A/53/38/Rev.1
A/53/38/Rev.1
United Nations |
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Eighteenth and nineteenth sessions) |
General Assembly Official Records Fifty-third session Supplement No. 38 (A/53/38/Rev.1) |
Official Records
Fifty-third session
Supplement No. 38 (A/53/38/Rev.1)
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Eighteenth and nineteenth sessions) |
 United Nations • New York, 1998 |
|
A/53/38/Rev.1
Note
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
ISSN 0255-0970
[Original: English/French/Spanish]
[14 May 1998]
ContentsChapter
Paragraphs
Page
* Originally issued under the symbol A/53/38 (Part I).
Part One. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its eighteenth session*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Letter of transmittal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
I. Matters brought to the attention of States parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
A. Decisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Decision 18/I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Decision 18/II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Decision 18/III. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
B. Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Suggestion 18/1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
II. Organizational and other matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–24
3
A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–2
3
B. Opening of the session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3–11
3
C. Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12–13
4
D. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
4
E. Report of the pre-session working group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15–20
5
F. Composition and organization of work of the working groups. . . . . . . . . . . .
21–24
5
III. Report of the Chairperson on the activities undertaken between the seventeenth and eighteenth sessions of the Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25–34
6
IV. Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35–427
7
A. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35–36
7
B. Consideration of reports of States parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37–427
7
1. Initial reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37–207
7
Azerbaijan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37–79
7
Croatia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80–119
10
Zimbabwe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120–166
13
Czech Republic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
167–207
16
2. Combined second and third periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
208–311
19
Bulgaria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
208–261
19
Indonesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
262–311
24
3. Combined second, third and fourth periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
312–353
28
Dominican Republic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
312–353
28
4. Combined third and fourth periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
354–427
32
Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
354–427
32
V. Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
428–450
36
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group I. . . . . . . . . . . . .
430–450
37
VI. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
451–476
40
A. Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group II. . . . . . . .
453–455
40
B. Statements by senior United Nations officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
456–472
40
C. Presentation by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
473–476
42
VII. Provisional agenda for the nineteenth session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
477
43
VIII. Adoption of the report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
478
43
[Original: English/French/Spanish]
[21 August 1998]
ContentsChapter
Paragraphs
Page
Part Two. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its nineteenth session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
Letter of transmittal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
I. Matters brought to the attention of States parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–25
47
A. Statements on reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–25
47
B. Decisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
Decision 19/I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
Decision 19/II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
Decision 19/III. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
II. Organizational and other matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26–48
51
A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26–27
51
B. Opening of the session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28–33
51
C. Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34–35
52
D. Solemn declaration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
52
E. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
52
F. Report of the pre-session working group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38–44
53
G. Composition and organization of work of the working groups. . . . . . . . . . . .
45–48
53
III. Report of the Chairperson on activities undertaken between the eighteenth and nineteenth sessions of the Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49–55
54
IV. Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56–386
55
A. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56–58
55
B. Consideration of reports of States parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59–386
55
1. Initial reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59–137
55
Slovakia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59–99
55
South Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100–137
58
2. Combined second and third periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
138–243
61
Nigeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
138–174
61
Panama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
175–205
64
United Republic of Tanzania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
206–242
66
3. Combined third and fourth periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
243–386
68
New Zealand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
243–291
68
Peru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
292–346
72
Republic of Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
347–386
76
V. Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
387–401
79
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group I. . . . . . . . . . . . .
389–401
79
VI. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
402–411
83
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group II. . . . . . . . . . . . .
404–411
83
VII. Provisional agenda for the twentieth session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
412
85
VIII. Adoption of the report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
413
85
Annexes
I. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as at 10 July 1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
86
II. Membership of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. . . . . . . . .
90
III. Documents before the Committee at its eighteenth and nineteenth sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
IV. Status of submission and consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as at 10 July 1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
A. Initial reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
B. Second periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100
C. Third periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
105
D. Fourth periodic reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
109
E. Reports submitted on an exceptional basis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
111
Part One
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its eighteenth session
Letter of transmittal
6 February 1998
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to article 21 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, according to which the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, established pursuant to the Convention, “shall, through the Economic and Social Council, report annually to the General Assembly of the United Nations on its activities”.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women held its eighteenth session from 19 January to 6 February 1998 at United Nations Headquarters. It adopted its report on the session at its 383rd meeting, on 6 February. The report of the Committee is herewith submitted to you for transmission to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session.
Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) Salma Khan
Chairperson
Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women
Matters brought to the attention of States parties
Decision 18/I. Participation in the pre-session working group
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women decided that representatives of the specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations, as well as national and international non-governmental organizations, should be invited to provide country-specific information to the pre-session working group on those States parties whose reports were before the group.
Decision 18/II. Specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women decided that representatives of the specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations should be invited to address the Committee as a whole in a closed meeting on those States parties whose initial reports were before the Committee.
Decision 18/III. Consideration of reports
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women reaffirmed its past practice that members of the Committee should refrain from participating in any aspect of the consideration of the reports of the States of which they were nationals in order to maintain the highest standards of impartiality, both in substance and appearance.
Suggestion 18/I. Timing of pre-session working group
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women proposed that the pre-session working group should meet at the end of the previous session. It proposed that the transition to this pattern of work should take place at its twentieth session, in January 1999.
Organizational and other matters
A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
1. On 6 February 1998, the closing date of the eighteenth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, there were 161 States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979 and opened for signature, ratification and accession in New York in March 1980. In accordance with article 27, the Convention entered into force on 3 September 1981.
2. A list of States parties to the Convention is contained in annex I to the present report.
3. The Committee held its eighteenth session at United Nations Headquarters from 19 January to 6 February 1998. The Committee held 24 plenary meetings (360th to 383rd), and its two working groups each held 9 meetings.
4. The session was opened by the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Salma Khan (Bangladesh).
5. Addressing the Committee on behalf of the Secretary-General, the Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women noted that the progress achieved since the entry into force of the Convention should not be a cause for complacency. The Convention was still subject to a large number of reservations and even though laws and policies to implement the Convention had been introduced, de facto implementation was still impeded by entrenched attitudes that were in contradistinction to the principles of the Convention. It was in bridging the gap between ratification and implementation that the Committee’s work was crucial and the success of the Convention would be determined. Looking ahead, she would also welcome the views of members of the Committee on ways to encourage Member States that had not yet done so to ratify the Convention by the year 2000. That would meet one of the goals of the Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women.
6. She stressed that, with the two annual sessions of the Committee, which would strengthen its visibility and allow greater opportunities for clear elaboration of the obligations of the Convention, the possibilities for full implementation were enhanced. High expectations had been created requiring renewed commitment from Committee members both during sessions and inter-sessionally.
7. The Special Adviser informed the Committee that the 10th meeting of States Parties to the Convention would be held on 17 February 1998, to elect 12 Committee members for a four-year term from 1 January 1999.
8. She informed the Committee that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights would meet with the Committee on 4 February 1998 and that that meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss the anniversary of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the strengthening of the goals and the work of the treaty bodies in respect of gender. She also reported that the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, had regretted her inability to attend the eighteenth session as planned, but that the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief would address the Committee on 28 January 1998.
9. The Special Adviser informed the Committee that, as a result of the implementation of the Secretary-General’s reform proposals, the Division for the Advancement of Women was now part of a new department, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, whose mandate was to focus on work in the area of normative, analytical and advisory services. It would also monitor, analyse and assess economic and social policies and trends from a global as well as a gender perspective.
10. The Special Adviser also informed the Committee about the expert group meetings which the Division had organized or co-hosted on the themes “Adolescent girls and their rights”, “Gender-based persecution”, “Women’s enjoyment of economic and social rights” and “Caregiving for older persons - Gender dimensions”, in preparation for the forty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
11. She also informed the Committee that, in her capacity as Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, she had participated in a round table on the theme “Crimes of sexual violence”, held at Arusha from 4 to 6 October 1997, and had led the United Nations Inter-agency Gender Mission to Afghanistan from 12 to 21 November 1997. In that connection, she noted that the women of Afghanistan were not alone in experiencing violations of their human rights and that women and girls around the world, particularly in conflict situations such as in Rwanda, Burundi and Algeria, were especially at risk. Strategies were needed to address such violations.
12. Twenty-one members of the Committee attended the session. Ms. Desirée Bernard attended from 19 to 23 January, Ms. Silvia Cartwright from 19 to 23 January and 29 January to 6 February, Ms. Aída González from 22 January to 6 February, Ms. Ginko Sato from 2 to 6 February and Ms. Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling from 27 January to 6 February 1998. Not in attendance were Ms. Tendai Ruth Bare and Ms. Mervat Tallawy.
13. A list of the members of the Committee, together with an indication of the duration of their term of office, is contained in annex II to the present report.
D. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work
14. The Committee considered the provisional agenda and organization of work (CEDAW/C/1998/I/1 and Corr.1) at its 360th meeting, on 19 January 1998. The agenda as adopted was as follows:
1.Opening of the session.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3. Report of the Chairperson on activities undertaken between the seventeenth and eighteenth sessions of the Committee.
4. Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
5. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
6. Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee.
7. Provisional agenda for the nineteenth session.
8. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its eighteenth session.
E. Report of the pre-session working group
15. The Committee had decided, at its ninth session,
to
convene a pre-session working group for five days before
each session to prepare lists of questions relating to second
and subsequent periodic reports that would be considered
by the Committee at the session.
16. The following four members, representing different regional groups, participated in the working group: Emna Aouij (Africa), Ivanka Corti (Europe), Yolanda Ferrer (Latin America and the Caribbean) and Sunaryati Hartono (Asia and the Pacific).
17. The Working Group prepared lists of issues and questions relating to the subsequent reports of four States parties, namely, Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia and Mexico.
18. At the 365th meeting, on 22 January 1998, the Chairperson of the pre-session working group introduced the report of the group (CEDAW/C/1998/I/CRP.1 and Add.1-4). She informed members that for the first time the pre-session working group had invited representatives of the specialized agencies to provide it with information with regard to the countries under review. The following participated: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In the light of the information provided, the working group agreed to suggest to the Committee that this practice be adopted as a normal practice of pre-session working groups.
19. The Chairperson of the pre-session working group also informed the Committee that the group had invited representatives of national and international non-governmental organizations, on an experimental basis, to provide it with information with respect to the States parties under review. The Chairperson of the group indicated that the group was recommending that this practice also be adopted as a normal practice of pre-session working groups.
20. The Committee took note of the report of the pre-session working group and agreed that representatives of the specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations, as well as national and international non-governmental organizations, should be invited to provide country-specific information to the pre-session working group on those States parties whose reports were before the group.
F. Composition and organization of work of the working groups
21. At its 360th meeting, on 19 January 1998, the Committee agreed on the composition of its two standing working groups: Working Group I, to consider ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee, and Working Group II, to consider ways and means of implementing article 21 of the Convention.
22. Working Group I was composed of the following members of the Committee: Ayse Feride Acar, Emna Aouij, Desirée Bernard, Silvia Cartwright, Ivanka Corti, Aurora Javate de Dios, Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, Aída González, Salma Khan, Yung-Chung Kim, Lin Shangzhen, Ahoua Ouedraogo, Anne Lise Ryel, Ginko Sato and Kongit Sinegiorgis.
23. Working Group II was composed of the following members of the Committee: Charlotte Abaka, Carlota Bustelo, Silvia Cartwright, Aurora Javate de Dios, Aída González, Sunaryati Hartono, Lin Shangzhen, Ahoua Ouedraogo and Carmel Shalev.
24. The specific issues addressed by Working Groups I and II were the following:
(a) Working Group I: Relations with the specialized agencies and other United Nations entities; the relationship between the Committee and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and other non-conventional human rights mechanisms of the United Nations; relevant issues considered at the eighth meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies, held at Geneva from 15 to 19 September 1997; the report on enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations human rights treaty body system, prepared by the independent expert, Mr. Philip Alston; recommendations made to the Committee by the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and P