A/51/38

United Nations

Report of the Committee on the

Elimination of Discrimination

against Women

(Fifteenth session)

General Assembly

Official Records • Fifty-first Session

Supplement No. 38 (A/51/38)

A/51/38

Report of the Committee on the

Elimination of Discrimination

against Women

(Fifteenth session)

General Assembly

Official Records • Fifty-first Session

Supplement No. 38 (A/51/38)

United Nations • New York, 1996

NOTE

Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

ISSN 0255-0970

[Original: English/French/Spanish]

[9 May 1996]

CONTENTS

Chapter	Paragraphs Page

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ...........................................	vi

I.	MATTERS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF STATES PARTIES ..............	1

A.	Decisions ...................................................	1

Decision 15/I ...............................................	1

Decision 15/II ..............................................	1

Decision 15/III .............................................	1

Decision 15/IV ..............................................	1

B.	Suggestions .................................................	2

Suggestion 15/1 .............................................	2

Suggestion 15/2 .............................................	2

Suggestion 15/3 .............................................	2

II.	ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER MATTERS ....................	1 - 23	3

A.	States parties to the Convention ................	1 - 2	3

B.	Opening of the session ..........................	3 - 14	3

C.	Attendance ...................................... 15	5

D.	Adoption of the agenda and organization of work . 16	5

E.	Report of the pre-session working group .........	17 - 20	6

F.	Composition and organization of work of the

working groups ..................................	21 - 23	6

III.	REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON ON THE ACTIVITIES

UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN THE FOURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH

SESSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ...........................	24 - 33	7

IV.	CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES

UNDER ARTICLE 18 OF THE CONVENTION ..................	34 - 331	9

A.	Introduction ....................................	34 - 36	9

CONTENTS (continued)

Chapter	Paragraphs Page

B.	Consideration of reports .........................	37 - 331	9

1.	Initial and second periodic reports ..........	37 - 133	9

Cyprus .......................................	37 - 66	9

Iceland ......................................	67 - 104	12

Paraguay .....................................	105 - 133	16

2.	Initial, second and third periodic reports ...	134 - 163	19

Ethiopia .....................................	134 - 163	19

3.	Second periodic reports ......................	164 - 196	22

Belgium ......................................	164 - 196	22

4.	Second and third periodic reports ............	197 - 228	26

Cuba .........................................	197 - 228	26

5.	Third periodic reports .......................	229 - 300	29

Hungary ......................................	229 - 264	29

Ukraine ......................................	265 - 300	32

6.	Reports submitted on an exceptional basis ....	301 - 331	36

Rwanda .......................................	301 - 331	36

V.	WAYS AND MEANS OF EXPEDITING THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE	332 - 349	39

Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working

Group I ..............................................	334 - 349	39

VI.	IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 21 OF THE CONVENTION .......	350 - 366	44

A.	Action taken by the Committee on the report of

Working Group II .................................	352 - 353	44

B.	Statements by senior United Nations officials ....	354 - 366	44

VII.	RESULTS OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN ......	367 - 373	47

VIII.	PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE SIXTEENTH SESSION .........	374 - 375	48

IX.	ADOPTION OF THE REPORT ...............................	376	49

CONTENTS (continued)

Page

Annexes

I.	States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms

of Discrimination against Women as at 2 February 1996 ............	50

II.	Membership of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

against Women ....................................................	54

III.	Documents before the Committee at its fifteenth session ..........	55

IV.	Status of submission and consideration of reports submitted by

States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as at

2 February 1996 ..................................................	57

A.	Initial reports ..............................................	57

B.	Second periodic reports ......................................	63

C.	Third periodic reports .......................................	68

D.	Fourth periodic reports ......................................	72

E.	Reports submitted on an exceptional basis ....................	74

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

2 February 1996

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to article 21 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, according to which the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, established pursuant to the Convention, "shall, through the Economic and Social Council, report annually to the General Assembly of the United Nations on its activities".

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women held its fifteenth session from 15 January to 2 February 1996 at United Nations Headquarters. It adopted the report on the session at its 309th meeting, on 2 February. The report is herewith submitted to you for transmission to the General Assembly at its fifty-first session.

Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

(Signed)	Ivanka CORTI

Chairperson

Committee on the Elimination

of Discrimination against Women

His Excellency Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Secretary-General of the United Nations

New York

I. MATTERS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF STATES PARTIES

A. Decisions

Decision 15/I

1.	The Committee expresses its appreciation to the States parties to the Convention for the decision adopted at the eighth meeting of States parties and for General Assembly resolution 49/164 and decision 49/448, both of 23 December 1994, and resolution 50/202 of 22 December 1995, concerning the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

2.	The Committee looks forward to the ratification of the amendment by States parties as quickly as possible.

3.	For the interim period, the Committee urges the appropriate intergovernmental bodies to authorize adequate meeting time to enable the Committee to continue to reduce the increasing backlog in States parties' reports awaiting review.

4.	The Committee considers that at least two 3-week sessions annually, each preceded by a pre-session working group, are needed to alleviate the heavy workload of the Committee.

5.	The Committee requests the Secretariat to inform the Committee at its sixteenth session on action taken at the ninth meeting of States parties concerning article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 50/202.

Decision 15/II

The Committee decides to request the Secretariat to prepare for its sixteenth session an analysis of the practice of other human rights treaty bodies in receiving information from non-governmental organizations and participation of the latter in the meetings of those bodies.

Decision 15/III

The Committee decides to dispense in its report with the published detailed summary of the discussion on reports submitted by States parties in conformity with article 18 of the Convention. Summary records will, however, be retained and the concluding comments and recommendations of the Committee will be preceded by a brief summary of the presentation of the States parties. The Committee reiterates its decision that the concluding comments be transmitted to the States parties concerned immediately after the close of the session.

Decision 15/IV

The Committee wishes to draw the attention of the Commission on the Status of Women to the Committee's suggestion 7 on elements for an optional protocol to the Convention, which had been agreed upon at the fourteenth session of the Committee and was contained in the report on that session. The Committee urges the Commission to prepare the optional protocol at its fortieth session, in March 1996, and recalls that at the Fourth World Conference on Women consensus was reached to "support the process initiated by the Commission on the Status of Women with a view to elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women that could enter into force as soon as possible ...".

B. Suggestions

Suggestion 15/1. Optional protocol to the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination

against Women on the right to petition

Noting that agenda item 5 of the Commission on the Status of Women includes discussion on an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Committee suggests:

(a)	That the Commission on the Status of Women consider inviting two experts of the Committee to participate as resource persons in the deliberations of the open-ended working group of the Commission on the Status of Women concerning the elaboration of an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

(b)	That during the deliberations of the Commission on the Status of Women or its open-ended working group, if questions concerning the working methods, and decisions of the Committee arise, and no expert of the Committee is in attendance, those questions be transmitted formally to the Chairperson, who will respond immediately.

Suggestion 15/2. Closer cooperation and coordination between

the Committee and the United Nations

Children's Fund

Having noted with approval the emphasis placed on the girl child at the Fourth World Conference on Women, held at Beijing, and bearing in mind the role of the United Nations Children's Fund in protecting and safeguarding the lives of children and the Committee's mandate in promoting the advancement of women, the Committee considers it important and desirable to strengthen its collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund in order to give effect to the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Consequently, the Committee invites the United Nations Children's Fund to give due consideration to strengthening collaboration with the Committee in order to achieve the objectives of the above-mentioned Conventions.

Suggestion 15/3. An appeal to all States parties that have

ratified the Convention but not yet

submitted their periodic reports

The Committee commends all States parties that have ratified the Convention, but having regard to the increasing number of outstanding initial reports (48), second periodic reports (41), third periodic reports (55) and fourth periodic reports (38), the Committee suggests that States parties comply with article 18 of the Convention by submitting their reports promptly in order to ensure that the Committee carries out effectively its mandate under the Convention.

II. ORGANIZATIONAL AND OTHER MATTERS

A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination

of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

1.	On 2 February 1996, the closing date of the fifteenth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, there were 151 States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979 and opened for signature, ratification and accession in New York in March 1980. In accordance with article 27, the Convention entered into force on 3 September 1981.

2.	A list of States parties to the Convention is contained in annex I to the present report.

B. Opening of the session

3.	The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women held its fifteenth session at United Nations Headquarters from 15 January to 2 February 1996. The Committee held 24 plenary meetings (285th to 309th) and its two working groups each held 6 meetings.

4.	The session was opened by the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Ivanka Corti (Italy), who had been elected at the fourteenth session of the Committee, in January 1995.

5.	In his opening statement, made on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, Mr. Nitin Desai, stressed that the views of the members of the Committee as members of the United Nations treaty body most directly concerned with the status of women would be extremely valuable in follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women.

6.	He recalled that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Conference reaffirmed the fundamental principle set forth in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, that the human rights of women and the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. As an agenda for action, the Platform for Action sought to promote and protect the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of women throughout their life cycles.

7.	He drew attention to four recommendations of the Platform for Action which were made on the work of the Committee. The Conference urged the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women and set a goal of universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by the year 2000. It also urged all Governments to limit the extent of reservations that are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or which are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law. It recommended that gender aspects be included in reporting on all human rights conventions and instruments, including Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), to ensure analysis and review of the human rights of women. The Conference also stressed that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in implementing its responsibilities under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, should, within its mandate, take into account the Platform for Action when considering the reports submitted by States parties.

8.	The Under-Secretary-General suggested that the guidelines for presentation of reports under article 18 of the Convention could be a useful tool for encouraging States parties to identify elements of their implementation of the Convention that they also saw as serving as follow-up to the Platform for Action.

9.	He informed the Committee that the Secretary-General had appointed Ms. Rosario Green to act as his Special Adviser on gender issues and help ensure system-wide implementation of the Platform for Action, in close cooperation with the Division for the Advancement of Women, in keeping with a recommendation of the Fourth World Conference on Women. She also assists the Secretary-General in assuring that a gender perspective is integrated into policies and programmes in all areas of the system and is fully taken into account in furthering the Organization's linkages with civil society. Ms. Green will draw upon the expertise and assistance of all existing entities working in this area, including the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, the focal point on women in the Department of Administration and Management and all other entities in the United Nations system.

10.	The Under-Secretary-General noted that the increase in ratification or acceptance of the Convention, with the accession of Liechtenstein in December 1995, signalled more work for the Committee.

11.	In this connection, he referred to General Assembly resolution 49/164 of 23 December 1994, in which the Assembly requested States parties to meet to consider the question of amending article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention to provide for adequate meeting time for the Committee. He informed the Committee that subsequent to the States parties meeting held on 22 May 1995, the General Assembly had adopted resolution 50/202 of 22 December 1995, in which the Assembly urged States parties to take appropriate measures so that acceptance by a two-thirds majority of States parties could be achieved as soon as possible in order for the amendment to enter into force.

12.	The Under-Secretary-General drew to the Committee's attention the Secretariat's report on ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee (CEDAW/C/1996/6), in which it was proposed to adopt the practice of other human rights treaty bodies of preparing a concise report emphasizing concluding comments on States parties reports while retaining summary records to reflect the constructive dialogue.

13.	The Under-Secretary-General informed the Committee that, based on the Committee's suggestion No. 7, the Economic and Social Council adopted resolution 1995/29 of 24 July 1995, entitled "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women", in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to invite Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to submit their views on an optional protocol to the Convention, including those related to feasibility, taking into account the elements suggested by the Committee at its fourteenth session. In response to that request, a note verbale was sent by the Secretary-General to all Governments informing them of the decision of the General Assembly. Replies are being received, and the Commission on the Status of Women, which will meet from 11 to 22 March, will begin work on the protocol.

14.	Also addressing the Committee, the Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General said she was honoured to be coordinating the United Nations system-wide follow-up to the World Conference on Women, and hoped that, in fulfilling her tasks, she could count on the experts in the Committee for their assistance.

C. Attendance

15.	All members of the Committee attended the fifteenth session. However, Ms. Tendai Ruth Bare attended from 17 January to 2 February, Ms. Carlota Bustelo García del Real from 15 January to 1 February, Ms. Aurora Javate de Dios from 23 January to 2 February, Ms. Salma Khan from 16 January to 2 February, Ms. Elsa V. Muñoz-Gómez from 16 January to 2 February, Ms. Ginko Sato from 22 January to 2 February, Ms. Lin Shangzhen from 22 January to 2 February, and Ms. Mervat Tallway from 22 January to 2 February 1996 (for the membership of the Committee, see annex II).

D. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work

16.	The Committee considered the provisional agenda and organization of work (CEDAW/C/1996/1) at its 285th meeting, on 15 January 1996. The agenda as adopted was as follows:

1.	Opening of the session.

2.	Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.

3.	Report of the Chairperson on the activities undertaken between the fourteenth and the fifteenth sessions of the Committee and consideration of the report of the sixth meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies and action taken by the General Assembly concerning treaty bodies.

4.	Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

5.	Implementation of article 21 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

6.	Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

7.	Results of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

8.	Provisional agenda for the sixteenth session.

9.	Adoption of the report of the Committee on its fifteenth session.

E. Report of the pre-session working group

17.	The Committee had decided at its ninth session 1/ to convene a pre-session working group for five days before each session to prepare lists of questions relating to the second and subsequent periodic reports that would be considered by the Committee at the session. The Committee decided that members of the Committee should continue to submit to the Secretariat draft questions on specific countries and articles of the Convention prior to the meeting of the working group. In accordance with the decision of the Committee at its thirteenth session, the pre-session working group met at United Nations Headquarters. Owing to the weather conditions, the pre-session working group met from 8 to 12 January 1996.

18.	In accordance with the provisional agenda of the Committee (CEDAW/C/1996/1), the working group prepared a list of questions for four countries: Belgium, Cuba, Hungary and Ukraine.

19.	The Committee had originally proposed that five members should be part of the pre-session working group. As there was no member on the Committee from eastern Europe, and owing to illness of two of the designated members, the working group consisted initially of only two designated members, who were later joined by the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Ivanka Corti. The members of the pre-session working group were Ivanka Corti, Carmel Shalev (Chairperson) and Kongit Sinegiorgis.

20.	At the 291st meeting, on 18 January 1996, the Chairperson of the pre-session working group introduced the report of the working group (CEDAW/C/1996/CRP.1). Members adopted the report containing the list of questions, which was sent to the State parties concerned.

F. Composition and organization of work of the working groups

21.	At its 286th meeting, on 15 January 1996, the Committee agreed on the composition of its two standing working groups: Working Group I to consider ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee and Working Group II to consider ways and means of implementing article 21 of the Convention.

22.	Working Group I was composed of the following members of the Committee: Desiree Patricia Bernard, Tendai Ruth Bare, Carlota Bustelo García del Real, Ivanka Corti, Liliana Gurdulich de Correa, Salma Khan, Lin Shangzhen, Elsa Victoria Muñoz-Gómez, Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling, Kongit Sinegiorgis, Mervat Tallawy, Charlotte Abaka, Gül Aykor, Miriam Yolanda Estrada Castillo.

23.	Working Group II was composed of the following members of the Committee: Charlotte Abaka, Emna Aouij, Silvia Rose Cartwright, Aurora Javate de Dios, Miriam Yolanda Estrada Castillo, Evangelina García-Prince, Sunaryati Hartono, Salma Khan, Pirkko Anneli Mäkinen, Ahoua Ouedgraogo, Ginko Sato, Carmel Shalev, Lin Shangzhen, Kongit Sinegiorgis, Mervat Tallawy.

III. REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON ON THE ACTIVITIES

UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN THE FOURTEENTH AND

FIFTEENTH SESSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

24.	At the 285th meeting, the Chairperson of the Committee, in her introductory statement, said that 1995 had been a particularly important year in the history of the Committee. The number of ratifications of the Convention had increased from 136 to 150. In April 1995, the Committee had held a one-week meeting at Madrid, hosted by the Government of Spain. That was the first time that the Committee had held an extraordinary meeting supported financially by a Government. The members of the Committee also attended the Fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing.

25.	The Chairperson outlined the meetings attended by the Chairperson and other members of the Committee. She informed the Committee about the sixth meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies. She noted that paragraph 20 of the report of that meeting (A/50/505) highlighted the importance of the human rights treaty bodies for the implementation of the Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and also recommended that each treaty body, in its examination of reports of States parties, investigate their compliance with obligations relating to education and public information on human rights.

26.	The Chairperson indicated that the sixth meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies had reiterated the importance of collaboration with non-governmental organizations. In 1995 she had suggested ways and means of strengthening links between the Committee and non-governmental organizations so that they could assist in lobbying for ratification and implementation of the Convention and provide "shadow" reports on a regular basis. The Committee should consider organizing exchanges of views with non-governmental organizations.

27.	With reference to paragraph 22 of the above-mentioned report, the Chairperson said that she had raised the issue of the role of treaty bodies in preparation for world conferences in the hope of avoiding in future the sense of frustration felt by the Committee at not having had an opportunity to take part in the formulation of the Platform for Action. She also noted that the chairpersons had discussed the question of cooperation with special rapporteurs. The Committee should explore ways and means of establishing closer cooperation at least with the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women. Another topic covered was the need for concrete proposals for increased participation by United Nations specialized agencies in the work of the human rights treaty bodies. The Chairperson of the Committee proposed that the Committee should consider proposals to that end during its current session.

28.	The Chairperson explained that, although the Committee had not yet established relations with all the specialized agencies, it had achieved concrete results with those with which it had undertaken cooperation, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

29.	The Chairperson also noted recommendation 25 that treaty bodies should fully integrate a gender perspective into their professional and sessional working methods, including identification of issues and preparation of questions for country reviews and general comments and recommendations. This was a big step forward in the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

30.	The chairpersons of treaty bodies considered the Secretariat support to treaty bodies and underlined the persistent problems of understaffing of the treaty body secretariats, including that servicing the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. They supported the integration of that Committee into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activity through its relocation to the Centre for Human Rights.

31.	Referring to General Assembly resolution 49/164 of 23 December 1994 concerning the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the decision taken by the eighth meeting of States parties to the Convention in May 1995, she indicated that two thirds of States parties would have to ratify the amendment proposed by the Committee on meeting time for the Committee.

32.	The Chairperson pointed out that the Committee had presented to the Fourth World Conference on Women a comprehensive report containing a serious analysis of its work, the obstacles to the implementation of the Convention and the challenges that would have to be faced in the future (A/CONF.177/77). In 1995, there were 12 new ratifications of the Convention. The Committee's role and importance had been reflected fully in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Paragraph 8 of the Declaration placed the Convention on the same level as the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as far as the equal rights and inherent human dignity of women were concerned. In paragraphs 322 and 323 of the Platform for Action, the Committee was described as an essential mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the Platform for Action. The Chairperson indicated that the Platform also underlined the need for women's participation in decision-making bodies by stressing the need for universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, by calling for restraint in the entering of reservations to the Convention and by examining the need for an optional protocol to strengthen the implementation of the Convention.

33.	The Chairperson concluded that the Platform had recognized the central role of the Convention as a document that was legally binding on Governments, thereby strengthening the role of the Committee itself.

IV. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES

UNDER ARTICLE 18 OF THE CONVENTION

A. Introduction

34.	At its fifteenth session, the Committee considered the reports submitted by eight States parties under article 18 of the Convention: three combined initial and second reports, one combined initial, second and third report, one second report, one combined second and third report, and two third reports. The Committee also considered one report submitted on an exceptional basis.

35.	As decided at its thirteenth session, the Committee prepared concluding comments on each report considered. For the status of the submission of reports by States parties, see annex IV to the present report.

36.	The Committee's concluding comments on the reports of States parties, as prepared respectively by the members of the Committee, and a summary of the introductory presentations by the representatives of the States parties are provided below. The summary records provide more detailed information on the Committee's consideration of reports of the States parties.

B. Consideration of reports

1. Initial and second periodic reports

Cyprus

37.	The Committee considered the initial and second periodic reports of Cyprus (CEDAW/C/CYP/1-2) at its 287th meeting, on 15 January, and at its 287th meeting, on 23 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.287).

38.	In his introductory statement the representative of Cyprus reviewed progress achieved in promoting the status of women since the ratification of the Convention in 1985, taking into consideration economic, political and social changes resulting from the occupation of parts of the territory since 1974. Legal and other measures had been adopted and obstacles to implementation of the Convention addressed. Since the submission of the report, a new national machinery for women's rights had been set up and legislative changes in a number of areas had occurred, in particular in the areas of family law and labour legislation. Traditional and stereotyped gender ideas constituted an impediment to the full and equal participation of women in decision-making and employment, and influenced educational choices.

39.	Programmes and measures had been adopted to assist women to combine family and employment. Emphasis had been given to the expansion and improvement of child-care facilities. Vocational education designed for women had been introduced.

40.	Educational programmes had been revised to promote equality between men and women. Programmes for rural women had been introduced to promote their role in agriculture and encourage their participation in decision-making. Women had access to health care and infant mortality had been reduced to low levels. Maternal health care was a priority and information was available on diseases and health hazards for women.

41.	The representative reported on the Government's priorities and future plans in implementing the Convention, including strengthening the national machinery for women; vocational training for women and educational and awareness-raising efforts among teachers; expansion of child care; supplementing the recently reformed family law and the remaining legal instruments that involved unequal treatment of women; improvements for rural women; prevention of violence against women; women's participation in decision-making; and possible creation of an equal opportunities commission. He stated, however, that owing to the continuing Turkish occupation of part of the territory, the Government of Cyprus was unable to ensure the enjoyment by women of their rights in the occupied part of the island.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

42.	The Committee welcomed the high-level representation of the Cyprus Government and the well-drafted reports presented by it, which contained detailed information on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in accordance with the Committee's reporting guidelines. It expressed its appreciation, in particular, for the frank identification of obstacles and problems and of the major policy issues of concern to women in Cyprus. The Committee also welcomed the ongoing efforts, policies and plans to eliminate discrimination against women in Cyprus and the sincere and detailed responses of the representative of the Government of Cyprus to the Committee's questions.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

43.	The Committee noted with concern the reservation of the Government as to the exclusion of women from the military.

44.	The Committee acknowledged the State party's statement that owing to the occupation of a part of the territory of Cyprus, it could not give any information as to the implementation of the Convention in areas not under its jurisdiction.

45.	The Committee noted the observation in the report that the most serious obstacles to implementation of the Convention were social attitudes and practices based on traditional and stereotyped ideas regarding the roles of men and women.

Positive aspects

46.	The Committee welcomed the report's assertion that the impact of the ratification of the Convention had been significant, in particular, that the Convention had served as a framework for government policy to reduce inequality, had helped to stimulate major changes in policy and had been a useful tool for women's organizations pressing for change.

47.	The Committee commended the efforts of the Government to implement the Convention in relation to equal pay for work of equal value and to expand child day-care facilities and consider social security for homemakers.

48.	The Committee welcomed the amendment made by the Government to the Constitution establishing special civil courts as the only courts for family matters.

49.	It commended the steps taken by the Government to subsidize measures undertaken by enterprises to provide child care. The Committee noted with satisfaction the high level of education attained by women and girls in Cyprus and appreciated the educational programmes to raise awareness of equality and the elimination of traditional gender stereotypes, especially among rural women, and to address health and sexual health.

50.	The Committee welcomed the introduction of legislation on violence against women within the family, in particular clarifying that marital rape is a criminal offence. In addition, the law gives full protection to victims while imposing severe penalties upon the perpetrators, and facilitates the reporting of violence through primary health care providers. The Committee also welcomed the establishment of counselling services and the Government's contribution to support a crisis centre for victims of violence run by a voluntary association.

51.	The Committee noted with appreciation the efforts of the Government to address issues of women's discrimination in television, radio and advertising, including programmes dealing with women's issues, women's participation in broadcasting and the portrayal of women's image.

52.	The Committee welcomed the initiative to support and provide incentives to the establishment of women's agricultural cooperatives.

Principal subjects of concern

53.	The Committee noted with great concern the information on international trafficking of women and of their sexual exploitation, including women from other countries, in violation of article 6 of the Convention.

54.	The Committee also noted the low representation of women in the legislature and in political life, and their absence from higher levels of government.

55.	The Committee expressed its concern that the Government treats the low fertility rate in Cyprus as a reason for retaining the existing criminal law restrictions on abortion.

Suggestions and recommendations

56.	The Committee recommends that the Government take immediate action on its commitment made at the Fourth World Conference on Women to strengthen the national machinery for women, including its administrative structure, budget, human resources and its executive powers. The Committee further recommended that the national machinery be empowered to formulate policy and to initiate and review legislative proposals pertaining to the status of women.

57.	The Committee urges the Government to take into consideration all general recommendations of the Committee in future reports under the Convention.

58.	The Committee recommends that the Government continue its efforts to review and rectify legislation that discriminates against women in light of the Convention. It draws the Government's attention to the Committee's general recommendation No. 19 for amending its penal code regarding violence against women.

59.	The Committee urges the Government to explore the proposal of non-governmental organizations to establish an equal opportunities commission to deal with complaints by women and to serve in a mediatory capacity.

60.	The Committee strongly recommends that urgent special temporary measures be adopted, under article 4 of the Convention, with the aim of substantially increasing the presence of women in all areas of public and political life, as well as actively promoting their position in the senior management of the civil service and in the diplomatic service.

61.	The Committee recommends that the Government take additional measures through local and international law-enforcement authorities to combat the international trafficking and sexual exploitation of women. It encourages the Government to persist in its efforts to regulate the employment of foreign artists and entertainers, and to prosecute in cases of criminal offences. The Committee further urges the Government to provide education, training and support to facilitate the entry of migrant women into other occupations in the formal labour market.

62.	The Committee urges the Government to explore the issue of equal pay for work of equal value, to avail itself of existing experience in other countries and to begin campaigns to raise awareness of this issue among trade unions, employers' associations and women's organizations.

63.	The Committee encourages the Government of Cyprus to pursue the initiative to enact special legislation to address the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace as quickly as possible.

64.	The Committee encourages the Government to generate systematic data disaggregated by sex in all areas, and in particular in health needs and services to assist in policy planning.

65.	The Committee exhorts the Government to extend full social security coverage to self-employed rural women and to abolish existing discrimination in this respect between married and unmarried women.

66.	The Committee urges the Government to implement special sensitization and training programmes in gender issues for all law enforcement officials and judges, particularly judges in family courts.

Iceland

67.	The Committee considered the combined initial and second periodic reports of Iceland (CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2) at its 290th and 291st meetings, on 18 and 24 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.290 and 291).

68.	In introducing the report, the representative of Iceland informed the Committee that the original first report of 1987 had by mistake never been submitted and that the current initial and second report covered the period up to 31 December 1991. He proceeded to inform the Committee about legal changes and recent developments in the field of women's human rights that had occurred in his country since the submission of the report.

69.	The representative pointed to various measures in education, including equal rights education in schools and legally mandated vocational training for women. In order to eliminate discrimination, which still existed, an Equal Status Council and a Complaint Committee had been established. In 1994, a human rights section had been included in the Icelandic Constitution, including a reference to sex. A four-year plan on measures to obtain equal status between the sexes focused on action to promote equal status in the school system, in the labour market, in rural districts and with regard to social rights. The representative described measures taken to eliminate violence against women, including a shelter for victims, payment of damages to the victims of violence and the mobilization of men against violence.

70.	The representative illustrated the important participation of women in public life, which had increased steadily since 1979. Since 1980, a woman has been President of the country and was also one of the first democratically elected women leaders in the world. In the last parliamentary elections, women won 25 per cent of all the seats in Parliament. A women's party existed; women's political representation at the municipal level now reached about 30 per cent and in public commissions about 20 per cent.

71.	The representative pointed out that discrimination was persistent in the field of employment. Women's participation in the formal economy was very high, but some gender differences existed in wages. The labour market was segregated to some extent. Unemployment affected women more than men. In order to change the wage system and achieve greater balance in family responsibilities, the Government was taking specific measures, including a revision of the act on maternity leave, which should enable men to assume their caring roles better. Municipal governments planned to expand child-care facilities. Women represented more than 50 per cent of university graduates and this was reflected in the public sector in particular. Job evaluation was seen as an important factor for ensuring pay equity.

72.	In concluding, the representative stated that the national report prepared for the Fourth World Conference on Women, the debate on women's rights and the present report had helped his country to assess what had been achieved and what steps should be taken in the future.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

73.	The Committee welcomed the high-level representation and commended the Government for the frank report and the extensive oral introduction, which supplemented in very large measure the report. The Committee also welcomed the answers to questions posed during consideration of the report.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

74.	While the Committee commended the Government of Iceland for amending the Constitution and enacting the Equal Status Act, it was of the opinion that if the Convention had not thereby been incorporated fully into the domestic law of Iceland, then the implementation of the principles of the Convention was adversely affected.

Positive aspects

75.	The Committee welcomed the inclusion in the Constitution in 1994 of a provision guaranteeing the enjoyment of human rights without prejudice to gender and was impressed with the work being done by the Equal Status Council.

76.	The Committee welcomed the fact that in the procedures adopted by the Complaints Committee, the burden of proof of an allegation of sexual discrimination had been shifted from the complainant to the alleged perpetrator.

77.	The Committee commended the emphasis placed by the Government on the eradication of violence and the establishment of a committee to ascertain the extent and causes of violence in the home, as well as the provision of an emergency ward for rape victims in the city hospital. The Committee also commended the passage of a law making the State Treasury responsible for the payment of damages to the victims of violence, as well as the formation of a Men's Committee aimed at sensitizing men to the problems resulting from violent behaviour.

78.	The Committee was gratified about plans by the Government of Iceland to report periodically to the public on the Platform for Action.

79.	The Committee viewed with appreciation the establishment of a Children's Ombudsperson to promote and safeguard the rights of children, boys and girls, as contained in the Declaration on the Rights of the Child.

80.	The Committee noted with satisfaction the advancement of women in education in general as expressed by the fact that women now represented about 50 per cent of university graduates and that a women's study centre had been established at the university.

Principal subjects of concern

81.	The Committee noted the lack of statistics in the report and Iceland's failure to comply with general recommendation 9, but noted with appreciation the additional data supplied during the response to the Committee's questions.

82.	The Committee was very concerned about the wide differential in the wages of women and men, in both the public and private sectors and the fact that this could be explained only on the grounds of gender.

83.	Further concern was expressed about the fact that, while women surpassed men in jobs requiring no vocational training, a significantly higher proportion of men held administrative positions in both the public and private sectors.

84.	The Committee noted with concern that the cost of contraception was not covered under the public health system.

85.	The Committee noted with concern the lack of adequate information on certain articles of the Convention, particularly article 12, which addresses the rights of women and States parties' obligations with respect to health care. The Committee noted the lack of information on specific aspects of women's health, as well as the lack of a gender perspective in matters pertaining to health in general, in particular with regard to mental health, as well as in medical research.

86.	The Committee regretted that rural women frequently had fewer opportunities for employment outside the home than did men or those women living in urban areas.

Suggestions and recommendations

87.	The Committee recommended that in subsequent periodic reports the Government of Iceland report fully on each article of the Convention and the general recommendations.

88.	The Committee recommended that, in future, statistics disaggregated by sex be included in the periodic reports and that the Government of Iceland comply with general recommendation 9. In particular, the Committee encouraged the Government to generate sex-disaggregated data of health needs and services, so as to assist the development of a gender-sensitive health policy.

89.	The Committee recommended that the Government take steps to ensure that the principles of the Convention were fully incorporated into Icelandic law and were enforceable in its courts.

90.	In order to facilitate the enforceability of the Convention in the Icelandic courts, the Committee recommended that steps be taken to introduce a programme of information dissemination and training about the Convention to the judiciary.

91.	The Committee urged the Government to continue its determined efforts in the area of equal pay for work of equal value in order to achieve pay equity in all areas of employment in accordance with general recommendation 13. It further requested that future reports contain information on this issue in dealing with the results of the current job evaluation.

92.	The Committee suggested that measures be taken as early as possible, for example by adopting affirmative action programmes, to ensure that women are appointed to decision-making positions and assume leadership roles in all fields of employment.

93.	The Committee suggested that future reports reflect analyses of the impact of job evaluation exercises.

94.	The Committee felt that revising the law on maternity leave was not enough to achieve a more balanced sharing of family responsibilities by men and women. It therefore recommended that the Government develop other means to increase men's participation in household tasks and child care, bearing in mind the nature of both the paid work done by men and that done by women inside and outside the home.

95.	At the same time, the Government should intensify its development of activities to combat traditional gender stereotypes through educational and awareness programmes targeting children and adults.

96.	The Committee recommended that the Government take steps to investigate the imbalance between men and women in part-time employment, as this imbalance can be indicative of indirect discrimination against women in the labour market.

97.	The Committee recommended that steps be taken to educate judicial personnel about the Convention.

98.	The Committee considered that studies on the evaluation of unpaid work should be undertaken as regards both men and women, despite the earlier initiative taken.

99.	The Committee recommended that the position of rural women be improved in all areas, including opportunities for employment outside the home.

100.	The Committee urged the Government to intensify further its information programmes among migrant women, in particular those that pertain to the rights of women in Iceland. In order to ensure the protection of migrant women, it further encouraged the Government to continue the provision of adequate health and counselling services and monitoring of the increasing number of intermarriages between Icelandic men and migrant women which the Government is undertaking.

101.	The Committee recommended an amendment to the Equal Status Act to ensure representation of at least 40 per cent of each sex in public bodies.

102.	The Committee recommended that, in view of the successfully completed projects on equal rights education in various schools, equal rights, as well as human rights education should be made mandatory in the Icelandic school curriculum.

103.	The Committee recommended that the Government include the results of studies on women in curriculum reform, as well as in the education and training of teachers, in order to facilitate the elimination of cultural stereotypes.

104.	The Committee urged the Government to adopt a public health approach to the issue of violence against women and facilitate the reporting of violence through primary health-care providers.

Paraguay

105.	The Committee considered the initial and second periodic reports of Paraguay (CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2 and Add.1 and 2) at its 289th and 297th meetings, on 17 and 23 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.289 and 297). The Committee took note of the answers given orally to the wide range of questions and concerns raised during consideration of the report.

106.	In introducing the combined report, the representative of Paraguay noted that since 1992 a number of important political changes had taken place in the country. She emphasized the adoption of a new Constitution and the election of a civilian Government. In 1992, the position of Secretary of State for Women was established.

107.	The representative indicated that in the new Constitution the principle of equality had been adopted and the relevant international instruments had been ratified. This allowed the creation of a body of law on equality between women and men. However, disparities in equality in legislation still existed.

108.	The representative gave details of several programmes that the Government, non-governmental organizations and women's organizations had been implementing. Despite gains made in women's education, 6 out of 10 illiterate persons in the country were women, mainly from rural areas, and the levels of school retention were very low, especially for girls. The country had one of the highest rates of maternal death in the Latin American region, with abortion being the second most common cause of maternal death.

109.	The proportion of women heads of households was very high and those households tended to be among the poorest. There had been some improvements in the granting of loans to women for micro-enterprises, as well as for housing. While segregation of jobs and education was easing and stereotyping in educational materials was being examined, disparities in economic activity and remuneration between women and men were very high. Some measures had been introduced to penalize and prevent violence against women, to regulate prostitution and to provide education on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

110.	The representative pointed out that one of the most visible changes in the past years had been the participation of women in politics. Several political parties, as well as the Parliament and local authorities, were in the process of introducing quotas for women.

111.	The representative stressed that her Government held the conviction that neither development nor democracy were possible without the participation of women.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

112.	The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the high-level representation and Paraguay's effort in submitting the report and the addenda promptly, which reflected an intention to comply with submission procedures, provide updated information and initiate a dialogue with the Committee that would enable better interpretation of the Convention. The Committee also noted the comprehensive and detailed nature of the oral presentation, which complemented the written reports and answered the questions raised by the experts.

113.	Satisfaction was also expressed with the report's frankness, reflecting situations and problems in conflict with the articles of the Convention. The Committee highlighted the scale of the effort represented by submission of the report for a country embarking on a democratic process after a long dictatorship. It welcomed the fact that, apart from the Government, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions had also participated in drafting the report.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

114.	The Committee recognized that various factors were holding up implementation of the Convention. Particularly relevant were the country's limited economic capacities and its dependence on farm production, which had only very recently begun to be modernized; high rates of poverty and marginalization among the population; the institutional and cultural consequences of the prolonged dictatorship; and the existence of a very traditional and hierarchical society. Paraguay was currently going through a period of transition, where the new structures of democracy and the rule of law were still being defined, which led to difficulties in applying the policies promoted by the Convention.

Positive aspects

115.	The Committee noted that the new Constitution enshrined the principle of equality between men and women, as well as reforms of the Labour and Electoral Codes.

116.	The Committee also noted the Government's early recognition of the importance of women to the country's development and the creation of the Office of the Secretary of State for Women to coordinate official policies for that sector of the population.

117.	The Committee further noted the importance attached by the Government to its commitment under the Beijing Platform for Action and, in particular, its initiative to adopt a gender approach in policies and programmes, as well as to heighten the awareness of administrative personnel in that connection.

118.	The Committee noted the Government's recognition of the serious problem of violence against women, which had been declared a public health problem.

119.	The Committee also noted the level of development of women's organizations and their commitment to the advancement of women.

120.	The Committee further noted the initiatives and efforts of both non-governmental organizations and the Government to broaden the political participation of women and the proposal to establish a law on quotas and to oblige all political parties to establish a minimum number of women in their electoral lists.

Principal subjects of concern

121.	The Committee was concerned that the country's legislation maintained discriminatory provisions in conflict with the constitutional principle of equality. Despite the progress made in certain codes, both civil and penal legislation needed major changes to incorporate the rights laid down in the Convention and those emanating from the Constitution.

122.	The Committee was concerned at the limited mandate and resources of the Office of the Secretary of State for Women and its apparent lower ranking in the political and administrative hierarchy in relation to other ministries. In that connection, the Committee expressed its surprise that the Secretary of State for Women should be excluded from meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers, which constituted a form of discrimination.

123.	The Committee expressed great concern at the high level of easily preventable maternal mortality - one of the highest in the region - and of extremely unsafe abortions, especially among very young girls, as well as the high fertility rate and limited access to basic health and family planning services. It stressed that this situation was particularly serious among rural women, most of whom did not benefit from the right to health guaranteed by the Convention.

124.	The Committee acknowledged the State party's initiatives to provide bilingual education but expressed its concern at the inadequacy of those initiatives, which posed a major obstacle to women's access to social and economic opportunities, since a large percentage of the female population spoke only Guaraní, the predominant aboriginal language. The high illiteracy and drop-out rates were considered major impediments to the advancement of women.

125.	With regard to violence against women, the Committee expressed great concern at the extent of the problem and the inadequacy of legal and administrative measures to combat it, protect victims and punish the perpetrators. The Committee also devoted considerable attention to the country's critical situation with regard to prostitution and the alarming levels of this practice among girls and very young women. It emphasized the fact that procurers went unpunished and regretted that the grave socio-economic conditions in which many women lived led them to become prostitutes. The Committee also expressed particular concern at the number of legal and administrative errors in cases of adoption, which perpetuated the undesirable international traffic in girls and boys.

126.	The Committee expressed its serious concern at the situation of rural women, who constituted the majority of the country's female population and whose living conditions were characterized by a lack of primary health care, limited access to education and a high drop-out rate. In addition, women faced legal and cultural barriers that prevented them from owning property and they were almost completely excluded from the decision-making process; there were also profound disparities between men's and women's wages, to the detriment of women.

Suggestions and recommendations

127.	The Committee urged the State party to continue its initiatives with a view to updating its national legislation in order to make it compatible with the constitutional principle of equality and the articles of the Convention. In that regard, it recommended that the State party make special efforts to revise the Penal Code and related laws in the light of general recommendation 19 on violence against women. 2/

128.	The Committee recommended that the State party strengthen the political status and the economic and administrative aspects of the national mechanism (Office of the Secretary of State for Women) in accordance with article 7 of the Convention.

129.	The Committee appreciated the State party's efforts to implement the quota system in decision-making bodies and recommended that that system be adopted and implemented in all possible areas and at all possible levels, including by public authorities, political parties, unions and other organizations of civil society, in accordance with the provisions of article 7 of the Convention.

130.	The Committee recommended that the State party strengthen and broaden its initiatives to extend bilingual education to all citizens, in particular women, and to combat the social, economic and cultural factors causing the high drop-out and illiteracy rates among women, in accordance with the provisions of article 10 of the Convention.

131.	The Committee called upon the State party to fulfil its obligations with respect to all the rights set out in article 12 of the Convention. It stressed the urgency for the State party to take measures to deal with the high level of maternal mortality and illegal abortions and to consider reviewing the punitive measures of the law of abortion, in accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action. It also recommended that the State party provide sufficient and adequate family planning services and information.

132.	The Committee recommended that the State party increase its efforts to guarantee equality in land distribution and ownership and in all aspects of its productive use, in accordance with articles 11, 14 and 16 of the Convention.

133.	The Committee recommended the wide dissemination of the Convention, primarily among women, and in particular among rural and indigenous people.

2. Initial, second and third periodic reports

Ethiopia

134.	The Committee considered the combined initial, second and third periodic reports of Ethiopia (CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3 and Add.1) at its 292nd and 293rd meetings, on 19 January, and its 299th meeting, on 24 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.292, 293 and 299).

135.	In introducing the reports, the representative of Ethiopia said that the political situation of her country had not always been conducive to the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. At the time of ratification, about 60 per cent of the national budget was spent on the war effort. The war was accompanied by drought and famine that had cost millions of lives. The change in Government in 1991 brought a transition from war to peace, from dictatorship to democracy and

from a command economy to a more market-oriented economy. The new Government inherited a situation aggravated by a social crisis, with millions of displaced persons and refugees, unemployment and the destruction of the little social service infrastructure the country had had. In 1994 a new Constitution was adopted and in 1995 a federal Government formed. The representative indicated that the recent political changes had promoted the well-being of Ethiopian women. One important step had been the adoption of the National Women's Policy.

136.	The representative pointed out that the situation of women in Ethiopia had been particularly difficult because of the country's economic backwardness and women's disadvantaged access to opportunities. She emphasized that the Government was committed to the advancement of women. A manifestation of that commitment was the setting up of the Women's Affairs Office within the Prime Minister's Office. Several measures had been adopted to address gender disparities. The new Constitution reflected a strong commitment to the principles of the Convention. About 3 per cent of the seats in Parliament were held by women. Women were increasingly represented at the local level and at the community level.

137.	The representative stated further that Ethiopia had adopted the Beijing Platform for Action without reservation and was focusing on poverty reduction as the primary critical area of concern. Poverty constituted the root cause of the many problems faced by women. The Women's Affairs Office planned to compile gender-specific statistics to monitor the impact of policies and programmes on girls and women. Apart from the existing political will and commitment of the Government, the achievement of the goals of the national policy for women required substantial financial and material resources. The representative said that a lot was expected from the international donor community.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

138.	The Committee expressed appreciation for the frank and honest report and the equally frank presentation. The fact that the Minister for Women's Affairs herself introduced the report was indicative of the commitment to the advancement of women in the country. The Committee also appreciated the fact that Ethiopia had ratified the Convention as well as several other international human rights instruments and had accepted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action without reservation.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

139.	The Committee identified as major factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention: poverty; deep-rooted customs and traditions; illiteracy; high birth rates; and unemployment. These were compounded by the existence of different kinds of laws, national as well as a variety of customary and religious ones.

Positive aspects

140.	Appreciation was expressed for the political will in adopting a national policy for the advancement of women and policies with a gender perspective, as well as for the creation of women's focal points in national, regional and local political decision-making bodies.

141.	The Committee commended the Government for the commitments made at the Fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing in September 1995.

142.	The Committee welcomed the high percentage of women at the local government level.

143.	The Committee welcomed the affirmative action efforts for women at the university level.

Principal subjects of concern

144.	The Committee noted with concern that neither the combined report nor the addendum followed the Committee's general guidelines, which had created obstacles to constructive dialogue between the Committee and the State party.

145.	The Committee felt that if the areas of competence of the mechanisms set up for changing the status of women were not clearly defined and if proper financing was not secured, initiatives could be blocked.

146.	While commending the translation of the Convention into Amharic, the Committee was nevertheless concerned about the insufficient dissemination of the Convention in view of the number of other languages that were also spoken in the country.

147.	In addition to the deep-rooted cultural obstacles, the Committee was concerned with still existing discriminatory laws at the national level, as well as persistent discrimination in the family.

148.	Great concern was expressed by the Committee about the issue of widespread female genital mutilation as well as the incidence of violence against women and girls and the insufficiency of measures to eradicate it.

149.	The Committee was concerned about the prevalence of prostitution and male promiscuity, which increased the spread of AIDS. Early marriage was also a great concern to the Committee.

150.	The Committee noted with concern the low representation of women at the higher decision-making levels and was doubtful about the effectiveness of programmes formulated and adopted with the involvement of women at those levels. It expressed its doubts about the efficiency of any measures to eradicate poverty as long as the percentage of women in Government remained as low as it was at present.

151.	The Committee expressed concern about the high level of illiteracy, the high school drop-out rate, sexual harassment of girls at school and the lack of vocational training programmes.

Suggestions and recommendations

152.	The Committee suggested that subsequent reports follow the Committee's general guidelines for reporting.

153.	When resources are available, the translation of the Convention must be in as many local languages as possible so that it may benefit many people.

154.	The Committee suggested that a review of all existing customary laws in ethnic groups be carried out in order to evaluate them as to their substance and their compatibility with international conventions and national legislation.

155.	Awareness programmes and legal measures must be put in place urgently to abolish the practice of female genital mutilation and all other such practices that discriminate against women. Those who perform female genital mutilation must be helped to find other sources of income.

156.	Training programmes should be put in place aimed at rehabilitating prostitutes and equipping them and other women with skills that will provide an alternative source of income.

157.	The Committee recommended that there be an increase in the number of women in decision-making positions in public administration and that programmes be developed to encourage women to take decision-making positions.

158.	Measures, including temporary special measures and programmes, must be adopted to give girls and women equal access to high quality education and training.

159.	The age of marriage must be the same for boys and girls.

160.	The Committee encouraged the Government to ensure access by women to primary health services, particularly reproductive health, family life education and family planning services.

161.	There must be an intensive programme to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Infected women and men must be guaranteed equal enjoyment of their human rights.

162.	The Government must seek international support for poverty alleviation and educational programmes and for assistance in the implementation of the recommendations in paragraphs 155, 157, 159 and 161 above.

163.	Every effort must be made to attain a stable and peaceful environment in order to reconstruct the country and create the conditions necessary for the sustainable development and the integration of women.

3. Second periodic reports

Belgium

164.	The Committee considered the second periodic report of Belgium (CEDAW/C/BEL/2) at its 300th and 301st meetings, on 26 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.300 and 301).

165.	The report was introduced by the Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations and by a representative from the Federal Government and one each from the Flemish and French communities. They underlined that the report under review, submitted in 1992, was outdated to some extent since the constitutional reform of 1994 had introduced a federal system, giving communities and regions the same standing as the federal authority.

166.	The Committee was informed that reservations to article 7 and article 15 of the Convention would be withdrawn, since a new law had been adopted to enable women to exercise royal powers and changes in the Constitution had rendered void the reservation relating to marriage law. The withdrawal of these reservations would be undertaken, while reservations to all human rights instruments were being revised in keeping with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

167.	Equality was a priority for the federal authority, the communities and the regions. Commitments on the promotion of the human rights of women made at an international and European level were taken seriously. To that end, several high-level posts had been established, including that of a Federal Minister for Equality, who was also Minister for Employment and Work and a Minister for Equality in the Flemish Government. In the French community, this matter falls directly under the competence of the Minister President, as the head of Government. Priority concerns were the eradication of violence against women, discrimination in employment, low levels of women in government decision-making, women's health, attitudes that perpetuated sex discrimination and stereotypes in the media.

168.	To enhance participation of women in the economy and in decision-making, numerous measures of affirmative action had been taken. To increase the number of women in public life, a law had been adopted in 1994 that stipulated that the number of candidates of the same sex should not exceed two thirds on any electoral list. As a result, the percentage of women had risen from 10 to 12 per cent in the communal elections and from 6 to 8 women (32 per cent) in the elections for the European Parliament. The media is also an area where women's participation is particularly encouraged.

169.	In order to combat violence against women, the Government had adopted a new law on rape, the definition of which included rape within marriage and homosexual relationships. A number of measures to avoid secondary victimization had been taken which included a sexual assault pack to be used in police stations and a campaign in the medical community to establish confidential medical certificates for victims. A landmark law had been adopted in 1995 on trafficking in human beings, which included provision for acts committed extraterritorially.

170.	It was reported that voluntary interruption of pregnancy had been made legally possible under certain conditions for women in a state of distress and upon the confirmed written request of the woman. Counselling and information are also provided as part of preventive measures.

171.	Representatives stated that women had access to credit and loans and could participate in all aspects of cultural life.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

172.	The Committee welcomed with satisfaction Belgium's detailed and exhaustive presentation, which reflected the significance the country attached to the Convention. The Committee likewise noted the updated information provided by the oral report, which complemented the written report, addressed the questions raised by experts and helped the Committee to appreciate fully the importance of more recent efforts to implement the Convention.

173.	The Committee noted the efforts by the federal Government and the French and Flemish communities to share fully the richness and diversity of their experiences in promoting women's equality in their respective communities by sending representatives from all three to present the report.

Positive aspects

174.	The Committee welcomed with appreciation Belgium's intention to withdraw its reservations to article 7, section (b), with respect to royal functions, and on article 15, with respect to matrimonial property of rural women.

175.	The Committee viewed positively the broad representation of the Council of Equal Opportunities coming from various sectors such as non-governmental organizations, youth and other social partners.

176.	The Committee lauded the Government for its multicultural orientation in its programmes on women, which respected cultural identities under the umbrella of a federal system.

177.	The Committee expressed its satisfaction at the Government's clarification of the definition of rape to include marital rape and its campaign to combat violence against women by mobilizing the media for that purpose. It also appreciated government subsidies to shelters for victims of violence and the training programmes to sensitize law enforcement agencies in dealing with violence against women.

178.	The Committee also noted the adoption of a landmark law against trafficking in persons, prostitution and pornography with extraterritorial applications, which was a decisive step by the Government of Belgium to address the issue of sexual exploitation of women.

179.	The Committee welcomed the Government's efforts to adopt affirmative action measures, including legislative measures, to promote women's employment in senior positions in the public sector, as well as to nominate women as candidates for governmental advisory bodies.

180.	The Committee noted with interest and satisfaction the increasing number of women in politics at the local level.

181.	The Committee noted with interest the decriminalization of voluntary interruption of pregnancy and the observance of confidentiality in counselling women who may or may not opt for it, and welcomed the information that there had not been an increase in the number of requests for voluntary interruptions of pregnancy.

Principal subjects of concern

182.	While lauding the efforts of the Government to promote women's equality, the Committee recognized the relatively low presence of women in public and political life, in high-level government positions, the diplomatic service, the military, political parties and trade unions.

183.	The Committee also noted the continuing wage gap and workplace segregation between men and women, as well as the higher unemployment rates among women, leading to the phenomenon of the feminization of poverty.

184.	The Committee noted that the interrelationships of the numerous national machineries for women at the federal and local levels might create problems of overlapping and coordination.

185.	The written report lacked statistics and analysis of the articles and did not reflect the richness of the oral presentation.

186.	Interest and concern were expressed by the Committee as regards efforts to address the needs of minority groups such as migrant women.

187.	The issue of discrimination of women in social security and taxation is likewise of concern to the members of the Committee. The Committee was also concerned about the high number of women working part-time as compared to men and the hidden discrimination this represents.

Suggestions and recommendations

188.	The Committee recommended that national machineries for women and other mechanisms of equality look into the possibility of a monitoring system to ensure effective coordination and to avoid discrepancies between regions.

189.	The Committee suggested that more statistical data and analysis of the articles of the Convention be presented rather than a de jure presentation. Adequate data should be provided on rural women, time-use analysis of women in households, female-headed households and attitudes towards minority women of the Maghreb and African communities.

190.	Measures should be taken to address the hidden discrimination in social security and taxation between different groups of women and to balance the number of women and men working part-time.

191.	To address the wage gap, job re-evaluation and reclassification, with a view to upgrading women's job categories, should be explored.

192.	The Committee suggested that the Government promote interest in women's participation in sports and in media coverage of such events.

193.	Programmes and projects to address the needs of migrant women and other vulnerable women should be made available in the next report.

194.	The Committee recommended that in the next report more factual information be given on the impact of the affirmative action policies of the Government and on the obstacles encountered during implementation.

195.	The Committee also recommended close monitoring of the impact of the enforcement of the law against trafficking in persons, and that information on this be provided in the next report to be submitted to the Committee.

196.	The Committee recommended to the Government of Belgium that it take measures to include the value of unremunerated work into the national accounting system in accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action.

4. Second and third periodic reports

Cuba

197.	The Committee considered the combined second and third periodic report of Cuba (CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3 and Add.1) at its 294th and 295th meetings, on 22 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.294 and 295).

198.	In introducing the combined report, the representative of Cuba recalled that her country had been the first to sign and the second to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. That constituted an historic achievement for the country and showed the importance it attached to the Convention. Policies for women, however, had begun already in 1959, following the revolution, and they still constituted a priority.

199.	Despite the economic and political circumstances in which the country had found itself since 1989 as a result of the stepped-up economic blockade by the United States of America, which had had severe repercussions on the situation of women and children and had led to the deterioration of the quality of people's lives, Cuba had not ceased to go forward towards achieving full equality between the sexes.

200.	The representative said she was sorry that the report did not comply with the Committee's general guidelines and replied to the Committee's written questions on implementation of the articles of the Convention.

201.	The elimination of all forms of discrimination against women was a major goal of the Government of Cuba, and its legal and practical implementation was under constant review by the Government as well as by the Federation of Cuban Women. Relevant ministries and institutions had developed and promoted programmes to change socio-cultural patterns of conduct between women and men and to educate women on their rights. For children between 6 and 14 years of age, the schooling rate was currently 99 per cent. Girls participated at every level, and constituted 58 per cent of the student population in higher education. In the most recent parliamentary elections, 98.7 per cent of the population had participated. There were, however, still more men than women in positions of political leadership.

202.	Women currently make up 40.6 per cent of the labour force in Cuba, which represented a slight increase since 1989, and despite the dramatic drop in production and the subsequent changes in order to restructure employment, women had not been the most affected group. Efforts were being made, nevertheless, to provide more training for women and opportunities for redeployment, including special measures for female-headed households. The Government was studying the question of wage differentials.

203.	While the improvement of women's health had been a major achievement, the embargo currently affected the daily diet of women and children. Furthermore, there remained a need to place emphasis on prevention and risk reduction. Women had a life expectancy of 77.6 years, and there had been a steady reduction in infant mortality. The rate of maternal mortality due to abortion had decreased to 6.4 per thousand but still represented the major cause of maternal mortality.

204.	Women had the right to retain their nationality and that of their children after marriage. The violation of the right to equality was a criminal offence in Cuba, and the law offered protection in cases of violence against women. Efforts were being made to step up education for prostitutes and their families, as there had been a re-emergence of prostitution in recent years. Women enjoyed the same rights as men with respect to credit and bank loans and could have title to land on an equal basis with men.

205.	Regarding the follow-up to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the representative said that a large-scale process of information and discussion of the commitments contained in the Beijing document had begun in which women and the whole society were taking part.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

206.	The Committee thanked the representative of the Government of Cuba for her detailed responses to the written questions which had been provided prior to the session of the Committee. Although the Committee noted that the second and third combined report of Cuba had not completely followed the guidelines established by the Committee, sufficient information on the implementation of the Convention had been presented to show the progress that the country continued to make in the area of women's rights. It welcomed the high-level representation in the delegation from the national machinery for women.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

207.	The Committee noted the negative effect of the economic embargo on the country. This, combined with the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and its socialist allies, with which Cuba had maintained close economic, commercial and collaborative ties, had had serious repercussions for the Cuban economy. As a result, some of the programmes to promote equal opportunities and to eliminate stereotypes between women and men had been curtailed or suspended, and the food situation in general had deteriorated.

Positive aspects

208.	The Committee noted that Cuban legislation was progressive in its provisions affirming gender equality and that discrimination was punishable under the law.

209.	The Committee noted with satisfaction the Government support for the work of the Cuban Women's Federation, which represented 90 per cent of the women of Cuba.

210.	The Committee also noted with satisfaction the significant increase in the number of women in all fields and levels of education, in the labour force in a wide variety of occupations, including science and technology, medicine, sports, etc., and, in particular, in policy-making at local, national and international levels.

211.	The steady decline in maternal mortality, owing largely to improved care for pregnant women and better care for children in their early years, was noted by the Committee. It was also noted that deciding the number and spacing of one's children had been proclaimed a fundamental human right.

212.	The Committee noted that drop-out rates for girls had been declining, and adult education programmes had been developed for women.

213.	The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Government had made the adjustments necessary to ensure that the effects of the drastic drop in economic growth were not felt especially or solely by women.

Principal subjects of concern

214.	The Committee noted the fact that the Government intended to uphold its reservation concerning article 29. The Committee was concerned about the elimination of certain areas of progress for women owing to the embargo and the subsequent economic constraints.

215.	The Committee observed that gender stereotypes persist despite the high levels of school enrolment, and domestic work and child care continue to be the responsibility of women.

216.	The Committee pointed out the need to expand the participation of women at the highest levels of political power.

217.	The Committee noted that, owing to the fact that women traditionally were less well paid, there was indirect discrimination in women's wages. Concern was expressed about the lack of information on women in trade unions.

218.	The Committee noted with some scepticism that domestic violence was reported to be infrequent and that it was not considered to be a social problem.

219.	The Committee also noted that the economic situation in Cuba resulting from the economic embargo had produced a serious shortage of essential products like medicines and contraceptive devices, which had been problematic for the population as a whole, and for women in particular.

220.	The Committee was concerned about the re-emergence of prostitution in Cuba, which was linked to the growth in tourism and to the economic problems facing women.

Suggestions and recommendations

221.	The Committee recommended that disaggregated data be collected concerning the number of complaints regarding discrimination.

222.	Surveys and studies should be undertaken to determine the extent and impact of violence against women, in particular domestic violence, even if unreported, and to take steps in accordance with general recommendation 19.

223.	Successful programmes to combat sexist prejudices and stereotyping, such as "Mujeres", "Muchachas" and "Perfil F", should be revived as soon as possible, since they helped to address the attitudes of both men and women that need to be changed, particularly with regard to the need to share in the care and education of children in keeping with general recommendation 21.

224.	The Government should do everything possible to meet the demand for contraceptives. Special information programmes relating to sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, should be strengthened for young girls, particularly those engaged in prostitution, in keeping with general recommendation 15.

225.	Every effort should be made to further check the re-emergence of prostitution, to offer more and better job opportunities to women who engaged in prostitution, and not to place the sole responsibility for prostitution on the women themselves. Stronger measures must be adopted to prosecute procurers and clients who violated those women's rights.

226.	An empirical study was needed to determine whether women were paid the same wages as men for work of equal value and to document occupational segregation and its relationship to income.

227.	The Committee asked that more information be given in the next periodic report on women in the labour market and their income situation. The Committee would like to receive more information on the situation of women in trade unions in subsequent reports.

228.	The Committee pointed out the need to expand the participation of women at the highest levels of political power, and suggested that efforts be continued to ensure that women have an effective voice in decisions that affected their lives.

5. Third periodic reports

Hungary

229.	The Committee considered the third periodic report of Hungary (CEDAW/C/HUN/3 and Add.1) at its 304th and 305th meetings, on 30 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.304 and 305).

230.	In his introductory statement, the representative of Hungary stressed the importance and high priority attached by his Government to the Convention, to the achievement of equality of women and men, and to the integration of women's human rights into the mainstream of human rights activities. Human rights education at all levels was considered to be the appropriate tool to promote the elimination of discrimination.

231.	The transition to a new political system resulting from democratic elections in 1990 opened up new opportunities for civil society. At the same time, the transition from State socialism to democracy had unwanted consequences regarding women's role and position in society. The concepts of parity, democracy and of equal rights of men and women, while enshrined in the Constitution and in legislation, are not yet a reality. While women participate in local politics, their representation at the national level remains low, and women's organizations are not strong or representative enough to influence government policy on equality issues.

232.	A difficult economic situation, falling living standards and economic stabilization measures restrict the possibilities for implementing the Convention, in particular with regard to women's de facto equality. While there has been a dramatic increase in unemployment, so far it has affected men more than women. However, the situation of elderly women is very precarious, and young women are disadvantaged in the labour market, owing to their lower level of skills and qualifications. The labour market remains segregated. A rise in prostitution is also attributed to high unemployment and other economic hardships.

233.	Recent changes introduced in the country included the modification of the family support system, according to which most financial support to families will now be need-based. Financial child-care benefits are being abolished, and the number of State-sponsored day-care facilities has decreased. The cost of private child care often exceeds the financial means of Hungarian families. Efforts are under way to educate female employees about their rights in the workplace, which is considered very important in a time of drastic economic change. A women's machinery was established within the framework of the Ministry of Labour.

234.	The situation of the Roma minority, many of whom live in extreme poverty, is of particular concern to the Government. A programme of action is therefore being elaborated to address educational, employment, social welfare and anti-discrimination aspects.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

235.	The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the manner in which the State party had submitted its third periodic report and engaged in a constructive dialogue with the Committee.

236.	The report describes the major changes that have occurred in the country and the serious difficulties confronting women with regard to their rights and their effective recognition.

237.	The Committee noted that the report and the oral presentation provided an objective analysis of the situation.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

238.	The Committee is aware that Hungary is undergoing a period of social and political transition the economic consequences of which are not conducive to advancing the status of women.

239.	The economic recession and the emergence of neoconservative and neoliberal ideas have had a substantial negative impact on the country's overall situation, creating a feeling of heightened insecurity. In addition, the change in attitudes towards the traditional family, with a system of values where the mother is the central element of the household, seems to limit women's opportunities.

240.	Women's issues are consequently no longer a matter of primary concern for the country. The Committee is aware that this transition period is delaying implementation of the Convention and compliance with the commitments made by the State party at the Fourth World Conference on Women.

Positive aspects

241.	The Committee noted with satisfaction that Hungary's Constitution and legislation guarantee equal rights to women without any discrimination.

242.	The Committee particularly appreciated the legislative and structural reforms recently introduced by the Government to guarantee women's social and political rights, including the Embryo Protection Act, which has considerably reduced the number of induced abortions.

243.	The Committee was pleased with the inclusion of human rights teaching, including women's rights as an integral part thereof, in the curricula of primary and secondary schools and at universities.

244.	The Committee applauded the cooperation being developed by Hungary with international institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe and the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the further training of the labour force, thereby, inter alia, providing women with opportunities to improve their situation.

245.	The Committee noted with interest a resurgence of women's non-governmental organizations, which are extending links of solidarity with each other, with a view to making women aware of their rights.

246.	The Committee noted with satisfaction the emergence of businesswomen in Hungary, which could help to stimulate the country's economy.

Principal subjects of concern

247.	The Committee was concerned that there was no coherent policy or any powerful body with special responsibility for coordinating action in favour of women.

248.	The Committee regretted that women's issues were not a priority for the Government political parties or public opinion.

249.	Since their specific needs were not being taken into account, de facto enjoyment of women's rights was undeniably meeting obstacles.

250.	The Committee noted with concern the undue emphasis placed on women's role as mothers without balancing it with their role as citizens.

251.	The Committee expressed concern about the low level of female representation in the decision-making process and in the conduct of public affairs.

252.	The Committee noted with alarm that the number of acts of violence and sex crimes against women more than doubled between 1988 and 1993, and consequently deplores the lack of special criminal legislation designed to curb these crimes.

253.	The Committee noted with regret that the economic constraints resulting from the transition process were having a negative impact on women's employment and health; female unemployment was increasing and the quality of social services provided to women was deteriorating.

254.	In addition, the state of health of the female population was unsatisfactory when judged by international standards. In particular, the high cost of contraceptives prevented women from freely planning when to have children. The very high increase in the rate of abortions was of concern to the Committee.

255.	The Committee noted with concern the scale of the problem of prostitution, which affected girls and women in ethnic minorities in particular.

256.	The Committee also noted the very precarious situation of refugee women, who are more often exposed to discriminatory treatment.

Suggestions and recommendations

257.	The Committee recommended that the State party ensure that the provisions of the Convention are implemented and that the commitments it made at the Fourth World Conference on Women are honoured, by instituting a high-level national mechanism responsible for defining and coordinating a policy for the advancement of women.

258.	The Committee invited the Government to take the necessary measures to improve the level of representation of women in all areas of political and public life.

259.	The Committee requested the Government to take urgent legislative and concrete measures to provide female victims of violence with protection and appropriate and suitable services.

260.	The Committee requested the Government to offer sex education programmes to all young people and to subsidize contraceptives in order to promote family planning and reduce the number of abortions.

261.	The Committee urgently requested the Government to take all necessary measures to rehabilitate and reintegrate prostitutes into society.

262.	The Committee urged the Government to guarantee social protection for minority and refugee women.

263.	The Committee recommended that the Government support women's non-governmental organizations. It should also facilitate the establishment of a network of non-governmental organizations with a view to strengthening their actions.

264.	The Committee urgently requested the Government to take further steps to disseminate the Convention and the general recommendations of the Committee.

Ukraine

265.	The Committee considered the third periodic report of Ukraine (CEDAW/C/UKR/3 and Add.1) at its 302nd meeting, on 29 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.302).

266.	In introducing the report, the representative of Ukraine highlighted the changes that the country had undergone since the report's submission in 1991, in particular, the transition from a totalitarian to a democratic regime. The Government was in the process of establishing a national machinery for the advancement of women, and several bodies had been set up to study the social situation of women and to protect women. There had also been an increase in women's non-governmental organizations. Currently, women accounted for 54 per cent of the population.

267.	The representative stated that the legislation of Ukraine was consistent with the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and reported on parliamentary hearings held in July 1995 at which the implementation of the Convention had been discussed in detail. She mentioned the high level of education of women but noted that preference was given to men over women in leadership posts and that women were also not well represented in executive positions. There were no women ministers and no women in the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, and women held only 4 per cent of the seats in Parliament. Women were equal to men in professional training. They had equal access to social, political and cultural activities. They received equal wages and benefited from conditions that made it possible for them to combine work with motherhood, including part-time work and other special benefits.

268.	The representative mentioned several laws and measures that had been adopted to improve the situation of families with children and that a law on children would soon be enacted.

269.	The representative also spoke about the severe economic crisis, which had had a major impact on the situation of working women and had increased the threat of poverty. Seventy-four per cent of the unemployed were women.

270.	The representative pointed out that Ukraine was undergoing the deepest demographic crisis of the decade. In the age group between 20 and 50 years the mortality of men was more than three times higher than that of women. The life expectancy of women is, as a result, 10 years greater than that of men. The representative outlined the serious health problems of adolescent girls and said that the number of abortions exceeded the number of births. She said that a national programme of family planning had been launched in September 1995, including making contraceptives available.

271.	The representative mentioned the setting up of a network of services and the allocation of funds for dealing with negative genetic effects of radiation associated with the Chernobyl incident.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

272.	The Committee expressed appreciation for the frank presentation of the third periodic report of Ukraine and welcomed the effort to provide updated information during extensive replies, which supplemented in large measure the statistical data that should have been included in the report. It regretted that the report did not follow the Committee's general guidelines and did not take into account its general recommendations.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention

273.	The Committee acknowledged the dramatic economic crisis resulting from the transition of the country to a democratic market-oriented society and from structural adjustments. It also noted the serious ecological crisis deriving from various factors, in particular the Chernobyl incident. Both crises endangered the implementation of the Convention and the de facto enjoyment of the human rights of women.

274.	In addition, the pervasive and systematic persistence of general cultural patterns and social gender stereotypes were found to be a major issue affecting the implementation of the Convention.

Positive aspects

275.	The Committee considered that the holding of a parliamentary hearing in 1995 specifically to discuss issues related to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women showed the importance attached by the Government to the Convention and the Committee's work. It also appreciated the public impact of such a step.

276.	The Committee noted with satisfaction that Ukraine had ratified all major human rights treaties and had adopted a new Act on the Effect of International Agreements on Ukrainian Territory in December 1991, by which all international treaties ratified automatically became part of domestic legislation. The Committee commended the fact that the country attached great importance to human rights in general.

277.	It was also noteworthy that the Government had made commitments at the Beijing Conference on important issues relating to family life problems faced by women as a consequence of economic transition and had already established regional bodies to oversee the implementation of such special projects.

278.	The Committee expressed its satisfaction at the fundamental economic and structural changes that had recently taken place in Ukraine as described in the oral presentation. It welcomed in particular the adoption of several legal measures to implement the provisions of the Convention.

279.	The Committee commended the adoption of the new constitution guaranteeing the equality of men and women in all spheres of life in accordance with the Convention.

280.	The Committee welcomed the fact that women with disabled or young children enjoyed early pension benefits under Ukrainian law.

Principal subjects of concern

281.	The Committee was concerned that the Government had not made any effort to combat cultural and social stereotypes of women and men.

282.	The Committee noted with concern that, despite the existence of several entities to oversee issues relating to women and children, the Government had no clearly formulated policy on women, and that the national machinery on gender issues had no effective authority. It was also unclear whether and to what extent parliamentary bodies were committed to eliminating discrimination against women.

283.	While acknowledging the good intentions behind legal measures adopted to protect maternity, the Committee was of the view that such measures could be overprotective and detrimental to the status of women in a market-oriented economy.

284.	The Committee noted the absence of measures or plans that would enable men to share parental responsibilities on an equal footing with women.

285.	The Committee was concerned about the prevailing low proportion of women in decision-making positions.

286.	The Committee was very concerned about sexual stereotyping and overprotective labour legislation. It noted that protective labour laws had the sole effect of restricting women's economic opportunities, and were neither legitimate nor effective as a measure for promoting women's reproductive health. Women should have a right to free choice as to their employment, and the high rates of infant mortality and fetal abnormality resulting from the ecological disaster should be addressed as a matter of public health.

287.	The Committee noted the limited access of rural women to effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning. This situation often led large numbers of women to resort to unsafe abortions.

288.	Further concern was expressed at the fact that the rate of women's economic activity had declined significantly in recent years. Women constituted 80 to 90 per cent of the unemployed. This was due to the reduction of the public sector as the main employer of women and the non-recruitment of women by the emerging private sector.

289.	The Committee also noted with concern that women clustered in certain occupations in which they received substantially lower wages than those paid to men employed in other occupational sectors.

290.	The Committee had serious concerns regarding the health of the Ukrainian people in general and of women in particular. The problems of sustaining normal pregnancy, of birth defects and of infertility due to nuclear radiation poisoning and stress-related difficulties weighed heavily on women.

291.	The Committee had serious concerns about the deep demographic crisis in the country, in particular, and the fact that the number of abortions exceeded the number of births.

292.	The Committee was concerned about the growing rate of suicide and deaths related to alcohol poisoning.

293.	The Committee noted with concern that the minimum age for marriage was not the same for girls as for boys.

Suggestions and recommendations

294.	The Committee requested that Ukraine provide an explanation, in subsequent reports, of "partial non-compliance" with articles 2, paragraphs (d) and (f), 3, 5, paragraphs (a) and (b), 7, paragraph (b), 8 and 14, paragraphs (a) (b) and (h), as stated in the third periodic report and changes in their implementation status in the next report.

295.	The Committee recommended that in subsequent reports further information on the status of implementation of commitments made at the Beijing Conference be provided.

296.	The Committee recommended that, in view of the successful incorporation into domestic legislation of all international treaties ratified by the country, equal rights as well as human rights education should be made mandatory for judges and law enforcement agencies in Ukraine.

297.	The Committee recommended that the Government provide more detailed information in the next report on violence against women, including rape, wife battering, child abuse, incest and other forms of physical and psychological violence against women, as well as on governmental measures to combat such violence.

298.	The Committee further recommended that Ukraine provide detailed statistical information on women of all minorities living in the country, in particular on Crimean Tartars.

299.	The Committee urged the Government to review and amend the legislation that allowed the activities of numerous sex services and the practice of hiring women as dancers, waiters or other staff to work abroad, often leading to prostitution, and to take measures to prosecute criminal offenders and to rehabilitate the victims through education, training and support services.

300.	The Committee recommended that, in agreement with article 5 of the Convention, measures be adopted so that women and men shared domestic work and the care of children equally.

6. Report submitted on an exceptional basis

Rwanda

301.	The representative of Rwanda made an oral presentation, on an exceptional basis, at the 306th meeting of the Committee, on 31 January 1996 (see CEDAW/C/SR.306). She expressed appreciation for the interest the Committee was showing towards her country. She pointed out that Rwanda had reported four times to the Committee on progress in improving the status of women before the tragic and dramatic events, which included not only four years of war since 1990, but unprecedented genocide, with the massacre of an estimated one million people. There had been violations of human rights on a massive scale.

302.	The representative pointed out some of the social, political and economic consequences of the events in her country, including physical, psychological, moral and spiritual destabilization of the population, total destruction of the structures of the State and an economy which is now dominated by humanitarian assistance. She pointed out that there had been systematic destruction of the means of production and public services.

303.	The representative explained that efforts were under way to address the problems of the country and the effects of the genocide, including rehabilitation for those most affected in the population.

304.	In describing the particular situation of women, she provided information on the total inadequacy of medical services, the extent of chronic malnutrition, the lack of clean water and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, noting that women and girls were particularly vulnerable and that, between the ages of 14 and 40, the incidence of maternal death and infant death had increased substantially. They were also suffering from severe psychological effects; anxiety and depression were common.

305.	With regard to education, women and girls were particularly affected by the damage to the educational system resulting from the war, as the customs and traditions had previously placed women and girls at a disadvantage and there had been no possibility for improvement under the circumstances.

306.	She provided information on the small number of women in political life and noted factors that prevented women from playing a more active role in political decision-making, including poverty and lack of access to information.

307.	The representative summarized efforts to promote the advancement of women, such as economic empowerment, greater sharing of responsibilities among men and women, better social services, legal reform and protection for young women, but emphasized that such efforts were contingent on the rebuilding of the country.

Concluding comments of the Committee

Introduction

308.	The Committee expressed its appreciation that the distinguished representative of the Government of Rwanda was able to make the oral presentation, taking into account the extremely difficult situation of her country. This was indicative of the commitment to the advancement of women in the country, even during this difficult period of the post-genocide situation. The Committee expressed its solidarity and sympathy with the people of Rwanda, particularly the women and children.

Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation	of the Convention

309.	The Committee identified as major factors and difficulties in implementing the Convention: the weak State machinery to effectively maintain the peace process; the difficult process of national reconciliation; the breakdown of public infrastructure and private support systems; the large number of Rwandan refugees and internally displaced persons; the great number of militias and some civilians who are still armed; and the shattered economy and extreme poverty.

Positive aspects

310.	The Committee noted with appreciation the establishment of the committee of inquiry to investigate the genocide of 1994 to ensure justice for the perpetrators and safety and rehabilitation for survivors.

311.	The Committee commended the Government for initiating a reconciliation process.

312.	The Committee welcomed the attempt made by the Government to rebuild infrastructure and the economy.

313.	The Committee commended the Government's efforts to rehabilitate traumatized people, both physically and psychologically, to enable them to regain their lost image.

314.	The Committee noted with interest the establishment of a women's promotion office, which is under the Prime Minister's office, as well as a focal point to provide legal assistance, peace, education and the development of gender- sensitive programmes.

315.	The Committee expressed great alarm at the continual supply of arms to all involved in the conflict, which could seriously obstruct the peace process.

316.	The Committee reacted with scepticism to the information that the genocide and on-going problem with the country were not related to ethnic conflicts.

317.	The slow repatriation and resettlement of refugees, the majority of whom are women and children, from neighbouring countries is an issue of concern to the Committee.

318.	The Committee noted with concern the traditional customs, which are prejudicial to women.

319.	The Committee regretted and expressed its concern at the high rate of illiteracy, particularly among women.

Principal subjects of concern

320.	The Committee noted with deep concern the extreme poverty that prevailed, the decimated economy, the destruction of economic and social infrastructure and the lack of funding for medical assistance for the survivors of the war.

321.	The Committee was dismayed at the deep psychological trauma, the unwanted pregnancies and the massive rape of women and girls during the genocide, which resulted in widespread HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. This can of course eventually lead to further illness and death for thousands of women and girls.

Suggestions and recommendations

322.	The international community, including all United Nations agencies and Governments, must give massive support for poverty alleviation and education programmes aimed at eliminating human rights violations and rehabilitating Rwanda.

323.	The Government should support women's quest for equal rights and their contributions in all areas of society, in particular in the reconciliation process and maintenance of peace.

324.	Women and men should be equally represented on the International Tribunal for Rwanda; it must also have a focus on women's rights.

325.	There must be a witness protection unit in the war crimes prosecutor's office to protect those who testify about rape, sexual violence and other crimes.

326.	The monitoring unit of the Human Rights Field Operation in Rwanda must be educated and trained about sexual assault, rape, and systematic rape. It is strongly recommended that in appointing monitors women, in particular, be appointed, and that there be an emphasis on diversity of experience and familiarity with Rwanda's culture and language.

327.	A thorough investigation of rape and sexual assault must be conducted.

328.	The Committee recommends that the Government make every effort to include women in its rehabilitation efforts, at least on an equal basis with men.

329.	The Government must put in place legal provisions that would advance women's reproductive and sexual rights, land titles to women and the right of women to be their children's legal guardian.

330.	The Committee recommends immediate implementation of resolution 1995/5, entitled "Situation of human rights in Rwanda", as well as resolution 1995/14, entitled "Systematic rape and sexual slavery during periods of armed conflict", of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.

331.	The Committee considers that it is necessary to organize a consensus- building discussion concerning the repatriation of Rwandan refugees and internally displaced persons. The international community should only encourage repatriation of refugees when there are clear signs from inside Rwanda that suggest such action.

V. WAYS AND MEANS OF EXPEDITING THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

332.	At its 286th and 307th meetings, on 15 January and 1 February 1996, the Committee considered ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee (agenda item 6).

333.	The item was introduced by the Deputy Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women. She introduced the report of the Secretariat on ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee (CEDAW/C/1996/6).

Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group I

334.	At its 307th meeting, on 1 February, the Committee considered this item on the basis of the report of Working Group I and took the following decisions:

1. Revision of guidelines regarding the form and content

of initial and subsequent reports in the light of the

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

335.	The Committee decides to make an addition to its guidelines regarding the form and content of initial and subsequent reports of States parties to read as follows:

"It should be noted that according to paragraph 323 of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in September 1995, 'States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are invited, when reporting under article 18 of the Convention, to include information on measures taken to implement the Platform for Action in order to facilitate the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in monitoring effectively women's ability to enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Convention.' In preparing their initial and subsequent reports under the articles of the Convention or in supplementary oral and/or written materials supplied in connection with reports already submitted, States parties are therefore invited to take into account the 12 critical areas of concern in chapter III of the Platform for Action. It should also be noted that these concerns are compatible with the articles of the Convention and therefore within the mandate of the Committee."

2. Institutional relations

336.	The Committee requests that oral and/or written reports of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women be made available to the Committee, and urges that the Special Rapporteur consult regularly with the Committee in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/45 of 4 March 1994. The Committee also requests that reports of the Committee and information on violence against women received by the Committee from States parties in their oral and written reports, be made available by the Secretariat to the Special Rapporteur to facilitate her work.

337.	The Committee decides that it would be useful for designated members of the Committee to act as focal points on each of the other human rights treaty bodies and to keep the Committee informed on relevant activities of those bodies.

338.	The Committee invites the Division for the Advancement of Women to provide for future sessions of the Committee:

(a)	Reports (including concluding comments) of the various human rights treaty bodies to be sent from the Centre for Human Rights directly to those members of the Committee designated to act as liaison persons to the respective human rights treaty bodies;

(b)	The most recent concluding comments for country reports under consideration by the Committee, of all human rights treaty bodies, to be disseminated in advance to all members of the Committee, or preferably to be attached to the Division's analysis of country reports before the beginning of each session;

(c)	Preliminary reports submitted by the Special Rapporteur on traditional practices affecting the health of women and children, in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/45.

339.	Pursuant to article 22 of the Convention, the Committee requests the specialized agencies to continue presenting to it reports that focus on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities. The Committee welcomes, in particular, reports that refer to those of States parties currently under consideration. The Committee also welcomes the assistance and cooperation of the specialized agencies in implementing its mandate under the Convention and the Beijing Platform for Action, as well as giving effect to its general recommendations, and in the translation and wide dissemination of the Convention.

340.	In following up the recommendations of the Beijing Platform for Action, and particularly the areas of concern contained therein that are compatible with the articles of the Convention, and in order to coordinate and avoid overlap with the activities of United Nations specialized agencies, organs and programmes and ensure that the implementation of the Convention remains in the mainstream of activities for the advancement of women, the Committee decides on the following areas of priority:

(a)	Cultural traditions and stereotypes, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);

(b)	Poverty and structural adjustment programmes, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF);

(c)	Violence, with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO;

(d)	Health, with WHO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA);

(e)	Employment and migration, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM);

(f)	Power and decision-making, with UNESCO and the Commission on the Status of Women;

(g)	Elderly women and disabled women, with the programme for the elderly as well as disabled within the United Nations system;

(h)	Education, training and mass media, with UNESCO, ILO and the Department of Public Information;

(i)	Rural women, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IFAD;

(j)	Refugee women, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

341.	The Committee will continue to designate one of its members to serve as focal point with particular United Nations entities. Efforts will be made to explore cooperation in relation to field-level activities and to develop further ways of integrating the Convention into the work of the United Nations system.

3. Reports to be considered at the sixteenth session

342.	The Committee decided that the reports of eight States parties be considered at the sixteenth session, provided that the duration of the session is three weeks. Bearing in mind the criteria of date of submission and geographical balance, the reports of the following States parties should be considered:

(a)	Initial reports

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Slovenia

Israel

Zaire

(b)	Second periodic reports

Argentina

Turkey

(c)	Third periodic reports

Canada

Philippines

343.	In the event that one of the above-mentioned States parties is not able to present its report, the Committee decides to consider the reports of Equatorial Guinea and Morocco.

344.	Should approval be given for the Committee to hold a second three-week session in 1997, reports of the following States parties should be considered:

(a)	Initial reports

Morocco

Antigua and Barbuda

Armenia

(An Asian country to be decided)

(b)	Second periodic reports

Dominican Republic

Equatorial Guinea

(c)	Third periodic reports

Mexico

Bangladesh

345.	In the event that one of the above-mentioned States parties is not able to present its report, the Committee proposes to consider the reports of Croatia and Italy.

4. Reservations to the Convention on the Elimination

of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

346.	The Committee requests the Secretariat to provide the following at its next session to facilitate a discussion on reservations to the Convention:

(a)	A review of what United Nations conferences have said about reservations to the Convention;

(b)	A review of comments made by women's human rights non-governmental organizations concerning reservations to the Convention;

(c)	A qualitative comparison of reservations to the Convention with those to other treaties;

(d)	An analysis of States parties' reservations that are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or which are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law.

5. United Nations meetings to be attended by the

Chairperson/members of the Committee in 1996

347.	The Committee recommends that the Chairperson or an alternate should attend the following meetings (listed in order of priority):

(a)	The Commission on the Status of Women;

(b)	The Commission on Human Rights;

(c)	The meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies;

(d)	The General Assembly (Third Committee);

(e)	The United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).

6. Members of the pre-session working

group for the sixteenth session

348.	The Committee decides that the members of the pre-session working group for the sixteenth session of the Committee and their alternates should be:

Member	Alternate

Ms. Ivanka Corti (W. Europe)	Ms. Carlota Bustelo García del Real (pending re-election)

Ms. Miriam Estrada (Latin America)	Ms. Desirée P. Bernard

Ms. Tendai Ruth Bare (Africa)	Ms. Emna Aouij

Ms. Aurora Javate De Dios (Asia)	Ms. Sunaryati Hartono

7. Dates of the sixteenth session of the Committee

349.	Consistent with the calendar of conferences for 1997, the sixteenth session should be held from 13 to 31 January in New York. The pre-session working group would meet from 6 to 10 January.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 21 OF THE CONVENTION

350.	At its 286th and 308th meetings, on 15 January and 2 February 1996, the Committee considered the implementation of article 21 of the Convention (agenda item 5).

351.	The item was introduced by the Deputy Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women, who presented the following reports of the Secretariat:

(a)	Note by the Secretary-General on reports provided by specialized agencies of the United Nations on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities (CEDAW/C/1996/3 and Add.1-4);

(b)	Report of the Secretariat on the analysis of articles 7 and 8 of the Convention (CEDAW/C/1994/4);

(c)	Report of the Secretariat on the analysis of article 2 of the Convention (CEDAW/C/1995/4).

A. Action taken by the Committee on the report of

Working Group II

352.	At its 308th meeting, on 2 February, the Committee considered the item on the basis of the report of Working Group II and took the following decision.

Discussions on general recommendations on articles 7 and 8

of the Convention

353.	The Committee agreed to continue at its sixteenth session, the preparation of general recommendations on article 7 of the Convention on the basis of the working paper prepared at its fifteenth session and an additional text to be prepared and supplied to members in the working languages of the Committee well in advance of the sixteenth session. The working paper was prepared after reviewing the draft developed at the Committee's thirteenth session and in the light of developments in the interim. The Committee will also take up a general recommendation on article 8.

B. Statements by senior United Nations officials

Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund

354.	At the 288th meeting, on 16 January 1996, the Executive Director of UNFPA addressed the Committee, stating that the Fund would work with other United Nations agencies to inform women's non-governmental organizations and human rights advocates of the work of the Committee. She said that the Fund hoped that such sensitization would enable organizations to monitor the Convention's implementation at the country level.

355.	The Executive Director said that the Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, held at Beijing in 1995, stated explicitly that the human rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The consensus reached at the International Conference on Population and Development, held at Cairo in 1994, had stressed the need for gender equality and equity to enable women to realize their full potential. The Cairo Conference had also urged men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behaviour and family roles.

356.	She also indicated that the Beijing Platform for Action had called for a review of laws containing punitive measures against women who had undergone illegal abortion. She added that taking a human rights approach to women's health had implied that national and international policies would be based on the recognition of women's rights.

357.	The Executive Director concluded that UNFPA was committed to human rights, and specifically to women's rights. The right to health and the right of couples and individuals to determine the number and spacing of their children had been instrumental in driving its policies.

Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women

358.	At the 297th meeting, on 23 January 1996, the Director of UNIFEM addressed the Committee. She noted that the active participation of Committee members at Beijing had ensured that the Convention would become better recognized as the women's human rights Convention. She said that UNIFEM welcomed the opportunity to support the work of the Committee. She pointed out that the principal aim of UNIFEM was to focus on the political and economic empowerment of women. She noted that the human rights framework was a crucial element in the Fund's analysis of and in understanding and addressing the obstacles to women's empowerment, and pledged to work with the Committee to ensure that the commitments made to the world's women in the Beijing Platform for Action were implemented. She cited several concrete examples of UNIFEM support of the Convention, including an expert group on the development of guidelines to incorporate gender perspectives in the human rights work of the United Nations, production with the United Nations Children's Fund of an information kit on the Convention and advocacy for the Convention and women's human rights at Beijing. She also noted collaboration with UNFPA towards a "bill of rights" for women and children. The role of UNIFEM as gender adviser to United Nations resident coordinators would include advocacy in support of the Convention. She concluded that development would be unsuccessful if it did not include the gender perspective and that society could fly to new heights only when both wings moved freely.

Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund

359.	The Executive Director of UNICEF addressed the Committee at its 303rd meeting, on 29 January 1996. She underlined the commitment of UNICEF to promoting the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, noting that the two Conventions were mutually reinforcing. She said that UNICEF would continue to work on behalf of women and children, re-energized by the Fourth World Conference on Women, in three priority areas. UNICEF would strengthen its work regarding girl's education, the health of girls and women, and women's rights. She offered to strengthen the partnership with CEDAW and to work together in the struggle against the apartheid of gender.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

360.	At the 305th meeting, on 30 January 1996, the representative of the Centre for Human Rights presented a statement on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In the statement, the High Commissioner regretted that he could not be present, but indicated that after the World Conference on Human Rights and the Fourth World Conference on Women, it was a critical time for promoting and protecting the equal status and human rights of women, for integrating a gender perspective into the work and activities of all organs and bodies of the human rights programme, and for strengthening mechanisms and procedures addressing women's status and rights.

361.	The High Commissioner provided an update on activities of the Centre for Human Rights in relation to advances in encouraging late or non-reporting States to submit reports to treaty bodies, efforts for human rights education, the participation of treaty bodies in world conferences, the integration of a gender perspective in the work of treaty bodies, the exchange of information with other human rights bodies, the wide dissemination of information about the work of United Nations treaty bodies, developments in the methods of work of treaty bodies and recent activities of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

362.	The High Commissioner underlined the important role of CEDAW in the overall United Nations strategy to promote and protect all human rights and assured the Committee that he would do his best to promote system-wide cooperation and coordination on women's rights and include the women's perspective in new initiatives on the right to development.

363.	At its 309th meeting, on 2 February 1996, the Committee heard a statement by Ms. Angela King, newly appointed Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women, Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development.

364.	The Director commented on the role of the Committee played during the Fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing. She continued by stating that the priorities upheld by the Platform for Action were directly linked to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

365.	The Director also said as "guardian" of the Convention, the Committee was in a unique position to have direct dialogue with Governments on their programmes and on the obstacles they faced in advancing the status of women in their countries.

366.	The Director underlined the challenge to implement the decision made by Governments at Beijing at a critical time in the life of the Organization. She also stressed that she would strive to use all the resources available to foster the spirit of Beijing, and would make every effort with the staff of the Division for the Advancement of Women to provide the Committee with the support it needed to successfully fulfil its mandate.

VII. RESULTS OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN

367.	At its 286th and 309th meetings, on 15 January and 2 February 1996, the Committee exchanged views on the follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women (agenda item 7). The Committee's role in monitoring the implementation of the Platform for Action was discussed, taking into account paragraphs 322 to 325 of the Platform for Action, 3/ in which the Committee was invited to take into account the Platform, within its mandate, when considering the reports submitted by States parties. In the Platform, States parties were invited to include information on measures taken to implement the Platform when reporting on the implementation of the Convention.

368.	One expert suggested revising the Committee's guidelines for the preparation of reports of States parties, inviting States parties to indicate measures taken to implement the Platform as well as their additional commitments made at Beijing.

369.	To assist the Committee, it was suggested that an analysis of the links between the Platform for Action and the Convention be made by the Secretariat, including an analysis of aspects of the Platform that needed to be looked at from a legal perspective by the Committee within its mandate.

370.	It was noted that the Committee should avoid a decision that would invite countries to prepare written supplements to reports that had already been submitted. It was proposed to invite States parties to include in their reports submitted beginning September 1996 information on the implementation of the Platform for Action. Oral statements could, however, be made in other cases to address the measures taken to implement the Platform for Action and any additional commitments made at the Fourth World Conference on Women and to explain the reservations made, if any.

371.	It was noted that the Commission on the Status of Women had the primary mandate for monitoring the implementation of the Platform for Action. A distinction therefore needed to be made between the monitoring to be carried out by the Commission and that to be undertaken by the Committee on the basis of their different composition, mandates and methods of work, as well as their different outreach to countries and the international community.

372.	It was also suggested that the Chairperson of the Committee contact the official designated by the Secretary-General to serve as an adviser on gender issues to discuss the Committee's role in the follow-up to the Beijing Conference.

373.	It was further suggested that the Committee might wish to review its earlier general recommendations in the light of the Platform for Action, which might serve as a yardstick. The recommendation on violence against women was cited as an example. Others questioned the validity of the Committee using the Platform for Action as a yardstick, noting that it was a politically negotiated document that had achieved consensus; the Committee, however, was free to go beyond it in examining reports on the basis of the Convention. Previous documents that had gone further than the Platform for Action and were in some cases even more progressive than the Platform could also be used by the Committee in formulating its recommendations.

VIII. PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE SIXTEENTH SESSION

374.	At its 307th meeting, on 1 February 1996, the Committee considered the provisional agenda for its sixteenth session (agenda item 8).

375.	At its 307th meeting, on the basis of the report of Working Group I, the Committee decided to approve the following provisional agenda:

1.	Opening of the session.

2.	Solemn declaration.

3.	Election of officers.

4.	Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.

5.	Report of the Chairperson on the activities undertaken during the year.

6.	Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention.

7.	Implementation of article 21 of the Convention.

8.	Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee.

9.	Provisional agenda for the seventeenth session.

10.	Adoption of the report of the Committee on its sixteenth session.

IX. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

376.	At its 309th meeting, on 2 February 1996, the Committee adopted the report on its fifteenth session (CEDAW/C/1996/L.1 and Add.1-12), as orally amended.

Notes

1/	See Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 38 and corrigendum (A/45/38 and Corr.1), paras. 28-31.

2/	Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 38 (A/47/38), chap. I.

3/	See Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (A/CONF.177/20), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.

ANNEX I

States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms

of Discrimination against Women as at 2 February 1996

Date of receipt of the

instrument of	Date of entry

States parties	ratification or accession	into force

Albania	11 May 1994 a/	10 June 1994

Angola	17 September 1986 a/	17 October 1986

Antigua and Barbuda	1 August 1989 a/	31 August 1989

Argentina	15 July 1985 b/	14 August 1985

Armenia	13 September 1993 a/	13 October 1993

Australia	28 July 1983 b/	27 August 1983

Austria	31 March 1982 b/	30 April 1982

Azerbaijan	10 July 1995 a/	9 August 1995

Bahamas	6 October 1993 a/	5 November 1993

Bangladesh	6 November 1984 a/, b/	6 December 1984

Barbados	16 October 1980	3 September 1981

Belarus	4 February 1981 c/	3 September 1981

Belgium	10 July 1985 b/	9 August 1985

Belize	16 May 1990	15 June 1990

Benin	12 March 1992	11 April 1992

Bhutan	31 August 1981	30 September 1981

Bolivia	8 June 1990	8 July 1990

Bosnia and Herzegovina	1 September 1993 d/	1 October 1993

Brazil	1 February 1984 b/	2 March 1984

Bulgaria	8 February 1982 c/	10 March 1982

Burkina Faso	14 October 1987 a/	13 November 1987

Burundi	8 January 1992	7 February 1992

Cambodia	15 October 1992 a/	14 November 1992

Cameroon	23 August 1994 a/	22 September 1994

Canada	10 December 1981 c/	9 January 1982

Cape Verde	5 December 1980 a/	3 September 1981

Central African Republic	21 June 1991 a/	21 July 1991

Chad	9 June 1995 a/	9 July 1995

Chile	7 December 1989	6 January 1990

China	4 November 1980 b/	3 September 1981

Colombia	19 January 1982	18 February 1982

Comoros	31 October 1994 a/	30 November 1994

Congo	26 July 1982	25 August 1982

Costa Rica	4 April 1986	4 May 1986

Côte d'Ivoire	19 December 1995 a/	17 January 1996

Croatia	9 September 1992 d/	9 October 1992

Cuba	17 July 1980 b/	3 September 1981

Cyprus	23 July 1985 a/, b/	22 August 1985

Czech Republic e/	22 February 1993 c/, d/	24 March 1993

Denmark	21 April 1983	21 May 1983

Dominica	15 September 1980	3 September 1981

Dominican Republic	2 September 1982	2 October 1982

Ecuador	9 November 1981	9 December 1981

Egypt	18 September 1981 b/	18 October 1981

Date of receipt of the

instrument of	Date of entry

States parties	ratification or accession	into force

El Salvador	19 August 1981 b/	18 September 1981

Equatorial Guinea	23 October 1984 a/	22 November 1984

Eritrea	5 September 1995 a/	5 October 1995

Estonia	21 October 1991 a/	20 November 1991

Ethiopia	10 September 1981 b/	10 October 1981

Fiji	28 August 1995 a/	27 September 1995

Finland	4 September 1986	4 October 1986

France	14 December 1983 b/, c/	13 January 1984

Gabon	21 January 1983	20 February 1983

Gambia	16 April 1993	16 May 1993

Georgia	26 October 1994 a/	25 November 1994

Germany f/	10 July 1985 b/	9 August 1985

Ghana	2 January 1986	1 February 1986

Greece	7 June 1983	7 July 1983

Grenada	30 August 1990	29 September 1990

Guatemala	12 August 1982	11 September 1982

Guinea	9 August 1982	8 September 1982

Guinea-Bissau	23 August 1985	22 September 1985

Guyana	17 July 1980	3 September 1981

Haiti	20 July 1981	3 September 1981

Honduras	3 March 1983	2 April 1983

Hungary	22 December 1980 c/	3 September 1981

Iceland	18 June 1985	18 July 1985

India	9 July 1993 b/	8 August 1993

Indonesia	13 September 1984 b/	13 October 1984

Iraq	13 August 1986 a/, b/	12 September 1986

Ireland	23 December 1985 a/, b/, c/	22 January 1986

Israel	3 October 1991 b/	2 November 1991

Italy	10 June 1985 b/	10 July 1985

Jamaica	19 October 1984 b/	18 November 1984

Japan	25 June 1985	25 July 1985

Jordan	1 July 1992 b/	31 July 1992

Kenya	9 March 1984 a/	8 April 1984

Kuwait	2 September 1994 a/	2 October 1994

Lao People's Democratic

Republic	14 August 1981	13 September 1981

Latvia	14 April 1992 a/	14 May 1992

Lesotho	22 August 1995 a/	21 September 1995

Liberia	17 July 1984 a/	16 August 1984

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	16 May 1989 a/, b/	15 June 1989

Liechtenstein	22 December 1995 a/	21 January 1996

Lithuania	18 January 1994 a/	17 February 1994

Luxembourg	2 February 1989 b/	4 March 1989

Madagascar	17 March 1989	16 April 1989

Malawi	12 March 1987 a/, c/	11 April 1987

Malaysia	5 July 1995 a/	4 August 1995

Maldives	1 July 1993 a/, b/	31 July 1993

Mali	10 September 1985	10 October 1985

Malta	8 March 1991 a/, b/	7 April 1991

Mauritius	9 July 1984 a/, b/	8 August 1984

Date of receipt of the

instrument of Date of entry

States parties	ratification or accession	into force

Mexico	23 March 1981 b/	3 September 1981

Mongolia	20 July 1981 c/	3 September 1981

Morocco	21 June 1993 a/, b/	21 July 1993

Namibia	23 November 1992 a/	23 December 1992

Nepal	22 April 1991	22 May 1991

Netherlands	23 July 1991 b/	22 August 1991

New Zealand	10 January 1985 b/, c/	9 February 1985

Nicaragua	27 October 1981	26 November 1981

Nigeria	13 June 1985	13 July 1985

Norway	21 May 1981	3 September 1981

Panama	29 October 1981	28 November 1981

Papua New Guinea	12 January 1995 a/	11 February 1995

Paraguay	6 April 1987 a/	6 May 1987

Peru	13 September 1982	13 October 1982

Philippines	5 August 1981	4 September 1981

Poland	30 July 1980 b/	3 September 1981

Portugal	30 July 1980	3 September 1981

Republic of Korea	27 December 1984 b/, c/	26 January 1985

Republic of Moldova	1 July 1994 a/	31 July 1994

Romania	7 January 1982 b/	6 February 1982

Russian Federation	23 January 1981 c/	3 September 1981

Rwanda	2 March 1981	3 September 1981

Saint Kitts and Nevis	25 April 1985 a/	25 May 1985

Saint Lucia	8 October 1982 a/	7 November 1982

Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines	4 August 1981 a/	3 September 1981

Samoa	25 September 1992 a/	25 October 1992

Senegal	5 February 1985	7 March 1985

Seychelles	5 May 1992 a/	4 June 1992

Sierra Leone	11 November 1988	11 December 1988

Singapore	5 October 1995 a/	5 November 1995

Slovakia e/	28 May 1993 c/, d/	27 June 1993

Slovenia	6 July 1992 d/	5 August 1992

South Africa	15 December 1995 a/	14 January 1996

Spain	5 January 1984 b/	4 February 1984

Sri Lanka	5 October 1981	4 November 1981

Suriname	1 March 1993 a/	31 March 1993

Sweden	2 July 1980	3 September 1981

Tajikistan	26 October 1993 a/	25 November 1993

Thailand	9 August 1985 a/, b/, c/	8 September 1985

The former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia	18 January 1994 d/	17 February 1994

Togo	26 September 1983 a/	26 October 1983

Trinidad and Tobago	12 January 1990 b/	11 February 1990

Tunisia	20 September 1985 b/	20 October 1985

Turkey	20 December 1985 a/, b/	19 January 1986

Uganda	22 July 1985	21 August 1985

Ukraine	12 March 1981 c/	3 September 1981

Date of receipt of the

instrument of Date of entry

States parties	ratification or accession	into force

United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern

Ireland	7 April 1986 b/	7 May 1986

United Republic of Tanzania	20 August 1985	19 September 1985

Uruguay	9 October 1981	8 November 1981

Uzbekistan	19 July 1995 a/	18 August 1995

Vanuatu	8 September 1995 a/	7 October 1995

Venezuela	2 May 1983 b/	1 June 1983

Viet Nam	17 February 1982 b/	19 March 1982

Yemen g/	30 May 1984 a/, b/	29 June 1984

Yugoslavia	26 February 1982	28 March 1982

Zaire	17 October 1986	16 November 1986

Zambia	21 June 1985	21 July 1985

Zimbabwe	13 May 1991 a/	12 June 1991

a/	Accession.

b/	Declarations and reservations.

c/	Reservation subsequently withdrawn.

d/	Succession.

e/	Before becoming separate States on 1 January 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia formed part of Czechoslovakia, which State had ratified the Convention on 16 February 1982.

f/	With effect from 3 October 1990, the German Democratic Republic (which ratified the Convention on 9 July 1980) and the Federal Republic of Germany (which ratified the Convention on 10 July 1985) united to form one sovereign State, which acts in the United Nations under the designation "Germany".

g/	On 22 May 1990 Democratic Yemen and Yemen merged to form a single State, which acts in the United Nations under the designation "Yemen".

ANNEX II

Membership of the Committee on the Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

Name of member	Country of nationality

Charlotte Abaka**	Ghana

Emna Aouij**	Tunisia

Gül Aykor*	Turkey

Tendai Ruth Bare**	Zimbabwe

Desiree Patricia Bernard**	Guyana

Carlota Bustelo García del Real*	Spain

Silvia Rose Cartwright*	New Zealand

Miriam Yolanda Estrada Castillo**	Ecuador

Liliana Gurdulich de Correa*	Argentina

Ivanka Corti**	Italy

Aurora Javate de Dios**	Philippines

Evangelina García-Prince*	Venezuela

Sunaryati Hartono**	Indonesia

Salma Khan*	Bangladesh

Pirkko Anneli Mäkinen*	Finland

Elsa Victoria Muñoz-Gómez*	Colombia

Ahoua Ouedraogo*	Burkina Faso

Ginko Sato**	Japan

Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling*	Germany

Carmel Shalev**	Israel

Lin Shangzhen**	China

Kongit Sinegiorgis*	Ethiopia

Mervat Tallawy**	Egypt

________________________

*	Term of office expires in 1996.

**	Term of office expires in 1998.

ANNEX III

Documents before the Committee at its fifteenth session

Document number Title or description

CEDAW/C/1996/1	Provisional agenda and annotations

CEDAW/C/1996/2	Report of the Secretary-General on the status of submission of reports by States parties under article 18 of the Convention

CEDAW/C/1996/3	Note by the Secretary-General on reports of specialized agencies on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities

CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.1	Report of the World Health Organization

CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.2	Report of the International Labour Organization

CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.3	Report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

CEDAW/C/1996/3/Add.4	Report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

CEDAW/C/1995/4	Report of the Secretariat on the analysis of article 2 of the Convention

CEDAW/C/1994/4	Report of the Secretariat on the analysis of articles 7 and 8 of the Convention

CEDAW/C/1996/6	Report of the Secretariat on ways and means of improving the work of the Committee

CEDAW/C/1996/CRP.1	Report of the pre-session working group

CEDAW/C/1996/INF.1/Rev.1	List of participants

CEDAW/C/1996/L.1 and Add.1-12	Draft report of the Committee

CEDAW/C/1996/WG.I/WP.1, 2	Report of Working Group I

and Add.1

CEDAW/C/1996/WG.II/WP.1 and	Report of Working Group II

Add.1, 2

Reports of States parties

CEDAW/C/CYP/1-2	Combined initial and second periodic reports of Cyprus

CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2	Combined initial and second periodic reports of	Iceland

CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2 and	Combined initial and second periodic reports of Add.1 and Add.2	Paraguay

CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3 and Add.1	Combined initial, second and third periodic reports of	Ethiopia

CEDAW/C/BEL/2	Second periodic report of Belgium

CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3 and Add.1	Combined second and third periodic reports of Cuba

CEDAW/C/HUN/3 and Add.1	Third periodic report of Hungary

CEDAW/C/UKR/3 and Add.1	Third periodic report of Ukraine

ANNEX IV

Status of submission and consideration of reports submitted by

States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as at

2 February 1996

States parties	Date due a/	Date of submission	Considered by Committee

(session (year))

A. Initial reports due as at 2 February 1996
Albania	10 June 1995
Angola	17 October 1987
Antigua and Barbuda	31 August 1990	21 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina	14 August 1986	6 October 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.39)	Seventh (1988)

Armenia	13 October 1994	30 November 1994

(CEDAW/C/ARM/1)
Australia	27 August 1984	3 October 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.40)	Seventh (1988)

Austria	30 April 1983	20 October 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.17)	Fourth (1985)
Bahamas	5 November 1994
Bangladesh	6 December 1985	12 March 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.34)	Sixth (1987)
Barbados	3 September 1982	11 April 1990

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.64)	Eleventh (1992)
Belarus	3 September 1982	4 October 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.5)	Second (1983)
Belgium	9 August 1986	20 July 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.53)	Eighth (1989)
Belize	15 June 1991
Benin	11 April 1993
Bhutan	30 September 1982
Bolivia	8 July 1991	8 July 1991

(CEDAW/C/BOL/1)

26 August 1993

(CEDAW/C/BOL/1/Add.1)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Bosnia and

Herzegovina	1 October 1994
Brazil	2 March 1985
Bulgaria	10 March 1983	13 June 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.15)	Fourth (1985)
Burkina Faso	13 November 1988	24 May 1990

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.67)	Tenth (1991)
Burundi	7 February 1993
Cambodia	14 November 1993
Cameroon	22 September 1995
Canada	9 January 1983	15 July 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.16)	Fourth (1985)
Cape Verde	3 September 1982
Central African Republic	21 July 1992
Chile	6 January 1991	3 September 1991

(CEDAW/C/CHI/1)	Fourteenth

(1995)
China	3 September 1982	25 May 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.14)	Third (1984)
Colombia	18 February 1983	16 January 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.32)	Sixth (1987)
Comoros	30 November 1995
Congo	25 August 1983
Costa Rica	4 May 1987
Croatia	9 October 1993	10 January 1995

(CEDAW/C/CRO/1)
Cuba	3 September 1982	27 September 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.4)	Second (1983)
Cyprus	22 August 1986	2 February 1994

(CEDAW/C/CYP/1-2)	Fifteenth (1996)
Czech

Republic	24 March 1994
Denmark	21 May 1984	30 July 1984

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.22)	Fifth (1986)
Dominica	3 September 1982
Dominican Republic	2 October 1983	2 May 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.37)	Seventh (1988)
Ecuador	9 December 1982	14 August 1984

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.23)	Fifth (1986)
Egypt	18 October 1982	2 February 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.10)	Third (1984)
El Salvador	18 September 1982	3 November 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.19)	Fifth (1986)
Equatorial Guinea	22 November 1985	16 March 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.50)	Eighth (1989)
Estonia	20 November 1992
Ethiopia	10 October 1982	22 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)

16 October 1995

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Finland	4 October 1987	16 February 1988

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.56)	Eighth (1989)
France	13 January 1985	13 February 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.33)	Sixth (1987)
Gabon	20 February 1984	19 June 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.54)	Eighth (1989)
Gambia	16 May 1994
Georgia	25 November 1995
Germany	9 August 1986	15 September 1988

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.59)	Ninth (1990)
Ghana	1 February 1987	29 January 1991

(CEDAW/C/GHA/1-2)	Eleventh (1992)
Greece	7 July 1984	5 April 1985

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.28)	Sixth (1987)
Grenada	29 September 1991
Guatemala	11 September 1983	2 April 1991

(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2 and Corr.1)

7 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2/

Amend.1)	Thirteenth (1994)

Thirteenth (1994)
Guinea	8 September 1983
Guinea-Bissau	22 September 1986
Guyana	3 September 1982	23 January 1990

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.63)	Thirteenth (1994)
Haiti	3 September 1982
Honduras	2 April 1984	3 December 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.44)	Eleventh (1992)
Hungary	3 September 1982	20 September 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.3)	Third (1984)
Iceland	18 July 1986	5 May 1993

(CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2)	Fifteenth (1996)
India	8 August 1994
Indonesia	13 October 1985	17 March 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.36)	Seventh (1988)
Iraq	12 September 1987	16 May 1990

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.66/Rev.1)	Twelfth (1993)
Ireland	22 January 1987	18 February 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.47)	Eighth (1989)
Israel	2 November 1992	12 January 1994

(CEDAW/C/ISR/1)
Italy	10 July 1986	20 October 1989

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.62)	Tenth (1991)
Jamaica	18 November 1985	12 September 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.38)	Seventh (1988)
Japan	25 July 1986	13 March 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.48)	Seventh (1988)
Jordan	31 July 1993
Kenya	8 April 1985	4 December 1990

(CEDAW/C/KEN/1-2)	Twelfth (1993)
Kuwait	1 October 1995
Lao People's Democratic Republic	13 September 1982
Latvia	14 May 1993
Liberia	16 August 1985
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	15 June 1990	18 February 1991

(CEDAW/C/LIB/1)

4 October 1993

(CEDAW/C/LIB/1/Add.1)	Thirteenth (1994)

Thirteenth (1994)
Lithuania	17 February 1995
Luxembourg	4 March 1990
Madagascar	16 April 1990	21 May 1990

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65)

8 November 1993

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65/Rev.2)

Thirteenth (1994)
Malawi	11 April 1988	15 July 1988

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.58)	Ninth (1990)
Maldives	1 July 1994
Mali	10 October 1986	13 November 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.43)	Seventh (1988)
Malta	7 April 1992
Mauritius	8 August 1985	23 February 1992

(CEDAW/C/MAR/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Mexico	3 September 1982	14 September 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.2)	Second (1983)
Mongolia	3 September 1982	18 November 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.20)	Fifth (1986)
Morocco	21 July 1994	14 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/MOR/1)
Namibia	23 December 1993
Nepal	22 May 1992
Netherlands	22 August 1992	19 November 1992

(CEDAW/C/NET/1)

17 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.1)

20 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.2)

9 October 1993

(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.3)	)

)

)

Thirteenth (1994)

)

)
New Zealand	9 February 1986	3 October 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.41)	Seventh (1988)
Nicaragua	26 November 1982	22 September 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.55)	Eighth (1989)
Nigeria	13 July 1986	1 April 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.49)	Seventh (1987)
Norway	3 September 1982	18 November 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.7)	Third (1984)
Panama	28 November 1982	12 December 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.9)	Fourth (1985)
Paraguay	6 May 1988	4 June 1992

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2)

23 August 1995

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2/Add.1)

20 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2/Add.2)	Fifteenth (1996)
Peru	13 October 1983	14 September 1988

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.60)	Ninth (1990)
Philippines	4 September 1982	22 October 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.6)	Third (1984)
Poland	3 September 1982	10 October 1985

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.31)	Sixth (1987)
Portugal	3 September 1982	19 July 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.21)	Fifth (1986)
Republic of Korea	26 January 1986	13 March 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.35)	Sixth (1987)
Republic of

Moldova	31 July 1995
Romania	6 February 1983	14 January 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.45)	Twelfth (1993)
Russian Federation	3 September 1982	2 March 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.12)	Second (1983)
Rwanda	3 September 1982	24 May 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.13)	Third (1984)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	25 May 1986
Saint Lucia	7 November 1983
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	3 September 1982	27 September 1991

(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
Samoa	25 October 1993
Senegal	7 March 1986	5 November 1986

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.42)	Seventh (1988)
Seychelles	4 June 1993
Sierra Leone	11 December 1989
Slovakia	27 June 1994
Slovenia	5 August 1993	23 November 1993

(CEDAW/C/SVN/1)
Spain	4 February 1985	20 August 1985

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.30)	Sixth (1987)
Sri Lanka	4 November 1982	7 July 1985

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.29)	Sixth (1987)
Suriname	31 March 1994
Sweden	3 September 1982	22 October 1982

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.8)	Second (1983)
Tajikistan	25 October 1994
Thailand	8 September 1986	1 June 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.51)	Ninth (1990)
The former

Yugoslav

Republic of

Macedonia	17 February 1995
Togo	26 October 1984
Trinidad and Tobago	11 February 1991
Tunisia	20 October 1986	17 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/TUN/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Turkey	19 January 1987	27 January 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.46)	Ninth (1990)
Uganda	21 August 1986	1 June 1992

(CEDAW/C/UGA/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Ukraine	3 September 1982	2 March 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.11)	Second (1983)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	7 May 1987	25 June 1987

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.52)	Ninth (1990)
United Republic of Tanzania	19 September 1986	9 March 1988

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.57)	Ninth (1990)
Uruguay	8 November 1982	23 November 1984

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.27)	Seventh (1988)
Venezuela	1 June 1984	27 August 1984

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.24)	Fifth (1986)
Viet Nam	19 March 1983	2 October 1984

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.25)	Fifth (1986)
Yemen	29 June 1985	23 January 1989

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.61)	Twelfth (1993)
Yugoslavia	28 March 1983	3 November 1983

(CEDAW/C/5/Add.18)	Fourth (1985)
Zaire	16 November 1987	1 March 1994

(CEDAW/C/ZAR/1)
Zambia	21 July 1986	6 March 1991

(CEDAW/C/ZAM/1-2)	Thirteenth (1994)
Zimbabwe	12 June 1992
B. Second periodic reports due as at 2 February 1996
Angola	17 October 1991
Antigua and

Barbuda	31 August 1994	21 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina	14 August 1990	13 February 1992

(CEDAW/C/ARG/2)
Australia	27 August 1988	24 July 1992

(CEDAW/C/AUL/2)	Thirteenth (1994)
Austria	30 April 1987	18 December 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.27)	Tenth (1991)
Bangladesh	6 December 1989	23 February 1990

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.30)	Twelfth (1993)
Barbados	3 September 1986	4 December 1991

(CEDAW/C/BAR/2-3)	Thirteenth (1994)
Belarus	3 September 1986	3 March 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.5)	Eighth (1989)
Belgium	9 August 1990	9 February 1993

(CEDAW/C/BEL/2)	Fifteenth (1996)
Belize	15 June 1995
Bhutan	30 September 1986
Bolivia	8 July 1995
Brazil	2 March 1989
Bulgaria	10 March 1987	6 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3)
Burkina Faso	13 November 1992

Canada	9 January 1987	20 January 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.11)	Ninth (1990)
Cape Verde	3 September 1986
China	3 September 1986	22 June 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.26)	Eleventh (1992)
Chile	6 January 1995	9 March 1995

(CEDAW/C/CHI/2)
Colombia	18 February 1987	14 January 1993

(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3)

2 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3/Rev.1)

Thirteenth (1994)
Congo	25 August 1987
Costa Rica	4 May 1991
Cuba	3 September 1986	13 March 1992

(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3)

30 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Cyprus	22 August 1990	2 February 1994	Fifteenth (1996)
Denmark	21 May 1988	2 June 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.14)	Tenth (1991)
Dominica	3 September 1986
Dominican Republic	2 October 1987	26 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3)
Ecuador	9 December 1986	28 May 1990

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.31)	Thirteenth (1994)
Egypt	18 October 1986	19 December 1986

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.2)	Ninth (1990)
El Salvador	18 September 1986	18 December 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.12)	Eleventh (1992)
Equatorial Guinea	22 November 1989	6 January 1994

(CEDAW/C/GNQ/2-3)
Ethiopia	10 October 1986	22 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)

16 October 1995

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Finland	4 October 1991	9 February 1993

(CEDAW/C/FIN/2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
France	13 January 1989	10 December 1990

(CEDAW/C/FRA/2 and Rev.1)	Twelfth (1993)
Gabon	20 February 1988
Germany	9 August 1990
Ghana	1 February 1991	29 January 1991

(CEDAW/C/GHA/1-2)	Eleventh (1992)
Greece	7 July 1988
Grenada	29 September 1995
Guatemala	11 September 1987	2 April 1991

(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2 and Corr.1)

7 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2/

Amend.1)	Thirteenth (1994)

Thirteenth (1994)
Guinea	8 September 1987
Guinea-Bissau	22 September 1990
Guyana	3 September 1986
Haiti	3 September 1986
Honduras	2 April 1988	28 October 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.9)	Eleventh (1992)
Hungary	3 September 1986	29 September 1986

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.1)	Seventh (1988)
Iceland	18 July 1990	5 May 1993

(CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2)	Fifteenth (1996)
Indonesia	13 October 1989
Iraq	12 September 1991
Ireland	22 January 1991
Italy	10 July 1990
Jamaica	18 November 1989
Japan	25 July 1990	21 February 1992

(CEDAW/C/JPN/2)	Thirteenth (1994)
Kenya	8 April 1989	4 December 1990

(CEDAW/C/KEN/1-2)	Twelfth (1993)
Lao People's Democratic Republic	13 September 1986
Liberia	16 August 1989
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	15 June 1994
Luxembourg	4 March 1994
Madagascar	16 April 1994
Malawi	11 April 1992
Mali	10 October 1990
Mauritius	8 August 1989	23 February 1992

(CEDAW/C/MAR/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Mexico	3 September 1986	3 December 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.10)	Ninth (1990)
Mongolia	3 September 1986	17 March 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.7)	Ninth (1990)
New Zealand	9 February 1990	3 November 1992

(CEDAW/C/NZE/2)

27 October 1993

(CEDAW/C/NZE/2/Add.1)	Thirteenth (1994)

Thirteenth (1994)
Nicaragua	26 November 1986	16 March 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.20)	Twelfth (1993)
Nigeria	13 July 1990
Norway	3 September 1986	23 June 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.15)	Tenth (1991)
Panama	28 November 1986
Paraguay	6 May 1992	4 June 1992

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2)

23 August 1995

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2/Add.1)

20 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/PAR/1-2/Add.2)	Fifteenth (1996)
Peru	13 October 1987	13 February 1990

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.29)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Philippines	4 September 1986	12 December 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.17)	Tenth (1991)
Poland	3 September 1986	17 November 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.16)	Tenth (1991)
Portugal	3 September 1986	18 May 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.22)	Tenth (1991)
Republic of Korea	26 January 1990	19 December 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.28 and Corr.1)	Twelfth (1993)
Romania	6 February 1987	19 October 1992

(CEDAW/C/ROM/2-3)	Twelfth (1993)
Russian Federation	3 September 1986	10 February 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.4)	Eighth (1989)
Rwanda	3 September 1986	7 March 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.13)	Tenth (1991)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	25 May 1990
Saint Lucia	7 November 1987
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	3 September 1986	27 September 1991

(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
Senegal	7 March 1990	23 September 1991

(CEDAW/C/SEN/2 and

Amend.1)	Thirteenth (1994)
Sierra Leone	11 December 1993
Spain	4 February 1989	9 February 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.19)	Eleventh (1992)
Sri Lanka	4 November 1986	29 December 1988

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.18)	Eleventh (1992)
Sweden	3 September 1986	10 March 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.6)	Seventh (1988)
Thailand	8 September 1990
Togo	26 October 1988
Trinidad and

Tobago	11 February 1995
Tunisia	20 October 1990	17 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/TUN/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Turkey	19 January 1991	7 February 1994

(CEDAW/C/TUR/2)
Uganda	21 August 1990	1 June 1992

(CEDAW/C/UGA/1-2)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Ukraine	3 September 1986	13 August 1987

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.8)	Ninth (1990)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	7 May 1991	11 May 1991

(CEDAW/C/UK/2 and

Amend.1)	Twelfth (1993)
United Republic of Tanzania	19 September 1990
Uruguay	8 November 1986
Venezuela	1 June 1988	18 April 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.21)	Eleventh (1992)
Viet Nam	19 March 1987
Yemen	29 June 1989	8 June 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.24 and Amend.1)	Twelfth (1993)
Yugoslavia	28 March 1987	31 May 1989

(CEDAW/C/13/Add.23)	Tenth (1991)
Zaire	16 November 1991
Zambia	21 July 1990	6 March 1991

(CEDAW/C/ZAM/1-2)	Thirteenth (1994)

C. Third periodic reports due as at 2 February 1996
Angola	17 October 1995
Antigua and

Barbuda	31 August 1998	21 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina	14 August 1994
Australia	27 August 1992
Austria	30 April 1991
Bangladesh	6 December 1993	26 January 1993

(CEDAW/C/BDG/3)
Barbados	3 September 1990	4 December 1991

(CEDAW/C/BAR/2-3)	Thirteenth (1994)
Belarus	3 September 1990	1 July 1993

(CEDAW/C/BLR/3)
Belgium	9 August 1994
Bhutan	30 September 1990
Brazil	2 March 1993
Bulgaria	10 March 1991	6 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3)
Canada	9 January 1991	9 September 1992

(CEDAW/C/CAN/3)
Cape Verde	3 September 1990
China	3 September 1990
Colombia	18 February 1991	14 January 1993

(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3)

2 September 1993

(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3/Rev.1)

Thirteenth (1994)
Congo	25 August 1991
Costa Rica	4 May 1995
Cuba	3 September 1990	13 March 1992

(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3)

30 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Cyprus	22 August 1994
Denmark	21 May 1992	7 May 1993

(CEDAW/C/DEN/3)
Dominica	3 September 1990
Dominican Republic	2 October 1991	26 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3)
Ecuador	9 December 1990	23 December 1991

(CEDAW/C/ECU/3)	Thirteenth (1994)
Egypt	18 October 1990
El Salvador	18 September 1990
Equatorial Guinea	22 November 1993
Ethiopia	10 October 1990	22 April 1993

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)

16 October 1995

(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Finland	4 October 1995
France	13 January 1993
Gabon	20 February 1992
Germany	9 August 1994
Ghana	1 February 1995
Greece	7 July 1992
Guatemala	11 September 1991
Guinea	8 September 1991
Guinea-Bissau	22 September 1994
Guyana	3 September 1990
Haiti	3 September 1990
Honduras	2 April 1992	31 May 1991

(CEDAW/C/HON/3)	Eleventh (1992)
Hungary	3 September 1990	4 April 1991

(CEDAW/C/HUN/3)

3 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/HUN/3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
Iceland	3 July 1994
Indonesia	13 October 1993
Iraq	12 September 1995
Ireland	22 January 1995
Italy	10 July 1994
Jamaica	18 November 1993
Japan	25 July 1994	28 October 1993

(CEDAW/C/JPN/3)	Thirteenth (1994)
Kenya	8 April 1993
Lao People's Democratic Republic	13 September 1990
Liberia	16 August 1993
Mali	10 October 1994
Mauritius	8 August 1993
Mexico	3 September 1990	1 December 1992

(CEDAW/C/MEX/3)
Mongolia	3 September 1990
New Zealand	9 February 1994
Nicaragua	26 November 1990	15 October 1992

(CEDAW/C/NIC/3)	Twelfth (1993)
Nigeria	13 July 1994
Norway	3 September 1990	25 January 1991

(CEDAW/C/NOR/3)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Panama	28 November 1990
Peru	13 October 1991
Philippines	4 September 1990	20 January 1993

(CEDAW/C/PHI/3)
Poland	3 September 1990	22 November 1990

(CEDAW/C/18/Add.2)	Tenth (1991)
Portugal	3 September 1990	10 December 1990

(CEDAW/C/18/Add.3)	Tenth (1991)
Republic of Korea	26 January 1994
Romania	6 February 1991	19 October 1992

(CEDAW/C/ROM/2-3)	Twelfth (1993)
Russian Federation	3 September 1990	24 July 1991

(CEDAW/C/USR/3)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Rwanda	3 September 1990	18 January 1991

(CEDAW/C/RWA/3)	Twelfth (1993)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	25 May 1994
Saint Lucia	7 November 1991
Senegal	7 March 1994
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	3 September 1990	27 September 1991

(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
Spain	4 February 1993
Sri Lanka	4 November 1990
Sweden	3 September 1990	3 October 1990

(CEDAW/C/18/Add.1)	Twelfth (1993)

Thailand	8 September 1994
Togo	26 October 1992
Tunisia	20 October 1994
Turkey	19 January 1995
Uganda	21 August 1994
Ukraine	3 September 1990	31 May 1991

(CEDAW/C/UKR/3)

21 November 1995

(CEDAW/C/UKR/3/Add.1)	Fifteenth (1996)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	7 May 1995
United Republic of Tanzania	19 September 1994
Uruguay	8 November 1990
Venezuela	1 June 1992	8 February 1995

(CEDAW/C/VEN/3)
Viet Nam	19 March 1991
Yemen	29 June 1993	13 November 1992

(CEDAW/C/YEM/3)	Twelfth (1993)
Yugoslavia	28 March 1991
Zaire	16 November 1995
Zambia	21 July 1994

D. Fourth periodic reports due as at 2 February 1996

Austria	30 April 1995
Barbados	3 September 1994
Belarus	3 September 1994
Bhutan	30 September 1994
Bulgaria	10 March 1995
Canada	9 January 1995	2 October 1995

(CEDAW/C/CAN/4)
Cape Verde	3 September 1994
China	3 September 1994
Columbia	18 February 1995
Congo	25 August 1995
Cuba	3 September 1994
Dominican Republic	2 October 1995
Ecuador	9 December 1994
Egypt	18 October 1994
El Salvador	18 October 1994
Ethiopia	10 October 1994
Guatemala	11 September 1995
Guinea	8 September 1995
Guyana	3 September 1994
Haiti	3 September 1994
Hungary	3 September 1994
Lao People's

Democratic

Republic	13 September 1994
Mexico	3 September 1994
Mongolia	3 September 1994
Nicaragua	26 November 1994
Norway	3 September 1994	1 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/NOR/4)	Fourteenth (1995)
Panama	28 November 1994
Peru	13 October 1995
Philippines	4 September 1994
Poland	3 September 1994
Portugal	3 September 1994
Romania	6 February 1995
Russian Federation	3 September 1994	31 August 1994

(CEDAW/C/USR/4)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Rwanda	3 September 1994
Saint Lucia	7 November 1995
St. Vincent

and the

Grenadines	3 September 1994
Sri Lanka	4 November 1994
Sweden	3 September 1994
Ukraine	3 November 1994
Uruguay	8 November 1994
Viet Nam	19 March 1995
Yugoslavia	28 March 1995

E. Reports submitted on an exceptional basis
Bosnia and Herzegovina	1 February 1994 (oral report - (see CEDAW/C/SR.253)	Thirteenth

(1994)
Croatia	15 September 1994

(CEDAW/C/CRO/SP.1)	Fourteenth

(1995)
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)	2 December 1993

(CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)

2 February 1994 (oral report - (see CEDAW/C/SR.254)	Thirteenth (1994)

a/ One year prior to the due date, the Secretary-General invites the State party to submit its report.

96-11934 (E) 130696	-74-

*9611934*