ÿWPC[ 3ÉkO´|? Ëx HqxÝÌß+sË(“g–†šHwëFЩÁÈìë;E¼TfôM©Îª(&Ç#•,‘ ×Ñ?pNRC„Zôߘ¹m Fýì¾¾l6op¹ìŸT©}m+_ÞÛ&”X°½êæƒ nú+Þá È^+!€"1BûH%³SøÆû¾ÑœÀiÀJåâåýö¯3?“9±ß~$‹?Òt•YuHüب-Nè—˜œT¿Š·@ _þ–Îã}f|eÊ”I E±WæFÙ»DkÛ¹O>W :ÊŸô'  ãÚ_òIÆœèTjmžÛDAV…Ý·Rjó«>;ì#å,ÂÀ:"³y .T.î% #Á¶UNw %Å 0:Ë^ w4)8 m:QNY˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ôû­{. Jc.€öž´ÈŸ œ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼ïü»XXÔÓ  ÓUGANDA€Ô#†X©@X»¼ïü@#Ôó óÐ ° ÐÓ_ÓÓ  ÓÌò òÌÔCEUK.,ÔÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/50/38€(1995)ó óÐ œì ÐÌÔUSCE.,Ô278.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€and€second€periodic€reports€of€UgandaÐ t Ä Ð(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔUGAÔ_Ô/1-2€and€Add.1)€at€its€270òòthóó€and€273òòrdóó€meetings,€on€23€and€26€January€(seeÐ ` ° ÐÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.270€and€273).Ð L œ ÐÌ279.€€In€introducing€the€report,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€pointed€out€that€womenÐ $ t  Ðaccounted€for€up€to€80€per€cent€of€food€production€in€the€agricultural€sector€and€that€they€wereÐ `  Ðwidely€employed€in€the€informal€sector€in€urban€areas.€€She€stressed€that€Uganda€was€one€of€the€fewÐ üL  Ðsub-Saharan€countries€that€was€self-sufficient€in€agricultural€production.€Ð è8  ÐÌ280.€€She€also€emphasized€that€the€main€objective€of€the€Government€was€to€ensure€the€positiveÐ À  Ðintegration€of€women€and€gender€issues€into€the€mainstream€of€all€development€processes€from€theÐ ¬ü  Ðplanning€through€implementation€to€evaluation€stages.€€She€informed€the€Committee€that€theÐ ˜è ÐGovernment€had€addressed€the€integration€strategy€at€national€and€sectoral€levels.Ð „Ô ÐÌ281.€€Furthermore,€the€representative€mentioned€that€the€Government€was€committed€to€enhancingÐ \¬ Ðthe€participation€of€women€in€politics€and€decision-making€at€national€and€local€levels€throughÐ H˜ Ðlegislative€and€administrative€measures.€Ð 4„ ÐÌ282.€€She€informed€the€Committee€that€major€steps€had€been€taken€towards€the€full€observance€ofÐ  \ Ðthe€legal€rights€of€women€and€on€de€facto€discrimination€against€women€in€the€areas€of€the€family,Ð øH Ðeducation,€employment,€health€care€and€nutrition€policies€and€natural€resources€management.€Ð ä4 ÐHowever,€she€pointed€out€that€a€lot€remained€to€be€done€on€both€the€òòde€jureóó€and€de€facto€levels€andÐ Ð  Ðthat€obstacles€such€as€traditional€customs€and€attitudes,€the€economic€restructuring€process€andÐ ¼  Ðhealth€and€ecological€crises€impeded€the€efforts.Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòGeneral€observationsóóÐ € Ð ÐÌ283.€€Members€of€the€Committee€commended€the€frankness€and€objectivity€of€the€report€andÐ X"¨  Ðcommented€that€the€report€followed€the€general€guidelines.€€They€welcomed€the€fact€that€theÐ D#”! ÐConvention€had€been€ratified€without€reservations.€€They€praised€the€Government€of€Uganda€forÐ 0$€" Ðinvolving€non-governmental€organizations€in€the€preparation€and€evaluation€of€the€report€in€a€veryÐ %l # Ðinnovative€way.€€They€suggested€that€a€similar€cooperation€should€be€followed€regarding€theÐ &X!$ Ðconstitutional€and€other€legal€reforms.Ð ô&D"% ÐÌ284.€€Members€commended€the€Government€and,€in€particular,€the€President,€for€having€appointedÐ Ì($' Ðwomen€to€high€positions€in€the€Government,€namely,€the€woman€Vice-President€and€the€five€womenÐ ¸)%( Ðministers€in€the€cabinet.€€Members€advised€Uganda€to€take€advantage€of€the€political€will,€includingÐ ¤*ô%) Ðfrom€the€President,€at€those€levels€to€make€further€necessary€reforms.€€They€welcomed€theÐ +à&* Ðestablishment€of€a€Ministry€of€Gender€and€Community€Development.€Ð |,Ì'+ ÐÐ h-¸(, ÐÔ_Ô28ÔCE.,US.,.Ô5.€€Other€members€noted€that€there€were€still€various€obstacles€to€the€implementation€of€theÐ ° ÐConvention,€such€as€religious€and€cultural€practices,€which€had€not€yet€been€adequately€addressed.€Ð œì ÐIt€was€also€mentioned€that€traditions€and€customs€were€very€deeply€rooted€and€very€diversified.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ286.€€Members€of€the€Committee€noted€with€concern€the€effects€of€structural€adjustment€programmesÐ `° Ðon€women€and€children.€€The€Committee€wanted€to€know€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€deal€withÐ L œ Ðthe€negative€effects€of€those€programmes.€€The€representative€explained€that€various€studies€haveÐ 8 ˆ Ðbeen€carried€out€on€the€effects€of€structural€adjustment€programmes€on€women€in€Uganda.€Ð $ t ÐInformation€on€the€findings€of€those€studies€would€be€included€in€the€next€report.Ð  ` ÐÌòòQuestions€relating€to€specific€articlesóóÐ è 8  ÐÌòòArticle€2óóÐ À  ÐÌ287.€€Some€members€of€the€Committee€wanted€to€know€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€amend€theÐ ˜è  ÐConstitution€towards€granting€women€equal€rights€in€accordance€with€the€Convention.€€One€memberÐ „Ô  Ðindicated€that€the€Constitution€was€silent€on€the€issue€of€gender.€€She€therefore€suggested€that€theÐ pÀ ÐGovernment€should€take€the€matter€into€consideration€when€revising€the€Constitution.€€OthersÐ \¬ Ðexpressed€their€concern€that€the€Constitution€had€failed€to€provide€an€accurate€definition€of€sexÐ H˜ Ðdiscrimination.€€One€expert€referred€to€paragraph€64€of€the€report€of€the€State€party€and€asked€ifÐ 4„ Ðinitiatives€had€been€taken€by€women's€organizations€to€make€the€Government€reform€the€laws.Ð  p ÐÌ288.€€The€representative€replied€that,€as€mentioned€in€the€addendum€to€the€report€of€the€State€party,Ð øH Ðthe€issue€of€equality€was€being€addressed€by€the€draft€Constitution.€€He€referred€to€clause€50€(2)€andÐ ä4 Ð(3)€of€the€draft€Constitution.€€He€also€pointed€out€that€the€Government€has€been€committed€to€theÐ Ð  Ðelimination€of€institutionalized€discrimination€against€women.€€He€referred€to€clause€50€(4)€of€theÐ ¼  Ðdraft€Constitution.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ289.€€Members€of€the€Committee€noted€that€the€Constitution€referred€to€"he"€throughout,€whileÐ €Ð Ðreferring€to€both€women€and€men,€and€suggested€that€the€matter€should€be€corrected.€€TheÐ l¼ Ðrepresentative€answered€that€the€draft€Constitution€would€specify€both€men€and€women,€particularlyÐ X ¨ Ðregarding€critical€issues€on€equality€before€the€law,€fundamental€human€rights€and€otherÐ D!” Ðconstitutional€rights.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ290.€€The€report€of€the€State€party€indicated€that€the€Government€had€introduced€the€death€penaltyÐ $X" Ðfor€men€convicted€of€rape€and€defilement.€€However,€because€men€dominate€the€police€force€andÐ ô$D # Ðcrime€detection,€it€was€difficult€to€prove€rape€in€court.€€The€Members€therefore€inquired€what€stepsÐ à%0!$ Ðwere€taken€to€convict€men€who€were€guilty€of€crimes€such€as€rape€and€defilement.€€Also,€moreÐ Ì&"% Ðinformation€was€requested€on€the€steps€that€have€been€taken€to€improve€law€enforcement€proceduresÐ ¸'#& Ðin€the€context€of€rape.€€The€representative€stated€that€the€Government€had€taken€measures€to€addressÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€difficulty€of€prosecuting€rape€offenders.€€In€that€context,€the€Ministry€of€Gender€and€CommunityÐ )à$( ÐDevelopment€had€been€carrying€out€a€study€on€the€non-prosecution€of€rape€cases.€€Findings€hadÐ |*Ì%) Ðindicated€that€there€were€social,€economic,€legal€and€cultural€factors€contributing€to€theÐ h+¸&* Ðnon-prosecution€of€rape€offenders.€€The€findings€had€been€forwarded€to€the€institutions€concernedÐ T,¤'+ Ðto€call€for€their€action€to€remedy€these€problems.€€This€Ministry€was€also€engaged€in€sensitizationÐ @-(, Ðprogrammes,€especially€for€the€police€and€other€law€enforcement€officers,€concerning€the€problemÐ ° Ðof€rape.€€Also,€the€Government,€in€collaboration€with€non-governmental€organizations,€both€localÐ œì Ðand€international,€had€been€undertaking€interventions€during€the€training€of€police€officers€toÐ ˆØ Ðspecifically€sensitize€them€on€issues€affecting€women€in€criminal€matters.Ð tÄ ÐÌ291.€€The€Law€Reform€Commission€was€presently€looking€into€the€controversy€surrounding€the€issueÐ L œ Ðof€the€death€penalty€for€rape€offenders.€Results€would€be€included€in€the€next€report.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌòòArticle€3óóÐ  ` ÐÌ292.€€One€member€wanted€to€know€how€many€women€were€in€the€Law€Reform€Commission.€€TheÐ è 8  Ðrepresentative€replied€that€figures€were€given€in€the€addendum€to€the€report:€the€Law€ReformÐ Ô$  ÐCommission€should€consist€of€six€members,€including€at€least€one€woman.€€However,€theÐ À  ÐCommission€currently€had€three€Commissioners,€one€of€whom€was€a€woman.€€The€Secretary€of€theÐ ¬ü  ÐCommission€was€also€a€woman.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ293.€€One€member€wanted€to€know€whether€women's€non-governmental€organizations€were€involvedÐ pÀ Ðin€the€constitution€drafting€process.€€The€representative€responded€that€the€initial€and€second€reportsÐ \¬ Ðstated€that€individuals,€as€well€as€organizations€representing€various€interest€groups,€had€beenÐ H˜ Ðinvolved€in€submitting€memoranda€of€their€views€to€the€Constitutional€Commission.€€Women'sÐ 4„ Ðnon-governmental€organizations€had€also€been€involved€in€that€process.Ð  p ÐÌ294.€€In€that€context,€some€members€wanted€to€know€how€many€complaints€on€discriminationÐ øH Ðagainst€women€had€been€received€by€interest€groups€and€how€many€had€been€judicially€disposed€of.€Ð ä4 ÐThe€representative€replied€that€many€complaints€on€discrimination€against€women€were€received;Ð Ð  Ðhowever,€owing€to€the€lack€of€gender-Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€data€in€that€office,€it€was€difficult€to€procureÐ ¼  Ðinformation€on€the€exact€number.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ295.€€Another€member€asked€if€the€Government€had€a€plan€to€introduce€an€equal€opportunities€bill.Ð €Ð ÐFurthermore,€she€wanted€to€know€whether€the€Government€had€addressed€the€issue€of€violenceÐ l¼ Ðagainst€women.€€The€representative€explained€that€the€Constituent€Assembly€had€considered€theÐ X ¨ Ðquestion€of€establishing€an€equal€opportunities€commission.€€He€added€that€the€process€of€draftingÐ D!” Ðthe€Constitution€has€been€ongoing€since€1988€and€now€had€six€months€to€reach€a€conclusion.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ296.€€In€1970,€the€Law€Development€Centre€was€established€for€the€purpose€of€extending€legal€aidÐ $X" Ðfor€women.€€The€members€wanted€to€know€why€this€scheme€had€never€taken€off.€€In€the€report,€itÐ ô$D # Ðwas€noted€that€the€Uganda€Women's€Lawyers€Association€could€not€serve€all€women€in€need€of€legalÐ à%0!$ Ðaid€in€the€country.€€Members€asked€whether€the€Government€had€established€additional€legal€aidÐ Ì&"% Ðagencies.€€The€representative€of€Uganda€referred€to€the€information€contained€in€the€addendum€toÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€report€and€explained€that,€in€addition€to€the€Uganda€Women's€Lawyers€Association,€the€UgandaÐ ¤(ô#' ÐLaw€Society€had€been€operating€a€similar€project€in€the€four€regions€of€the€country.€€Furthermore,Ð )à$( Ðthe€legal€department€of€the€Ministry€of€Gender€and€Community€Development€offered€similarÐ |*Ì%) Ðservices.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ297.€€Some€members€emphasized€that€the€inferior€status€of€women€in€the€family€impeded€legalÐ @-(, Ðequality€of€women;€they€stressed€that€there€was€a€need€to€adopt€a€new€family€code€integratingÐ ° Ðstatutory€legislation€and€customary€law.€€The€representative€replied€that€among€the€strategies€toÐ œì Ðaddress€the€inferior€status€of€women€in€Ugandan€society,€the€Government€had€embarked€on€a€processÐ ˆØ Ðof€reforming€the€laws€on€domestic€relations.€€A€draft€bill€on€such€a€law€had€been€put€in€place,€whichÐ tÄ Ðsought€to€integrate€both€the€various€customary€laws€and€statutory€law€into€one€code.€€FurtherÐ `° Ðconsultations€and€research€were€still€being€carried€out,€especially€to€ensure€that€the€law€was€in€lineÐ L œ Ðwith€international€and€regional€human€rights€instruments€on€the€status€of€women.€€Moreover,€heÐ 8 ˆ Ðstated€that,€as€reported€in€the€addendum€to€the€report,€the€issue€of€domestic€violence€would€beÐ $ t Ðspecifically€addressed€in€the€new€law€on€domestic€relations.€€Apart€from€legal€measures,€the€MinistryÐ  ` Ðof€Gender€and€Community€Development€had€been€conducting€legal€education€and€sensitizationÐ ü L  Ðactivities€on€the€problem€in€various€parts€of€the€country,€together€with€locally€basedÐ è 8  Ðnon-governmental€organizations.Ð Ô$  ÐÌòòArticle€4óóÐ ¬ü  ÐÌ298.€€Paragraph€79€of€the€report€referred€to€Uganda's€efforts€to€increase€the€level€of€participation€ofÐ „Ô  Ðwomen€in€the€public€sector,€based€on€affirmative€action.€€One€member€wanted€to€know€what€actionÐ pÀ Ðhad€been€taken€concerning€the€problem€of€wife€beating.Ð \¬ ÐÌòòArticle€6óóÐ 4„ ÐÌ299.€€The€report€indicated€that€prostitution€was€a€crime€but€did€not€state€whether€the€clients€ofÐ  \ Ðprostitutes€were€also€considered€guilty€of€a€crime€and€whether€they€were€prosecuted;€nor€did€theÐ øH Ðreport€indicate€whether€measures€to€prevent€acquired€Ô_ÔimmunodeficiencyÔ_Ô€syndrome€(AIDS)€wereÐ ä4 Ðapplied€equally€to€prostitutes€and€clients.€€The€representative€replied€that€based€on€the€definition€ofÐ Ð  Ðprostitution€and€prostitutes,€the€amended€legislation€S.Ô_Ô134AÔ_Ô€of€the€Penal€Code€allowed€for€theÐ ¼  Ðprosecution€of€both€parties€involved€in€the€act.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ300.€€A€clarification€of€paragraph€100€of€the€report,€which€referred€to€the€extension€of€the€ageÐ €Ð Ðcategory€of€protected€males€and€females€from€14€to€18€years,€was€required.€€The€representativeÐ l¼ Ðreported€that€the€age€limit€for€statutory€rape€had€been€raised€from€14€to€18€years.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ301.€€Members€requested€more€information€concerning€the€trafficking€in€women€in€Uganda;€whatÐ 0"€  Ðeffective€measures€had€been€taken€to€decrease€trafficking€in€women€and€their€exploitation€throughÐ #l! Ðprostitution?€€The€representative€replied€that€prostitution€and€trafficking€in€women€in€Uganda€wasÐ $X" Ðhighly€commercially€organized.€€In€that€regard,€the€legal€position€remained€that€trafficking€in€womenÐ ô$D # Ðwas€a€crime€under€the€laws€of€Uganda€and€all€measures€to€address€the€crime€would€be€employed€inÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€event€that€anybody€was€arrested.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ302.€€Paragraph€95€of€the€report€noted€the€need€to€form€policy€and€special€programmes€to€preventÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€spread€of€AIDS€among€women€prostitutes.€€Some€members€wanted€to€know€if€such€policies€orÐ )à$( Ðprogrammes€had€been€initiated.€€If€not,€what€plans€would€be€initiated€in€the€future?€€In€addressingÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€AIDS€crisis,€another€member€asked€about€proposals€to€eliminate€polygamous€marriages€in€orderÐ h+¸&* Ðto€stem€the€spread€of€the€disease.€€It€was€asked€how€these€marriages€were€viewed€by€the€UgandanÐ T,¤'+ ÐGovernment.Ð @-(, ÐÔ_Ô‡303.€€The€representative€welcomed€the€recommendations€of€members€for€programmes€to€decreaseÐ ° Ðthe€prevalence€of€prostitution.€€Such€programmes€should€be€implemented,€especially€in€view€of€theÐ œì Ðdanger€of€the€human€immunodeficiency€virus€(HIV)/AIDS.€€Information€on€future€initiatives€wouldÐ ˆØ Ðbe€included€in€the€next€report.€Ð tÄ ÐÌòòArticle€9óóÐ L œ ÐÌ304.€€Unlike€male€citizens€in€Uganda,€women€do€not€enjoy€the€right€to€extend€their€citizenship€toÐ $ t Ðtheir€children€born€outside€the€country.€€Similarly,€women€do€not€enjoy€the€right€to€extend€theirÐ  ` Ðcitizenship€to€foreign€spouses.€€Furthermore,€a€married€woman€citizen€is€not€entitled€to€have€aÐ ü L  Ðpassport€issued€without€the€consent€of€her€husband.€€Members€asked€what€measures€had€been€takenÐ è 8  Ðto€correct€these€inequalities.€The€representative€replied€that€the€existing€legal€bias€preventingÐ Ô$  ÐUgandan€women€married€to€foreigners€from€extending€their€citizenship€to€spouses€and€children€hadÐ À  Ðbeen€addressed€in€the€draft€Constitution.€€As€indicated€in€the€addendum€to€the€report,€clause€43€(2)Ð ¬ü  Ð(a)€of€the€draft€Constitution€stated€that€every€person€married€to€a€Ugandan€citizen€may€apply€to€beÐ ˜è  Ðregistered€as€a€citizen€upon€providing€proof€of€a€legal€and€subsisting€marriage€of€at€least€three-yearsÐ „Ô  Ðstanding.€€The€draft€Constitution€further€stated€that€men€and€women€should€have€equal€rights€atÐ pÀ Ðmarriage,€during€marriage€and€at€its€dissolution.€€Such€a€provision€within€the€Constitution€wouldÐ \¬ Ðaddress€the€current€problems€for€Ugandan€married€women€regarding€passport€and€travel€documents.Ð H˜ ÐÌ305.€€One€member€wanted€to€know€whether€a€husband€or€father€could€prevent€a€wife€or€child€fromÐ  p Ðleaving€the€country.€€It€was€indicated€that€a€girl€child€born€out€of€wedlock€was€discriminated€against.€Ð  \ ÐOne€expert€asked€whether€these€issues€were€being€addressed€by€the€Government.€€The€representativeÐ øH Ðreplied€that€regarding€discrimination€of€the€girl€child€born€out€of€wedlock,€the€legal€position€was€thatÐ ä4 Ðall€children€whether€born€in€or€out€of€wedlock€were€entitled€to€inherit€equally€from€their€parents.Ð Ð  ÐÌòòArticle€10óóÐ ¨ø ÐÌ306.€€Paragraph€158€of€the€report€referred€to€pre-primary€school€as€a€"private€business".€€MembersÐ €Ð Ðwanted€to€know€whether€the€Government€would€revise€its€attitude€towards€pre-school€education.€Ð l¼ ÐThe€State€party€replied€that€the€competition€for€entry€into€good€primary€schools€had€mainly€occurredÐ X ¨ Ðin€urban€areas€and€that€the€majority€of€the€residents€could€afford€the€cost.€€However,€the€GovernmentÐ D!” Ðof€Uganda€had€taken€note€of€the€concern€of€the€members€about€the€danger€of€abuse€in€the€provisionÐ 0"€  Ðof€education€by€private€institutions.€€More€detailed€information€would€be€provided€in€the€next€report.Ð #l! ÐÌ307.€€In€Uganda,€49€per€cent€of€households€are€headed€by€a€single€young€woman.€€The€CommitteeÐ ô$D # Ðwanted€to€have€more€information€about€the€age€of€these€young€women€and€asked€what€measures€hadÐ à%0!$ Ðbeen€taken€by€the€Government€to€prevent€early€pregnancy,€which€disrupts€education.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ308.€€According€to€the€report,€81.4€per€cent€of€girls€who€should€be€in€primary€school€enter€intoÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmatrimonial€relationships.€€Members€inquired€whether€there€was€a€special€curriculum€made€availableÐ )à$( Ðto€these€girls€in€order€to€make€up€for€the€lost€primary€education,€and€if€not,€how€was€the€GovernmentÐ |*Ì%) Ðgoing€to€deal€with€that€issue€in€the€future.€€Several€members€expressed€concern€regarding€the€highÐ h+¸&* Ðnumber€of€pregnancies€among€young€girls€that€had€been€caused€by€teachers.€€That€could€account€forÐ T,¤'+ Ðthe€high€drop-out€rate€of€girls€who€had€suffered€such€violence.€€Members€asked€what€measures€hadÐ @-(, Ðbeen€taken€to€address€the€problem.€Had€information€been€provided€to€young€girls€about€the€dangersÐ ° Ðrelated€to€early€sexual€intercourse?Ð œì ÐÌ309.€€The€representative€responded€that,€as€stated€in€the€addendum€to€the€report,€the€Ministry€ofÐ tÄ ÐEducation€was€incorporating€family€life€education,€which€included€sex€education,€in€the€schoolÐ `° Ðcurriculum.€€The€Government€as€well€as€non-governmental€organizations€had€been€carrying€out€adultÐ L œ Ðeducation€and€functional€literacy€programmes€to€target€women€and€men€who€had€not€had€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðopportunity€for€formal€education.€€Statistics€indicated€that€the€majority€of€persons€attending€thoseÐ $ t Ðprogrammes€were€women.€Specific€statistics€would€be€included€in€the€next€report.Ð  ` ÐÌ310.€€Additional€information€was€requested€by€members€on€primary€education;€was€primaryÐ è 8  Ðeducation€compulsory€and€were€there€any€age€limits?€€The€representative€stated€that€the€minimumÐ Ô$  Ðage€for€entry€into€primary€school€for€children€in€Uganda€was€six€years€old.€€He€referred€to€theÐ À  Ðaddendum€to€the€report,€which€stated€that€government€policy€was€aimed€at€providing€compulsoryÐ ¬ü  Ðuniversal€primary€education€by€the€year€2003.€€As€to€the€financial€resources,€the€representativeÐ ˜è  Ðreplied€that€the€process€of€providing€government€aid€would€be€a€gradual€one;€by€graduallyÐ „Ô  Ðtransforming€the€current€educational€system,€primary€education€would€become€government€aided,Ð pÀ Ðand€university€and€other€forms€of€tertiary€education€would€be€on€a€cost-sharing€basis.Ð \¬ ÐÌòòArticle€12óóÐ 4„ ÐÌ311.€€Abortion€was€carried€out€in€Uganda€even€though€it€was€illegal.€€Members€requested€additionalÐ  \ Ðdata€on€abortion.€€The€representative€answered€that€statistics€on€women€dying€from€abortion€hadÐ øH Ðbeen€difficult€to€obtain€because€the€records€from€various€hospitals€were€not€compiled€at€one€focalÐ ä4 Ðpoint.€€However,€statistics€from€the€main€national€hospitals€indicated€that€in€1992€induced€abortionÐ Ð  Ðaccounted€for€one€third€of€maternal€deaths.€€While€it€had€been€possible€to€provide€statistics€on€theÐ ¼  Ðratio€of€HIV/AIDS€infection€between€men€and€women,€actual€figures€of€people€dying€of€AIDS€hadÐ ¨ø Ðbeen€difficult€to€get€since€the€medical€reports€indicated€the€immediate€causes€of€death,€such€asÐ ”ä Ðpneumonia,€tuberculosis,€etc.,€rather€than€AIDS.€Furthermore,€many€deaths€had€not€been€reportedÐ €Ð Ðby€hospitals€because€they€happened€at€home,€especially€in€rural€areas.Ð l¼ ÐÌ312.€€Members€also€wanted€to€know€if€a€woman€who€was€infected€with€AIDS€could€have€a€legalÐ D!” Ðabortion.€The€representative€explained€that€the€legal€position€on€abortion€was€that€if€two€medicalÐ 0"€  Ðdoctors€independently€agreed€that€it€was€necessary€for€the€woman's€health,€then€an€abortion€couldÐ #l! Ðbe€performed.Ð $X" ÐÌ313.€€In€reference€to€paragraphs€251€and€252€of€the€report,€the€Committee€wanted€to€know€howÐ à%0!$ Ðsuccessful€government€programmes€had€been€in€combating€the€spread€of€AIDS.€€Also,€in€referenceÐ Ì&"% Ðto€paragraph€259,€the€members€wanted€to€be€provided€with€a€statistical€update€on€AIDS.€€TheÐ ¸'#& Ðrepresentative€replied€that€updated€statistics€on€the€prevalence€of€AIDS€in€Uganda€were€included€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€addendum.€Whereas€the€government€programmes€to€combat€the€spread€of€AIDS€now€reachedÐ )à$( Ð90€per€cent€of€the€population,€a€corresponding€change€in€sexual€behaviour€had€not€been€achievedÐ |*Ì%) Ðbecause€that€took€some€time.€€Government€programmes€to€combat€the€spread€of€AIDS€had€to€targetÐ h+¸&* Ðall€members€of€society,€and€should€include€information€on€the€use€of€condoms.€€To€provide€for€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðlatter,€however,€was€a€matter€of€financial€resources.€Ô_ÔÐ @-(, Ї314.€€Members€requested€specific€statistics€regarding€the€incidence€of€rape€and€incest,€particularlyÐ ° Ðof€young€girls.€€The€representative€explained€that€Ô_ÔthatÔ_Ô€information€was€difficult€to€obtain€since€thereÐ œì Ðwas€no€coherent€pattern€in€police€records.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌ315.€€As€to€the€difference€in€the€number€of€births€per€woman€as€stated€in€the€written€and€oral€reports,Ð `° Ðthe€representative€stated€that€the€recent€increase€of€fertility€rates€could€be€explained€by€AIDS€andÐ L œ Ðhigh€infant€mortality€rates.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ316.€€The€Members€raised€concerns€about€female€circumcision€in€Uganda.€€They€wanted€to€knowÐ  ` Ðwhy€immediate€action€had€not€been€taken€to€abolish€that€tradition,€which€was€still€practised€in€someÐ ü L  Ðparts€of€the€country.€€Furthermore,€what€penalty€was€given€to€the€person€performing€the€femaleÐ è 8  Ðcircumcision?€€Had€there€been€any€programmes€to€re-educate€or€inform€those€persons€about€theÐ Ô$  Ðdangers€of€circumcision?€€The€Committee€also€requested€more€information€on€traditions€and€customsÐ À  Ðin€Uganda.€€For€example,€were€there€any€food€taboos?Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ317.€€The€representative€replied€that€concerning€health-related€customs€and€taboos,€the€situation€wasÐ „Ô  Ðthat€there€were€several€tribes€in€Uganda€with€different€customs€and€practices€affecting€women.€Ð pÀ ÐGovernment€policy€had€been€to€discourage€customs€and€practices€with€a€negative€impact€andÐ \¬ Ðpromote€the€positive€ones.€The€draft€Constitution€provided€that€any€custom€that€was€contrary€to€theÐ H˜ Ðfundamental€human€rights€provided€in€the€Constitution€should€be€declared€null€and€void.€€It€wasÐ 4„ Ðhoped€that€Ô_ÔthatÔ_Ô€provision€would€provide€an€effective€challenge€to€the€practice€of€femaleÐ  p Ðcircumcision.€€Furthermore,€the€Inter-Committee€for€Africa,€a€regional€organization€that€wasÐ  \ Ðaddressing€negative€customary€practices€in€Africa,€had€been€operating€programmes€in€Uganda.€€TheÐ øH ÐGovernment€of€Uganda€had€also€been€carrying€out€sensitization€programmes€on€female€circumcisionÐ ä4 Ðand€other€negative€customary€practices.Ð Ð  ÐÌ318.€€A€member€commented€that€the€Government€described€prostitutes€as€a€danger€to€societyÐ ¨ø Ðbecause€of€HIV/AIDS.€€Table€22€of€the€report€indicated€that€only€2€per€cent€of€the€population€hadÐ ”ä Ðbeen€using€condoms.€€Had€anything€been€done€to€inhibit€the€spread€of€AIDS€among€prostitutes€byÐ €Ð Ðdistributing€condoms€to€them?€€Were€there€any€programmes€to€inform€the€population€about€the€useÐ l¼ Ðof€condoms?€€The€representative€replied€that€there€had€been€various€general€programmes€for€AIDSÐ X ¨ Ðin€Uganda.€€That€information€had€already€been€included€in€the€reports.Ð D!” ÐÌ319.€€Table€19€in€the€report€stated€that€there€was€a€shortage€of€health€personnel.€€Members€believedÐ #l! Ðthat€traditional€healers€and€traditional€medicine€were€the€key€to€making€assisted€child€bearing€aÐ $X" Ðfinancial€possibility.€€Had€Uganda€made€an€effort€to€systematize€its€network€of€traditional€birthÐ ô$D # Ðattendants€and€traditional€healers?€€Were€development€strategies€making€use€of€traditionalÐ à%0!$ Ðknowledge,€as€opposed€to€imposing€foreign€approaches?€€What€kind€of€family-planning€facilitiesÐ Ì&"% Ðwere€available€to€women€in€rural€areas?€€In€response,€the€representative€referred€to€the€addendumÐ ¸'#& Ðto€the€report.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ320.€€Members€suggested€that€women€in€high€political€positions€should€become€involved€inÐ |*Ì%) Ðinformation€campaigns€about€the€use€of€condoms,€the€spread€of€AIDS,€etc.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌòòArticle€14óóÐ @-(, Ї321.€€As€to€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€decrease€illiteracy,€provide€health€services€and€socialÐ ° Ðprotection€to€rural€women€and€provide€them€with€access€to€family€planning,€the€representativeÐ œì Ðreferred€to€the€addendum€to€the€report.Ð ˆØ ÐÌòòArticle€16óóÐ `° ÐÌ322.€€Some€traditional€practices€such€as€polygamous€marriages,€as€well€as€incest€and€rape,€hadÐ 8 ˆ Ðfurthered€the€spread€of€AIDS.€€Members€inquired€what€programmes€had€been€offered€by€theÐ $ t ÐGovernment€to€women€and€men€in€order€to€prevent€the€transmission€of€AIDS.€€The€representativeÐ  ` Ðreplied€that€the€issue€of€polygamy€was€considered€in€the€new€law€on€domestic€relations.Ð ü L  ÐÌ323.€€Regarding€interference€and€harassment€by€fathers,€brothers€or€other€relatives€against€widowedÐ Ô$  Ðwomen€when€they€had€acquired€property€from€deceased€husbands,€members€wanted€to€know€whatÐ À  Ðmeasures€had€been€taken€by€the€Government€to€protect€such€women,€legally€as€well€as€physically.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ324.€€Concerning€the€issue€of€double€standards€in€adultery€and€divorce,€the€representative€replied€thatÐ „Ô  Ðthe€provision€in€the€draft€Constitution€on€the€equality€of€men€and€women€in€marriage,€duringÐ pÀ Ðmarriage€and€at€its€dissolution€was€addressing€the€issue.€€Currently,€the€Ministry€of€Gender€andÐ \¬ ÐCommunity€Development€was€conducting€a€research€project€on€women€and€inheritance€in€order€toÐ H˜ Ðmake€recommendations€to€amend€the€current€law€in€order€to€empower€women€in€inheritance€andÐ 4„ Ðsuccession€matters.€€Existing€legal€provisions€to€protect€women€in€succession€matters€were€containedÐ  p Ðin€the€Administrator€Generals€Act,€the€Succession€Act€and€criminal€law.€€The€Government€had€beenÐ  \ Ðsensitizing€women€through€legal€education€on€the€existence€of€those€provisions€and€institutions.Ð øH ÐÌòòConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ ¨ø ÐÌ325.€€The€Committee€commended€Uganda€for€ratifying€the€Convention€without€reservation€and€forÐ €Ð Ðsubmitting€the€report€which€followed€the€guidelines.€€In€spite€of€the€long€years€of€internal€conflictsÐ l¼ ÐUganda€had€instituted€measures€to€implement€the€various€provisions€of€the€Convention€that€wouldÐ X ¨ Ðredress€past€imbalances.Ð D!” ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ #l! ÐÌ326.€€Uganda€is€about€to€put€in€place€constitutional€reforms€that€recognized€discrimination€on€theÐ ô$D # Ðgrounds€of€sex.€€This€was€reflected,€òòinter€aliaóó,€by€the€creation€of€the€Ministry€of€Women€inÐ à%0!$ ÐDevelopment,€Culture€and€Youth€renamed€the€Ministry€for€Gender€Equality€and€CommunityÐ Ì&"% ÐDevelopment.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ327.€€Commendable€progress€has€been€made€in€increasing€the€representation€of€women€in€public€lifeÐ )à$( Ðthrough€affirmative€action.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ328.€€The€close€collaboration€between€the€National€Machinery€and€non-governmental€organizationsÐ T,¤'+ Ðin€the€development€of€gender-specific€programmes€is€a€very€positive€move.Ð @-(, Ї329.€€Measures€have€been€taken€to€improve€the€condition€of€rural€women€with€credit€targeted€to€70Ð ° Ðper€cent€of€them€and€through€legal€services.Ð œì ÐÌ330.€€The€Office€of€the€Ombudsman€has€been€established€to€receive€and€investigate€complaints€onÐ tÄ Ðthe€violation€of€human€rights.Ð `° ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌ331.€€The€Committee€expressed€serious€concern€over€the€alarming€death€rates€among€women€as€aÐ  ` Ðresult€of€the€AIDS€crisis,€particularly€among€women€of€child-bearing€age,€and€its€association€withÐ ü L  Ðhigh€fertility€rate.Ð è 8  ÐÌ332.€€The€Committee€expressed€concern€at€the€prevalent€religious€and€cultural€practices€still€existingÐ À  Ðthat€perpetuated€domestic€violence€and€discriminated€against€women€in€the€field€of€inheritance.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ333.€€The€Committee€expressed€serious€concern€about€the€continuing€practice€of€genital€mutilation,Ð „Ô  Ðsuch€as€specifically€female€circumcision€in€one€area€of€Uganda.Ð pÀ ÐÌ334.€€The€Committee€was€concerned€at€the€privatization€of€pre-school€education,€which€was€anÐ H˜ Ðimpediment€to€early€education€for€children,€particularly€for€those€in€the€rural€areas.Ð 4„ ÐÌ335.€€The€Committee€was€concerned€at€the€very€high€percentage€of€households€headed€by€girlÐ  \ Ðchildren.Ð øH ÐÌ336.€€The€Committee€was€deeply€concerned€by€the€sexual€abuse€against€school€children€by€theirÐ Ð  Ðteachers€and€other€adults.€They€noted€that€this€had€serious€consequences€on€their€lives,€among€others,Ð ¼  Ðhigh€rate€of€school€drop-outs.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ337.€€The€Committee€was€seriously€concerned€about€the€harassment€practised€by€the€police€againstÐ €Ð Ðwomen€who€reported€on€cases€of€violence.Ð l¼ ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ D!” ÐÌ338.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€existing€measures€be€reassessed€to€combat€AIDS.€Foremost€ofÐ #l! Ðthese€should€be€the€intensification€of€preventive€measures,€such€as€public€education€in€sexual€andÐ $X" Ðreproductive€health,€as€well€as€more€effective€health€delivery€systems€in€these€areas.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ339.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€better€methods€of€data€collection€on€the€incidence€of€AIDSÐ Ì&"% Ðcases€amongst€women€and€deaths€due€to€AIDS€should€be€developed.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ340.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€measures€be€taken€to€raise€the€awareness€of€teachers€andÐ )à$( Ðcitizens€in€order€to€halt€sexual€abuse€against€children.€€The€Committee€recommends€further€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðcampaigns€be€initiated€to€prevent€children€from€forming€a€family€too€early.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ341.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€legal€measures€be€taken€against€all€religious€and€customaryÐ @-(, Ðpractices€that€discriminate€against€women.€Furthermore,€awareness€programmes€must€be€put€in€placeÐ ° Ðto€change€mentality€and€attitudes.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€laws€be€amended€toÐ œì Ðempower€women€in€matters€of€inheritance€and€succession.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ342.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€pre-school€facilities€be€made€accessible€and€affordable,Ð `° Ðparticularly€for€low€means€families.Ð L œ ÐÌ343.€€The€Committee€suggests€further€that€programmes€be€instituted€that€allow€for€continuedÐ $ t Ðeducation€for€school€drop-outs€and€that€family€life€education€be€part€of€the€school€curriculum.Ð  ` ÐÌ344.€€The€Committee€feels€that€it€is€necessary€to€develop€an€overall€programme€of€prevention€ofÐ è 8  Ðviolence€against€women€and€of€attention€to€be€given€to€the€victims,€which€includes€the€need€toÐ Ô$  Ðeducate€the€police€to€treat€and€handle€the€violated€woman€in€such€a€way€that€their€predicament€willÐ À  Ðnot€be€worsened.€€This€creation€of€awareness€is€necessary€since€Uganda's€draft€ConstitutionÐ ¬ü  Ðrecognizes€this€kind€of€treatment€as€illegal.Ð ˜è  ÐÓ½ÓÐ  „Ô  ÐÔUKCE.,ÔÔCE.,UK.,6ÔÌò òÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/57/38€part€III€(2002)ó óÐ œì ÐÌÓ  ÓÌ113.€€The€Committee€considered€the€third€periodic€report€of€Uganda€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔUGAÔ_Ô/3)€at€itsÐ `° Ð575th€and€576th€meetings€on€9€August€2002€(see€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.575€and€576).Ð L œ ÐÌ(a)€€òòIntroduction€by€the€State€partyóóÐ $ t ÐÌ114.€€In€introducing€the€third€report,€the€Minister€for€Gender,€Labour€and€Social€DevelopmentÐ ü L  Ðindicated€that€her€country€had€made€significant€progress€in€the€17€years€since€its€ratification€of€theÐ è 8  ÐConvention€in€1985,€and€that€great€strides€had€been€taken€towards€the€implementation€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðprovisions€of€the€Convention€despite€some€obstacles.Ð À  ÐÌ115.€€Since€the€last€presentation,€in€February€1995,€several€measures€had€been€taken€to€strengthenÐ ˜è  Ðthe€legal€and€policy€framework€for€implementation.€The€Government€had€adopted€the€NationalÐ „Ô  ÐGender€Policy€and€formulated€a€National€Action€Plan€on€Women,€which€provided€guidance€onÐ pÀ Ðstrategies€and€interventions€for€the€empowerment€of€women.€Measures€had€been€taken€to€strengthenÐ \¬ Ðthe€legal€framework,€and€proposed€laws€on€domestic€relations,€sexual€offences€and€employment€wereÐ H˜ Ðcurrently€under€consideration.Ð 4„ ÐÌ116.€€Through€the€affirmative€action€policy,€the€number€of€women€in€decision„making€positions€hadÐ  \ Ðrisen€from€17€per€cent€in€1994€to€39€per€cent€in€2002.€Women€now€held€key€posts,€including€thoseÐ øH Ðof€the€Vice„President,€Deputy€Chief€Justice,€Deputy€Speaker€of€Parliament€and€Deputy€Inspector„Ð ä4 ÐGeneral€of€Police.€The€representative€also€noted€that€civil€society€organizations€had€supported€theÐ Ð  ÐGovernmentððs€affirmative€action€policy€of€strengthening€womenððs€political€participation€throughÐ ¼  Ðcapacity„building€programmes,€including€training€in€leadership€skills.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ117.€€Among€the€most€important€advances€was€the€adoption€of€a€new€Constitution€consideredÐ €Ð Ðglobally€as€one€of€the€most€gender„sensitive.€The€new€Constitution,€inter€alia,€emphasized€respectÐ l¼ Ðfor€human€rights€and€freedoms,€affirmed€the€equality€of€all€persons€and€obliged€the€State€to€instituteÐ X ¨ Ðaffirmative€action€measures€in€favour€of€disadvantaged€groups€for€purposes€of€redressing€structuralÐ D!” Ðand€social€inequality.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ118.€€As€part€of€the€Governmentððs€commitment€to€social€and€economic€development,€a€PovertyÐ $X" ÐEradication€Action€Plan€containing€mechanisms€for€eradicating€absolute€poverty€by€2017,€had€beenÐ ô$D # Ðdeveloped€to€ensure€sustainable€livelihoods€for€all€Ugandans,€including€women.€GenderÐ à%0!$ ÐÔ_ÔmainstreamingÔ_Ô€was€a€guiding€principle€of€the€plan.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ119.€€The€Government€had€responded€to€the€Committeeððs€call€for€the€eradication€of€gender„basedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðabuse€and€violence.€Violations€against€women€and€children€were€now€dealt€with€under€the€PenalÐ )à$( ÐCode€Act.€Family€protection€units€had€been€established€at€police€posts,€and€sensitization€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðawareness„raising€measures€had€been€introduced.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ120.€€Through€a€Ô_ÔmultisectoralÔ_Ô€approach€to€the€HIV/AIDS€pandemic,€prevalence€rates€had€fallen€toÐ @-(, Ðan€average€of€6.1€per€cent€in€2002€from€22€per€cent€10€years€before.€Special€attention€had€been€givenÐ ° Ðto€awareness„raising,€voluntary€testing€and€counselling,€and€the€prevention€of€mother„to„childÐ œì Ðtransmission.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ121.€€In€compliance€with€commitments€in€the€Beijing€Platform€for€Action,€a€national€machinery€nowÐ `° Ðoversaw€gender€Ô_ÔmainstreamingÔ_Ô€and€advancement€of€women€initiatives,€thereby€facilitating€theÐ L œ Ðpromotion€of€the€status€of€women€within€the€policy€and€institutional€framework.€The€representativeÐ 8 ˆ Ðindicated€that,€although€the€national€machinery€had€undergone€structural€and€institutional€changes,Ð $ t Ðthe€goal€of€achieving€womenððs€advancement€and€gender€equality€had€been€retained.Ð  ` ÐÌ122.€€The€Government€had€formulated€a€Universal€Primary€Education€Programme€to€provide€freeÐ è 8  Ðeducation€for€all€children€in€primary€school,€which€had€enabled€6.9€million€children,€3.37€millionÐ Ô$  Ðof€whom€were€female,€to€enrol€in€school€by€2001.€The€strategy€emphasized€the€provision€of€adequateÐ À  Ðfacilities€to€meet€the€needs€of€the€girl€child€and€children€with€disabilities.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ123.€€Despite€achievements€made€in€the€past€few€years€to€promote€gender€equality€and€theÐ „Ô  Ðadvancement€of€women,€obstacles€still€existed.€Challenges€faced€by€the€Government€included,€interÐ pÀ Ðalia,€poverty,€lack€of€sex„Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€data,€gender„specific€information€for€informed€policy€andÐ \¬ Ðprogramme€formulation,€and€the€persistence€of€traditional€attitudes€and€practices.€Despite€theseÐ H˜ Ðchallenges,€the€Government€remained€committed€to€meeting€its€international€obligations,€includingÐ 4„ Ðthe€implementation€of€all€of€the€provisions€of€the€Convention.Ð  p ÐÌ(b)€€òòConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóÐ øH ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ Ð  ÐÌ124.€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€its€third€periodic€report,€which€was€prepared€inÐ ¨ø Ðaccordance€with€the€Committeeððs€guidelines€for€the€preparation€of€periodic€reports.€It€alsoÐ ”ä Ðcommends€the€State€party€for€the€comprehensive€written€replies€to€the€questions€of€the€CommitteeððsÐ €Ð Ðpre„session€working€group.€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€its€high„level€delegationÐ l¼ Ðheaded€by€the€Minister€for€Gender,€Labour€and€Social€Development€of€Uganda€and€expressesÐ X ¨ Ðappreciation€for€the€oral€presentation,€which€provided€additional€information€on€the€implementationÐ D!” Ðof€the€Convention€and€the€current€situation€of€women€in€Uganda.Ð 0"€  ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ $X" ÐÌ125.€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€the€promulgation€in€1995€of€a€new€Constitution,Ð à%0!$ Ðwhich€incorporates€a€gender„sensitive€approach€to€the€definition€of€discrimination€on€the€groundsÐ Ì&"% Ðof€sex,€in€harmony€with€the€Convention.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ126.€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€the€measures€taken€to€address€the€HIV/AIDSÐ )à$( Ðpandemic€and€notes€with€satisfaction€the€decrease€in€HIV/AIDS€prevalence€rates€from€22€per€centÐ |*Ì%) Ðin€1992€to€an€average€of€6.1€per€cent€in€2002.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ127.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€adoption€of€the€1997€National€Gender€Policy€and€theÐ @-(, Ðformulation€of€the€National€Action€Plan€on€Women€in€1999,€which€provide€guidelines€for€theÐ ° Ðdevelopment€of€strategies€and€interventions€for€the€empowerment€of€women.€It€also€welcomes€theÐ œì Ðadoption€of€the€affirmative€action€policy,€resulting€in€an€increase€in€womenððs€representation€inÐ ˆØ Ðdecision„making€positions€from€16.9€per€cent€in€1994€to€39€per€cent€in€2002.€The€CommitteeÐ tÄ Ðwelcomes€the€fact€that€women€occupy€a€number€of€key€high„level€positions.Ð `° ÐÌ128.€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€formulating€and€implementing€the€UniversalÐ 8 ˆ ÐPrimary€Education€Programme,€which€facilitated€the€enrolment€of€3.3€million€girls€in€school€byÐ $ t Ð2001.€It€also€welcomes€the€application€of€temporary€special€measures€in€accordance€with€article€4,Ð  ` Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Convention€to€increase€the€population€of€women€students€in€tertiary€educationÐ ü L  Ðand€the€Functional€Adult€Literary€Programme,€which€has€particularly€benefited€women.Ð è 8  ÐÌòòPrincipal€areas€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ À  ÐÌ129.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that,€despite€the€adoption€of€its€gender„sensitive€Constitution€inÐ ˜è  Ð1995,€legislative€provisions€that€discriminate€against€women€continue€to€exist.€It€is€also€concernedÐ „Ô  Ðthat,€although€progress€has€been€made€towards€the€preparation€of€legislation€to€eliminateÐ pÀ Ðdiscrimination,€much€of€this€has€not€been€enacted.€It€is€particularly€concerned€at€the€slow€progressÐ \¬ Ðin€removing€de€jure€discrimination€and€preventing€and€eliminating€de€facto€discrimination€againstÐ H˜ Ðwomen.Ð 4„ ÐÌ130.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€accelerate€its€law€reform€process€to€harmonizeÐ  \ Ðits€domestic€legislation€with€its€constitutional€principles€relating€to€non„discrimination€and€equalityÐ øH Ðbetween€women€and€men.€It€recommends€the€speedy€enactment€of€the€draft€Land€Act,€the€DomesticÐ ä4 ÐRelations€Bill€and€the€Sexual€Offences€Bill.€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ Ð  Ðintroduce€public€education€and€legal€literacy€campaigns€relating€to€the€Convention€and€theÐ ¼  ÐConstitution€to€raise€awareness€of€the€State€partyððs€international€and€national€commitments€on€theÐ ¨ø Ðelimination€of€discrimination€against€women.Ð ”ä ÐÌ131.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that,€although€laws€and€customs€which€contravene€theÐ l¼ Ðconstitutional€guarantees€on€equality€are€considered€to€be€void,€mechanisms€to€enforce€theÐ X ¨ Ðconstitutional€provisions€on€non„discrimination€are€not€widely€known€and€are€inaccessible€toÐ D!” Ðwomen.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ132.€€The€Committee€recommends€the€adoption€of€an€accessible€complaints€procedure€to€enforceÐ $X" Ðconstitutional€guarantees.€It€also€calls€for€the€introduction€of€legal€literacy€campaigns€to€makeÐ ô$D # Ðwomen€aware€of€their€rights€under€the€Constitution€and€the€means€to€enforce€them.€The€CommitteeÐ à%0!$ Ðrecommends€the€development,€in€cooperation€with€womenððs€groups,€of€legal€aid€programmes€toÐ Ì&"% Ðenable€women€to€demand€enforcement€of€their€rights.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ133.€€Noting€the€State€partyððs€efforts€in€this€context,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€persistenceÐ )à$( Ðof€patriarchal€patterns€of€behaviour€in€the€State€party€and€at€the€existence€of€stereotypes€relating€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€role€of€women€in€the€home€and€society,€and€expectations€of€womenððs€subordination€to€men.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ134.€€The€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€strengthen€existing€efforts€to€address€stereotypicalÐ @-(, Ðattitudes€about€the€roles€and€responsibilities€of€women€and€men€that€perpetuate€direct€and€indirectÐ ° Ðdiscrimination€against€women.€These€should€include€educational€measures,€at€all€levels,€beginningÐ œì Ðat€an€early€age,€the€revision€of€school€text€books€and€curricula€and€awareness„raising€and€publicÐ ˆØ Ðeducation€campaigns€directed€at€women€and€men€designed€with€the€involvement€of€the€media€andÐ tÄ Ðcivil€society,€including€non„governmental€organizations,€to€address€traditional€stereotypes€regardingÐ `° Ðthe€role€of€women.€The€Committee€also€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€undertake€an€assessment€of€theÐ L œ Ðimpact€of€these€measures€in€order€to€identify€shortcomings,€and€improve€these€measures€accordingly.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ135.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€about€the€high€incidence€of€violence€against€women,€suchÐ  ` Ðas€domestic€violence,€rape,€including€marital€rape,€incest,€sexual€harassment€in€the€workplace€andÐ ü L  Ðother€forms€of€sexual€abuse€of€women.€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€at€the€lack€of€legal€andÐ è 8  Ðother€measures€to€address€violence€against€women.€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that,€despiteÐ Ô$  Ðsuccesses€achieved€in€reducing€female€genital€mutilation€in€some€districts€in€1996,€this€practiceÐ À  Ðcontinues€to€exist.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ136.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€place€high€priority€on€comprehensive€measures€toÐ „Ô  Ðaddress€violence€against€women€and€girls€in€accordance€with€its€general€recommendation€19€onÐ pÀ Ðviolence€against€women.€The€Committee€calls€on€the€State€party€to€enact€legislation€on€domesticÐ \¬ Ðviolence,€including€marital€rape,€as€soon€as€possible€in€order€to€ensure€that€violence€against€womenÐ H˜ Ðand€girls€constitutes€a€criminal€offence,€that€women€and€girls€who€are€victims€of€violence€haveÐ 4„ Ðaccess€to€immediate€means€of€redress€and€protection€and€that€perpetrators€are€prosecuted€andÐ  p Ðpunished.€The€Committee€also€recommends€gender„sensitive€training€for€all€public€officials,€inÐ  \ Ðparticular€law€enforcement€personnel,€the€judiciary€and€health€workers.€The€Committee€recommendsÐ øH Ðthe€establishment€of€counselling€services€for€victims€of€violence;€the€implementation€of€publicÐ ä4 Ðawareness€campaigns,€through€the€media€and€public€education€programmes,€and€the€adoption€of€aÐ Ð  Ðzero€tolerance€policy€on€all€forms€of€violence€against€women.€The€Committee€also€recommends€thatÐ ¼  Ðthe€State€party€enhance€its€efforts€to€address€female€genital€mutilation€in€order€to€eradicate€thisÐ ¨ø Ðharmful€traditional€practice.Ð ”ä ÐÌ137.€€While€noting€the€increasing€number€of€women€in€decision„making€positions€as€a€result,€interÐ l¼ Ðalia,€of€temporary€special€measures€in€accordance€with€article€4,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€theÐ X ¨ ÐCommittee€expresses€concern€that€this€number€remains€low.€It€is€also€concerned€that€the€persistenceÐ D!” Ðof€patriarchal€attitudes€that€view€men€as€natural€leaders€may€preclude€women€from€seeking€positionsÐ 0"€  Ðof€leadership.Ð #l! ÐÌ138.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€intensify€its€efforts€to€encourage€women€to€take€upÐ ô$D # Ðleadership€positions€through€further€temporary€special€measures€in€accordance€with€article€4,Ð à%0!$ Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Convention.€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€offer€or€supportÐ Ì&"% Ðprogrammes€for€current€and€future€women€leaders€and€undertake€awareness„raising€campaigns€onÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€importance€of€womenððs€participation€in€decision„making.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ139.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€low€number€of€women€in€the€diplomatic€service,Ð |*Ì%) Ðparticularly€in€postings€outside€Uganda,€and€the€fact€that€few€Ugandan€women€work€in€internationalÐ h+¸&* Ðorganizations.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð140.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures,€including€in€accordance€withÐ ° Ðarticle€4,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€to€encourage€women€to€enter€the€diplomatic€service.€It€alsoÐ œì Ðrecommends€the€introduction€of€measures€to€encourage€women€to€seek€employment€in€internationalÐ ˆØ Ðorganizations.Ð tÄ ÐÌ141.€€While€welcoming€the€constitutional€provisions€and€the€amended€Uganda€Immigration€andÐ L œ ÐControl€Act,€1999€that€provide€for€equal€citizenship€and€nationality€rights€for€women€and€men,€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐCommittee€expresses€concern€that€the€Passport€Regulations€contravene€these€provisions€andÐ $ t Ðdiscriminate€against€women.€It€is€concerned€that€a€married€woman€will€not€be€issued€a€passportÐ  ` Ðwithout€her€husbandððs€written€consent,€and€that€the€father€as€legal€guardian€must€consent€to€theÐ ü L  Ðinclusion€of€a€womenððs€minor€children€in€her€passport.Ð è 8  ÐÌ142.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€Party€to€take€urgent€steps€to€reconcile€its€Passport€RegulationsÐ À  Ðwith€the€provisions€of€the€Constitution€and€article€9€of€the€Convention€in€order€to€eliminate€allÐ ¬ü  Ðprovisions€that€discriminate€against€women€in€the€area€of€nationality€and€citizenship.€It€requests€theÐ ˜è  ÐState€party€to€report€on€the€implementation€of€these€measures€in€its€next€periodic€report.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ143.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€limited€information€provided€by€the€State€party€onÐ \¬ Ðemployment€of€women€and€notes€the€lack€of€statistical€data€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€by€sex.€It€expressesÐ H˜ Ðconcern€at€the€high€rate€of€unemployment€among€women,€disparities€between€the€wages€of€men€andÐ 4„ Ðwomen,€even€in€the€public€sector,€disparities€in€social€security€and€the€lack€of€legal€protection€forÐ  p Ðwomen€against€sexual€harassment€at€the€workplace.€It€also€expresses€concern€that€the€draft€nationalÐ  \ Ðemployment€policy,€which€promotes€equal€employment€opportunities€for€men€and€women,€has€stillÐ øH Ðnot€been€adopted.€It€is€also€concerned€that€legislation€required€by€article€40€of€the€Constitution€toÐ ä4 Ðprovide€the€right€to€work€under€satisfactory€and€safe€and€healthy€conditions,€equal€pay€for€equalÐ Ð  Ðwork,€paid€leave€and€maternity€protection€have€still€to€be€enacted.Ð ¼  ÐÌ144.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€provide€in€its€next€periodic€report€information,Ð ”ä Ðincluding,€as€far€as€possible,€data€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€by€sex,€on€womenððs€participation€in€the€labourÐ €Ð Ðmarket€and€employment€conditions,€including€wages€in,€inter€alia,€the€private€and€informal€sectors.Ð l¼ ÐIt€urges€the€State€party€to€enact€legislation€to€protect€the€rights€of€persons€in€employment€whichÐ X ¨ Ðcomplies€with€the€provisions€of€article€11€of€the€Convention.€The€Committee€also€urges€the€StateÐ D!” Ðparty€to€adopt€the€draft€national€employment€policy.€It€further€urges€the€State€party€to€introduceÐ 0"€  Ðtemporary€special€measures€in€accordance€with€article€4,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention€to€createÐ #l! Ðemployment€opportunities€for€women.€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€introduceÐ $X" Ðspecific€legislation,€with€accessible€procedures€and€compensation€for€victims,€and€penalties€forÐ ô$D # Ðperpetrators,€to€address€sexual€harassment€in€the€workplace.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ145.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€exploitation€of€women€and€girls€in€prostitution€is€increasing.Ð ¸'#& ÐThe€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€the€prevalence€of€HIV/AIDS€and€other€sexually€transmittedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdiseases€among€prostitutes€is€increasing.Ð )à$( ÐÌ146.€€The€Committee€recommends€the€development€of€programmes€of€action€relating€to€prostitutionÐ h+¸&* Ðand€the€introduction€of€legislation€to€ensure€the€prosecution€of,€and€stronger€penalties€for,Ð T,¤'+ Ðexploitation€of€female€prostitutes.€The€Committee€invites€the€State€party€to€expand€its€programmesÐ @-(, Ðfor€womenððs€economic€empowerment.€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€pay€full€attention€toÐ ° Ðthe€provisions€of€health€services€for€prostitutes,€so€as€to€curb€the€rise€in€HIV/AIDS.Ð œì ÐÌ147.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€high€rate€of€teenage€pregnancy€and€its€consequencesÐ tÄ Ðfor€girlsðð€enjoyment€of€the€rights€in€the€Convention,€particularly€in€the€spheres€of€education€andÐ `° Ðhealth.€It€is€also€concerned€at€the€high€rate€of€maternal€mortality€among€teenage€girls,€particularlyÐ L œ Ðin€the€rural€areas,€frequently€as€a€result€of€clandestine€abortion.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ148.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€design€and€implement€national€health,Ð  ` Ðincluding€reproductive€health,€programmes€to€prevent€early€pregnancies€and€induced€abortions€inÐ ü L  Ðrural€and€urban€areas.€The€Committee€also€urges€the€State€party€to€reinforce€programmes€of€sexualÐ è 8  Ðand€reproductive€health€education€for€both€girls€and€boys.€It€also€calls€on€the€State€party€to€provideÐ Ô$  Ðsafe€and€affordable€contraceptives.Ð À  ÐÌ149.€€Despite€the€State€partyððs€development€strategy,€the€Poverty€Eradication€Action€Plan,€forÐ ˜è  Ðimproving€the€livelihoods€of€all€Ugandans,€including€women,€the€Committee€is€concerned€thatÐ „Ô  Ðpoverty€is€widespread€among€women,€inter€alia,€as€a€consequence€of€gender„insensitive€privatizationÐ pÀ Ðand€the€implementation€of€structural€adjustment€policies.Ð \¬ ÐÌ150.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€Party€to€continue€to€intensify€the€implementation€of€gender„Ð 4„ Ðsensitive€poverty€reduction€programmes€in€rural€and€urban€areas.€The€Committee€also€recommendsÐ  p Ðthat€the€State€party€continue€to€develop€targeted€policies€and€support€services€for€women€aimed€atÐ  \ Ðalleviating€and€reducing€poverty.Ð øH ÐÌ151.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€situation€of€rural€women,€who€constitute€the€majorityÐ Ð  Ðof€the€female€population€in€the€country.€The€Committee€also€expresses€concern€that€customs€andÐ ¼  Ðtraditional€practices,€prevalent€in€rural€areas,€prevent€women€from€inheriting€or€acquiring€ownershipÐ ¨ø Ðof€land€and€other€property.Ð ”ä ÐÌ152.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€pay€increased€attention€to€the€needs€of€rural€womenÐ l¼ Ðso€as€to€ensure€that€they€benefit€from€policies€and€programmes€adopted€in€all€spheres,€as€well€asÐ X ¨ Ðparticipate€in€decision„making,€have€full€access€to€education€and€health€services€and€credit€facilities.Ð D!” ÐThe€Committee€also€urges€the€State€party€to€eliminate€all€forms€of€discrimination€with€respect€to€theÐ 0"€  Ðownership,€co„sharing€and€inheritance€of€land.€It€also€urges€the€introduction€of€measures€to€addressÐ #l! Ðnegative€customs€and€traditional€practices,€especially€in€rural€areas,€which€affect€full€enjoyment€ofÐ $X" Ðthe€right€to€property€by€women.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ153.€€While€noting€that€Article€33€(6)€of€the€Constitution€ð ðprohibits€laws,€customs€or€traditionsÐ Ì&"% Ðwhich€are€against€the€dignity,€welfare€or€interest€of€womenðð,€the€Committee€notes€with€concern€theÐ ¸'#& Ðcontinued€existence€of€legislation,€customary€laws€and€practices€on€inheritance,€land€ownership,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðwidow€inheritance,€polygamy,€forced€marriage,€bride€price,€guardianship€of€children€and€theÐ )à$( Ðdefinition€of€adultery€that€discriminate€against€women€and€conflict€with€the€Constitution€and€theÐ |*Ì%) ÐConvention.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ154.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party,€in€line€with€Article€33€(6)€of€the€1995€Constitution,€toÐ @-(, Ðamend€these€laws€and€prohibit€such€practices.€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€work€withÐ ° Ðthe€relevant€ministries€and€non„governmental€organizations,€including€lawyersðð€associations€andÐ œì Ðwomenððs€groups,€to€create€an€enabling€environment€for€legal€reform€and€effective€law€enforcementÐ ˆØ Ðand€legal€literacy.Ð tÄ ÐÌ155.€€While€noting€the€positive€involvement€of€women€in€peace„building€initiatives,€the€CommitteeÐ L œ Ðnotes€with€concern€that€some€areas€of€northern€and€western€Uganda€continue€to€experience€insecurityÐ 8 ˆ Ðas€a€result€of€civil€strife.€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€that€many€women€and€girls€in€theÐ $ t Ðconflict€areas€have€been€victims€of€violence,€including€abduction€and€sexual€slavery.Ð  ` ÐÌ156.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€include€women€in€national€reconciliation€and€peace„Ð è 8  Ðbuilding€initiatives.€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€include€women€from€all€ethnicÐ Ô$  Ðgroups€affected€by€armed€conflict€in€peace€negotiations.€It€also€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ À  Ðinclude€in€peace€negotiations€measures€of€accountability,€redress€and€rehabilitation€for€women€andÐ ¬ü  Ðgirls€who€have€been€victims€of€violence,€including€enslavement,€in€those€conflicts.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ157.€€While€recognizing€the€progress€that€has€been€made€in€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionÐ pÀ Ðin€the€State€party,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that,€without€comprehensive,€systematic€strategies€andÐ \¬ Ðsupport€mechanisms,€the€programme€for€implementation€may€not€be€sustainable€in€the€long€term.Ð H˜ ÐÌ158.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€introduce€a€comprehensive€programme€ofÐ  p Ðgender€Ô_ÔmainstreamingÔ_Ô€in€all€government€ministries€and€a€comprehensive€awareness€campaign,Ð  \ Ðincluding€for€civil€servants€with€regard€to€the€Convention.Ð øH ÐÌ159.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€sign€and€ratify€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€ConventionÐ Ð  Ðand€to€deposit€as€soon€as€possible€its€instrument€of€acceptance€of€the€amendment€to€article€20,Ð ¼  Ðparagraph€1,€of€the€Convention€on€the€meeting€time€of€the€Committee.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ160.€€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€respond€to€the€concerns€expressed€in€the€presentÐ €Ð Ðconcluding€comments€in€its€next€periodic€report€under€article€18€of€the€Convention.Ð l¼ ÐÌ161.€€Taking€account€of€the€gender€dimensions€of€declarations,€programmes€and€platforms€for€actionÐ D!” Ðadopted€by€relevant€United€Nations€conferences,€summits€and€special€session€(such€as€the€specialÐ 0"€  Ðsession€of€the€General€Assembly€to€review€and€appraise€the€implementation€of€the€Programme€ofÐ #l! ÐAction€of€the€International€Conference€on€Population€and€Development€(the€twenty„first€specialÐ $X" Ðsession),€the€special€session€on€children€(the€twenty„seventh€special€session),€the€World€ConferenceÐ ô$D # Ðagainst€Racism,€Racial€Discrimination,€Xenophobia€and€Related€Intolerance€and€the€Second€WorldÐ à%0!$ ÐAssembly€on€Ageing),€the€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€include€information€on€theÐ Ì&"% Ðimplementation€of€aspects€of€these€documents€relating€to€relevant€articles€of€the€Convention€in€itsÐ ¸'#& Ðnext€periodic€report.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ162.€€The€Committee€requests€the€wide€dissemination€in€Uganda€of€the€present€concludingÐ |*Ì%) Ðcomments€in€order€to€make€the€people€of€Uganda,€and€in€particular€government€administrators€andÐ h+¸&* Ðpoliticians,€aware€of€the€steps€that€have€been€taken€with€regard€to€de€jure€and€de€facto€equality€forÐ T,¤'+ Ðwomen€and€the€future€steps€that€are€required€in€that€regard.€It€also€requests€the€State€party€to€continueÐ @-(, Ðto€disseminate€widely,€and€in€particular€to€womenððs€and€human€rights€organizations,€the€ConventionÐ ° Ðand€its€Optional€Protocol,€the€general€recommendations€of€the€Committee,€the€Beijing€DeclarationÐ œì Ðand€Platform€for€Action€and€the€results€of€the€twenty„third€special€session€of€the€General€Assembly,Ð ˆØ Ðentitled€ð ðWomen€2002:€gender,€equality,€development€and€peace€for€the€twenty„first€centuryðð.