maternalmortalityandmorbidityduetochildbirthandabortionremainedhigh.305.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutwomeninruralareashavinglesssatisfactorylivingconditionsthanthoseinurbanareas.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations306.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatthePenalCodebereformedassoonaspossibletobringitintolinewiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,itsgeneralrecommendationsandtheInterAmericanConventiononthePrevention,PunishmentandEradicationofViolenceagainstWomen.307.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthattheGovernment'splansforequalityshouldbepursuedandstrengthenedandthattheirresultsshouldbeevaluatedinamoresystematicway.Effortstothatendshouldbereflectedinthenextperiodicreport.308.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatprogrammesdesignedtoeliminatestereotypingofthesocialrolesofwomenandmenshouldbesustainedandreinforced.Effortsshouldbemadetoincreasethenumberofwomenpursuingtechnicalcareersandoccupyingpositionsconsideredtobeamalepreserve,andtoensurethatmensharewithwomenthetaskofcaringforthechildren.309.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatservicesforthecareofyoungchildrenwhohadnotyetbeguncompulsoryschoolingshouldbeincreasedandregulated.310.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatprogrammestoincreaseawarenessamongthepolice,judgesandhealthcareprofessionalsconcerningthegravityofallformsofviolenceagainstwomenshouldbemaintainedandstrengthened.311.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofArgentinatoincludeinitsnextreportlegalandsociologicalinformationrelatingtoarticle6oftheConvention.312.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofArgentinatoprovideinformationonmeasurestakentoavoid,inboththepublicandtheprivatesectors,discriminationinaccesstoemploymentandtoenforceILOConventionsNo.100concerningEqualRemunerationforMenandWomenWorkersforWorkofEqualValueandNo.156concerningWorkerswithFamilyResponsibilities.313.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatlabourrelationsofdomesticemployeesshouldberegulated.314.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatsexualharassmentoccurringintheworkplaceintheprivatesectorshouldbepenalized.315.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthat,inaccordancewithitsgeneralrecommendation17(tenthsession)2andwiththeBeijingPlatformforAction,theGovernmentofArgentinashouldplaceavalueonunremuneratedworkandincludeitinnationalaccountsbymeansofsatelliteaccounts.316.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatsexdisaggregatedstatisticsrelatingtoeducation,employmentandsocialsecurityshouldbesupplemented,inparticularbyincludingthenumberofteachersatthevariouslevelsoftheeducationsystem;thenumberofstudentsreceivinggrants;parttimework;thenumberofopenendedcontractsandthoseofaspecificduration;averagepay;andaverageretirementpension.317.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatprogrammesdesignedtopromoteemploymentofwomen,particularlyyoungwomen,shouldbeintensified.318.2 .2TheCommitteesuggestedthatincreasedmeasuresofalltypesshouldbetakentoreducematernalmortalityandmorbidity.319.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatlegislationwhichpenalizedmotherswhohadabortionsshouldbereviewed.320.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthestrengtheningofprogrammesandservicesdirectedtowardsruralwomen.321.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofArgentinatodisseminatethesecommentswidelythroughoutArgentina,soastomakeindividualsawareofthemeasuresthathavebeentakentoimplementtheConventionandtheremainingstepsrequiredtoachievedefactoequalityforwomen.&   UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO(  $(z882   @ .Italy322.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthesecondandthirdperiodicreportsofItaly(CEDAW/C/ITA/2and3)* {   ׀atits346thand347thmeetings,on15July1997(see'  CEDAW/C/SR.346and347).323.2 .2Inintroducingthereports,therepresentativeofItalystatedthatItaly'sbasicstrategieswithrespecttotheadvancementofwomenweremainstreamingandempowerment,genderdifferencebeingperceivedasaresourceratherthanadisadvantage.ShenotedthatwomeninItalywerenowseekingfreedom,independenceandpersonaldevelopmentandwerenolongerwillingtobeconstrainedinstereotypicalsocialandfamilyroles.324.2 .2TherepresentativenotedthatItalianwomenhadreachedhighlevelsineducationandwereincreasinglypartoftheworkforce.Sheindicatedthat,paradoxically,women'sincreasedemploymentwasmanifestedinthehighunemploymentrateamongwomen,withwomennolongercontenttoreverttotheirtraditionalroleashousewife.325.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatregrettablymen'scultureandthebasicstructuresofsocietyhadnotchangedatthesamepaceaswomen'sandthatmenhadsometimesactivelyopposedwomen'sempowerment.326.2 .2TherepresentativepointedoutthatbasicguidelinesforgovernmentactionfortheadvancementofwomenwereoutlinedintheDirectiveofthePrimeMinisteradoptedon7March1997.TheDirective,whichwasaimedatalllevelsofpublicadministration,bothnationalandlocal,hadbeenformulatedafterextensiveconsultationandparliamentarydebate,andmandatedallcabinetmemberstoimplementtheBeijingPlatformforAction.327.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatItalywasnowgoingthroughaperiodofwelfarereform,aswellasconvergencemeasurestojointheEuropeanMonetaryUnion.ShenotedthatthosereformshadthecapacitytoaffectwomennegativelyandforthatreasonmeasurestomainstreamagenderperspectiveintowelfarereformwereessentialandwerebeingtakeninItaly.328.2 .2TherepresentativedrewattentiontothemeasuresthathadbeenintroducedinItalytoreduceworkinghoursandtocreateemployment,includingcommunitybasedstrategiesandtheencouragementofentrepreneurshipamongwomen,forexamplebythefacilitationofsoftloans.329.2 .2TherepresentativeindicatedthattheburdenofcaringresponsibilitiesinItaliansocietystillfellmainlyonwomen,althoughtherewasevidencethatmenwerenowtakingontheirresponsibilitiesinthatregard.Shemadeclearthatgovernmentpoliciesandmeasureswerebeingintroducedtoreinforcethatchangeinperspective,includingthecreationofopportunitiesforchildcare,facilitatedbytaxcreditsandincentivesfornon-profitorganizations.Inaddition,draftlegislationonparentalleave,aswellasmeasurestoprovideforflexibleworkpatterns,werebeingintroduced.Therepresentativealsonotedtheinnovationoftimebanks,mostlymanagedbywomen,whichallowedfortheexchangeofskillsandservicesincommunities.330.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatdraftlegislationtoaddressviolenceagainstwomeninthehomehadnowbeenpreparedandthataCommissionhadbeenestablishedtoinvestigateallegationsoftorture,includingrape,perpetratedbyItaliansoldiersduringthe1993peacemissiontoSomalia.ShenotedthatItalianwomenhadactivelyparticipatedinpeacemissionsintheMiddleEast,theformerYugoslaviaandAlbaniaandtheentryofwomenintotheItalianarmedforceshadbeenanopportunitytoredefinetheroleofthearmedforcesinthecountry.331.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthatwomenremainedunderrepresentedindecisionmakingpositionsandthatstepswerebeingtakentoaddressthatissueviaapproachesaimedatempoweringwomengenerally.Shenotedthatwomenwerenowwellrepresentedindecisionmakingatthelocalandmunicipallevels;inparticular,womenwereparticularlywellrepresentedinmunicipalitiesinthesouth,includingSicily.332.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethateducationalcampaigns,basedonthemodelofamulticulturalsociety,toaddressracismandxenophobiahadbeenintroducedinItaly.Shenotedthatitwasnotenoughtoeducatethenextgeneration,butthateffortsmustbemadetoenablepeopletolearnfromeachother.333.2 .2TherepresentativeconcludedbystatingthatalthoughmuchremainedtobedonetoimplementtheConventioninItaly,formalequalityhadbeenachieved.Effortswerestillrequiredtoachievesubstantiveequality,butshewasconfidentthatthecombinationofthemainstreamingandempowermentstrategieswouldreachthatgoal.Inthatregardshestressedthatfeminismandthewomen'smovementhadalreadytransformedItaliansocietyandwomen'sempowermentwouldleadtofurtherpositivechange.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction334.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsappreciationtotheGovernmentofItalyforitshighleveldelegationheadedbytheMinisterforEqualOpportunities,whichitconsideredanindicationoftheStateparty'scommitmenttotheConventionanditsappreciationoftheworkoftheCommittee.335.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthesecondandthirdreportsofItaly,whichwerefrank,extensiveanddetailed.Bothreports,particularlythethird,exhibitedanimaginativeandforwardlookingpolicyapproachand,togetherwiththeoralpresentation,explainedthelogicbehindgovernmentpoliciesandpriorities.Nonetheless,theCommitteeexpresseddisappointmentthatthethirdreporthadnotbeensubmitteduntilalatestagetherebyprecludingitscloseexaminationbyallmembersinadvance.336.2 .2TheCommitteewasgratifiedbytheexcellentoralpresentationandtheanswerstoitsquestions,whichwerethoughtprovokingandrespondedverysensitivelytothedetailsandnuancesofthosequestions.Theoralpresentation,moreover,allowedforreflectiononthenotionofgenderequalityaswellaspresentingthefullstatisticalpictureregardingwomen'spositioninItaliansociety.&  2 .2Positiveaspects337.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheestablishmentbythepresentGovernmentoftheMinistryofEqualOpportunitiesasacoordinatingministryandexpressedappreciationforthe'  Ԁescalatedeffortsofthatofficeforgendermainstreaminginthelegal,institutionalandsocialaspectsoflifeinItaly.Inthatrespectitespeciallycommendedthe7MarchDirectiveofthePrimeMinistertofocusongenderissuesacrossawidespectrumofactivities.338.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheconsistenteffortsoftheGovernmentofItalytoenactlegislationagainstdiscrimination.InthisrespectitwelcomedtheintroductionoftherecentdraftDomesticViolenceActintotheParliamentandevaluatedthisascomplementarytotheViolenceActof1996.ItwelcomedthoseinitiativesasdemonstrationsoftheGovernment'swilltoensuretheprotectionofthehumanrightsofwomenandcombatallkindsofviolencedirectedagainstthem.339.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthegendersensitizationandawarenessraisingeffortsoftheGovernment,aimedattheeliminationofxenophobiaandracisminItaliansociety.TheCommitteewaspleasedtonotethepromotionoftheroleofwomenaspeacekeepersindifferentpartsoftheworld.InthatregardtheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactionthecommitmentmade,andthestepstaken,toconfrontactsofviolenceagainstwomenallegedlyperpetratedbyItaliansoldiersduringpeacekeepingmissions.340.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheintentionsandeffortsoftheMinistryofEqualOpportunitiestoensuregendermainstreamingintheforthcomingwelfarereformbymovingthefocusfromthe"malebreadwinnerregime"toovercometheinjusticefacedbywomenandtorespondbettertotheneedsoftheelderly,particularlywomen.341.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheremarkablegainsmadebyItalianwomenineducationandoccupationalfields,whichhadsignificantlyenhancedwomen'seconomicindependenceandcontributedtotheirdefactoequalityinmanyrespects.342.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheGovernment'seffortstopromoteentrepreneurshipamongwomenthroughprovisionofcreditandviamonitoringandcoordinationoftheactivitiesofdifferentpublicandprivateagenciesinthatfield.343.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgedtheprogressiveandhumaneprovisionsofItaly'simmigrationlaw,andparticularlyappreciatedthoseprovisionsofimmigrationlegislationthatwereprotectiveofthehumanrightsofimmigrantwomen.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationJ .JoftheConvention󀀀344.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthepersistenceofsignificantcultural,socialandeconomicdifferencesandinequalitiesbetweenthenorthandthesouthasmajorimpedimentstothefullimplementationoftheConventiontoachievedefactoequalityinItaliansociety.345.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthatthefeminizationofpoverty,indicatedbydatashowingthatover60percentoffamiliesheadedbywomenwereunderthepovertyline,constitutedaseriousobstacletothefullimplementationoftheConventioninItaly.&  2 .2Principalareasofconcern346.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernwithregardtotheinadequacyofeffortstocombatstereotypesthrougheducationandotherpublicmeans.It'  ԀwasdeeplyconcernedthatnosubstantialinitiativehadbeentakeninItalytoridtextbooksandteachingmaterialsofstereotypesand/ortowardsmakingwomenandtheircontributionstohistoryandsocietymorevisibleandapparent.347.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthepersistenceofpatriarchalnormsandstereotypesinItaliansocietyandnotedwithparticularconcerntherelativelackofattentiontothatmatteringovernmentalpoliciesandbygovernmentalofficials.TheStateparty'sattitudesandactionsaimedat"utilizingwomen'sownresources"wereviewedbytheCommitteeaspotentiallyreinforcingandglorifyingstereotypicalrolesofwomen,therebyimpedingtherealizationofdefactoequality.348.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithdeepconcernthatthepresenceofwomeninpoliticsanddecisionmakingpositionsremainedverylimitedandthatpoliticalparticipationhadfalleninrecentyears.Emphasizingtheimportanceofthepresenceofwomeninsuchpositions,theCommitteewasconcernedthattheGovernment'sopinionoftheadoptionofnumericalgoalsandquotasasunnecessaryhadcontributedtothatsituation.349.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutthelackofprogrammestosensitizethepublic,particularlythepolice,thejudiciaryandhealthprofessionals,totheconditionsandneedsofvictimsofdomesticviolence.TheCommitteehadexpressedseriousconcernthatintheabsenceofsuchmeasurestheanti-discriminationlaws,aswellaslawsonviolenceagainstwomen,wouldnotbeabletocombateffectivelyindirectdiscrimination,orensureaccuratereportingandrigorousprosecutionofallformsofviolenceagainstwomen.350.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthelackofsexdisaggregateddatarelatingtoparttimework,andunderlinedtheimportanceofclosemonitoringofthesubjectby,interalia,keepinguptodatesexdisaggregatedstatisticssoastodeterminethenumberofwomenoccupiedinparttimeemployment,which,whentheirnumberwasdisproportionate,wasafactorthatcontributedtoindirectdiscrimination.351.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheinequalityinthesharingof"caringresponsibilities"andthefactthatsuchresponsibilitiesfellpredominantlyuponwomeninItaly,afactorthatwasparticularlyacuteinsouthernItaly.ItnotedwithconcerntheabsenceofeffortsorprogrammestoencourageItalianmentoundertaketheirfairshareofdomesticresponsibilities,andtocareforthechildrenandtheelderly.352.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedconcernaboutthelackofstatisticsand/orstudiesintothecausesofanumberofhealthrelatedissuesconcerningwomen.Itnotedwithseriousconcernthatstudiessuggestedanincreaseinincidenceoflungcanceramongwomen.Italsonotedtheveryhighincidenceofcaesariansectiondeliveriesandthefailureofwomentotakeadvantageofearlydetectiontechnologies,includingmammographyandpapsmears,andthefailuretoexplainthatphenomenoninthereport.Inaddition,theCommitteewasconcernedaboutthelackofdataonoccupationalhealthanddisease.353.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedparticularconcernwithregardtothelimitedavailabilityofabortionservicesforwomeninsouthernItaly,asaresultofthehighincidenceofconscientiousobjectionamongdoctorsandhospitalpersonnel.354.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatwhiletheshiftinemphasisfromtheconceptofmanasbreadwinnerthatunderpinnedcurrentwelfarereformswasintendedtogivewomenautonomyandreducehumiliatingfinancialdependence,itwasconcernedthatthosereformsposedrealrisksforwomenwhohadbeeninteraliahomemakers,andnotpartofthepaidworkforce,orwhosecareershadbeeninterruptedbychildcareandotherresponsibilities,andforolderwomenwhohadlittleearningcapacity.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations355.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentofItalycontinuetoimplementandstrengthenthecurrentmeasuresitistakingtoempowerwomenandmainstreamgenderissues.Itencouragedspecificaffirmativeactionstargetedtonumericalgoalsandquotas,inparticularinthoseareassuchaspoliticalanddecisionmakingpositionsofpubliclife,wherewomen'sdefactoequalityhadnotbeenimprovingatthedesiredpace.356.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofItalytotakelargescalemeasurestocombatthewidespreadacceptanceofstereotypicalrolesofwomenandmen,particularlyinthesouth,byalertingthepublictotheimportanceofanequitabledistributionbetweenwomenandmenoffamilyrolesand"caringresponsibilities".TheCommitteedeemeditessentialthattextbooksandteachingmaterialbereviewedandrevisedtoreflectthenon-stereotypicalrolesofmenandwomen.357.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatItalyexpanditsexistinglegislationand/orenactnewlegislation,whereneeded,inordertoeffectivelydealwiththephenomenonofindirectdiscrimination.Tothatenditemphasizedtheimportanceofmeasurestosensitizejudges,lawyersandlawenforcementpersonneltoindirectdiscriminationandtoItaly'sinternationalobligations,inparticularthoseoutlinedintheConvention.358.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmenttoprovidefullinformationevaluatingtheimpactoflegislationandpolicyconcerningequalityforwomenanddiscriminationinItaly'snextreporttotheCommittee.359.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofItalytoembarkonpublicsensitizationcampaignsinrelationtodomesticviolenceinitsvariousmanifestations(sexual,physical,etc.)toensuretheprotectionofhumanrightsofwomenandthegirlchildinthefamily.Inparticular,theCommitteerecommendedthatmeasuresbeintroducedtoencouragecomplaintsandprovidemechanismsforeffectiveandtimelyresponsetosuchclaims.Itrecommendedthathealthprofessionalsbetrainedinthecareandmanagementofdomesticviolencecases.TheCommitteealsorecommendedtheintroductionofmeasurestoincreasethenumberofdomesticviolencesheltersthroughoutItaly.360.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedthattheGovernmenttakestepstosecuretheenjoymentbywomen,inparticular,southernItalianwomen,oftheirreproductiverightsby,interalia,guaranteeingthemaccesstosafeabortionservicesinpublichospitals.361.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofItalytotakethenecessarystepstoincorporateparticipationbynon-governmentalorganizationsinthepreparationofthecountry'snextreporttotheCommittee.̇362.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatItaly,asaStatememberoftheEuropeanUnion,takeconcreteinitiativestoencouragetheacceptancebytheEuropeanUnionoftheConventionasafundamentalbillofrightsforwomen.363.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheStatepartyshouldensurethatallwomenhadanadequateincomeandthathusbandsandfatherswereobligedtoprovidefinancialsupport.ItalsorecommendedthattheGovernmentintroducemeasurestoenforcepaymentofalimonyandofafairshareofthematrimonialassets,includingmeasureswhichwouldenablethecourtstosetasideprovisionsintendedtoorhavingtheeffectofconcealingassetsandincomeandtherebydeprivingwomenoftheentitlements.364.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheGovernmentofItalytodisseminatethesecommentswidelythroughoutItaly,soastomakeindividualsawareofthemeasuresthathavebeentakentoimplementtheConventionandtheremainingstepsrequiredtoachievedefactoequalityforwomen.@ .5.Thirdperiodicreports@ .*Australia365.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthethirdperiodicreportofAustralia(CEDAW/C/AUL/3)atits352ndand353rdmeetings,on18July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.352and353).366.2 .2ThereportwasintroducedbytheAssistantSecretary,OfficeoftheStatusofWomen,DepartmentofthePrimeMinisterandCabinet.SheexplainedthatthereportbeforetheCommitteehadbeenpreparedin1993asasupplementaryreporttoAustralia'ssecondperiodicreportandhadbeensubmittedtotheSecretariatasAustralia'sthirdperiodicreportin1994.InstressingherGovernment'scommitmenttoitstreatyobligations,sheregretteditsinabilitytoprepareaformalsupplementaryreportforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatthecurrentstage,butnotedthatAustraliahadproducedanimplementationplanfortheBeijingPlatformforActionwhichwasavailabletotheCommitteeforinformation.ThedetailedanswerstothequestionsonnoticewouldprovidetheCommitteewithanuptodatepictureofthestatusofwomeninAustralia.NotingthehighstandardsofAustralia'spastreportsaswellaspastpractice,sheregrettedthatthepresentreporthadnotbenefitedfromtheinvolvementofnon-governmentalorganizations.SheindicatedherGovernment'sintentiontocombinethefourthandfifthperiodicreportsfortheCommittee'sconsiderationatthebeginningofthenextcentury.367.2 .2Inherintroductorystatement,therepresentativeoftheStatepartynotedthatarobustframeworkofanti-discriminationlegislation,positivemeasures,strategiesandprogrammeshadbeenputinplacesinceratificationoftheConventionin1983.Governmentfundedservicesforwomen,specializedgovernmentalmachinery,andattentiontowomen'shealth,educationalcurricula,violenceagainstwomen,employmentandwomen'sparticipationinpubliclifehadresultedinarecordofachievementwhichwassignificantbyworldstandards.Atthesametime,theGovernmentwasawareoftheneedtoaddressanumberofspecificareaswhereequalityforwomenremainedtobeachieved.368.2 .2AstothereservationsAustraliahadenteredtotheConvention,therepresentativenotedthatwhilesignificantprogresshadbeenmadetowardstheprovisionofcomprehensivematernityleave,theGovernmentwasnotinapositiontoremovethereservationregardingpaidmaternityleave.Ontheotherhand,amodificationofthereservationregarding"combatrelated"employmentinthearmedforceswasbeingconsidered.369.2 .2ThechangeinFederalGovernmentfollowingtheMarch1996electionshadbroughtafreshapproach.Inastrengtheningofgendermainstreamingpolicy,responsibilityforgenderissues,whichhadbeenconcentratedintheOfficeoftheStatusofWomen,hadnowbeenextendedtoallareasoftheCommonwealthbureaucracy.Specialistunitsinlinedepartmentshadresponsibilityforenhancinglinkagesandcooperation,includingcooperationwithwomen'sorganizations.Atightfiscalenvironmentwheretaxincreasesorbudgetdeficitswerenotconsideredtobemeansforcoveringshortfallshadledtodifficultchoices,butsheemphasizedtheGovernment'scommitmenttoexpandingopportunityandchoiceforall.370.2 .2Whilemajoradvanceshadbeenachievedintheareaofdomesticviolenceoverthelast20years,itremainedasignificantareaofconcern,requiringamorecomprehensiveapproachtopreventionandresponse.ANationalCampaignagainstViolenceandCrimewouldaddress,interalia,domesticviolence.ArecentprogrammehadassistedindecreasingtheincidenceoffamilyviolenceinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities.Theportrayalofviolenceinthemediawasalsoreceivingattention.371.2 .2Australiawasoneofthefewcountrieswithanationalwomen'shealthpolicy,andneweffortswereunderwaybettertounderstandwomen'sspecifichealthneeds.ProgrammesandserviceswereimplementedtoimprovethehealthofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomen,includingresourceallocation.Inordertoaddressimmigrantwomen'sandgirls'riskofgenitalmutilation,legislationtobanthepracticehadbeenintroducedinmostAustralianstatesandterritories,andprogrammestopreventithadbeendeveloped.372.2 .2Newtemporarymeasureshadbeenintroducedtoincreasewomen'sparticipationinpoliticsatthestateandfederallevel.Ratherthanrelyingonquotas,theGovernmenthadchosenothermeans,suchasmentoringandexecutivesearches,toincreasethenumberofwomeninpolitics.Thelastfederalelectionshadseenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofwomenparliamentarians.TherehadbeenanincreaseinthepercentageofwomenintheCabinet,instateandlocalgovernmentandinpoliticalparties.373.2 .2Women'srepresentationindecisionmakingandmanagementintheprivatesectorwasincreasingslowly.TheAffirmativeActionAgency'sawardstorecognizeworthwhileemployers'initiatives,aswellasothermeasures,suchaseducationstrategiesandthewaivingofannualreportingrequirementsfororganizationshavingimplementedhighqualityaffirmativeactionprogrammesoverthreeyearperiods,wereamongthestrategiesused.374.2 .2TheGovernmentwascommittedtogreaterparticipationofwomeninthepaidlabourmarketthroughthepromotionofgreaterflexibilityintheworkplace,continuingsupportforchildcareandabroadeningofoptionsinemploymentandtraining.Women'sparticipationinthelabourforcehadgrownby30percentinthepast10years,almostdoubletheincreaseformen.375.2 .2Thenewlegislativebasisforindustrialrelations,adoptedin1996,includedprovisionsforparentalleaveandtheprohibitionofemploymentterminationforreasonsof,interalia,familyresponsibilities.Otherprovisionsexpectedtobenefitwomeninparticularweretheremovalofrestrictionsonregularparttimeworkandthecapacitytoformalizeindividualworkplaceagreements.AnOfficeoftheEmployeeAdvocatehadbeenestablishedtoprovideadviceandassistanceinthatregard.Shenotedthatwagegapsbetweenmenandwomenremained,andthatacomprehensiveincomesecuritysafetynetwasavailablewhichbenefitedwomentoagreaterextentthanmen.376.2 .2Inaddressingdisadvantagesexperiencedbyindigenouspopulations,theGovernmentwascommittedtoreconciliationbetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandersandthelargerAustraliancommunity.Indigenouswomenwereplayinganactiveroleinthoseefforts.377.2 .2ShenotedthattheHighCourtMabo(No.2)decisionof1992,whichhadoverturnedtheterranulliusdoctrineandrecognizedtheexistenceofnativetitle,didnotrefertogenderasaffectingtherecognitionofnativetitle.378.2 .2Toensurebetteroptionsforindigenouswomen,recommendationscontainedinareportsubmittedtoParliamentinMay1997werebeingconsideredbytheGovernment.Anumberofnewinitiatives,includingtheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanders"HealthyWomenStrongFamilies"initiativewhichhadbeenannouncedattheBeijingConference,wereaimedatimprovingthehealthstatusofthatgroupofwomen.379.2 .2TherepresentativeconcludedbysayingthattheGovernmentofAustraliabelievedthatfarreachingculturalandeconomicchangesrequiredthesupportandacceptanceofthecommunity.ShepledgedAustralia'sdeterminationtobuildonitsexistingachievementssoastoensurethatwomenparticipatedfullyinallaspectsoflifesothattheirfamilies,theircommunitiesandAustraliawouldprosper.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction380.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentforitspastinitiativesandeffortstopromoteandprotectthehumanrightsofwomennationallyandinternationally.Australia'sleadershipfortheadvancementofwomenattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenanditsinitiativetomakeitintoa"conferenceofcommitment"wereparticularlynoteworthy.TheCommitteetooknoteofthefactthatAustraliahadpreparedacomprehensivenationalactionplantoimplementtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionandprovidedacopytoeachmemberoftheCommittee.TheCommitteeappreciatedthecomprehensiveintroductorystatementanddetailedresponsesprovidedtotheCommittee'swrittenquestionsbytherepresentative.381.2 .2TheCommitteenoted,however,thatthethirdperiodicreportdidnotcomplywiththeCommittee'sreportingguidelinesforperiodicreports,andthatitessentiallyreiteratedinformationthathadbeenconsideredatthetimeofpresentationofAustralia'ssecondperiodicreportin1994.Atthesametime,Australiacouldhavecombineditsthirdperiodicreportwiththefourth,whichwasdueinAugust1996,toenabletheCommitteetoexploremorefullythedevelopmentsthathadtakenplacesince1995whenthethirdreportwassubmitted.382.2 .2AsthereseemstobemisunderstandingaboutthestatusofAustralia'sreportsundertheConvention,forthesakeofclarificationthesituationisasfollows:&  2 .2Report . Datedue󀀀Datesubmitted󀀀ConsideredInitialreportAugust1984October19861988SecondperiodicreportAugust1988July19921994'  ThirdperiodicreportAugust1992March19951997FourthperiodicreportAugust1996NotsubmittedFifthperiodicreportAugust20002 .2Positiveaspects383.2 .2Australia'scommitmenttothefullimplementationoftheConventionandtotherealizationofthehumanrightsofwomenwasreflectedinsuchlegislativeandadministrativeeffortsastheNewNationalAgendaforWomenof1993,theSexDiscriminationActof1984andAmendmentof1995,theHumanRightsandEqualOpportunityActof1986anditsamendments,thereviewoftheAffirmativeAction(EqualEmploymentOpportunityforWomen)Actof1986,theannualwomen'sbudgetstatement,theregisterofwomenmaintainedbytheOfficeoftheStatusofWomen,andtheOfficeoftheSexDiscriminationCommissioner.384.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedAustralia'spioneeringroleinaddressingviolenceagainstwomenandthemeasuresandstrategiesthathadbeenputinplacetopreventandeliminateit.ItcommendedtheGovernment(BureauofStatistics)fortheestablishmentofthefirstcomprehensivenationalstatisticalprofileontheextentandnatureofviolenceagainstwomen,andforitsstrongcommitmenttoreducingtheincidenceofdomesticviolenceincludingthroughpreventivemeasures.TherecommendationsemanatingfromaNationalDomesticViolenceForuminSeptember1996andtheconveningofaNationalDomesticViolenceSummitin1997wereconsideredtobeimportantstepstowardsraisingawarenessabouttheissueandcontributingtothecreationofaclimateinwhichsuchviolencewouldnolongerbetolerated.385.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedtheexistenceofanationalhealthpolicyforwomen,whichhadbeenestablishedin1989,andforwhichfundingwascurrentlyallocatedforfinancialyear19981999.Thepolicy'sparticipatoryapproachinprovidinginnovativeprimaryhealthcareandinemphasizingservicesfordisadvantagedgroupsofwomen,includingAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanders,andmigrantwomenwerecommendable,aswastheinclusionofwomen'sreproductivehealthandsexualityamongitssevenpriorityissues.386.2 .2LegislationenablingtheGovernmenttoprosecuteAustralianswhocommittedsexualoffencesabroadwasalsocommended.387.2 .2ThepreparationbytheLawReformCommissionofthereportonequalityofwomenbeforethelawwasanimportantstepinfurtherstrengtheningtheequalaccessofwomentojusticeandineliminatingdiscriminationandgenderbiasinareassuchaslegalaid,violenceagainstwomen,immigrationandrefugeelaw.TherecommendationoftheCommissiontoenactanEqualityActwhichcouldleadtotheentrenchmentofequalitylegislationintheConstitutionwould,ifimplemented,reinforceAustralia'sleadershiprolewithregardtotheequalityofwomen.388.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedtheGovernment'sintentiontoratifytheamendmenttoarticle20,paragraph1,oftheConventionconcerningtheCommittee'smeetingtimeandnotedwithsatisfactionAustralia'ssupportforthepreparationofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventiononacomplaintsprocedureandtheinitiationofdomesticconsultationsinthatregard.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationJ .JoftheConvention389.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthechangingroleofgovernmentintermsofpublicexpenditureandtheongoingdecentralizationofresponsibilityinanumberofareas,includinghealth,fromthefederaltoterritorialorstateGovernments,hadhadanimpactonthelegalandpracticalimplementationoftheConvention.AustraliacontinuedtohavetworeservationstotheConvention,onewithregardtopaidmaternityleaveandonewithregardto"combatrelated"employmentinthearmedforces,whichconstitutedanobstacletothefullimplementationoftheConvention.390.2 .2TheCommitteewasawarethatAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomencontinuedtofacediscriminationanddisadvantagesintermsofaccesstorights,opportunitiesandresources.2 .2Principalareasofconcern391.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedabouttheGovernment'sapparentshiftinattentionandcommitmenttothehumanrightsofwomenandtheachievementofgenderequality.Indicationssuchasthecutby38percentinthebudgetoftheOfficeoftheStatusofWomenandasimilarreductionoffundingfortheHumanRightsandEqualOpportunitiesCommissiongaverisetoconcern.Whileincreasedeffortsatgendermainstreamingintoallsectoralareaswerecommendable,theCommitteewasconcernedabouttheweakenedroleofnationalmachineryinprovidingpolicyadviceonequalityissuesandinmonitoringtheeffectiveimplementationofsuchpolicies.Thediscontinuationofthewomen'sbudgetstatement,aswellasofthenationalregisterofwomen,wasregrettablesincebothhadservedasamodelforotherGovernmentsembarkingonsimilarexercises.392.2 .2TheCommitteewasalarmedbypolicychangesthatapparentlysloweddown,orreversed,Australia'sprogressinachievingequalitybetweenwomenandmen,suchasinhousingandchildcareprogrammes,andinemploymentassistance.ItwasconcernedaboutthedelayinappointingaSexDiscriminationCommissionerandabouttheGovernment'sdeclaredintentiontochangeitshumanrightspolicyandlegislationasitpertainedtowomen.393.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthepossibilitythat,atatimeoffiscalconstraint,resourcesforprogrammesandpoliciesbenefitingwomenoraimedatovercomingdiscrimination,forexampleinhealth,theprovisionoflegalaidservices,trainingandawarenessprogrammesonviolenceagainstwomenforhealth,judicial,professionalandotherworkersmightbesubjectedtodisproportionatebudgetcuts.394.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatviolenceagainstwomen,notwithstandingmajorefforts,remainedacentralconcerntoAustralianwomen,7percentofwhomexperiencedsometypeofviolenceinthecourseofayear.ItnotedtheabsenceofdataconcerningviolenceagainstAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomenandassessmentofprogrammesdirectedatreducingsuchviolence.395.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoconcernedaboutpaedophiliaandsextourisminvolvingAustralianmen,primarilyinAsiancountries,andthesituationofwomenbroughttoAustraliaasbrides.396.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatnewlegislationonindustrialrelationsprovidingforthenegotiationofindividualcontractsbetweenemployerandemployeemighthaveadisproportionatelynegativeimpactonwomen.Part-timeandcasualworkers,ofwhomwomenformedadisproportionateshare,wereusuallyinaweakerpositionthanotherworkerstonegotiatefavourableworkingagreements,inparticularwithregardtobenefits.ThereservationtotheConventionwithregardtopaidmaternityleave,andAustralia'snon-ratificationofILOConventionNo.103concerningmaternityprotection,remainedaconcernforwomenworkerswithfamilyresponsibilities.397.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthecontinuingadversesituationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomen.Majorcausesofconcernincludedahigherincidenceofmaternalmortality,lowerlifeexpectancy,reducedaccesstothefullrangeofhealthservices,ahighincidenceofviolence,includingdomesticviolence,andhighunemploymentrates.Theirsituation,aswellasthatofmigrantwomen,wasfurthercompromisedbyanapparentriseinracismandxenophobia.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations398.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentshouldcarefullymonitortheimpactofrecentpolicychangesinallareascoveredbytheConventionforinclusioninitsnextperiodicreport.Tothatend,itrecommendedthatAustraliaconductanalysesofthesuccessesandshortcomingsofthenewpolicieswithaviewtoprovidingdataforfutureaction,bothinAustraliaandelsewhere.ItrecommendedthattheGovernmentdesignalong-termstrategyaimedatthefullimplementationoftheConvention.399.2 .2Inparticular,theCommitteerecommendedthatanevaluationshouldbeconductedoftheWorkplaceRelationsActof1996,assessingitsimpactuponwomenofdifferentagegroups,withdifferenteducationallevelsandindifferentoccupationalgroups.TheGovernmentshouldassesswhethertheActleadstoincreasedordecreasedpart-timeandcasualwork,anditsimpactonwomenworkers'benefitsandonworkerswithfamilyresponsibilities,particularlywomen'sabilitytoobtainmaternityleave.AsimilarevaluationandassessmentwasrecommendedforAustralia'snewchildcarebenefitscheme.400.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttoassessthebenefitsofacontinuingnationalwomen'shealthpolicyandtoensurethatanyfurtherchangeinthatpolicydidnotleadtoadecreasedaccessbywomen,especiallyvulnerablegroupsofwomen,tocomprehensivehealthservices.Italsorecommendedthatdataandindicatorsonhealthshouldbecollected,disaggregatedbysex,age,ethnicity,rural/urbanareasandotherdistinctions.Datashouldalsobecollectedontheimpactoftheshiftinresponsibilityforhealthcarefromthefederaltothestatelevel.401.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheConventionandtheBeijingDeclarationandPlatformforActionshouldbetranslatedfornon-EnglishspeakingAustralians.402.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatacomprehensivestrategytoeliminateviolenceagainstwomenshouldbeadoptedfollowingtheNationalDomesticViolenceSummit,withanemphasisonprevention,andwithsufficientfunding.Italsorecommendedthatwaysshouldbefoundtoinvolvewomen'sgroupsinthedevelopmentofstrategiestoreduceviolenceinthemedia,includingelectronicmedia,andthattheyshouldparticipateinthedevelopmentofregulatorycodesofpracticeofthemedia.TheGovernmentshouldfurtherassessitsmonitoringandenforcementresponsibilitiesinthatregard.403.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthedifferingstateprovisionsinrelationtoprostitutionandencouragedtheGovernmenttoassesstheeffectivenessofthevaryingmeasuresinreducingtheexploitationofprostitution.404.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttocollectstatisticaldataontheparticipationofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwomenintheworkforce,indecision-making,inpoliticsandadministration,andinthejudiciarywithaviewtoenhancingprogrammesthatwouldbenefitthem.ItsuggestedthattheGovernmentmightincluderepresentativesofthosecommunitieswhenitpresenteditsnextreporttotheCommittee.405.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthat,inthelightoftheMaboandWikjudgementsoftheHighCourt,theGovernmentshoulddevelopthenecessarylegislativeandpolicymeasurestoensurewomen'sequalaccesstoindividualownershipofnativeland.406.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttostrengthenitssupportforwomen'sstudies,toprovidefundingforresearchandteaching,andtofacilitateinternationalacademicexchangeandcooperationinthatfield.407.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmenttoresumeitsactiveandvisibleparticipationininternationalforumsonwomen'sequality,suchastheCommonwealthandtheUnitedNations.408.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedthewidedisseminationinAustraliaoftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeindividualsawareofthestepsthathadbeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.@ . 6.Thirdandfourthperiodicreports@ .Bangladesh409.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredthecombinedthirdandfourthperiodicreportsofBangladesh(CEDAW/C/BGD/3-4)atits357thand358thmeetings,on23July1997(seeCEDAW/C/SR.357and358).410.2 .2Inhisopeningstatement,therepresentativeofBangladeshconfirmedhiscountry'scommitmenttotheadvancementofwomen,whichwasaprioritycommitmentofthePrimeMinister.TheMinisterinformedtheCommitteethatanumberofconstitutionalandpolicymeasureshadbeenintroduced,includingtheadoptionofaNationalPolicyforWomen'sDevelopmentandtheelaborationofaNationalActionPlanfortheImplementationoftheBeijingPlatformforAction.Thesewerebothground-breakingdocumentsandwouldmakerealchangesinwomen'sstatusandposition.TheMinisternotedthathiscountryhadbeenabletoachieveconsiderableprogressintheadvancementandempowermentofwomen,despiteseriousobstacles.411.2 .2TheMinisterannouncedthatBangladeshwaswithdrawingitsreservationstoarticles13,paragraph(a),and16,paragraph1(f),oftheConvention.412.2 .2Anothermemberofthedelegationpresentedthecombinedthirdandfourthperiodicreport,recallingthatthefourthperiodicreporthadbeensubmittedaheadoftimeasanexpressionofhercountry'scommitmenttotheConventionandthepromotionofwomen'srights.Sheindicatedthatthereporthadbeenformallypresentedtomorethan150representativesofnon-governmentalorganizationsataday-longworkshoporganizedbytheMinistryofWomenandChildrenAffairs.413.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthat,accordingtodevelopmentindicatorsrelatingtolifeexpectancy,educationandhealth,women'sstatusinBangladeshwaslowerthanthatofmen.Forty-eightpercentoftheruraland44percentoftheurbanpopulationlivedbelowthepovertyline,withwomensufferingchronicnutritionaldeficienciesthatwereaggravatedduringpregnancyandlactation.Abirthrateashighas4.6livebirthscontributedtoacycleofhighmaternalmortality,malnutrition,lowbirthweightbabiesandinfantmortality.Thematernalmortalityratewasoneofthehighestintheworld(450deathsper100,000livebirths).Progressintheremovalofdisparitieswasslowsincewomenweresubjecttodiscriminationbothinculturalpracticeandinpersonallaw.414.2 .2Therepresentativedescribedinterventionsandstrategiestoimprovethestatusofwomen.TheGovernment,assistedbynon-governmentalorganizations,hadtakenspecialmeasurestopromotegirls'enrolmentandretentionattheprimaryandsecondarylevelsofeducation,totargetgirlsinnon-formaleducationandtodirectthemtowardsnon-traditionalfieldsofstudy.Aquotasystemhadbeenintroducedtoacceleraterecruitmentoffemaleprimaryschoolteachers.415.2 .2Inthefieldofemployment,therepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeofthequotasystemapplicabletoalltypesofpublicemployment,reserving10percentofrecruitmenttogazettedpostsand15percenttonon-gazettedposts,withaviewtofacilitatingentryandtherebyincreasingthenumberofwomen.416.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedaboutincreasesinwomen'seconomicparticipationasaresultofself-employmentgeneratingcreditprogrammesrunbytheGovernmentandnongovernmentalorganizations.TheBangladeshexperimentofprovidingwomenaccesstocredit,andnotablytheGrameenBankmodel,hadbeenreplicatedabroad.417.2 .2TherepresentativepointedoutthatBangladeshhadmadehistorybyhavingtwowomensucceedeachotherasPrimeMinisterandLeaderoftheOppositioninParliament.Thephenomenalturnoutofwomeninthe1996parliamentaryelectionsshowedthatwomenasvotersweregainingvisibilityandpoliticalstrength.However,veryfewwomenhadbeenelectedtoParliamentthroughthedirectelectoralprocess.ThirtyseatshadbeenreservedforwomeninParliament,inadditiontothe300seatselecteddirectlyfromterritorialconstituencies.TheConstitutionprovidedreservedseatsinallmunicipalandlocalgovernmentbodiesforwomen,andthishadhadapositiveeffectinensuringaminimumrepresentationofwomen.418.2 .2Withregardtoviolenceagainstwomen,theCommitteewasinformedabouttheincidenceofviolence,suchasmurdersofwivesasaresultofnon-paymentofdowry,custodialrape,includingrapebymembersoflawenforcementagencies,andviolenceatthecommunitylevelbypronouncingfatwasandmisinterpretingreligion.TherepresentativedescribedthemultisectoralactionprogrammebeingundertakenbytheMinistryofWomenandChildrenAffairstoaddressviolenceagainstwomen,includingtraffickinginwomenandgirls.419.2 .2Turningtothelegalframework,therepresentativepointedoutthatthedisparitybetweendejureanddefactorightswasduetolegalilliteracyofwomenandmenandvariousweaknessesinlawenforcement.APermanentLawCommissionhadbeenestablishedbytheGovernmenttoreviewexistinglawsandenactnewonestosafeguardwomen'srightsandtopreventviolenceagainstwomen.420.2 .2Therepresentativedescribedthenationalmachineryandinstitutionalframeworktocombatgenderinequality.TheNationalCouncilforWomen'sDevelopment,a44memberbody,washeadedbythePrimeMinisterandcomprisedministersandsecretariesfromseverallineministries,publicrepresentativesandeminentindividuals.TheestablishmentofanInterministerialCoordinationandEvaluationCommittee,headedbytheMinisterforWomenandChildrenAffairs,wasenvisaged.ShenotedthatBangladeshhadbeenoneofthefirstcountriesintheworldtoestablishafullfledgedMinistryofWomenandChildrenAffairs,whichincludedaDepartmentofWomenAffairsasitsimplementingarm.421.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethathercountryhadtakenseriousstepstoimplementinternationalcommitmentsinthefollow-uptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomenandtheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment,aswellaslegalobligationsenshrinedintheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.SheconcludedbysayingthattheConventionandthePlatformforActionhadbeentranslatedintoBanglaandwidelydisseminated.TheNationalActionPlanoffereddetailedactionprogrammestoimplementthePlatformforActioninBangladesh.ConcludingcommentsoftheCommittee2 .2Introduction422.2 .2TheCommitteecommendedtheGovernmentofBangladeshforitscomprehensive,frankandclearwrittenandoralpresentations,whichfollowedtheguidelinesoftheCommitteeandrespondedtomostofthequestionsraisedbyexperts.423.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomedthehighleveldelegationheadedbytheMinisterforWomenandChildrenAffairs,assistedbyseveraldistinguishedexpertsfromotheragencies,academeandnongovernmentalorganizations,whichreflectedtheimportanceaccordedbytheGovernmenttotheCommittee.424.2 .2TheCommitteeespeciallywelcomedandapplaudedthedecisionoftheGovernmentofBangladeshtowithdrawitsreservationstoarticle13,paragraph(a),andarticle16,paragraph1(f).ItcommendedtheinitiativeoftheGovernmentinleadingthewayforothercountrieswithsimilarreservationstoalsoconsiderliftingtheirreservations.425.2 .2TheCommitteenotedandappreciatedtheclosecollaborationbetweentheGovernmentandnongovernmentalorganizationsinthecourseofthepreparationofthereport,aswellastheeffortsoftheGovernmenttodisseminateitsreporttoawiderangeofwomen'sgroupsandorganizations.2 .2Positiveaspects426.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithsatisfactiontheexistenceofconstitutionalguaranteesofequalitybetweenwomenandmen.427.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedsatisfactionatthehighstatusaccordedtheMinistryofWomenandChildrenAffairsintheGovernment.428.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedtheinclusionofwomen'sconcernsinallofthedevelopmentplansoftheGovernment.ThiswasstrengthenedbythedeclarationofthePolicyonWomen'sAdvancement,themainblueprintoftheGovernmentfortheimplementationoftheBeijingPlatformforAction.429.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthepositiveimpactofthepresenceof30reservedseatsforwomeninParliamentandlocalbodies,aswellasinthepublicsector.ItespeciallyappreciatedthefactthatBangladeshwasoneofthefewcountriesintheworldwithafemalePrimeMinisterandafemaleLeaderoftheOpposition.430.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationtheemphasisplacedbytheGovernmentonincreasingliteracyamongwomenandgirls,withtheaimofachievingeducationforallbytheyear2000.431.2 .2TheCommitteeapplaudedtheGovernment'seffortstopopularizeanddisseminatetheConventionbytranslatingitintoBangla.432.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatedtheGovernment'swillingnesstocollaboratewithwomen'snongovernmentalorganizationsinimplementingitsprogrammesonwomen.2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention433.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernovertheGovernment'sremainingreservationstoarticles2and16,paragraph1(a).TheCommitteenotedthatitregardsarticle2asafundamentalandcoreprovisionoftheConvention,whilearticle16iscriticaltothefullenjoymentbywomenoftheirrights.434.2 .2ThesloweconomicgrowthofthecountrycoupledwithfrequentnaturalcalamitiessuchastyphoonsandfloodsposedseriousconstraintstotheabilityoftheGovernmenttoprovideadequateresourcesforwomen'sprogrammesandprojects.435.2 .2Prevailingstereotypedattitudesandpracticesjustifiedonsocialgroundscreateasocialenvironmentfortheacceptanceofdiscriminationagainstwomen,thusimpedingthefullimplementationoftheConvention.&  2 .2Principalareasofconcern436.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedseriousconcernaboutthealarminglevelsof'  violenceagainstwomeninallitsformsandespeciallyitsmostcruelforms,suchasacidthrowing,stoninganddowrydeath,andtheinabilityoftheGovernmenttoenforceexistinglawseffectively,ortoprovideimmediatereliefandjusticetovictimsofsuchviolence.437.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithconcernthatwhileeducationprogrammeshadincreasedthelevelofliteracyamonggirlsandwomensincethelastreport,averylargepercentageofwomenandgirlsstillhadnoaccesstoeducation.438.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthatmaternalmortalityandinfantmortalityratesremainedhighandthatavailableprimaryhealthandreproductivehealthserviceswerestillinadequateandofteninaccessibletopoor,ruralandmarginalizedwomen.Moreover,familyplanningservicesstillmainlytargetedwomen,andnotenougheducationonmaleresponsibilityinreproductionhadbeenintroduced.439.2 .2Onthematterofmigrantwomen,theCommitteenotedfromthereportthelackofdiscussionandmeasurestoprotectwomenmigrantworkersfromBangladeshatallstagesofthemigrationprocess.440.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditsconcernaboutthecontinuingprevalenceofstereotypedandpatriarchalattitudestowardswomeninsocietyreflectedinsuchpracticesassonpreferencethatunderminetheGovernment'seffortstoachieveequalstatusofwomen.441.2 .2TheCommitteewasseriouslyconcernedaboutthepoorworkingconditionsofwomenworkersinboththeprivateandthepublicsector.Itwasparticularlyconcernedwiththenonimplementationofminimumwagelevelsandthelackofsocialandhealthbenefits,includingpaidmaternityleave,andthelackofadequatechildcarefacilitiesinthemanufacturingsector.Itnotedthelackofgovernmentmonitoringoftheconditionsofwomenintheinformalsector.442.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthelackofdisaggregatedstatisticalinformationandthelackofsystematicdatagatheringonbirthandmarriageregistrationandincidentsofviolenceagainstwomen.443.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressedseriousconcernattheabsenceofspecialprisonsforwomen,whichposedseriousthreatstothesecurityandprotectionofwomencommittedtoprison.444.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatalthougheconomicandmicro-creditprogrammesexistedforruralwomen,thetrendtowardsglobalizationandliberalizationoftradepoliciesmighthaveanadverseeconomicimpactonthepoorestofthepoor,especiallywomenintheruralareas.445.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedaboutthefactthat,whilealldevelopmentplanshadincludedgenderconcernsandissues,theirimpactonwomenhadnotbeenadequatelymonitoredandassessed.446.2 .2TheCommitteenotedtheabsenceofadequateinformationandanalysis,aswellasprogrammes,directedataddressingprostitutioningeneral.447.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithseriousconcernthereportedimpositionoffatwas,usingreligiousjustificationtopunishwomen.448.2 .2TheCommitteewasconcernedatthefactthatdespiteaffirmativeactionmeasurestoencouragewomen'spoliticalparticipation,thenumberofwomenindecisionmakingpositionswasstillsmall.2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations449.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmentofBangladesh,inordertocomplybothwithitsownConstitutionandtheConvention,toreviewitsremainingreservationstoarticles2and16,paragraph1(a),withaviewtoeventuallywithdrawingthem.450.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragedtheGovernmentofBangladeshtostrengthenitsprimaryhealthandreproductivehealthservicesaimedatsubstantiallyimprovingthehealthandwellbeingofwomen.451.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheGovernmentofBangladeshtostrengthenitsenforcementandmonitoringofexistinglaws,policiesandmechanismsonviolenceagainstwomensoastoprovidevictimsandsurvivorsofviolencewithresponsiveandeffectivemeasuresofprotectionandtopreventfurtherviolence.452.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyurgedtheGovernmentofBangladeshtosetupaseparateprisonfacilityandcomprehensiveprogrammeofrehabilitationforwomenprisoners.453.2 .2Inviewoftheimpactofglobalizationonruraleconomics,theGovernmentshouldgivehighprioritytotheissuesandproblemsofruralwomen,especiallytheirownershipoflandandaccesstocredit,loansandskillstraininginnewagriculturaltechnologies,withaviewtostrengtheningtheirproductiveandemploymentcapacity.454.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthestrengtheningofgendersensitizationandtrainingprogrammesforthejudiciary,policeandhealthprofessionals,particularlythoserelatingtoviolenceagainstwomen.455.2 .2Tocombatsocialattitudes,prejudicesandsocialandtraditionalpracticesthatdiscriminateagainstwomen,theCommitteestronglyrecommendedthattheGovernmentstrengtheneducationandpublicinformationprogrammesgearedtowardsreinforcingmorepositiveimagesandrolesofwomeninsociety.456.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentpayparticularattentiontoimprovingthewagelevelsandthetermsandconditionsofwomenworkersintheexportprocessingzones,aswellasintheinformalsector.457.2 .2TheCommitteeurgedtheGovernmenttostrengthenitsmechanismstoprotectmigrantwomenworkersfromexploitationthroughoutthemigrationprocess,interalia,byactivelyexploringbilateralandmultilateralinitiativesaddressingthisissue.458.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatbirthandmarriagesbesystematicallyregisteredsothatlawsprohibitingchildmarriageandpolygamymightberigorouslyenforced.459.2 .2Inrespondingtotheproblemoftraffickingofwomenandgirls,theCommitteerecommendedthestrongerenforcementoftheWomenandChildRepressionAct1995,aswellasprovisionofadequateassistancetowomenandgirlvictimsoftrafficking.TheregionalresolutionontraffickingagreedtobytheSouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperationinMaldivesshouldbesustainedandconcretizedintoactualprogrammes.460.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthattheGovernmentundertakeanimpactassessmentofdevelopmentplansforwomen.461.2 .2TheCommitteestronglyrecommendedmoreproactivemeasurestohastentheimplementationofeducationprogrammestoeliminatefemaleilliteracy.462.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthatresearchontherootcausesandconsequencesofprostitutionbeconductedtoenableGovernmentstorespondaccordingly.463.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendedthecontinuanceofaffirmativeactionmeasuressuchasquotaseatsforwomeninParliament,inlocalbodiesandinthecivilservice.Thisshouldbeaccompaniedbycapabilitybuildingandskillstrainingtoenablewomentoparticipateactivelyinelectoralpoliticsaswellasinthecivilservice.464.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedwidedisseminationinBangladeshoftheseconcludingcommentssoastomakeindividualsawareofthestepsthathavebeentakentoensuredefactoequalityforwomenandthefurtherstepsrequiredinthisregard.@ .Notes2 .21SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.38(A/47/38),chap.I.2 .22Ibid.,FortysixthSession,SupplementNo.38(A/46/38),chap.I.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO  (  $(|882   @ .V.WAYSANDMEANSOFEXPEDITINGTHEWORKOFTHECOMMITTEE465.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredwaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee(agendaitem7)atits334thand359thmeetings,on7and25July1997.466.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheChiefoftheWomen'sRightsUnitoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthereportoftheSecretariat(CEDAW/C/1997/II/4)andaworkingpapercontainingthedraftrulesofprocedure(CEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.1).@ .ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereportofWorkingGroupI467.2 .2Atits359thmeeting,on25July1997,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupI(CEDAW/C/1997/II/WG.I/WP.1).@ .61.Overduereports468.2 .2TheCommitteeinvitedtheSecretariattoadviseStatespartieswhosereportswereoverduethatadviceonreceivingassistancefromtheUnitedNationssystemcouldbeobtainedfromtheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen.@ .2.Listsofquestionsforthepresessionworkinggroup469.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthattheexpertdesignatedascountryrapporteurshouldsendherintroductoryreportonthemostrelevantmattersrelatingtothesituationofwomeninthatcountrytothepresessionworkinggroup.ResponsibilityforpreparingquestionsonsubsequentreportsfortheworkinggroupwouldbesharedamongCommitteemembers,twoorthreemembersbeinggivenresponsibilityforeachreport.Memberswithotherresponsibilities,suchastheresourcepersonfortheworkinggroupontheoptionalprotocolandmembersassignedresponsibilityforgeneralrecommendationsorotherdocumentsshouldberelievedofresponsibilityforpreparingquestionswithrespecttoperiodicreports.̀3.Reportoftheindependentexpertonthefunctioning̀ofthehumanrightstreatybodies470.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheSecretariattocompilethecommentsofthemembersoftheCommitteeonthereportoftheindependentexpertonthefunctioningofthehumanrightstreatybodiesforsubmissiontotheCommitteeatitseighteenthsession.@ .n4.Concludingcomments471.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthestandardformatofconcludingcommentswouldbe:Introduction;positiveaspects;factorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention;principalareasofconcern;suggestionsandrecommendations.@ .T 5.Membersofthepresessionworkinggroup472.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthemembersofthepresessionworkinggroupfortheeighteenthsessionoftheCommitteeandtheiralternatesshouldbe:̀Members . Alternates2 .2Ms.EmnaAouij(Africa)882  .Ms.KongitSinegiorgis2 .2Ms.IvankaCorti(Europe) .Ms.CarlotaBustelo2 .2Ms.SunaryatiHartono(Asia) .Ms.LinShangzen2 .2Ms.YolandaFerrerGomez(LatinAmerica) .Ms.AdaGonzlez@ . 6.DatesoftheeighteenthsessionoftheCommittee473.2 .2Consistentwiththecalendarofconferencesfor1998,theeighteenthsessionshouldbeheldfrom19Januaryto6February1998,inNewYork.Thepresessionworkinggroupwouldmeetfrom12to16January1998.@ .r7.Reportstobeconsideredatthenineteenthandtwentiethsessions474.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatStatespartiespresentingreportsattheJanuarysessioninanyyearshouldsubmitanyadditionalinformation,includinganyadditionalreports,priorto15Septemberofthepreviousyear;inthecaseoftheJulysession,theCommitteedecidedthatadditionalinformationshouldbesubmittedby30Marchofthatyear(seechap.I,sect.B,decision17/I).475.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthemaximumnumberofreportstobeconsideredateachsessionwouldnormallybeeight,drawnfromaproposedlistofupto10countries(seechap.I,sect.B,decision17/II).476.2 .2Bearinginmindthecriteriaofdateofsubmission,geographicalbalanceandreportsdelayedfromearliersessions,thereportsofthefollowingStatespartiesshouldbeconsidered:@ .hNineteenthsession2 .2Initialreports2 .2CzechRepublic2 .2Secondperiodicreports2 .2Nigeria2 .2Panama2 .2UnitedRepublicofTanzania2 .2Thirdperiodicreports2 .2Belarus2 .2RepublicofKorea(thirdandfourth)2 .2UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelanḋ2 .2Fourthperiodicreports2 .2Peru+2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesshouldbeunabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteedecidedtoconsiderthesecondperiodicreportofGreece.@ .Twentiethsession2 .2Secondperiodicreports2 .2Greece2 .2Thailand2 .2Thirdperiodicreports2 .2Austria2 .2Egypt2 .2Finland2 .2Spain2 .2IntheeventthatoneoftheabovementionedStatespartiesshouldbeunabletopresentitsreport,theCommitteedecidedtoconsiderthefourthperiodicreportofSweden.@ . VI.IMPLEMENTATIONOFARTICLE21OFTHECONVENTION477.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheimplementationofarticle21oftheConvention(agendaitem6)atits334thand359thmeetings,on7and25July1997.478.2 .2TheitemwasintroducedbytheChiefoftheWomen'sRightsUnitoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,whopresentedthefollowingdocuments:2 .2(a) .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivities(CEDAW/C/1997/II/3);2 .2(b) .ReportoftheWorldHealthOrganization(CEDAW/C/1997/II/3/Add.1);2 .2(c) .ReportontheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(CEDAW/C/1997/II/3/Add.3);2 .2(d) .Generalrecommendation23onarticles7and8(CEDAW/C/1997/II/5).̀A.ActiontakenbytheCommitteeonthereport󀀀ofWorkingGroupII479.2 .2Atits359thmeeting,on25July1997,theCommitteeconsideredtheitemonthebasisofthereportofWorkingGroupII(CEDAW/C/1997/II/WG.II/WP.1)andtookthefollowingaction:@ .1.Processforthepreparationofgeneralrecommendations480.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthattherewouldbeathreestageprocessforthepreparationofgeneralrecommendations,asfollows:2 .2(a) .First,ageneraldiscussionandexchangeofviewsonthesubjectoftheproposedgeneralrecommendationduringanopenmeetingoftheCommittee.SpecializedagenciesandotherUnitedNationsbodies,aswellasnon-governmentalorganizations,wouldbeencouragedtoparticipateinthediscussionandtoprepareinformalbackgroundpapersasappropriate;2 .2(b) .Second,theresultofthegeneraldiscussionwouldbecompiledbyamemberoftheCommitteeandtheSecretariatintoaninitialdraftgeneralrecommendation.ThatdraftwouldbediscussedatthenextsessionbyWorkingGroupII,whichcouldinviteresourcepersonsandnongovernmentalorganizationstotakepartindiscussionsasappropriate.ThecommentsoftheWorkingGroupwouldbeincorporatedintoareviseddraftwhichwouldbedistributedtoallexpertsbeforethenextsession;2 .2(c) .ThereviseddraftwouldbesubmittedbyWorkingGroupIIatthesubsequentsessionforconsiderationandadoptionbytheCommitteeasawhole.@ . 2.FuturegeneralrecommendationsoftheCommittee481.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatitsnextgeneralrecommendationwouldbeonwomenandhealth(article12oftheConvention).Inthepreparationofthegeneralrecommendation,theBeijingPlatformforAction,thereportoftheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentandotherrelevantdocumentswouldbeused.TheCommitteedesignatedMs.Shalevtoassistininitiallyintegratinginformationgathered,includinginformationprovidedbynongovernmentalorganizationsattheinformalconsultationheldduringtheseventeenthsession,on24July1997,whichwouldbediscussedbytheCommitteeatitseighteenthsessioninJanuary1998.482.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatgeneralrecommendationsonarticles2and4oftheConventionwouldbeformulatedseparately.̀3.ContributionoftheCommitteetothefiftiethanniversarỳoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights483.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatitscontributiontothefiftiethanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsshouldincludeawrittenstatementonreservations,particularlyinthecontextofarticle2oftheConvention.Ms.SilviaCartwrightwasdesignatedbytheCommitteetosubmitafirstdraftofastatementrelatingtoreservations,basedonallavailablematerial,includingthatavailableintheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,fordiscussionattheeighteenthsessionoftheCommitteeandadoptionatitsnineteenthsession,bearinginmindtheobservanceofthefiftiethanniversaryon10December1998.̀4.OpenendedworkinggroupoftheCommissiononthèStatusofWomenontheelaborationofadraft̀optionalprotocoltotheConvention484.2 .2TheCommitteenominatedMs.SilviaCartwrighttoactasaresourcepersontotheopenendedworkinggroupontheelaborationofadraftoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,whichwouldmeetduringthefortysecondandfortythirdsessionsoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen,in1998and1999.@ .B5.Generalrecommendation23485.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteofthefinaleditedtextofitsgeneralrecommendation23onarticles7and8oftheConventionrelatingtowomeninpubliclife(CEDAW/C/1997/II/5)whichithadadoptedatitssixteenthsessioninJanuary1997,subjecttofinalediting(forthetext,seechap.I,sect.A,above).@ .Z B.StatementsbyseniorUnitedNationsofficialsUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization486.2 .2Atthe349thmeeting,on16July1997,therepresentativeoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)introducedtheorganization'sreport(CEDAW/C/1997/II/3/Add.3),whichhadbeensubmittedtotheCommitteeunderarticle22oftheConvention.487.2 .2ShesaidthatUNESCOadministered10projectswhichrelatedtothe12criticalareasofconcernidentifiedintheBeijingPlatformforAction.Theseincludedprojectsonequalaccesstoeducation;peace;themedia;women'scontributiontothemanagementofnaturalresourcesandenvironmentalprotection;andaccessofthegirlchildtoeducationandliteracy.OtherprojectsseektoalleviatethedailyworkburdenofwomenandgirlsinAfrica,AsiaandthePacific,ArabStatesandLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.488.2 .2TherepresentativenotedthattheoverallworkofUNESCOregardingwomen,girlsandgenderequalitywasguidedbyfiveresolutionsadoptedbyitsGeneralConferencein1995,whichhadbeenheldimmediatelyaftertheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.ThoseresolutionsreflectedUNESCO'scommitmenttothesystemwidemediumtermplanfortheadvancementofwomen,theBeijingPlatformforAction,thecoordinatedandintegratedsystemwidefollowuptoothermajorconferencesandtotheprinciplesoftheConvention.489.2 .2TherepresentativedescribedtheUNESCOWebsiteonwomen,andthegenderapproachofUNESCO'swork.ThatapproachwouldbetestedduringthepreparationoftwomajorUNESCOconferences,theWorldConferenceonHigherEducationandtheWorldScienceConference,tobeheldin1998and1999,respectively.Twoothereventsscheduledtotakeplaceearlyin1998wouldhaveasignificantimpactongendermainstreaminginUNESCO'sfieldsofcompetence,namely,thepreparationofaninternationalcampaigntopromotetheaccessofwomenandgirlstoeducationasafundamentalhumanright,asacontributiontothecelebrationoftheanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,andconcentrationonwomen'sunpaidwork.490.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteeoftheforthcomingexpertgroupmeetingonmalerolesandmasculinitiesintheperspectiveofacultureofpeace,whichwasexpectedtocontributetoagreaterunderstandingofgendersocializationwithindifferentculturalcontexts;andtheproposaloftheGovernmentofLuxembourgforaworldconferenceonmenandpower.UnitedNationsPopulationFund491.2 .2Atthe335thmeeting,on7July1997,theDirectoroftheTechnicalandEvaluationDivisionoftheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)statedthattheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenwasanessentialinstrumentintheglobalefforttoempowerwomenandtoensuregenderequityandequality.Itwasalsocentraltothesupportofeffortswithregardtowomen'srighttohealth,includingreproductivehealth,whichwascrucialtowomen'sautonomyandtosustainabledevelopment.492.2 .2Therepresentativenotedthatarticles12and16(e)oftheConventionwerecloselylinkedtotheagreementsreachedby179countriesattheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentheldatCairoinSeptember1994andtothePlatformforActionadoptedbytheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen.HenotedthattheProgrammeofActionadoptedatCairoplacedreproductiveandsexualhealthandrightsatthecentreofthepopulationanddevelopmentagenda,andcommittedGovernmentstostrivetoensureuniversalaccessby2015tocomprehensivereproductivehealthcare,includingfamilyplanningandservicestoprotectsexualhealth.493.2 .2TherepresentativeremindedtheCommitteeoftheroundtableonhumanrightsapproachestowomen'shealth,withafocusonreproductiveandsexualhealthrights,organizedjointlybytheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,UNFPAandtheOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRightsandheldatGlenCove,NewYork,inDecember1996.Theretreatybodyexpertshaddiscussedwaysinwhichthevarioushumanrightsbodiescouldsupporteffortstoprotectandpromotereproductiveandsexualhealthrights.AmongtherecommendationsoftheroundtablewasarequestfortreatybodiestoincorporatereproductiveandsexualrightsintheirexaminationofthereportsofStatesparties,andtousetheCairoandBeijingdocuments,whereapplicable,inpreparingguidelines,generalcomments,recommendationsandresponsestoreports.494.2 .2HestatedthateffortshadbeenmadetofollowuptheGlenCoverecommendations.Inparticular,UNFPAwasconsideringwaystoinvolveCommitteeexpertsinactivitiestoincorporatehumanrightseducationintheUNFPAprogrammingprocess.HenotedthattheFundhadalsobeenworkingwiththeDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomentoidentifyareasofcollaborationtostrengthentheimplementationoftheConvention.495.2 .2TherepresentativeinformedtheCommitteethatthe1997reportofUNFPAentitledTheStateofWorldPopulationlistedthefollowingfourkeycomponentsofreproductiverights:therighttoreproductiveandsexualhealth,asacomponentofoverallhealth,throughoutthelifecycle;therighttoreproductivedecisionmaking,includingtherightofaccesstotheinformationandthemeansnecessarytoexercisevoluntarychoiceinmarriage,formingfamiliesanddeterminingthenumber,timingandspacingofone'schildren;equalityandequityformenandwomen,toenablefreeandinformedchoicesinallspheresoflife,withoutdiscriminationbasedongender;andtherighttosexualandreproductivesecurity,includingfreedomfromsexualviolenceandcoercion,andtherighttoprivacy.496.2 .2Henotedthatapproximately50percentofUNFPAprogrammeresourcesweredevotedtoassistingGovernmentsandnongovernmentalorganizationstoincreaseaccessto,andimprovethequalityof,counsellingandserviceprovisionsinthereproductivehealtharea.Intheareaofpopulationanddevelopmentstrategies,UNFPAprovidedsupportfor,interalia,datacollectionandsocioculturalandeconomicresearchonissuesrelatedtogenderequalityandwomen'sempowerment.Intheadvocacyarea,theFundemphasizedtheimportanceofsafeguardingandpromotingreproductiverights,genderequalityandmaleresponsibility.UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme497.2 .2Alsoatthe335thmeeting,therepresentativeoftheGenderinDevelopmentProgrammeoftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)statedthatthecommitmentofUNDPtotheeliminationofdiscriminationagainstwomenhadanumberofdimensions,includingatthecountrylevel,throughtheResidentCoordinatorsystem.HenotedthatUNDPwasalsoworkingcloselywiththeUnitedNationssystempartnersininteragencyworkinggroupsandtaskforcestopromotegenderequalityandtheadvancementofwomen.Inthisregard,theagenciesintheJointConsultativeGrouponPolicywereforgingstrongalliancestoachievecommongoalsongenderissuesatthecountrylevel,includingthroughcooperationonadvocacyandtheimplementationoftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.498.2 .2Therepresentativestatedthatinteragencymechanismswereinplaceinallregions,includingincountriesaffectedbyconflictsituations,includingAfghanistan.UNDPwasbuildingnationalcapacityamongthe134countriestostrengthentheenablingpolicyandlegalframeworksforgenderequalityandimprovingwomen'saccesstoassetsandresources,includingdecisionmaking.UNDPwascommittingfinancialandhumanresourcestogenderequalityandtheadvancementofwomen.499.2 .2Therepresentativeindicatedthat,atthecountrylevel,UNDPwasprovidingsupporttotheimplementationofnationalactionplansforaccessiontoandimplementationoftheConvention.Attheregionallevel,UNDPsupportwasbeingprovidedtosubSaharanAfricacountriestofacilitatepublicawarenessandadvocacycampaigns,includingthroughthetranslationofthePlatformforActionandtheConventionintoindigenouslanguagesandthefacilitationoftheeffortsofcivilsociety.InAsiaandthePacific,UNDPwassupportingaprogrammewithInternationalWomen'sRightsActionWatch(Asia/Pacific),aimedatdevelopingwomen'sconstituencieswithrespecttogovernmentaccountabilitywithregardtotheConvention.InLatinAmerica,UNDPassistancewasbeingprovidedtoensurethatlegislativereformsaddressedtheprotectionofwomen'srights.InEasternEuropeandthecountriesoftheCommonwealthofIndependentStates,UNDPsponsoredaregionalprogrammetoassistcountriestostrengthentheirinstitutionalcapacitiesandtoestablishnationalandregionalnetworksofnon-governmentalorganizationstoaddressgenderissues;whileintheArabStatesregion,UNDPwasworkingtobuildthecapacityofaregionalinstitution,providingsupportintheareasoftraining,research,networkinganddisseminationofinformation.@ . VII.PROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHEEIGHTEENTHSESSION500.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheprovisionalagendaforitseighteenthsession(agendaitem8)atits359thmeeting,on25July1997.TheCommitteedecidedtoapprovethefollowingprovisionalagenda:2 .21.0 .Openingofthesession.2 .22.0 .Adoptionoftheagendaandorganizationofwork.2 .23.0 .ReportoftheChairpersononactivitiesundertakenbetweentheseventeenthandeighteenthsessionsoftheCommittee.2 .24.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .25.0 .Implementationofarticle21oftheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.2 .26.0 .WaysandmeansofexpeditingtheworkoftheCommittee.2 .27.0 .Provisionalagendaforthenineteenthsession.2 .28.0 .AdoptionofthereportoftheCommitteeonitseighteenthsession.@ .BVIII.ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT501.2 .2Atits359thmeeting,on25July1997,theCommitteeadoptedthereportonitsseventeenthsession(CEDAW/C/1997/II/L.1andAdd.110),asorallyamended.  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO(  $(}882   @ .ANNEXI@ .lStatespartiestotheConventionontheEliminationofAllForms@ .( ofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat25July1997򀀀L@4 , .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof  . DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession  . intoforce򀀀 <XAlbania .11May1994a/ .10June1994Algeria .22May1996a/,b/ .21June1996Andorra .15January1997a/ .14February1997Angola .17September1986a/ .17October1986AntiguaandBarbuda .1August1989a/ .31August1989Argentina .15July1985b/ .14August1985Armenia .13September1993a/ .13October1993Australia .28July1983b/ .27August1983Austria .31March1982b/ .30April1982Azerbaijan .10July1995a/ .9August1995Bahamas .6October1993a/ .5November1993Bangladesh .6November1984a/,b/ .6December1984Barbados .16October1980 .3September1981Belarus .4February1981c/ .3September1981Belgium .10July1985b/ .9August1985Belize .16May1990 .15June1990Benin .12March1992 .11April1992Bhutan .31August1981 .30September1981Bolivia .8June1990 .8July1990BosniaandHerzegovina .1September1993d/ .1October1993Botswana .13August1996a/ .12September1996Brazil .1February1984b/ .2March1984Bulgaria .8February1982c/ .10March1982BurkinaFaso .14October1987a/ .13November1987Burundi .8January1992 .7February1992Cambodia .15October1992a/ .14November1992Cameroon .23August1994a/ .22September1994Canada .10December1981c/ .9January1982CapeVerde .5December1980a/ .3September1981CentralAfricanRepublic .21June1991a/ .21July1991Chad .9June1995a/ .9July1995Chile .7December1989 .6January1990China .4November1980b/ .3September1981Colombia .19January1982 .18February1982Comoros .31October1994a/ .30November1994Congo .26July1982 .25August1982CostaRica .4April1986 .4May1986C=ted'Ivoire .19December1995a/ .17January1996Croatia .9September1992d/ .9October1992Cuba .17July1980b/ .3September1981Cyprus .23July1985a/,b/ .22August1985CzechRepublice/ .22February1993c/,d/ .24March1993DemocraticRepublic .̀oftheCongof/ .17October1986 .16November1986򀀀L@4 , .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentof  . DateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession  . intoforce򀀀 <XDenmark .21April1983 .21May1983Dominica .15September1980 .3September1981DominicanRepublic .2September1982 .2October1982Ecuador .9November1981 .9December1981Egypt .18September1981b/ .18October1981ElSalvador .19August1981b/ .18September1981EquatorialGuinea .23October1984a/ .22November1984Eritrea .5September1995a/ .5October1995Estonia .21October1991a/ .20November1991Ethiopia .10September1981b/ .10October1981Fiji .28August1995a/,b/ .27September1995Finland .4September1986 .4October1986France .14December1983b/,c/ .13January1984Gabon .21January1983 .20February1983Gambia .16April1993 .16May1993Georgia .26October1994a/ .25November1994Germanyg/ .10July1985b/ .9August1985Ghana .2January1986 .1February1986Greece .7June1983 .7July1983Grenada .30August1990 .29September1990Guatemala .12August1982 .11September1982Guinea .9August1982 .8September1982Guinea-Bissau .23August1985 .22September1985Guyana .17July1980 .3September1981Haiti .20July1981 .3September1981Honduras .3March1983 .2April1983Hungary .22December1980c/ .3September1981Iceland .18June1985 .18July1985India .9July1993b/ .8August1993Indonesia .13September1984b/ .13October1984Iraq .13August1986a/,b/ .12September1986Ireland .23December1985a/,b/,c/ .22January1986Israel .3October1991b/ .2November1991Italy .10June1985b/ .10July1985Jamaica .19October1984b/ .18November1984Japan .25June1985 .25July1985Jordan .1July1992b/ .31July1992Kenya .9March1984a/ .8April1984Kuwait .2September1994a/ .2October1994Kyrgyzstan .10February1997a/ .12March1997LaoPeople'sDemocratic̀Republic .14August1981 .13September1981Latvia .14April1992a/ .14May1992Lebanon .21April1997a/,b/ .21May1997Lesotho .22August1995a/,b/ .21September1995Liberia .17July1984a/ .16August1984LibyanArabJamahiriya .16May1989a/,b/ .15June1989Liechtenstein .22December1995a/,c/ .21January1996Lithuania .18January1994a/ .17February1994Luxembourg .2February1989b/ .4March1989򀀀XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentofDateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀 <XMadagascar .17March1989 .16April1989Malawi .12March1987a/,c/ .11April1987Malaysia .5July1995a/ .4August1995Maldives .1July1993a/,b/ .31July1993Mali .10September1985 .10October1985Malta .8March1991a/,b/ .7April1991Mauritius .9July1984a/,b/ .8August1984Mexico .23March1981b/ .3September1981Mongolia .20July1981c/ .3September1981Morocco .21June1993a/,b/ .21July1993Mozambique .16April1997a/ .16May1997Namibia .23November1992a/ .23December1992Nepal .22April1991 .22May1991Netherlands .23July1991b/ .22August1991NewZealand .10January1985b/,c/ .9February1985Nicaragua .27October1981 .26November1981Nigeria .13June1985 .13July1985Norway .21May1981 .3September1981Pakistan .12March1996a/,b/ .11April1996Panama .29October1981 .28November1981PapuaNewGuinea .12January1995a/ .11February1995Paraguay .6April1987a/ .6May1987Peru .13September1982 .13October1982Philippines .5August1981 .4September1981Poland .30July1980b/ .3September1981Portugal .30July1980 .3September1981RepublicofKorea .27December1984b/,c/ .26January1985RepublicofMoldova .1July1994a/ .31July1994Romania .7January1982b/ .6February1982RussianFederation .23January1981c/ .3September1981Rwanda .2March1981 .3September1981SaintKittsandNevis .25April1985a/ .25May1985SaintLucia .8October1982a/ .7November1982SaintVincentandthèGrenadines .4August1981a/ .3September1981Samoa .25September1992a/ .25October1992Senegal .5February1985 .7March1985Seychelles .5May1992a/ .4June1992SierraLeone .11November1988 .11December1988Singapore .5October1995a/,b/ .4November1995Slovakiae/ .28May1993c/,d/ .27June1993Slovenia .6July1992d/ .5August1992SouthAfrica .15December1995a/ .14January1996Spain .5January1984b/ .4February1984SriLanka .5October1981 .4November1981Suriname .1March1993a/ .31March1993Sweden .2July1980 .3September1981Switzerland .27March1997a/ .26April1997Tajikistan .26October1993a/ .25November1993Thailand .9August1985a/,b/,c/ .8September1985򀀀XL@, .,  .  .Dateofreceiptofthe, .,  .  .instrumentofDateofentryStatesparties .ratificationoraccession .intoforce򀀀 8TpTheformerYugoslav̀RepublicofMacedoniaT .T18January1994d/p .p17February1994TogoT .T26September1983a/p .p26October1983TrinidadandTobagoT .T12January1990b/p .p11February1990TunisiaT .T20September1985b/p .p20October1985TurkeyT .T20December1985a/,b/p .p19January1986TurkmenistanT .T1May1997a/p .p31May1997UgandaT .T22July1985p .p21August1985UkraineT .T12March1981c/p .p3September1981UnitedKingdomofGreat̀BritainandNortherǹIrelandT .T7April1986b/p .p7May1986UnitedRepublicofTanzaniaT .T20August1985p .p19September1985UruguayT .T9October1981p .p8November1981UzbekistanT .T19July1995a/p .p18August1995VanuatuT .T8September1995a/p .p8October1995VenezuelaT .T2May1983b/p .p1June1983VietNamT .T17February1982b/p .p19March1982Yemenh/T .T30May1984a/,b/p .p29June1984YugoslaviaT .T26February1982p .p28March1982ZambiaT .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/ .Effective17May1997,ZairewasrenamedDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo.2 .2g/ .Witheffectfrom3October1990,theGermanDemocraticRepublic(whichratifiedtheConventionon9July1980)andtheFederalRepublicofGermany(whichratifiedtheConventionon10July1985)unitedtoformonesovereignState,whichactsintheUnitedNationsunderthedesignation"Germany".2 .2h/ .On22May1990DemocraticYemenandYemenmergedtoformasingleState,whichactsintheUnitedNationsunderthedesignation"Yemen".#882 P#@ .\ANNEXII@ .Z MembershipoftheCommitteeontheEliminationof@ .tDiscriminationagainstWomen 882 882P2 .2NameofmemberP .PP .PCountryofnationality 882D2 .2CharlotteAbaka*D .DD .DD .DD .DGhana8 .88 .82 .2AyseFerideAcar**D .DTurkey2 .2EmnaAouij*D .DD .DD .DD .DTunisia . .2 .2TendaiRuthBare*D .DD .DD .DZimbabwe2 .2DesireePatriciaBernard*D .DD .DD .DGuyana2 .2CarlotaBusteloGarcadelReal**D .DSpain2 .2SilviaRoseCartwright**D .DD .DD .DNewZealand2 .2MiriamYolandaEstradaCastillo*D .DEcuador2 .2IvankaCorti*D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DItaly2 .2YolandaFerrerG;mez**D .DCuba2 .2AdaGonzlezMartnez**D .DMexico2 .2SunaryatiHartono*D .DD .DD .DIndonesia .2 .2AuroraJavatedeDios*D .DD .DPhilippines2 .2SalmaKhan**D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DBangladesh2 .2YungChungKim**D .DRepublicofKorea2 .2LinShangzhen*D .DD .DD .DD .DChina8 .88 .82 .2AhouaOuedraogo**D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DBurkinaFaso2 .2AnneLiseRyel**D .DNorway2 .2GinkoSato*D .DD .DJapan8 .88 .82 .2HannaBeateSchppSchilling**D .DD .DGermany . .2 .2CarmelShalev*D .DD .DD .DD .DD .DIsrael . .2 .2KongitSinegiorgis**D .DD .DEthiopiad .d+2 .2MervatTallawy*D .DEgypt8 .8882 D________________________2 .2*  . Termofofficeexpiresin1998.̀**  . Termofofficeexpiresin2000.@ .*ANNEXIII@ . DocumentsbeforetheCommitteeatitssixteenth@ .<andseventeenthsessions@ .A.Sixteenthsession882 Documentnumber󀀀Titleordescription882 882 CEDAW/C/1997/1 .  .ProvisionalagendaandannotationsCEDAW/C/1997/20 . 0 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1997/30 .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivitiesCEDAW/C/1997/3/Add.20 .ReportoftheInternationalLabourOrganizationCEDAW/C/1997/3/Add.30 .ReportoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationCEDAW/C/1997/40 . 0 .ReportoftheSecretariatonreservationstotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenCEDAW/C/1997/50 .ReportoftheSecretariatonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheworkoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1997/CRP.1and0 .ReportofthepresessionworkinggroupCorr.1andAdd.15CEDAW/C/1997/INF.1/Rev.10 .ListofparticipantsCEDAW/C/1997/L.1andAdd.1120 .DraftreportoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.1 .DraftrulesofprocedureCEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.2 .ReportofWorkingGroupIandAdd.1CEDAW/C/1997/WG.II/WP.10 .Draftgeneralrecommendationonarticles2 .2 . .  .7and8CEDAW/C/1997/WG.II/WP.2and .ReportofWorkingGroupIICorr.1andAdd.13882 @ . ReportsofStatesparties882 (CEDAW/C/CAN/3 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofCanadaCEDAW/C/CAN/4 . ( .(FourthperiodicreportofCanadaCEDAW/C/DEN/30 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofDenmarkCEDAW/C/MOR/10 . 0( .(InitialreportofMoroccoCEDAW/C/PHI/30 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofthePhilippinesCEDAW/C/PHI/4 . ( .(FourthperiodicreportofthePhilippinesCEDAW/C/SVN/10 . 0( .(InitialreportofSloveniaCEDAW/C/STV/13/Add.1( .(Combinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodic2 .2 . . ( .(reportsofSaintVincentandtheGrenadines02 .2CEDAW/C/TUR/230( .(Combinedsecondandthirdperiodicreportsof ! . ! ! . ! ! . !TurkeyCEDAW/C/VEN/3 . 0( .(ThirdperiodicreportofVenezuela@ .nB.Seventeenthsession882 Documentnumber󀀀Titleordescription882 882 CEDAW/C/1997/II/1 . .ProvisionalagendaandannotationsCEDAW/C/1997/II/20 .0 .ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventionCEDAW/C/1997/II/30 .NotebytheSecretaryGeneralonreportsofspecializedagenciesontheimplementationoftheConventioninareasfallingwithinthescopeoftheiractivitiesCEDAW/C/1997/II/3/Add.1 .ReportoftheWorldHealthOrganizationCEDAW/C/1997/II/3/Add.30 .ReportoftheUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganizationCEDAW/C/1997/II/40 .ReportoftheSecretariatonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheworkoftheCommitteeCEDAW/C/1997/II/50 .ReportoftheSecretariatondraftgeneralrecommendationonarticles7and8CEDAW/C/1997/II/CRP.1and .ReportofthepresessionworkinggroupAdd.14CEDAW/C/1997/II/INF.1/Rev.10 .ListofparticipantsCEDAW/C/1997/II/L.1 .DraftreportoftheCommitteeandAdd.110̇CEDAW/C/1997/II/WG.I/WP.1 .ReportofWorkingGroupICEDAW/C/1997/II/WG.II/WP.1 .ReportofWorkingGroupII882 @ . ReportsofStatesparties882 (CEDAW/C/ANT/130( .(Combinedinitial,secondandthirdperiodicreportsofAntiguaandBarbudaCEDAW/C/ARG/2and( .(SecondperiodicreportofArgentinaAdd.1and2CEDAW/C/ARG/3 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofArgentinaCEDAW/C/ARM/1and0( .(( .(InitialreportofArmeniaCorr.1CEDAW/C/AUL/30 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofAustraliaCEDAW/C/BGD/34( .(Combinedthirdandfourthperiodicreportsof2 .2 . . ( .(BangladeshCEDAW/C/ISR/12( .(Combinedinitialandsecondperiodicreportsof2 .2 . . ( .(IsraelCEDAW/C/ITA/20 . ( .(SecondperiodicreportofItalyCEDAW/C/ITA/30 . ( .(ThirdperiodicreportofItalyCEDAW/C/LUX/1 . ( .(InitialreportofLuxembourgCEDAW/C/LUX/2 . ( .(SecondperiodicreportofLuxembourgCEDAW/C/NAM/10 . ( .(InitialreportofNamibia  UK     \R3'\ X      +O<6X9`("Courier 12cpiO(  $(~882   @ .\ANNEXIV̀Statusofsubmissionandconsiderationofreportssubmittedby󀀀Statespartiesunderarticle18oftheConventiononthèEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenasat@ .25July1997* d,<< ,v<< , << ,<< +  )\\)Statesparties \\ Dateduea/ \\ Dateofsubmission \\ ConsideredbyCommittee(session(year)) &x&A.Initialreports ";x"Albania  10June1995     ";x"Algeria  21June1997     ";x"Andorra  14February1998     ";x"Angola  17October1987     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1990  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Argentina  14August1986  6October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.39)  Seventh(1988) "Gx"Armenia  13October1994  30November1994(CEDAW/C/ARM/1)10February1997(CEDAW/C/ARM/1/Corr.1)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Australia  27August1984  3October1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.40)  Seventh(1988) "x"Austria  30April1983  20October1983(CEDAW/C/5/Add.17)  Fourth(1985) "x"Azerbaijan  Ѐ9August1996  11September1996(CEDAW/C/AZE/1)   ";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  19June1996(CEDAW/C/BLZ/12)   ";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"Botswana  12September1997     ";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"Chad  9July1996     "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"C=ted'Ivoire  17January1997     "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  30October1995(CEDAW/C/CZE/1)   "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"Eritrea  5October1996     ";x"Estonia  20November1992     "x"Ethiopia  10October1982  22April1993(CEDAW/C/ETH/13)16October1995(CEDAW/C/ETH/13/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"Fiji  27September1996     "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  12January1994b/7April1997(CEDAW/C/ISR/12)  Seventeenth(1997) "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"Kyrgyzstan  12March1998     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1982     ";x"Latvia  14May1993     ";x"Lebanon  21May1998     ";x"Lesotho  21September1996     ";x"Liberia  16August1985     "x"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15June1990  18February1991(CEDAW/C/LIB/1)4October1993(CEDAW/C/LIB/1/Add.1)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Liechtenstein  21January1997     ";x"Lithuania  17February1995     "x"Luxembourg  4March1990  13November1996(CEDAW/C/LUX/1)  Seventeenth(1997) "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"Malaysia  4August1996     ";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)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"Mozambique  16May1998     "x"Namibia  23December1993  4November1996(CEDAW/C/NAM/1)  Seventeenth(1997) ";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"Pakistan  11April1997     "x"Panama  28November1982  12December1982(CEDAW/C/5/Add.9)  Fourth(1985) ";x"PapuaNewGuinea  11February1996     " 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)28July1994(CEDAW/C/STV/13/Add.1)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"Samoa  25October1993     "x"Senegal  7March1986  5November1986(CEDAW/C/5/Add.42)  Seventh(1988) ";x"Seychelles  4June1993     ";x"SierraLeone  11December1989     ";x"Singapore  4November1996     "x"Slovakia  27June1994  29April1996(CEDAW/C/SVK/1)   "x"Slovenia  5August1993  23November1993(CEDAW/C/SVN/1)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"SouthAfrica  14January1997     "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"Switzerland  26April1998     ";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"Turkmenistan  31May1998     "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"Uzbekistan  18August1996     ";x"Vanuatu  8October1996     "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  28April1996(CEDAW/C/ZWE/1)   &;x& &;x&B.Secondperiodicreports ";x"Angola  17October1991     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1994  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Argentina  14August1990  13February1992(CEDAW/C/ARG/2)27May1994(CEDAW/C/ARG/2/Add.1)19August1994(CEDAW/C/ARG/2/Add.2)  Seventeenth(1997) "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  19June1996(CEDAW/C/BLZ/12)   ";x"Benin  11April1997     ";x"Bhutan  30September1986     ";x"Bolivia  8July1995     ";x"Brazil  2March1989     "x"Bulgaria  10March1987  6September1994(CEDAW/C/BGR/23)   "x"BurkinaFaso  13November1992     ";x"Burundi  7February1997     "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(CEDAW/C/CYP/12)  Fifteenth(1996) ";x"CzechRepublic  24March1998     "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"Estonia  20November1996     "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  8October1996(CEDAW/C/DEU/23)   "x"Ghana  1February1991  29January1991(CEDAW/C/GHA/12)  Eleventh(1992) "x"Greece  7July1988  1March1996(CEDAW/C/GRC/23)   ";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  6February1997(CEDAW/C/IDN/23)   ";x"Iraq  12September1991     ";x"Ireland  22January1991     "x"Israel  2November1996  7April1997(CEDAW/C/ISR/12)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Italy  10July1990  1March1994(CEDAW/C/ITA/2)  Seventeenth(1997) ";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"Latvia  14May1997     ";x"Liberia  16August1989     "x"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15June1994     "x"Luxembourg  4March1994  8April1997(CEDAW/C/LUX/2)  Seventeenth(1997) ";x"Madagascar  16April1994     ";x"Malawi  11April1992     ";x"Mali  10October1990     ";x"Malta  7April1996     "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"Nepal  22May1996     ";x"Netherlands  22August1996     "x"NewZealand  9February1990  3November1992(CEDAW/C/NZE/2)27October1993(CEDAW/C/NZE/2/Add.1)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Nicaragua  26November1986  16March1989(CEDAW/C/13/Add.20)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Nigeria  13July1990  13February1997(CEDAW/C/NGA/23)   "x"Norway  3September1986  23June1988(CEDAW/C/13/Add.15)  Tenth(1991) "x"Panama  28November1986  17January1997(CEDAW/C/PAN/23)   " 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)28July1994(CEDAW/C/STV/13/Add.1)  Sixteenth(1997) "x"Senegal  7March1990  23September1991(CEDAW/C/SEN/2andAmend.1)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Seychelles  4June1997     ";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  3March1997(CEDAW/C/THA/23)   ";x"Togo  26October1988     "x"TrinidadandTobago  11February1995     "x"Tunisia  20October1990  17September1993(CEDAW/C/TUN/12)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Turkey  19January1991  7February1994b/3September1996(CEDAW/C/TUR/23)  Sixteenth(1997) "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  25September1996(CEDAW/C/TZA/23)   ";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  24October1996(CEDAW/C/ZAR/2)   "x"Zambia  21July1990  6March1991(CEDAW/C/ZAM/12)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Zimbabwe  12June1996     &;x& &;x&C.Thirdperiodicreports ";x"Angola  17October1995     "x"AntiguaandBarbuda  31August1998  21September1994(CEDAW/C/ANT/13)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Argentina  14August1994  1October1996(CEDAW/C/ARG/3)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Australia  27August1992  1March1995(CEDAW/C/AUL/3)  Seventeenth(1997) "x"Austria  30April1991  25April1997(CEDAW/C/AUT/34)   "x"Bangladesh  6December1993  26January1993b/27March1997(CEDAW/C/BGD/34)  Seventeenth(1997) "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"BurkinaFaso  13November1996     "x"Canada  9January1991  9September1992(CEDAW/C/CAN/3)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"CapeVerde  3September1990     "x"China  3September1990  29May1997(CEDAW/C/CHN/34)   "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)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"Dominica  3September1990     "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1991  26April1993(CEDAW/C/DOM/23)   "x"Ecuador  9December1990  23December1991(CEDAW/C/ECU/3)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Egypt  18October1990  30January1996(CEDAW/C/EGY/3)   ";x"ElSalvador  18September1990     "x"EquatorialGuinea  22November1993  6January1994(CEDAW/C/GNQ/23)   "x"Ethiopia  10October1990  22April1993(CEDAW/C/ETH/13)16October1995(CEDAW/C/ETH/13/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"Finland  4October1995  28January1997(CEDAW/C/FIN/3)   ";x"France  13January1993     ";x"Gabon  20February1992     "x"Germany  9August1994  8October1996(CEDAW/C/DEU/23)   ";x"Ghana  1February1995     "x"Greece  7July1992  1March1996(CEDAW/C/GRC/23)   ";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  6February1997(CEDAW/C/IDN/23)   ";x"Iraq  12September1995     ";x"Ireland  22January1995     "x"Italy  10July1994  21June1997(CEDAW/C/ITA/3)  Seventeenth(1997) ";x"Jamaica  18November1993     "x"Japan  25July1994  28October1993(CEDAW/C/JPN/3)  Thirteenth(1994) ";x"Kenya  8April1993     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1990     ";x"Liberia  16August1993     ";x"Malawi  11April1996     ";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  13February1997(CEDAW/C/NGA/23)   "x"Norway  3September1990  25January1991(CEDAW/C/NOR/3)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Panama  28November1990  17January1997(CEDAW/C/PAN/23)   ";x"Paraguay  6May1996     "x"Peru  13October1991  25November1994(CEDAW/C/PER/34)   "x"Philippines  4September1990  20January1993(CEDAW/C/PHI/3)  Sixteenth(1997) "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  8September1994(CEDAW/C/KOR/3)   "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)28July1994(CEDAW/C/STV/13/Add.1)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"Spain  4February1993     ";x"SriLanka  4November1990     "x"Sweden  3September1990  3October1990(CEDAW/C/18/Add.1)  Twelfth(1993) "x"Thailand  8September1994  3March1997(CEDAW/C/THA/23)   ";x"Togo  26October1992     ";x"Tunisia  20October1994     "x"Turkey  19January1995  3September1996(CEDAW/C/TUR/23)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"Uganda  21August1994     "x"Ukraine  3September1990  31May1991(CEDAW/C/UKR/3)21November1995(CEDAW/C/UKR/3/Add.1)  Fifteenth(1996) "x"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  7May1995  16August1995(CEDAW/C/UK/3)   "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  19September1994  25September1996(CEDAW/C/TZA/23)   ";x"Uruguay  8November1990     "x"Venezuela  1June1992  8February1995(CEDAW/C/VEN/3)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"VietNam  19March1991     "x"Yemen  29June1993  13November1992(CEDAW/C/YEM/3)  Twelfth(1993) ";x"Yugoslavia  28March1991     ";x"Zaire  16November1995     ";x"Zambia  21July1994     &;x& &;x&D.Fourthperiodicreports ";x"Australia  27August1996     "x"Austria  30April1995  25April1997(CEDAW/C/AUT/34)   "x"Bangladesh  6December1997  27March1997(CEDAW/C/BGD/34)  Seventeenth(1997) ";x"Barbados  3September1994     ";x"Belarus  3September1994     ";x"Bhutan  30September1994     ";x"Brazil  2March1997     ";x"Bulgaria  10March1995     "x"Canada  9January1995  2October1995(CEDAW/C/CAN/4)  Sixteenth(1997) ";x"CapeVerde  3September1994     "x"China  3September1994  29May1997(CEDAW/C/CHN/34)   "x"Colombia  18February1995  8July1997(CEDAW/C/COL/4)   ";x"Congo  25August1995     ";x"Cuba  3September1994     "x"Denmark  21May1996  9January1997(CEDAW/C/DEN/4)   "x"DominicanRepublic  2October1995     ";x"Ecuador  9December1994     ";x"Egypt  18October1994     ";x"ElSalvador  18October1994     ";x"Ethiopia  10October1994     ";x"France  13January1997     ";x"Gabon  20February1996     ";x"Greece  7July1996     ";x"Guatemala  11September1995     ";x"Guinea  8September1995     ";x"Guyana  3September1994     ";x"Haiti  3September1994     ";x"Honduras  2April1996     ";x"Hungary  3September1994     ";x"Kenya  8April1997     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  13September1994     "x"Mexico  3September1994  7March1997(CEDAW/C/MEX/4)   ";x"Mongolia  3September1994     ";x"Nicaragua  26November1994     "x"Norway  3September1994  1September1994(CEDAW/C/NOR/4)  Fourteenth(1995) ";x"Panama  28November1994     "x"Peru  13October1995  25November1994(CEDAW/C/PER/34)   "x"Philippines  4September1994  22April1996(CEDAW/C/PHI/4)  Sixteenth(1997) ";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"SaintVincentandtheGrenadines  3September1994     ";x"Spain  4February1997     ";x"SriLanka  4November1994     "x"Sweden  3September1994  21May1996(CEDAW/C/SWE/4)   ";x"Togo  26October1996     ";x"Ukraine  3November1994     ";x"Uruguay  8November1994     ";x"Venezuela  1June1996     ";x"VietNam  19March1995     ";x"Yemen  29June1997     ";x"Yugoslavia  28March1995     &;x& &;x&@ ." E.Reportssubmittedonanexceptionalbasis "x"BosniaandHerzegovina    1February1994(oralreport;seeCEDAW/C/SR.253)  Thirteenth(1994) "x"Croatia    15September1994(CEDAW/C/CRO/SP.1)  Fourteenth(1995) "x"Rwanda    31January1996(oralreport;seeCEDAW/C/SR.306)  Fifteenth(1996) "Gx"FederalRepublicofYugoslavia(SerbiaandMontenegro)    2December1993(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)2February1994(oralreport;seeCEDAW/C/SR.254)  Thirteenth(1994) )\x)Zaire \  \ 16January1997(oralreport;seeCEDAW/C/SR.317) \ Sixteenth(1997)8` H .a/ .Oneyearpriortotheduedate,theSecretaryGeneralinvitestheStatepartytosubmititsreport. .b/ .Reportwithdrawn.9723850(E)171097@ .162