ÿWPCE |»Z½6û3|Rï f n)F“ÛBîýLL~€LK#ù‘£XŠ-õ>Ìõæ˜hJlôOóO£ZÉ];`–QÍÕV ©d¼Iú´wXóÍ“üø±È.×õ ¿­mâeJDÔÛŒFÎ5I.¤rŒš]ºVÅL‰ì0–H!ÅŠ€g$ k“Ì~“u½Ô°«”KjóA-É­å´¨$9éo"xÊY/¯ÇÞ;W1‡h…‚H ™CË–Â\”û´Ž;,nÀVK€Jçï±" w‚ãR†VÚ¥e#…§DÕ9ÒÏSPÛÃ,XØŒR|`gO„{ô}…ü{ƒ¨Ãw“ØœEî¶ý©¯Þ²%y ˆ¥c¡˜6 á«¥àîTmàî*Äó¯{Ÿ£¯ášt“Rš€â[§¡Ì%ífïîîÅÙ0äÐ=Ïrg‹F¬û8=³ŒžîtdÇU™FL²Î`4IÔiž-»h³ëÍ %ˆê`ô²9·± ˜ªÙZÿå%&Õ}C‹<ê@4¸SáËâuËHü^,i Úîp½8Ϩƒ`¡·¦íÌ  ú–ÇGX”¯•å»­.hz‘‹1ÿQŽCvׯxü¼P´Q胀ˆ_!þ‘22Ï> ^³)7T»Ú*g ÷y¼Iñ³ #Á¨UNi %· 0:½^ ÷w4* m,NC˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ô݆e, &bœ+ê:i¢Ø+003|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼èd»XXÔò òÓ  ÓDOMINICAN€REPUBLICÐ ° ÐÔ€X¸8X»¼èdÔÓ  ÓÌÌÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/43/38€Ô_Ô(1988)Ô_ÔÐ œì ÐÌÌó ó127.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€the€Dominican€Republic€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/5/Add.37)Ð ` ° Ðat€its€106òòthóó€and€111òòthóó€meetings,€held€on€17€and€19€February€1988€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.106€and€111).Ð L œ ÐÌ128.€€In€her€introduction,€the€representative€of€the€Dominican€Republic€emphasized€the€permanentÐ $ t  Ðinterest€of€her€Government€in€the€economic€and€social€development€of€the€country€and€theÐ `  Ðpopulation€aiming€at€the€achievement€of€full€equality€between€the€sexes.€€The€brief€overview€of€theÐ üL  Ðhistorical€events€that€were€presented€gave€evidence€of€the€vigorous€womenððs€movement€in€thatÐ è8  Ðcountry.€€She€pointed€out€the€progress€achieved€in€the€advancement€of€women€over€the€last€22€yearsÐ Ô$  Ðsince€the€inception€of€democracy,€and€underlined€as€an€important€event€the€establishment€of€theÐ À  ÐDepartment€for€the€Advancement€of€Women€in€1982€and€its€Consultative€Council€in€1985.€€She€alsoÐ ¬ü  Ðemphasized€that€her€country€was€the€host€for€the€United€Nations€International€Research€and€TrainingÐ ˜è ÐInstitute€for€the€Advancement€of€Women€(Ô_ÔINSTRAWÔ_Ô).Ð „Ô ÐÌ129.€€She€state€that€the€Chief€Public€Prosecutor€was€a€woman€and€that€her€country€had€two€womenÐ \¬ Ðambassadors€at€the€United€Nations.Ð H˜ ÐÌ130.€€Aware€of€the€importance€of€eliminating€any€type€of€traditional€stereotypes€that€could€hinderÐ  p Ðthe€advancement€of€women,€the€Government€was€trying€to€educated€the€population€so€that€womenÐ  \ Ðcould€play€an€equal€role€in€society€with€the€same€rights,€responsibilities€and€opportunities€as€men.Ð øH ÐÌ131.€€Private€universities€were€planning€the€introduction€of€courses€on€women€and€development,€andÐ Ð  Ðshe€referred€to€the€Governmentððs€many€production„oriented€programmes€for€rural€women.€€TheÐ ¼  Ðnumber€of€non„governmental€organizations€working€on€the€promotion€of€women€was€higher€thanÐ ¨ø Ðin€practically€any€other€developing€country.Ð ”ä ÐÌ132.€€The€Committee€thanked€the€representative€for€the€comprehensive€presentation€and€commentedÐ l!¼ Ðthe€frankness€of€the€report€which€followed€the€general€guidelines.€€It€showed€the€countryððsÐ X"¨  Ðcommitment€to€the€cause€of€equality€and€to€its€implementation€òòde€jureóó€and€òòde€factoóó.€€The€CommitteeÐ D#”! Ðalso€paid€tribute€to€the€valuable€statistics€contained€in€the€report.€€Although€the€country€suffered€fromÐ 0$€" Ðmany€constraints€and€a€lot€remained€to€be€done,€the€womenððs€movement€had€made€big€strides.€€ThatÐ %l # Ðwas€all€the€more€noteworthy,€€as€it€was€a€country€with€economic€difficulties€and€with€a€LatinÐ &X!$ Ðtradition€and€customs€where€women€played€a€subordinate€role.€€Members€were€impressed€by€theÐ ô&D"% Ðmany€draft€laws€and€wanted€to€know€whether€any€of€them€had€already€been€adopted.€They€alsoÐ à'0#& Ðwondered€how€those€laws€would€get€accepted€among€ordinary€people.€€It€was€asked€what€was€meantÐ Ì($' Ðby€the€expression€used€in€the€report€ð ðoverstated€feminist€standpointsðð.€€Praise€was€expressed€for€theÐ ¸)%( Ðhigh€percentage€of€female€university€students,€the€relatively€high€number€of€women€ambassadorsÐ ¤*ô%) Ðand€existence€of€paid€maternity€leave.Ð +à&* ÐÌ133.€€Members€inquired€about€the€role€of€the€Department€for€the€Advancement€of€Women,€its€statusÐ h-¸(, ÐÔ_Ôand€structure,€whether€and€how€it€was€linked€to€the€Government€or€non„governmental€organizationsÐ ° Ðand€about€the€result€of€its€activities.€€They€also€asked€about€its€budget,€what€its€statutes€were€andÐ œì Ðwhether€its€actions€bore€legal€force.€€As€the€feminist€institutions€had€become€stronger€after€the€entryÐ ˆØ Ðinto€force€of€the€Convention,€it€was€asked€how€the€Convention€was€disseminated,€how€it€was€dealtÐ tÄ Ðwith€by€feminist€groups€and€how€it€was€being€implemented€in€rural€areas.Ð `° ÐÌ134.€€Another€comment€referred€to€the€ð ðvigorous€womenððs€movementðð€mentioned€by€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðrepresentative,€which€found,€however,€no€reflection€in€the€report.Ð $ t ÐÌ135.€€An€inquiry€was€made€as€to€any€change€in€marital€relations€as€a€result€of€the€new€draft€law.Ð ü L  ÐÌ136.€€It€was€asked€why€the€rate€of€economically€active€female€population€had€risen€so€considerably,Ð Ô$  Ðbearing€in€mind€that€the€data€did€not€reflect€the€involvement€of€women€in€the€informal€sector.Ð À  ÐÌ137.€€It€was€commented€that€normally€in€other€countries€more€men€moved€from€rural€to€urban€areas.€Ð ˜è  ÐIt€was€asked€why€in€the€Dominican€Republic€more€women€moved€into€urban€areas€and€whether€thoseÐ „Ô  Ðwomen€became€domestic€servants.Ð pÀ ÐÌ138.€€Experts€inquired€whether€the€Constitution€of€the€Dominican€Republic€recognized€the€normsÐ H˜ Ðof€American€law.€€Positive€comments€were€made€on€the€fact€that€the€Constitution€had€become€partÐ 4„ Ðof€national€law.€€The€absence€of€racial€discrimination€in€the€country€was€considered€an€importantÐ  p Ðstep.Ð  \ ÐÌ139.€€Referring€to€the€marked€interest€of€the€country€in€an€increase€in€its€population,€it€was€askedÐ ä4 Ðwhether€that€attitude€had€changed€in€keeping€with€the€international€population€policy.Ð Ð  ÐÌ140.€€It€was€asked€whether€guarantees€existed€to€enable€women€to€participate€in€various€areas€ofÐ ¨ø Ðsocial€activities.€€Experts€inquired€whether€Dominican€women€were€aware€of€their€right€to€accessÐ ”ä Ðof€the€courts,€about€the€number€of€court€cases€pursued€by€women€and€whether€free€legal€aid€existed.Ð €Ð ÐÌ141.€€Information€on€the€existence€of€temporary€special€measures€was€requested.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ142.€€Clarification€was€sought€on€the€degree€of€involvement€of€men€in€efforts€to€change€their€rolesÐ 0"€  Ðand€on€measures€to€modify€the€idea€of€male€superiority.€€It€was€asked€whether€men€shared€the€child„Ð #l! Ðcare€activities€with€women€and€how€paid€and€unpaid€work€was€distributed€between€the€sexes.€Ð $X" ÐExperts€wanted€to€know€whether€sex€discrimination€existed€in€advertising€and€how€big€the€influenceÐ ô$D # Ðof€religious€institutions€was.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ143.€€Some€explanation€was€sought€about€the€reason€for€the€female€predominance€in€higherÐ ¸'#& Ðeducation€and€the€marked€change€in€the€agricultural€sector€regarding€the€involvement€of€women€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðproductive€activities.Ð )à$( ÐÌ144.€€It€was€asked€whether€re„education€measures€for€prostitutes€existed,€whether€prostitutes€wereÐ h+¸&* Ðin€any€way€protected€and€whether€rape€was€criminal€offence€and€what€the€sanctions€were.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð145.€€As€regards€the€political€participation€of€women,€questions€were€raised€about€the€role€of€womenÐ ° Ðdeputies,€senators,€secretaries€of€State,€and€ministers.€€Experts€inquired€also€whether€political€partiesÐ œì Ðwere€concerned€with€womenððs€programmes€and€whether€the€Government€had€any€intentions€toÐ ˆØ Ðextend€the€political€participation€of€women.Ð tÄ ÐÌ146.€€With€reference€to€the€different€rights€of€men€and€women€to€confer€their€nationality€on€theirÐ L œ Ðspouse,€it€was€asked€whether€the€law,€which€was€meant€to€put€an€end€to€that€discrimination,€had€beenÐ 8 ˆ Ðimplemented€already,€and€whether€the€provision€under€which€the€father€was€given€priority€in€respectÐ $ t Ðof€the€nationality€of€the€children€had€been€modified€already.€€It€was€asked€whether€the€only€criteriaÐ  ` Ðfor€citizenship€were€age€and€marriage€and€whether€it€was€not€open€to€all€persons€born€in€theÐ ü L  ÐDominican€Republic.Ð è 8  ÐÌ147.€€Experts€requested€statistics€on€the€rate€of€illiteracy€in€rural€areas,€and€information€onÐ À  Ðprogrammes€to€end€illiteracy.€€Inquiries€were€made€about€sex€education€programmes€and€aboutÐ ¬ü  Ðprogrammes€designed€to€promote€the€interest€of€women€in€non„traditional€fields€of€education.€€It€wasÐ ˜è  Ðasked€why€the€number€of€women€graduates€of€the€Institute€of€Technical€Vocational€Training€hadÐ „Ô  Ðdecreased€and€what€was€being€done€to€overcome€the€sex€segregation€in€the€different€areas€ofÐ pÀ Ðspecialization€of€vocational€training.€€More€information€was€sought€on€the€drop„out€rate€of€youths,Ð \¬ Ðespecially€girls.€€It€was€asked€whether€young€women€were€well€enough€informed€about€educationÐ H˜ Ðpossibilities€and€whether€part„time€adult€education€existed.Ð 4„ ÐÌ148.€€Experts€requested€statistics€on€employment.€€They€asked€for€more€information€on€the€socialÐ  \ Ðsecurity€system€of€the€country€and€about€child„care€facilities.€€Concern€was€expressed€about€domesticÐ øH Ðemployees,€and€experts€inquired€whether€domestic€servants€were€covered€by€medical€insurance,Ð ä4 Ðwhether€they€had€pension€rights,€paid€maternity€leave€and€paid€annual€leave€and€whether€there€wereÐ Ð  Ðprogrammes€for€training€and€assessing€the€work€of€those€women.€€It€was€asked€whether€theÐ ¼  ÐCommunity€Development€Office€was€training€fathers€in€home€economics.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ149.€€Clarification€was€sought€as€to€whether€pregnant€women€were€protected€by€law€when€applyingÐ €Ð Ðfor€a€job€or€job€training€and€whether€they€would€be€accepted€in€a€new€job€and€about€the€sanctionsÐ l¼ Ðin€case€of€dismissal€of€a€pregnant€woman.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ150.€€Members€of€the€Committee€inquired€which€jobs€were€still€not€open€to€women,€which€jobs€wereÐ 0"€  Ðconsidered€dangerous€for€women,€but€not€for€men,€what€was€meant€by€work€that€was€not€appropriateÐ #l! Ðto€the€female€sex€and€whether€plans€existed€to€do€away€with€job€segregation.€€More€details€wereÐ $X" Ðsought€on€womenððs€lower€wage€level€compared€to€that€of€men.€€It€was€asked€what€was€meant€by€theÐ ô$D # Ðð ðlabour€supply€patternsðð€and€whether€and€how€the€goal€of€equal€pay€for€work€of€equal€value€was€toÐ à%0!$ Ðbe€achieved.€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ151.€€Other€questions€referred€to€the€unemployment€rates€and€unemployment€benefits€for€men€anÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwomen,€the€retirement€ages€for€men€and€women€and€the€life€expectancy€of€both€sexes.€€It€was€askedÐ )à$( Ðwhether€sexual€harassment€occurred€at€work,€and€whether€paternity€leave€existed.€€Experts€wantedÐ |*Ì%) Ðto€know€which€criteria€the€informal€work„force€could€be€included€in€the€official€labour€statistics.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ152.€€Experts€asked€about€the€influence€of€trade€unions€in€the€country€and€whether€women€could€Ô_ÔgetÐ @-(, Ðtraining€for€self„employment,€how€women€could€combine€family€obligations€with€participation€inÐ ° Ðthe€work„force€and€whether€pregnant€women€were€covered€by€protective€measures.Ð œì ÐÌ153.€€A€question€referred€to€the€percentage€of€women€in€the€legal€profession.Ð tÄ ÐÌ154.€€Experts€asked€whether€the€government€policy€consisted€in€reducing€the€fertility€rate,€whetherÐ L œ Ðthe€family€planning€programme€was€publicized,€what€the€percentage€of€users€was€and€whetherÐ 8 ˆ Ðabortion€services€existed.Ð $ t ÐÌ155.€€It€was€asked€whether€single€women€had€the€same€family€benefits€as€married€couples.Ð ü L  ÐÌ156.€€Information€was€sought€about€the€structure,€the€functioning,€the€goals,€the€personnel€of€and€theÐ Ô$  Ðresults€achieved€by€the€Womenððs€Bank.Ð À  ÐÌ157.€€Detailed€information€was€requested€on€the€access€of€rural€women€to€credit€and€health€services,Ð ˜è  Ðon€their€fertility€and€on€literacy€rates.€€It€was€asked€whether€programmes€existed€to€extend€landÐ „Ô  Ðownership€to€rural€women.€€Clarification€was€sought€on€the€legal€status€of€the€15€associations€forÐ pÀ Ðrural€women,€on€the€amount€of€wages€and€the€number€of€years€of€services€of€the€women€concernedÐ \¬ Ðand€the€number€of€women€who€worked€in€the€womenððs€co„operatives.Ð H˜ ÐÌ158.€€Experts€inquired€about€the€contribution€of€Ô_ÔINSTRAWÔ_Ô€in€working€out€programmes€for€ruralÐ  p Ðwomen€and€asked€in€what€way€the€Department€for€the€Advancement€of€Women€played€an€active€roleÐ  \ Ðfor€rural€women.Ð øH ÐÌ159.€€Clarification€was€sought€as€to€whether€legal€advice€services€were€accessible€to€women€andÐ Ð  Ðwhether€women€were€being€duly€informed€of€their€rights.Ð ¼  ÐÌ160.€€Experts€asked€in€what€way€the€legal€capacity€of€married€women€was€restricted€and€theyÐ ”ä Ðcommented€on€the€discrimination€inherent€in€article€374€of€the€Civil€Code.€€Another€questionÐ €Ð Ðreferred€to€the€compatibility€between€articles€214€and€215€of€the€Civil€Code.Ð l¼ ÐÌ161.€€Concerning€the€reference€to€concubinage€as€the€predominant€marital€problem€in€the€country,Ð D!” Ðit€was€asked€why€the€percentage€of€concubinage€was€so€high,€whether€polygamy€existed€in€theÐ 0"€  Ðcountry,€or€whether€legal€marriage€was€contracted€with€only€one€wife€and,€in€addition,€whether€aÐ #l! Ðmarried€man€was€allowed€to€cohabit€with€more€than€one€woman,€and€how€that€tied€in€with€articleÐ $X" Ð212€of€the€Civil€Code€pursuant€to€which€the€spouses€owed€each€other€mutual€fidelity.€€It€was€askedÐ ô$D # Ðwhether€the€Government€was€more€in€favour€of€concubinage€or€of€marriage.€€Another€questionÐ à%0!$ Ðconcerned€the€reason€for€the€high€percentage€of€women€as€heads€of€households€of€married€orÐ Ì&"% Ðcohabiting€couples.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ162.€€Questions€were€raised€about€the€legal€management€of€the€community€of€property€Ô_ÔrgimeÔ_Ô€duringÐ )à$( Ðmarriage€and€the€distribution€of€property€on€the€death€of€one€spouse.€€It€was€asked€whether€womenÐ |*Ì%) Ðwere€aware€of€possibility€of€renouncing€that€Ô_ÔrgimeÔ_Ô.€€Clarification€was€also€sought€as€to€the€meaningÐ h+¸&* Ðof€the€free€disposal€of€each€spouseððs€income€ð ðafter€having€discharged€the€obligation€of€the€marriageðð.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐÔ_Ô163.€€Information€was€requested€on€the€grounds€for€divorce,€on€the€time€period€necessary€forÐ ° Ðobtaining€a€divorce€and€on€the€responsibilities€of€the€faulty€partner€in€a€divorce€case.Ð œì ÐÌ164.€€Experts€wanted€to€know€about€the€property€situation€of€cohabiting€couples€and€their€childrenÐ tÄ Ðand€whether€cohabitation€was€legally€recognized.€€They€requested€statistical€data€about€theÐ `° Ðconnection€between€cohabitation€and€social€level.Ð L œ ÐÌ165.€€More€clarification€was€sought€on€the€right€of€women€to€choose€their€family€name€and€on€theÐ $ t Ðname€of€children.Ð  ` ÐÌ166.€€Experts€wanted€to€know€the€reasons€for€the€difference€in€marriageable€age€between€girls€andÐ è 8  Ðboys,€and€whether€single€women€could€adopt€children.€€A€question€referred€to€the€reason€whyÐ Ô$  Ðadultery€was€no€longer€to€be€regarded€as€a€punishable€crime€and€had€been€eliminated€as€grounds€forÐ À  Ðdivorce.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ167.€€The€representative€of€the€Dominican€Republic€indicated€that,€before€replying€to€questionsÐ „Ô  Ðposed€by€members€of€the€Committee,€she€needed€to€clarify€certain€issues.€€Firstly€a€number€ofÐ pÀ Ðprovisions€which€had€been€introduced€to€revise€the€laws€on€women€and€the€family€had€beenÐ \¬ Ðpromulgated€as€law€No.€855€of€1978.€€Further€revisions€introduced€in€1986€were€pending€approvalÐ H˜ Ðby€Congress€owing€to€the€economic€emergency€facing€the€Dominican€Republic€because€of€theÐ 4„ Ðexternal€debt.Ð  p ÐÌ168.€€Regarding€questions€about€the€activities€of€national€institutions€to€improve€the€status€ofÐ øH Ðwomen,€she€stated€that€the€Centro€de€Integracið;ðn€Femenina€para€el€Desarrollo€had€been€created€inÐ ä4 Ð1975€as€a€temporary€measure€in€order€to€implement€the€policies€of€the€countryððs€development€plan.Ð Ð  ÐÌ169.€€The€General€Directorate€for€Womenððs€Promotion€created€in€1982€under€the€Prime€Minister€hadÐ ¨ø Ðthree€divisions€and€played€the€main€co„ordinating€role€at€the€national€level€on€womenððs€affairs.€€ItÐ ”ä Ðalso€carried€out€projects€in€both€rural€and€urban€areas.€€Non„governmental€organizations€maintainedÐ €Ð Ðcontinuous€contact€with€that€office€and€also€provided€both€legal€and€social€services€free€of€chargeÐ l¼ Ðto€women.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ170.€€Many€of€the€laws€dating€back€to€1940€had€been€repealed€when€the€country€overcame€theÐ 0"€  Ðdictatorship.€€In€the€Dominican€Republic€all€laws€were€based€on€the€Napoleonic€Code.€€Access€toÐ #l! Ðdue€process€was€open€to€all€citizens€regardless€of€their€sex,€and€official€legal€advice€was€providedÐ $X" Ðwhen€necessary€by€the€Public€Ministry.€€No€positive€action€measures€of€targets€had€been€consideredÐ ô$D # Ðnecessary€so€far€by€the€Government.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ171.€€In€her€reply€regarding€article€5€of€the€Convention,€she€explained€that€it€was€difficult€to€assessÐ ¸'#& Ðmenððs€participation€in€household€duties€since€economic€factors€played€a€role€in€that€area€as€didÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcultural€and€traditional€habits.€€There€had€been€changes€in€the€latter.€€Religious€institutions€had€notÐ )à$( Ðpresented€obstacles€to€social€change.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ172.€€Prostitution€occurred€because€of€economic€factors.€€Although€the€law€did€not€punish€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðpractice€it€punished€its€commerce.€€Rape€was€also€punished€under€the€Penal€Ô_ÔCode.Ð @-(, ЇÌ173.€€Womenððs€political€involvement€was€high€considering€the€difficulties€encountered.€€There€wasÐ œì Ð1€woman€senator,€10€deputies,€40€per€cent€of€the€heads€of€General€Directorates€were€women,€andÐ ˆØ Ð50€per€cent€of€governors€were€women.Ð tÄ ÐÌ174.€€Family€education,€family€planning€and€sex€education€were€all€programmes€of€the€highestÐ L œ Ðpriority€for€the€Government€and€considerable€training€had€been€developed€at€university€level€in€thoseÐ 8 ˆ Ðdisciplines.€€Non„governmental€organizations€had€played€a€major€role€in€all€such€activities€and€alsoÐ $ t Ðin€extension€and€continued€education€projects€as€well€as€correspondence€courses€for€adults.Ð  ` ÐÌ175.€€Article€211€of€the€Labour€Code€established€that€during€pregnancy€a€woman€could€not€beÐ è 8  Ðobliged€to€work€in€situations€requiring€physical€effort€which€could€be€incompatible€with€her€state.€Ð Ô$  ÐIt€also€obliged€managers€to€facilitate€transfer€out€of€any€job€when€the€latter€was€consideredÐ À  Ðprejudicial€to€women.€€Should€a€transfer€be€impossible,€a€woman€had€the€right€to€a€leave€of€absence.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThat€article€also€forbade€the€firing€of€women€owing€to€pregnancy.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ176.€€Domestic€servants€were€not€covered€by€existing€labour€legislation.€€The€Labour€Code€regulatedÐ pÀ Ðwhich€occupations€were€not€suitable€for€women€for€either€danger€or€health€reasons.€€TheÐ \¬ ÐGovernment€had€ratified€ILO€Convention€100€regarding€the€principle€of€equal€pay€for€work€of€equalÐ H˜ Ðvalue.Ð 4„ ÐÌ177.€€The€Womanððs€Bank€of€the€Dominican€Republic€was€a€branch€of€the€Womenððs€Association€forÐ  \ ÐDevelopment€which€was€a€non„governmental€group€run€by€volunteers.€€It€provided€3,000€womenÐ øH Ðwith€loans€ranging€from€$RD€300€to€$RD€10,000.€€The€State€Bank€for€Agriculture€also€providedÐ ä4 Ðcredit€to€rural€women.Ð Ð  ÐÌ178.€€Married€womenððs€legal€capacity€was€still€restricted€by€marriage€regulations,€which€establishedÐ ¨ø Ðthat€the€husband€was€the€administrator€of€the€coupleððs€property,€that€he€could€sell€it€and€without€theÐ ”ä Ðconsent€of€the€wife,€but€joint€administration€was€proposed€in€the€pending€draft€family€law.Ð €Ð ÐÌ179.€€In€answering€questions€about€the€distribution€of€property€upon€the€death€of€a€spouse,€sheÐ X ¨ Ðexplained€that€women€could€choose€at€the€time€of€marriage€which€scheme€they€preferred,€separateÐ D!” Ðor€common€property.€€The€laws€governing€divorce€for€reasons€of€adultery€discriminated€againstÐ 0"€  Ðwomen€and€amendments€had€been€proposed€to€eliminate€the€anomalies.€€Women€could€choose€theirÐ #l! Ðname€upon€marriage€and€there€was€no€discrimination€regarding€child€adoption€by€either€men€orÐ $X" Ðwomen.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ180.€€She€explained€that€the€citizenship€rights€which€were€acquired€at€the€age€of€18€referred€to€theÐ Ì&"% Ðcapacity€to€exercise€civil€or€political€rights€while€nationality€was€acquired€at€birth.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ181.€€Finally,€she€assured€members€of€the€Committee€that€the€Government€of€the€DominicanÐ )à$( ÐRepublic€had€the€full€commitment€and€political€will€to€move€from€theory€to€practice,€from€law€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðaction,€and€that€more€information€would€be€provided€in€the€subsequent€State€party€report.Ð  h+¸&* Ðò òÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/53/38/Rev.1€Ô_Ô(1998)Ô_ÔÐ ° Ðà  àÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌó ó312.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second,€third€and€fourth€periodic€reports€of€the€DominicanÐ tÄ ÐRepublic€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/DOM/2-3€and€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/DOM/4)€at€its€379òòthóó€and€380òòthóó€meetings,€on€3Ð `° ÐFebruary€1998€(see€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.379€and€380).€Ð L œ ÐÌ313.€€In€introducing€the€reports,€the€representative€of€the€Dominican€Republic€noted€that,€since€itsÐ $ t Ðratification€by€the€Government€in€1982,€the€Convention€on€the€Elimination€of€All€Forms€ofÐ  ` ÐDiscrimination€against€Women€had€been€an€instrument€for€Dominican€women€to€overcome€theirÐ ü L  Ðsubordination€and€to€change€the€patriarchal€order.€Ð è 8  ÐÌ314.€€Referring€in€particular€to€the€fourth€periodic€report,€the€representative€described€it€as€anÐ À  Ðinstrument€of€self-assessment€and€stocktaking.€€It€provided€an€opportunity€for€assessingÐ ¬ü  Ðdevelopments€that€had€occurred€in€various€governmental€and€societal€sectors,€but€also€for€identifyingÐ ˜è  Ðobstacles€and€areas€for€further€change.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌ315.€€Among€progress€achieved€in€the€legal€sphere,€the€representative€noted€in€particular€theÐ \¬ Ðadoption€of€a€law€against€domestic€violence€(òòLey€contra€la€Ô_ÔViolenciaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔIntrafamilialÔ_Ôóó).€€She€referredÐ H˜ Ðto€the€Government's€ongoing€efforts€to€put€in€place€practical€measures€to€ensure€compliance€with€theÐ 4„ Ðnew€law,€such€as€awareness€and€information€campaigns,€training€for€law-enforcement€officers€andÐ  p Ðthe€creation€of€special€units€to€handle€violence€complaints.€Ð  \ ÐÌ316.€€Other€legal€measures€included€the€adoption€of€an€education€bill€establishing€the€principle€ofÐ ä4 Ðequality€of€opportunity€between€the€sexes,€the€revision€of€the€electoral€law€establishing€a€quota€ofÐ Ð  Ð25€per€cent€for€women€candidates€in€municipal€and€congressional€elections€and€the€revision€of€theÐ ¼  Ðagrarian€reform€law.€€The€representative€also€noted€that€there€was€widespread€support,€especiallyÐ ¨ø Ðamong€the€women's€movement,€for€further€legal€reform€aimed€at€the€elimination€of€discriminatoryÐ ”ä Ðprovisions€particularly€in€the€civil€code,€and€for€the€inclusion€of€the€principle€of€equality€in€theÐ €Ð Ðconstitution.€Ð l¼ ÐÌ317.€€The€representative€pointed€to€the€creation€of€several€mechanisms€to€ensure€implementation€ofÐ D!” Ðthe€legal€and€normative€framework€for€women.€€She€noted€in€particular€the€strengthening€of€theÐ 0"€  ÐÔ_ÔDireccið;ðnÔ_Ô€General€de€Ô_ÔPromocið;ðnÔ_Ô€de€la€Ô_ÔMujerÔ_Ô€through€a€substantial€increase€in€human€and€financialÐ #l! Ðresources,€combined€with€a€commitment€in€principle€to€elevate€the€Directorate€to€a€secretariat€ofÐ $X" Ðstate€or€ministry€for€women's€affairs.€She€also€pointed€to€the€establishment€of€an€Ô_ÔintersectoralÔ_ÔÐ ô$D # ÐÔ_ÔcommitteeÔ_Ô€for€the€follow-up€to,€and€implementation€of,€the€Beijing€Declaration€and€Platform€forÐ à%0!$ ÐAction.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ318.€€While€there€had€been€progress€in€women's€political€and€social€participation,€this€was€an€areaÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwhere€further€progress€was€needed.€€Most€notably,€31€per€cent€of€the€judges€of€the€Supreme€CourtÐ )à$( Ðof€Justice€were€women.€€There€had€also€been€an€increase€in€women€in€the€Foreign€Service.€€WhileÐ |*Ì%) Ðimportant€changes€had€also€taken€place€in€the€areas€of€education€for€women,€especially€in€terms€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðtheir€access€to€all€levels€of€education,€sexism€persisted€in€the€professional€sphere.€Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐÔ_Ô319.€€The€representative€informed€the€Committee€that€the€economic€situation€of€the€country€sinceÐ ° Ðthe€early€1990s€was€characterized€by€macroeconomic€control€and€stabilization€efforts.€€PovertyÐ œì Ðremained€the€major€challenge€and€its€eradication€was€a€priority€objective€for€the€Government.€€SinceÐ ˆØ Ðpoverty€affected€women€in€particular€ways€and€limited€their€economic€participation€and€access€toÐ tÄ Ðservices,€specific€projects€for€women,€in€particular€women€heads€of€households,€formed€part€of€theÐ `° ÐGovernment's€poverty€eradication€efforts.€Ð L œ ÐÌ320.€€The€representative€concluded€that€the€new€Government,€which€had€been€installed€in€mid-1996,Ð $ t Ðhad€embarked€on€a€policy€of€reform€and€modernization.€€While€the€impact€of€reform€on€the€situationÐ  ` Ðof€women€could€not€yet€be€evaluated,€she€noted€that€the€Direccið;ðn€General€de€Promocið;ðn€de€la€MujerÐ ü L  Ðand€the€national€women's€movement€remained€committed€to€ensuring€that€a€gender€approach€wasÐ è 8  Ðreflected€in€those€reforms.€€The€Convention€would€provide€continuing€guidance€into€the€nextÐ Ô$  Ðmillennium€on€measures€to€improve€the€status€of€women.€Ð À  ÐÌòòConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóÐ ˜è  ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ pÀ ÐÌ321.€€The€Committee€commends€the€Government€for€the€preparation€of€a€new€report€in€late€1997,Ð H˜ Ðthat€is,€the€fourth€periodic€report,€which€is€considered€together€with€its€second€and€third€periodicÐ 4„ Ðreport€submitted€in€1993.€€It€welcomes€it€as€a€well-structured€report€that€provides€frank€and€clearÐ  p Ðinformation€on€the€situation€of€women€in€the€Dominican€Republic.€€Together€with€the€exhaustiveÐ  \ Ðreplies€provided€to€the€Committee's€numerous€questions,€the€presentation€gives€a€comprehensiveÐ øH Ðview€of€the€efforts€undertaken€by€the€new€Government.€€This€is€indicative€of€the€political€will€of€theÐ ä4 ÐGovernment€to€carry€out€its€commitments€under€international€human€rights€law,€and€especially€itsÐ Ð  Ðdesire€to€achieve€full€compliance€with€its€obligations€under€the€Convention€on€the€Elimination€ofÐ ¼  ÐAll€Forms€of€Discrimination€against€Women.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ322.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€appreciation€to€the€Government€of€the€Dominican€Republic€forÐ €Ð Ðits€large€and€high-level€delegation€headed€by€the€Minister€for€Women's€Affairs,€which€has€enabledÐ l¼ Ðthe€Committee€to€obtain€a€realistic€picture€of€progress€made€and€of€challenges€ahead€in€theÐ X ¨ Ðachievement€of€the€equal€rights€of€women.€Ð D!” ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ #l! ÐÌ323.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€fact€that€the€Government,€while€undergoing€a€period€of€change,Ð ô$D # Ðreform€and€modernization€after€the€last€election€in€1996,€has€made€great€efforts€to€ensure€theÐ à%0!$ Ðsystematic€inclusion€of€a€gender€perspective€in€its€new€policies€and€programmes.€€The€catalytic€roleÐ Ì&"% Ðof€the€Direccið;ðn€General€de€Promocið;ðn€de€la€Mujer€and€of€the€women's€movement€in€this€regard€areÐ ¸'#& Ðparticularly€noted.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ324.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€many€important€initiatives€and€measures€€undertaken€in€differentÐ |*Ì%) Ðareas€by€the€Direccið;ðn€General€in€a€short€period€of€time€and€commends€it€for€its€ongoing€work€onÐ h+¸&* Ða€number€of€legislative€drafts€aimed€at€repealing€or€revising€discriminatory€laws€and€provisions.€Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ї325.€€The€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€adoption€of€several€new€laws€and€legal€revisionsÐ ° Ðto€bring€the€domestic€situation€into€greater€conformity€with€the€Convention.€€In€particular,€theÐ œì ÐCommittee€applauds€the€adoption,€in€1997,€of€the€law€against€domestic€violence€following€theÐ ˆØ Ðcountry's€ratification,€in€1995,€of€the€Inter-American€Convention€on€the€Prevention,€Punishment€andÐ tÄ ÐEradication€of€Violence€against€Women€(Convention€of€Belm€do€Par).€€The€CommitteeÐ `° Ðfurthermore€commends€the€Government€on€the€holistic€and€integrated€approach€it€is€taking€toÐ L œ Ðaddress€the€issue€of€violence€against€women,€which€includes€legislative€measures,€public€awarenessÐ 8 ˆ Ðcampaigns,€training€and€sensitization€measures€for€law-enforcement€officials€and€the€judiciary,€andÐ $ t Ðthe€establishment€of€special€units€to€handle€domestic€violence€complaints.€Ð  ` ÐÌ326.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€revision€of€the€agrarian€reform€law€giving€womenÐ è 8  Ðthe€right€to€inherit€land,€a€reform€of€particular€importance€to€rural€women.€€Changes€in€the€EducationÐ Ô$  ÐLaw€were€commended,€as€is€the€establishment,€in€the€Electoral€Law,€of€a€25€per€cent€quota€forÐ À  Ðwomen€candidates€in€municipal€and€congressional€elections.€€The€Committee€also€notes€women'sÐ ¬ü  Ðabove-average€representation€in€secondary€and€higher€education.€€While€illiteracy€continues€to€beÐ ˜è  Ða€concern,€the€rate€of€female€illiteracy€is€lower€than€that€of€males,€which€is€an€exception€whenÐ „Ô  Ðcompared€to€the€situation€of€illiteracy€in€most€other€countries.€Ð pÀ ÐÌ327.€€The€Committee€commends€the€Government€for€devoting€a€special€section€in€the€fourth€periodicÐ H˜ Ðreport€to€women€heads€of€households,€thus€showing€its€sensitivity€to€the€particular€constraints€andÐ 4„ Ðvulnerabilities€faced€by€this€group€of€women,€which€makes€up€one€fourth€of€all€DominicanÐ  p Ðhouseholds.€Ð  \ ÐÌ328.€€The€Committee€commends€the€role€of€non-governmental€organizations€and€of€the€women'sÐ ä4 Ðmovement€in€awareness-raising€and€in€lobbying€lawmakers€and€the€Government€to€focus€onÐ Ð  Ðwomen's€issues,€and€their€active€work€in€providing€services€to€women.€Ð ¼  ÐÌ329.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€establishment€of€a€governmental€mechanism€toÐ ”ä Ðfollow€up€and€implement€the€commitments€of€the€Platform€for€Action.€Ð €Ð ÐÌòòFactors€and€difficulties€affecting€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ X ¨ ÐÌ330.€€The€Committee€notes€the€persistence€of€a€high€poverty€level€and€of€situations€of€extremeÐ 0"€  Ðpoverty,€with€57€per€cent€of€the€Dominican€population€living€below€the€poverty€line.€€As€women€areÐ #l! Ðmost€affected€by€poverty,€which€is€aggravated€by€discrimination€and€inequality,€this€constitutes€aÐ $X" Ðserious€obstacle€to€the€full€implementation€of€the€Convention€in€the€Dominican€Republic.€Ð ô$D # ÐÌ331.€€Although€the€Dominican€Republic€is€a€secular€State,€the€Committee€notes€the€absence,€inÐ Ì&"% Ðpractice,€of€a€clear€separation€of€Church€and€State.€€The€Committee€considers€such€an€interminglingÐ ¸'#& Ðof€the€secular€and€religious€spheres€as€a€serious€impediment€to€full€implementation€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐConvention.€Ð )à$( ÐÌòòPrincipal€areas€of€concernóóÐ h+¸&* ÐÌ332.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€that,€notwithstanding€legislative€achievements,Ð @-(, Ðdiscriminatory€provisions€continue€to€exist,€including€in€the€civil€code,€the€nationality€law€andÐ ° Ðmarriage€and€family€laws,€especially€in€areas€such€as€the€administration€of€marital€property.€Ð œì ÐDiscriminatory€provisions€regarding€unmarried€women,€as€well€as€single€mothers,€persist€in€socialÐ ˆØ Ðsecurity€provisions€and€in€land€inheritance€rights€under€the€agrarian€reform€law.€€The€CommitteeÐ tÄ Ðnotes€with€concern€the€continuing€absence€of€the€principle€of€equality€from€the€country's€constitution.€Ð `° ÐÌ333.€€The€Committee€expresses€deep€concern€about€the€economic€consequences€of€women's€poverty.Ð 8 ˆ ÐWomen's€migration€to€urban€areas€and€to€foreign€countries€render€them€susceptible€to€sexualÐ $ t Ðexploitation,€including€trafficking€and€sex€tourism,€and€prostitution.€€The€lack€of€creation€of€jobs€forÐ  ` Ðwomen€in€growth€sectors,€including€in€the€tourism€industry,€contributes€to€the€high€percentage€ofÐ ü L  Ðwomen€migrating€abroad€in€search€of€work.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€notwithstanding€theÐ è 8  Ðhigh€level€of€poverty€among€women,€and€especially€of€women-headed€households,€no€affirmativeÐ Ô$  Ðaction€measures€are€being€taken€to€support€women's€efforts€to€break€the€cycle€of€poverty.€Ð À  ÐÌ334.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€about€the€rigid€social€codes€adhered€to€in€the€country€andÐ ˜è  Ðthe€persistence€of€machismo,€which€is€reflected€in€areas€such€as€women's€low€participation€in€publicÐ „Ô  Ðlife€and€decision-making,€in€the€stereotypical€portrayal€of€women's€role€in€the€family,€social€life€andÐ pÀ Ða€segregated€labour€market.€€Emphasizing€that€legal€measures€alone€are€not€sufficient,€the€CommitteeÐ \¬ Ðnotes€the€failure€of€the€Government€to€undertake€comprehensive€and€systematic€public€awarenessÐ H˜ Ðand€information€campaigns€to€change€stereotypical€attitudes€that€are€detrimental€to€women's€equality.€Ð 4„ ÐÌ335.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€that,€while€close€ties€exist€between€the€Direccið;ðn€GeneralÐ  \ Ðde€Promocið;ðn€de€la€Mujer€and€women's€groups,€insufficient€cooperation€and€networking€has€beenÐ øH Ðestablished€between€the€Direccið;ðn€General€and€women€in€decision-making€in€all€areas€of€political,Ð ä4 Ðeconomic€and€social€life.€Ð Ð  ÐÌ336.€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€the€situation€of€women€workers.€€While€the€highÐ ¨ø Ðpercentage€of€women€employed€in€free-trade€zones€is€laudable,€because€it€gives€them€a€financialÐ ”ä Ðfooting,€women€workers€suffer€considerable€discrimination€in€income€and€benefits.€€The€CommitteeÐ €Ð Ðnotes€with€concern€the€absence€of€efforts€by€the€Government€to€ensure€and€enforce€compliance€withÐ l¼ Ðwage,€benefits€and€workers'€safety€laws,€including€compliance€with€International€LabourÐ X ¨ ÐOrganization€Conventions.€Women's€overall€high€unemployment€rate,€the€particularly€insecureÐ D!” Ðsituation€of€domestic€workers€and€of€single€mothers€are€also€of€concern€to€the€Committee.€€TheÐ 0"€  ÐCommittee€is€further€concerned€that€women€often€have€higher€levels€of€education€than€men€but€areÐ #l! Ðpaid€less€than€men€for€work€of€equal€value.€Ð $X" ÐÌ337.€€The€Committee€expresses€deep€concern€with€respect€to€the€high€rate€of€maternal€mortalityÐ à%0!$ Ðwhich€is€caused,€as€is€noted€in€the€report,€by€toxaemia,€haemorrhages€during€childbirth€andÐ Ì&"% Ðclandestine€abortions;€the€Committee€also€notes€that€toxaemia€may€be€caused€by€induced€abortions.€Ð ¸'#& ÐThe€high€rate€of€maternal€mortality,€in€conjunction€with€the€fact€that€abortions€in€the€DominicanÐ ¤(ô#' ÐRepublic€are€absolutely€and€under€all€circumstances€illegal,€cause€very€great€concern€to€theÐ )à$( ÐCommittee€and€draws€attention€to€the€implications€of€the€situation€for€women's€enjoyment€of€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðright€to€life.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsÐ @-(, ÐóóÌ338.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€to€ensure€that€the€implementation€of€all€provisionsÐ œì Ðof€the€Convention€proceeds€without€obstacles€and€requests€the€Government€to€include€in€its€nextÐ ˆØ Ðreport€detailed€information€on€the€practical€implementation€of€the€Convention,€emphasizing€theÐ tÄ Ðimpact€of€policies€and€programmes€aimed€at€achieving€women's€equality.€Ð `° ÐÌ339.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€provide€the€Direccið;ðn€General€with€the€necessaryÐ 8 ˆ Ðauthority€and€with€adequate€human€and€financial€resources€to€implement€special€programmes€forÐ $ t Ðwomen,€to€influence€all€governmental€decision-making€and€to€ensure€that€a€gender€perspective€isÐ  ` Ðconsistently€applied€in€all€Government€policies€and€programmes.€Ð ü L  ÐÌ340.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Direccið;ðn€General,€using€the€model€of€the€Honorary€CommitteeÐ Ô$  Ðof€Women€Advisers€to€the€Senate,€to€intensify€cooperation€with€other€sectors€and€entities€of€civil,Ð À  Ðpolitical€and€economic€life,€so€as€to€ensure€more€systematic€attention€to€gender€issues€in€these€areas.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ341.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€make€women€a€priority€in€its€poverty€eradicationÐ „Ô  Ðstrategy.€€Particular€emphasis€should€be€placed€on€the€mainstreaming€of€a€gender€perspective€in€allÐ pÀ Ðpoverty€eradication€efforts€and€measures€should€be€taken€to€ensure€to€women€the€enjoyment€of€theirÐ \¬ Ðrights€in€such€efforts.€Ð H˜ ÐÌ342.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€continue€its€efforts€to€mainstream€a€genderÐ  p Ðperspective€in€all€its€reforms.€€It€also€suggests€that€the€Government€identify€priority€areas€for€targetedÐ  \ Ðactions€for€women.€€The€reduction€and€elimination€of€illiteracy,€the€creation€of€jobs€and€theÐ øH Ðimplementation€of€labour€legislation€and€reforms€are€suggested€for€such€priority€attention.€Ð ä4 ÐÌ343.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€to€continue€to€give€attention€to€women€heads€ofÐ ¼  Ðhouseholds€and€to€conduct€further€research€into€their€situation€with€a€view€to€developing€sound€andÐ ¨ø Ðeffective€policies€on€strengthening€their€socio-economic€situation€and€the€prevention€of€poverty€andÐ ”ä Ðto€ensure€that€needed€services€and€support€are€provided€to€such€households.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ344.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€improve€the€collection€and€use€of€data€disaggregatedÐ X ¨ Ðby€sex,€so€that€the€strong€factual€basis€for€the€picture€of€the€de€facto€situation€of€women€in€all€areasÐ D!” Ðcovered€by€the€Convention€may€be€maintained€and€measures€targeted€more€carefully€to€specificÐ 0"€  Ðgroups.€€Areas€related€to€women's€health,€work,€employment,€wages€and€benefits,€to€the€types€andÐ #l! Ðincidence€of€violence€against€women€and€the€impact€of€measures€against€violence€against€womenÐ $X" Ðshould€receive€particular€emphasis.€€Data€should€also€be€disaggregated€by€age,€and€by€other€criteriaÐ ô$D # Ðsuch€as€urban/rural.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ345.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€continue€its€integrated€approach€to€the€eliminationÐ ¸'#& Ðand€prevention€of€violence€against€women.€€In€particular,€the€collection€of€data€and€information€onÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€incidence€and€types€of€violence€against€women€should€be€improved€and€attention€should€be€givenÐ )à$( Ðto€so-called€crimes€of€passion,€their€frequency€and€the€response€of€law€enforcement.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ346.€€The€Committee€strongly€urges€the€Government€to€pursue€bilateral€agreements€and€to€cooperateÐ T,¤'+ Ðin€multilateral€efforts€to€reduce€and€eradicate€traffic€in€women,€to€protect€women€migrant€workers,Ð @-(, Ðsuch€as€domestic€workers,€from€exploitation,€including€sexual€exploitation.€€Such€agreements€shouldÐ ° Ðbe€concluded,€in€particular€with€those€countries€that€are€a€primary€destination€for€Dominican€womenÐ œì Ðworkers.€€Public€information€campaigns€aimed€at€particularly€vulnerable€groups€of€women€shouldÐ ˆØ Ðalso€be€conducted€to€alert€them€to€potential€dangers€when€seeking€work€overseas.€Ð tÄ ÐÌ347.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Government€to€conduct€regular€assessments€of€the€impact€of€theÐ L œ Ð25€per€cent€quota€regulation€contained€in€the€electoral€law€to€ensure€the€full€implementation€of€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðlaw€and€the€achievement€of€higher€percentages€of€women€in€decision-making.€Ð $ t ÐÌ348.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€strengthen€vocational€and€technical€training€andÐ ü L  Ðcareer€counselling€for€young€women€and€to€increase€its€information€activities€regardingÐ è 8  Ðnon-traditional€jobs€for€women€in€order€to€reduce€job€segregation€patterns€and€the€wage€gap€betweenÐ Ô$  Ðwomen€and€men.€Ð À  ÐÌ349.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Government€to€strengthen€educational€programmes€for€all,€bothÐ ˜è  Ðgirls€and€boys,€on€sexual€and€reproductive€health,€on€combating€the€spread€of€HIV/AIDS€and€onÐ „Ô  Ðfamily€planning.€It€also€invites€the€Government€to€review€legislation€in€the€area€of€women'sÐ pÀ Ðreproductive€and€sexual€health,€in€particular€with€regard€to€abortion,€in€order€to€give€full€complianceÐ \¬ Ðto€articles€10€and€12€of€the€Convention.€Ð H˜ ÐÌ350.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€to€give€full€attention€to€the€needs€of€rural€womenÐ  p Ðand€to€ensure€an€active€and€participatory€role€for€rural€women€in€the€design,€implementation€andÐ  \ Ðmonitoring€of€all€policies€and€programmes€that€are€intended€to€benefit€them,€including€in€areas€suchÐ øH Ðas€access€to€health€and€social€services,€income-generation€projects€and€housing.€€The€GovernmentÐ ä4 Ðshould€also€consider€the€establishment€of€special€banks€and€of€improved€access€to€credit€for€ruralÐ Ð  Ðwomen.€Ð ¼  ÐÌ351.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€take€steps€to€ensure€the€de€facto€separation€of€theÐ ”ä Ðsecular€and€religious€spheres,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€the€full€implementation€of€the€Convention.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ352.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Government€to€continue€its€law€reform€efforts€aimed€at€theÐ X ¨ Ðelimination€of€all€remaining€discriminatory€laws€and€provisions.€€Laws€such€as€the€civil€code,€theÐ D!” Ðnationality€law€and€the€labour€law€should€be€targeted€for€priority€action€to€bring€them€into€fullÐ 0"€  Ðconformity€with€the€Convention.€Ð #l! ÐÌ353.€€The€Committee€requests€the€wide€dissemination€in€the€Dominican€Republic€of€the€presentÐ ô$D # Ðconcluding€comments€in€order€to€make€the€people€of€the€Dominican€Republic,€and€particularly€itsÐ à%0!$ Ðgovernment€administrators€and€politicians,€aware€of€the€steps€that€have€been€taken€to€ensure€de€factoÐ Ì&"% Ðequality€for€women€and€the€further€steps€required€in€this€regard.€€The€Committee€also€requests€theÐ ¸'#& ÐGovernment€to€continue€to€disseminate€widely,€and€in€particular€to€women's€and€human€rightsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðorganizations,€the€Convention,€the€Committee's€general€recommendations€and€the€BeijingÐ )à$( ÐDeclaration€and€Platform€for€Action.€Ð |*Ì%) Ð