UN Human Rights Treaties

United Nations
Report of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women
(Eighteenth and nineteenth sessions)
General Assembly
Official Records
Fifty-third session
Supplement No. 38 (A/53/38/Rev.1)

General Assembly
Official Records
Fifty-third session
Supplement No. 38 (A/53/38/Rev.1)
Report of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women
(Eighteenth and nineteenth sessions)

United Nations • New York, 1998

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

ISSN 0255-0970

[Original: English/French/Spanish]
[14 May 1998]
Contents
Paragraphs Chapter Page
Part One. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its
eighteenth session* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Letter of transmittal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 2
I. Matters brought to the attention of States parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 3
A. Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 3
Decision 18/I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
Decision 18/II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
Decision 18/III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
B. Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 3
Suggestion 18/1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
II. Organizational and other matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–24 3
A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2 3
B. Opening of the session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–11 3
C. Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–13 4
D. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 4
E. Report of the pre-session working group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15–20 5
F. Composition and organization of work of the working groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21–24 5
III. Report of the Chairperson on the activities undertaken between the seventeenth and
eighteenth sessions of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25–34 6
IV. Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the
Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35–427 7
A. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35–36 7
B. Consideration of reports of States parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37–427 7
1. Initial reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37–207 7
Azerbaijan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37–79 7
Croatia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80–119 10
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120–166 13

* Originally issued under the symbol A/53/38 (Part I).

Czech Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167–207 16
2. Combined second and third periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208–311 19
Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208–261 19
Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262–311 24
3. Combined second, third and fourth periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312–353 28
Dominican Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312–353 28
4. Combined third and fourth periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354–427 32
Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354–427 32
V. Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428–450 36
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430–450 37
VI. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451–476 40
A. Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group II . . . . . . . . . 453–455 40
B. Statements by senior United Nations officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456–472 40
C. Presentation by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights
on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and of discrimination
based on religion or belief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473–476 42
VII. Provisional agenda for the nineteenth session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477 43
VIII. Adoption of the report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478 43

[Original: English/French/Spanish]
[21 August 1998]
Contents
Paragraphs Chapter Page
Part Two. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its
nineteenth session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Letter of transmittal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
I. Matters brought to the attention of States parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–25 47
A. Statements on reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–25 47
B. Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Decision 19/I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Decision 19/II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Decision 19/III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
II. Organizational and other matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26–48 51
A. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26–27 51
B. Opening of the session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28–33 51
C. Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34–35 52
D. Solemn declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 52
E. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 52
F. Report of the pre-session working group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38–44 53
G. Composition and organization of work of the working groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45–48 53
III. Report of the Chairperson on activities undertaken between the eighteenth and
nineteenth sessions of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49–55 54
IV. Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the
Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 56–386 55
A. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56–58 55
B. Consideration of reports of States parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59–386 55
1. Initial reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59–137 55
Slovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59–99 55
South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100–137 58
2. Combined second and third periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138–243 61
Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138–174 61

Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175–205 64
United Republic of Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206–242 66
3. Combined third and fourth periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243–386 68
New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243–291 68
Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292–346 72
Republic of Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347–386 76
V. Ways and means of expediting the work of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387–401 79
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389–401 79
VI. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402–411 83
Action taken by the Committee on the report of Working Group II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404–411 83
VII. Provisional agenda for the twentieth session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 85
VIII. Adoption of the report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 413 85
Annexes
I. States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women as at 10 July 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 86
II. Membership of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women . .. . . 90
III. Documents before the Committee at its eighteenth and nineteenth sessions . . . .. . . . . 91
IV. Status of submission and consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as at
10 July 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 93
A. Initial reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 93
B. Second periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 100
C. Third periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 105
D. Fourth periodic reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
E. Reports submitted on an exceptional basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 111

Part One
Report of the Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women on its eighteenth session

Letter of transmittal
6 February 1998
Sir,
I have the honor to refer to article 21 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
Of Discrimination against Women, according to which the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, established pursuant to the Convention, “shall, through the
Economic and Social Council, report annually to the General Assembly of the United Nations
on its activities”.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women held its eighteenth
session from19 January to 6 February 1998 at United Nations Headquarters. It adopted its
report on the session at its 383rd meeting, on 6 February. The report of the Committee is
herewith submitted to you for transmission to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session.
Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) Salma Khan
Chairperson
Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women

Chapter I
Matters brought to the attention of
States parties
A. Decisions*
Decision 18/I. Participation in the
pre-session working group
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women decided that representatives of the specialized
agencies and bodies of the United Nations, as well as national
and international non-governmental organizations, should be
invited to provide country-specific information to the precession
working group on those States parties whose reports
were before the group.
Decision 18/II. Specialized agencies and
other United Nations bodies
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women decided that representatives of the specialized
agencies and bodies of the United Nations should be invited
to address the Committee as a whole in a closed meeting on
those States parties whose initial reports were before the
Committee.
Decision 18/III. Consideration of reports
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women reaffirmed its past practice that members of
the Committee should refrain from participating in any aspect
of the consideration of the reports of the States of which they
were nationals in order to maintain the highest standards of
impartiality, both in substance and appearance.
B. Suggestion*
Suggestion 18/I. Timing of pre-session
working group
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women proposed that the pre-session working group
should meet at the end of the previous session. It proposed
that the transition to this pattern of work should take place at
its twentieth session, in January 1999.
Chapter II
Organizational and other matters
A. States parties to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women
1. On 6 February 1998, the closing date of the eighteenth
session of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, there were 161 States parties
to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, which was adopted by the
General Assembly in its resolution 34/180 of 18 December
1979 and opened for signature, ratification and accession in
New York in March 1980. In accordance with article 27, the
Convention entered into force on 3 September 1981.
2. A list of States parties to the Convention is contained
in annex I to the present report.
B. Opening of the session
3. The Committee held its eighteenth session at United
Nations Headquarters from 19 January to 6 February 1998.
The Committee held 24 plenary meetings (360th to 383rd),
and its two working groups each held 9 meetings.
4. The session was opened by the Chairperson of the
Committee, Ms. Salma Khan (Bangladesh).
5. Addressing the Committee on behalf of the Secretary-
General, the Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser
on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women noted that the
progress achieved since the entry into force of the Convention
should not be a cause for complacency. The Convention was
still subject to a large number of reservations and even though
laws and policies to implement the Convention had been
introduced, de facto implementation was still impeded by
entrenched attitudes that were in contradistinction to the
principles of the Convention. It was in bridging the gap
between ratification and implementation that the Committee’s
work was crucial and the success of the Convention would be
determined. Looking ahead, she would also welcome the
views of members of the Committee on ways to encourage
Member States that had not yet done so to ratify the
Convention by the year 2000. That would meet one of the

For the discussion, see Chap. V below

goals of the Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World to 21 November 1997. In that connection, she noted that the
Conference on Women. women of Afghanistan were not alone in experiencing
6. She stressed that, with the two annual sessions of the
Committee, which would strengthen its visibility and allow
greater opportunities for clear elaboration of the obligations
of the Convention, the possibilities for full implementation
were enhanced. High expectations had been created requiring
renewed commitment from Committee members both during
sessions and inter-session ally.
7. The Special Adviser informed the Committee that the
10th meeting of States Parties to the Convention would be
held on 17 February 1998, to elect 12 Committee members
for a four-year term from 1 January 1999.
8. She informed the Committee that the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights would meet with the
Committee on 4 February 1998 and that that meeting would
provide an opportunity to discuss the anniversary of the
fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the strengthening of the goals and the work of the
treaty bodies in respect of gender. She also reported that the
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on
violence against women, its causes and consequences, had
regretted her inability to attend the eighteenth session as
planned, but that the Special Rapporteur of the Commission
on Human Rights on the elimination of all forms of religious
intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief
would address the Committee on 28 January 1998.
9. The Special Adviser informed the Committee that, as
a result of the implementation of the Secretary-General’s
reform proposals, the Division for the Advancement of
Women was now part of a new department, the Department
of Economic and Social Affairs, whose mandate was to focus
on work in the area of normative, analytical and advisory
services. It would also monitor, analyze and assess economic
and social policies and trends from a global as well as a
gender perspective.
10. The Special Adviser also informed the Committee about
the expert group meetings which the Division had organized
or co-hosted on the themes “Adolescent girls and their
rights”, “Gender-based persecution”, “Women’s enjoyment
of economic and social rights” and “Care giving for older
persons - Gender dimensions”, in preparation for the forty-second
session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
11. She also informed the Committee that, in her capacity
as Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues
and Advancement of Women, she had participated in a round
table on the theme “Crimes of sexual violence”, held at
Arish from 4 to 6 October 1997, and had led the United
Nations Inter-agency Gender Mission to Afghanistan from 12
violations of their human rights and that women and girls
around the world, particularly in conflict situations such as
in Rwanda, Burundi and Algeria, were especially at risk.
Strategies were needed to address such violations.
C. Attendance
12. Twenty-one members of the Committee attended the
Session Ms. Desirée Bernard attended from 19 to 23 January,
Ms. Silvia Cartwright from 19 to 23 January and 29 January
to 6 February, Ms. Aída González from 22 January to 6
February, Ms. Ginko Sato from 2 to 6 February and Ms.
Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling from 27 January to 6 February
1998. Not in attendance were Ms. Tendai Ruth Bare and Ms.
Mervat Tallawy.
13. A list of the members of the Committee, together with
an indication of the duration of their term of office, is
contained in annex II to the present report.
D. Adoption of the agenda and organization
of work
14. The Committee considered the provisional agenda and
organization of work (CEDAW/C/1998/I/1 and Corr.1) at its
360th meeting, on 19 January 1998. The agenda as adopted
was as follows:
1. Opening of the session.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3. Report of the Chairperson on activities
undertaken between the seventeenth and
eighteenth sessions of the Committee.
4. Consideration of reports submitted by States
parties under article 18 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
5. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
6. Ways and means of expediting the work of the
Committee.
7. Provisional agenda for the nineteenth session.
8. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its
eighteenth session.

E. Report of the pre-session working group
15. The Committee had decided, at its ninth session, 1 to
convene a pre-session working group for five days before
each session to prepare lists of questions relating to second
and subsequent periodic reports that would be considered by F. Composition and organization of work of
the Committee at the session.
16. The following four members, representing different
regional groups, participated in the working group: Emna
Aouij (Africa), Ivanka Corti (Europe), Yolanda Ferrer (Latin
America and the Caribbean) and Sunaryati Hartono (Asia and
the Pacific).
17. The Working Group prepared lists of issues and
questions relating to the subsequent reports of four States
parties, namely, Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia
and Mexico.
18. At the 365th meeting, on 22 January 1998, the
Chairperson of the pre-session working group introduced the
report of the group (CEDAW/C/1998/I/CRP.1 and Add.1-4).
She informed members that for the first time the pre-session
working group had invited representatives of the specialized
agencies to provide it with information with regard to the
countries under review. The following participated: Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), United Nations Development Fund for
Women (UNIFEM), United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA), International Labour Organization (ILO) and
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In the light of the
information provided, the working group agreed to suggest
to the Committee that this practice be adopted as a normal
practice of pre-session working groups.
19. The Chairperson of the pre-session working group also
informed the Committee that the group had invited
representatives of national and international nongovernmental
organizations, on an experimental basis, to
provide it with information with respect to the States parties
under review. The Chairperson of the group indicated that the
group was recommending that this practice also be adopted
as a normal practice of pre-session working groups.
20. The Committee took note of the report of the precession
working group and agreed that representatives of the
specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations, as well
as national and international non-governmental organizations,
should be invited to provide country-specific information to
the pre-session working group on those States parties whose
reports were before the group.
the working groups
21. At its 360th meeting, on 19 January 1998, the
Committee agreed on the composition of its two standing
working groups: Working Group I, to consider ways and
means of expediting the work of the Committee, and Working
Group II, to consider ways and means of implementing article
21 of the Convention.
22. Working Group I was composed of the following
members of the Committee: Ayse Feride Acar, Emna Aouij,
Desirée Bernard, Silvia Cartwright, Ivanka Corti, Aurora
Javate de Dios, Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, Aída González,
Salma Khan, Yung-Chung Kim, Lin Shangzhen, Ahoua
Ouedraogo, Anne Lise Ryel, Ginko Sato and Kongit
Sinegiorgis.
23. Working Group II was composed of the following
members of the Committee: Charlotte Abaka, Carlota Bustelo,
Silvia Cartwright, Aurora Javate de Dios, Aída González,
Sunaryati Hartono, Lin Shangzhen, Ahoua Ouedraogo and
Carmel Shalev.
24. The specific issues addressed by Working Groups I and
II were the following:
(a) Working Group I: Relations with the specialized
agencies and other United Nations entities; the relationship
between the Committee and the Special Rapporteur on
violence against women, its causes and consequences, and
other non-conventional human rights mechanisms of the
United Nations; relevant issues considered at the eighth
meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies,
held at Geneva from15 to 19 September 1997; the report on
enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the United Nations
human rights treaty body system, prepared by the independent
expert, Mr. Philip Alston; recommendations made to the
Committee by the Sub commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the relevant
recommendations from expert group meetings convened by
the Division for the Advancement of Women since the
seventeenth session of the Committee; and promotion of the
Convention and the work of the Committee through technical
and advisory services and reports to be considered at the
nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first sessions of the
Committee;
Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-fifth
Session, Supplement No. 38 and corrigendum (A/45/38 and
Corr.1), paras. 28-31.

(b) Working Group II: Draft general recommendation substance and appearance, and that Governments should
on article 12 of the Convention on women and health and the refrain from nominating persons for election to treaty bodies
contribution of the Committee to the fiftieth anniversary of whose political or other functions may not be reconcilable
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the form of a with the obligations of independent experts. The chairpersons
paper on reservations to the Convention. had invited the Division for the Advancement of Women to
Chapter III
Report of the Chairperson on
activities undertaken between the
seventeenth and eighteenth sessions
of the Committee
25. The Chairperson of the Committee welcomed members
to the eighteenth session of the Committee. She noted that,
since the last session of the Committee, Ms. Tendai Bare
(Zimbabwe) had been appointed Director of the General
Technical Services Division of the Commonwealth
Secretariat in London and was submitting her resignation. She
emphasized the valuable contribution that Ms. Bare had made
to the work of the Committee.
26. She informed the Committee that she had participated
in a number of United Nations-sponsored activities, including
the Asia/Pacific Meeting on Universal Adherence to Principal
Human Rights Instruments, held in Amman from 1 to 4
September 1997, which had been convened by the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The object of the meeting had been to encourage ratification
of human rights instruments. She noted that 17 of the States
that had participated in the meeting had not yet ratified the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women. The meeting had offered a useful opportunity
to identify obstacles to ratification and strategies to overcome
them.
27. The Chairperson had attended the eighth meeting of
persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies held at
Geneva from 15 to 19 September 1997. She reported that the
major item on the agenda of the meeting had been the report
of the independent expert on “enhancing the long-term
effectiveness of the United Nations human rights treaty
system”. The chairpersons had considered that it was both
impractical and undesirable to create a single treaty body to
monitor all the human rights conventions. They were of the
view that each committee might seek ways to focus on a
limited number of issues pertinent to each country to help
reduce the length of periodic reports. The chairpersons had
recommended that members of treaty bodies should refrain
from participating in any aspect of the consideration of their
country’s report in order to maintain impartiality, both in
prepare an analysis of how gender was being integrated into
the work of the United Nations treaty bodies for presentation
at the next regular session of the meeting of chairpersons and
had proposed holding a seminar to explore these issues.
28. The Chairperson also informed the Committee about
the Copenhagen Seminar for Social Progress, held from 3 to
5 October 1997, the objective of which had been to follow up
the 1996 World Summit for Social Development and
determine the relationship between the process of economic
integration and globalization and social conditions. From 14
to 16 October 1997, the Chairperson had also attended a
regional workshop organized by the Middle East regional
office of the United Nations Children’s Fund in Beirut, which
had examined ways to incorporate Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
and the Convention on the Rights of the Child into the
curriculum of law schools in six Arab States. The concept of
women’s and children’s rights in the Arab world had been
discussed.
29. The Chairperson had attended the meetings of the Third
Committee of the General Assembly from 19 to 23 October
1997. In her statement, she had highlighted the progress that
had been made in the implementation of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women and had called
for further ratification and acceptance of the amendment of
article 20, paragraph 1, relating to the Committee’s meeting
time.
30. The Chairperson informed the Committee that she had
written to those countries that were not yet parties to the
Convention, urging ratification by the year 2000. Moreover,
she welcomed the fact that the Special Adviser on Gender
Issues and Advancement of Women had written to those
States parties which had not submitted their initial reports,
urging their swift compliance with this obligation. She noted
with appreciation that Mr. James Gustav Seth, Administrator
of the United Nations Development Programme, had written
to resident coordinators requesting them to encourage
Governments to ratify or comply with reporting obligations
under the Convention and to assist where needed in the
preparation of initial reports.
31. The Chairperson reported that she and three other
members of the Committee had attended the Commonwealth
Medical Association interregional round table on women’s
health convened in London on 15 and 16 November 1997.
The round table, which had been preceded by a “day of

dialogue” with non-governmental organizations involved in information on the Committee’s consideration of the reports
health and reproductive rights, had provided useful input to of the States parties.
the Committee in its formulation of a general recommendation
relating to article 12.
32. The Chairperson noted her concern about the situation
of women and children in Algeria and that the initial report
of that country was under preparation and would be
considered by the Committee at one of its coming sessions.
33. She also expressed disappointment that the Special
Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences, had been unable to attend the session as
originally planned, but noted that the Special Rapporteur on
the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance and of
discrimination based on religion or belief would be meeting
with the Committee, as would Mrs. Mary Robinson, United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She thanked
Ms. Cartwright and Ms. Shale who had carried out major
responsibilities on behalf of the Committee between the
seventeenth and eighteenth sessions with regard to a paper
on reservations and the general recommendation on women’s
health.
34. Finally, the Chairperson noted that, while there had
been improvements in the functioning of treaty bodies,
working methods of the Committee could be further improved
and she welcomed any suggestions in that regard.
Chapter IV
Consideration of reports submitted
by States parties under article 18 of
the Convention
A. Introduction
35. At its eighteenth session, the Committee considered the
reports submitted by eight States parties under article 18 of
the Convention: four initial reports; two combined second and
third periodic reports; one combined second, third and fourth
periodic report; and one combined third and fourth periodic
report.
36. As decided at its thirteenth session, in 1994, the
Committee prepared concluding comments on each report
considered. The Committee’s concluding comments on the
reports of States parties, as prepared 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
B. Consideration of reports of States parties
1. Initial reports
Azerbaijan
37. The Committee considered the initial report of
Azerbaijan (CEDAW/C/AZE/1) at its 361st, 362nd and 367th
meetings on 20 and 23 January 1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR.361,
362 and 367).
38. The representative of the Government informed the
Committee that 20 January is the Azeri national day to
commemorate the victims of totalitarianism. The adoption by
the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijani Republic of the
Declaration on the Restoration of the State Independence of
the Azerbaijani Republic, on 30 August 1991, and the
Constitutional Act of State Independence, on 18 October
1991, formed part of the outcome of the struggle for
independence.
39. The implementation of socio-economic and political
reforms commenced upon independence, but, according to
the representative of the Government, the situation in the
country has been affected by the socio-economic crisis and
Armenia’s armed aggression, which has had an impact on the
whole population. In addition, 85 per cent of the population
remains below the poverty line. There is also a large
population of refugees and displaced persons, including
women and children.
40. In spite of those difficulties, the Government attaches
great importance to the implementation of international
human rights treaties, including the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
to which the Government had acceded without any
reservations in June 1995. The Fourth World Conference on
Women, held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995, and
the follow-up implementation at the national level has also
been important in the context of women’s rights in
Azerbaijan.
41. The initial report of Azerbaijan was prepared one year
after its accession to the Convention during a period of
economic difficulties, the occupation of 20 per cent of the
territory of Azerbaijan and the existence of more than a
million refugees and displaced persons. Those factors have
had a negative effect on the implementation of the
Convention.

42. The representative of Azerbaijan provided a 49. The Committee appreciates the submission of the report
comprehensive retrospective analysis of the changes in the one year after ratification, and welcomes the supplementary
situation of women in the country and paid tribute to the information given to it in an excellent oral presentation by a
contributions of prominent women in that process. high-level delegation.
43. A special State committee on women’s issues has been
established recently, and the Government is actively pursuing
the policy of equal rights and equal opportunities. That
approach forms the basis for interaction with nongovernmental
organizations.
44. The Committee was informed that the new constitution,
adopted in 1995, underscores the principle of equality of
human rights of men and women. De jure, women enjoy full
guarantees of human rights and freedom from discrimination.
The difficult socio-economic situation, however, has resulted
in a severe decline in the standard of living and an increase
in the unemployment rate. This has resulted in widespread
poverty among women and men. The high rates of infant and
maternal mortality are also issues of great concern.
45. A large number of women in Azerbaijan have achieved
a high level of education, and since 1996 the number of
women seeking higher education has exceeded that of men.
However, more women than men are unemployed, and there
are fewer women than men at all levels of decision-making.
Women constitute 12 per cent of all deputies in the Parliament
and 20 per cent among managers in decision-making
positions. Women in the labour market are usually
concentrated in the fields of health care, social welfare,
education and culture.
46. The Government of Azerbaijan is particularly
concerned about the large number of refugees and displaced
persons in the country, where women and children constitute
the majority. Currently, the Government is implementing a
wide set of measures aimed at the integration of refugee and
displaced women into social and economic life.
47. The Government of Azerbaijan recognizes that much
remains to be done in order to achieve full equality between
women and men. In that regard, the Committee is assured of
the willingness of the Government to continue to undertake
all the necessary measures to implement the obligations of the
Convention.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
48. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
Government of Azerbaijan for ratifying the Convention
without reservations after the proclamation of its
independence.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
50. The Committee recognizes that Azerbaijan is facing
economic, social and political challenges as a result of its
post-war condition, the high number of refugees and the
transition to democracy and a market-oriented economy. In
that connection, it notes that the State party is undergoing
severe economic and social problems, which had a negative
impact on the whole population, 85 per cent of which live
below the poverty line. Such a situation affects women in
particular, who constitute the majority of the population as
well as the majority of refugees and displaced persons, and
impedes full implementation of the Convention.
Positive aspects
51. The Committee expresses satisfaction at the fact that
the Convention has been translated into Azeri and widely
disseminated.
52. The Committee takes note of the willingness expressed
by the State party’s delegation to strengthen the national
machinery for the advancement of women and to engage nongovernmental
organizations in the realization of the goals of
the Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World
Conference on Women.
53. The Committee notes the high number of women
involved in the professional and cultural life of the country
and the relatively high percentage of women in the decision-making
process.
54. The Committee welcomes information on the
establishment, with the help of the United Nations Children’s
Fund, of six regional family-planning centres, which will
provide a larger number of women and men with assistance
in matters of reproductive health.
55. The Committee also welcomes information on the
proposed establishment of a women’s bank to provide loans
and credits for small enterprises organized by women.
Areas of concern
56. The Committee is concerned by the fact that, although
the constitution proclaims that men and women have equal
rights and freedoms, there is no definition of discrimination
in the constitution or in the laws and no mechanisms to
strengthen the prosecution of discriminatory practices against
women.

57. The Committee is concerned that the Government of victims or produce positive results. For example, the
Azerbaijan has not yet put in place its plan for implementation Committee notes that forced medical control of prostitutes,
of the Platform for Action. where such measures are not implemented with respect for
58. The Committee is concerned that, although Azerbaijan
is a secular State in which the provisions of the Convention 66. The Committee is alarmed by the widespread use of
should be relatively easy to implement, there is, as yet, abortion as a basic means of family planning. It is also
insufficient governmental commitment to eliminating deeply concerned about the general health situation of women,
rooted patriarchal attitudes and avoiding the danger of the particularly in view of the spread of tuberculosis and other
insurgence of fundamentalist tendencies, which impedes the contagious diseases.
full implementation of the Convention, in particular the
measures outlined in subparagraph (a) of article 5.
59. The Committee regrets that the role of national to basic health protection and education, as well as social
machinery has not yet been clearly identified so as to permit protection, as outlined in article 14 of the Convention.
a consistent and comprehensive strategy for the full
involvement of women in the development process of the
country.
60. The Committee notes with concern discrepancies that precarious material and psychological conditions of women
still exist between de jure and de facto equality, particularly refugees. It also notes that insufficient attention has been paid
in the context of the implementation of articles 10 and 11 of to refugee women, including through failure to seek the
the Convention, and the great number of highly educated support of relevant international agencies.
women who are living below the poverty line.
61. The Committee is concerned by the fact that although
women’s rights, as set out in article 11 of the Convention, are
guaranteed, there is a growing percentage of unemployment
among women and that no measures have been introduced to
address that situation.
62. The Committee expresses concern at the fact that
paragraph 1 of article 4 of the Convention, which advocates
the adoption of temporary special measures aimed at
accelerating de facto equality between women and men, has
not been used to eliminate the inequality between women and
men, particularly in the context of the integration of women
into politics and employment and with regard to assistance
for displaced and refugee women.
63. The Committee is particularly worried about the high
level of maternal, as well as infant, mortality rates and the fact
that there are insufficient resources for international
emergency aid in that field.
64. The Committee is seriously concerned that insufficient
efforts have been introduced to assess and combat violence
against women, particularly in the light of the fact that socioeconomic
and physical hardships usually increase the
incidence of violence, particularly in the domestic sphere.
65. The Committee expresses serious concern about the
situation of women victims of prostitution and trafficking. The
Committee is of the view that the content and the
implementation of legislation to address those problems may
be discriminatory and might not always respect the rights of
clients, is discriminatory and might be counterproductive.
67. The Committee expresses concern regarding the
situation of women in rural areas, in particular with regard
68. While understanding the difficult economic situation
and the difficulty of reaching durable solutions to the refugee
problem, the Committee expresses its concern about the
Suggestions and recommendations
69. The Committee recommends that the Government take
the steps necessary to ensure respect for, and the effective
implementation of, the provisions contained in the
Convention. In particular, it recommends that a definition of
discrimination closelymodelled on article 1 of the Convention
be incorporated in the constitution or relevant laws. It also
recommends that the provisions of the Convention be
reflected in legislation, in particular legislation concerning
health, education and labour.
70. The Committee encourages the Government of
Azerbaijan, through appropriate legislation, to identify the
role of the national machinery for the advancement of women
and to provide it with the necessary human and budgetary
resources.
71. The Committee encourages the elaboration of a national
plan of action for the implementation of the Platform for
Action adopted in Beijing and suggests close cooperation with
non-governmental organizations working in the field of
human rights and other representatives of civil society to
enhance gender awareness and to promote the campaign to
combat traditional stereotypes regarding the roles of women
and men.
72. The Committee recommends that appropriate
institutions consider the utility and necessity of affirmative

action, in particular to encourage greater participation of 81. The representative of Croatia indicated that her country
women in decision-making bodies. had acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of All
73. The Committee further recommends the elaboration of
adequate family-planning programmes, with the help of the
United Nations Population Fund, so as to avoid the use of
abortion as a means of family planning and thereby diminish
the risks of maternal mortality resulting from unsafe 82. The representative informed the Committee that, at the
abortions. time of submission of the initial report, peace is the priority
74. The Committee recommends that the Government
review the legislation relating to the exploitation and
trafficking of women so as to eliminate the discriminatory
content of such legislation.
75. The Committee recommends that refugee and migrant
women be provided with adequate information to protect them
from traffickers and others who seek to exploit women for the
purposes of prostitution.
76. The Committee recommends that the Government make
efforts, and support those initiated by non-governmental
organizations, to assess the extent and prevalence of all forms
of violence against women in Azerbaijan and to introduce
programmes and measures to combat this problem.
77. The Committee recommends that the provisions of the
Convention be widely publicized among the general public
and, in particular, among teachers, social workers, law
enforcement officials, prison staff, medical personnel, judges,
lawyers and members of other professions who are concerned
with the implementation of the Convention.
78. The Committee recommends the introduction of human
rights education, including the Convention, in schools and
universities.
79. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
Azerbaijan of the present concluding comments in order to
make the people of Azerbaijan, and particularly its
government administrators and politicians, aware of the steps
that have been taken to ensure de facto equality for women
and the further steps required in this regard. It also requests
the Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
Croatia
80. The Committee considered the initial report of Croatia
(CEDAW/C/CRO/1) at its 363rd, 364th and 368th meetings,
on 21 and 23 January 1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR.363, 364 and
368).
Forms of Discrimination against Women, without
reservations, on 8 October 1991. The initial report covers the
period up to 1994 and the next report will be a combined
second and third report.
in her country. However, she emphasizes that only through
peace and the development of democracy will women be able
to achieve advancement in all areas. Croatia has finally
achieved a level of peace, stability and security that has
enabled it to channel its activities towards social development
and the promotion and protection of human rights. The
advancement and empowerment of women in all areas of
public life are essential for the full implementation of social
justice in a democratic society.
83. The Commission for Equality of the Government of the
Republic of Croatia was established in May 1996 and has
drawn up the national policy for the promotion of equality,
based on the Beijing Platform for Action, after consultation
with women’s non-governmental organizations. The policy
was adopted by the Government in December 1997.
84. The national policy provides for specific measures to
achieve particular goals in the areas of political decision-making,
the economy and the economic position of women,
health care, education, human rights of women and violence
against women in war and peace.
85. Another representative informed the Committee of the
implementation of the Convention in the area of justice. She
noted that constitutional rights of Croatian women are
protected by the ombudsperson and that both women and men
are entitled to all legal remedies available through court
proceedings. A new penal law has been introduced and its
implementation began on 1 January 1998. She introduced
statistics on acts of violence against women, rape in marriage,
sexual harassment, prostitution (including international
prostitution) and other criminal acts. Trends in such
behaviour have instigated changes in the penal code. The
representative noted, however, that both men and women may
be perpetrators and victims of crime.
86. A number of legislative provisions provide special
protection for the family and, in particular, for women in their
role as mothers and caregivers. Special rights are accorded
to women and these are not regarded as discriminating against
men, whose rights are also recognized. Parenthood is seen as
a joint responsibility and this is reflected in legislation and
by-laws.

87. Women are not allowed to work in jobs involving hard
physical labour or underground or underwater labour, nor in
any jobs classified detrimental to the life of women. Night
work is prohibited by law unless it is approved under special
circumstances and conditions. Employers are prohibited from
requesting information on matters unrelated to employment
issues, and this is a means of protecting pregnant women from
discrimination in the workplace.
88. Minor changes to the law on health care have been
introduced since the initial report. Health insurance and
causes of hospitalization are described and it is noted that
statistics on termination of pregnancy showed that abortions
and miscarriages are at the lowest level ever.
89. The national policy on equality, which implements the
Platform for Action, was adopted in Beijing in December
1997. The policy was developed to promote equality and is
a mandatory document, with Ministries and other authorities
being obliged to carry out its provisions. The policy, which
was developed in cooperation with non-governmental
organizations and the Commission for Equality, consists of
two parts, a survey of the existing situation and specific
measures to address crucial areas.
90. The representative concluded her presentation by
examining particular articles of the Convention and their
implementation. She indicated that there is a high
unemployment rate for women, although there are equal
opportunities for women in education and employment.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
91. The Committee congratulates the Government of
Croatia for ratifying the Convention without reservations and
notes with satisfaction that the country’s initial report
followed the guidelines and presents comprehensive data on
the situation of women in Croatia.
92. The Committee welcomes the excellent oral
presentation of the Croatian delegation, which supplements
and updates the written report. The Committee expresses its
appreciation to the Government of Croatia for its high-level
delegation, headed by the Deputy Minister for Labour and
Social Welfare. This demonstrates the State party’s
commitment to the Convention and its appreciation of the
work of the Committee.
93. The Committee further welcomes the extensive answers
provided by the delegation to its questions. This reflects a
sincere effort by Croatia to address the concerns raised by the
Committee during the presentation of the State party’s report.
Positive aspects
94. The Committee commends the Government on the fact
that the Convention has been incorporated into the national
laws of Croatia and may be invoked before the courts by any
citizen.
95. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the
Commission for Equality in Croatia. It also welcomes the
national policy for the promotion of equality, which has been
adopted to implement the Beijing Platform for Action. The
Committee is pleased to be provided with copies of the
national policy.
96. The Committee commends the efforts made by the
Government of Croatia to cooperate with civil society and
non-governmental organizations and its promise of further
efforts to improve cooperation with non-governmental
organizations in the future, particularly in view of the
presence of highly competent and active women’s nongovernmental
organizations in Croatia. The Committee
welcomes the fact that the national policy envisaged
cooperation with such organizations.
97. The Committee notes with satisfaction the delegation’s
oral responses, reflecting willingness to give further
consideration to areas and concerns raises by the Committee.
In this context, the Committee is very pleased to hear the
Government’s oral commitment to examine the following
issues in the light of the Committee’s suggestions:
(a) The need for measures to eliminate stereotypes
that restrict women’s role to that of mothers and caregivers;
(b) The need for measures to improve the
participation of women in political life;
(c) The appointment of a deputy ombudsperson to
deal specifically with women’s rights;
(d) The need to improve public awareness about the
Convention so that it may be used more frequently throughout
the judicial system;
(e) The possibility of instituting a system of
restraining orders, in particular to protect women subjected
to domestic violence;
(f) The need to commence a dialogue and to
coordinate efforts with trade unions on measures to protect
women in the area of employment, in particular with respect
to illegal pressuring of women by employers in relation to
pregnancy within a certain period after the commencement
of employment;
(g) The need for increased assistance to family
members, in particular women, taking care of the elderly;

(h) The need to collect more detailed information on 104. The Committee expresses concern that data has not
the situation of rural women. been collected in some areas. In particular, the Committee is
98. The Committee notes with great satisfaction the
existence of programmes to assist women with special needs.
99. The Committee is pleased to be informed of the
measures implemented to eradicate gender stereotypes within
the education system. It is also pleased with the introduction
of measures to introduce human rights education into schools.
100. The Committee is generally impressed by the healthcare
system in Croatia and by the Government’s clear
commitment to universal coverage.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
101. The Committee notes that Croatia faced significant
economic and social difficulties as a consequence of the
country’s recent involvement in armed conflict.
Repercussions include the presence of large numbers of
refugees and displaced persons. The Committee also notes
difficulties resulting from the transition to a market economy
and a democratic political structure. The Committee observed
that in the absence of gender-sensitive policies and measures
to counteract negative effects, these changes may have a
negative effect on women’s enjoyment of their human rights
and impede the implementation of the Convention.
Principal subjects of concern
102. Despite some clarification during oral responses by the
delegation, the Committee remains very concerned about the
view expressed in the State party’s report that women
themselves bear full responsibility for their low level of
participation in public life. This suggests that the Government
lacked understanding of indirect and structural discrimination
and its impact on women.
103. The Committee is particularly concerned about the
consistent emphasis placed on women’s roles as mothers and
caregivers in Croatian legislation pertaining to a variety of
areas. While legislative provisions protecting maternity are
important, the Committee is concerned that prioritizing that
aspect of women’s lives reinforces traditional and
stereotypical role expectations, which tend to limit women’s
full participation in society. The Committee comments that
despite the fact that women in Croatia are well-educated and
participate in the labour force in large numbers, a careful and
gender-sensitive analysis of the emphasis on motherhood visà-
vis women’s roles in the public sphere is needed on the part
of the Government to assure de facto gender equality in the
Croatian society of the future.
concerned that minimal attention has been paid to the issue
of women living in poverty and that no sex-disaggregated data
are available on that topic. It is also concerned that no sexdisaggregated
data have been collected on human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and that no reliable data had been
collected on teenage pregnancy.
105. The Committee expresses concern that in view of the
complex ethnic and religious composition of the population
of Croatia, the report does not include statistical information
on the social, economic and political standing of minority
women.
106. The Committee is disturbed to note the Government’s
view that there is no need to specify gender inequality every
time the issue of equality is raised. The Committee is of the
opinion that this might contribute to the concealment and
perpetuation of, in particular, de facto inequality. It points out
that, in order to increase the visibility of gender issues and to
promote a gender-sensitive national agenda, it is crucial to
incorporate gender in all discussions of equality.
107. While the Committee is reassured to be informed that
acts of domestic violence are prosecuted by public attorneys
at the request of the victims, it expresses concern with regard
to the adequacy of measures to encourage women to come
forward with complaints and about the fact that prosecution
by public attorneys ex officio or upon the complaint of third
parties is not incorporated in legislation on domestic violence.
108. The Committee expresses concern that there is evidence
that church-related organizations adversely influence the
Government’s policies concerning women and thereby
impede full implementation of the Convention.
109. In the area of health, the Committee is particularly
concerned that services pertaining to women’s reproductive
health are the first to be affected as a result of the
Government’s financial constraints. It is also concerned about
information regarding the refusal, by some hospitals, to
provide abortions on the basis of conscientious objection of
doctors. The Committee considers this to be an infringement
of women’s reproductive rights.
Suggestions and recommendations
110. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Croatia continue to implement and strengthen the measures
it is taking to empower women and to mainstream gender
issues. It encourages specific affirmative actions targeted to

numerical goals and quotas, in particular in those areas such governmental organizations in the preparation of the
as political and decision-making positions in public life where country’s next report to the Committee.
women’s de facto equality has not been improving at the
desired pace.
111. The Committee urges the Government of Croatia to people of Croatia, and particularly government administrators
adhere to its oral statement of intention to give further and politicians, aware of the steps that have been taken to
consideration to the issues outlined in paragraph 97 above ensure de facto equality for women and the further steps
with a view to undertaking measures in response to the required in this regard. It also requests the Government to
concerns of the Committee. continue to disseminate widely, and in particular to women’s
112. The Committee urges the Government of Croatia to take
further measures to promote recognition of the variety of roles
that women play in society. To that end, it suggests that it is
crucial to educate the Croatian public with regard to the
importance of an equitable distribution between women and
men of family roles and “caring responsibilities”.
113. The Committee recommends that the Government take
advantage of existing bodies of knowledge relating to indirect
and structural patterns of discrimination. It emphasizes that
the Government, rather than women themselves, have primary
responsibility for implementing strategies to eliminate these
forms of discrimination.
114. The Committee requests that the Government of Croatia
include more detailed information on the implementation of
the provisions of article 6 of the Convention in future reports.
The Committee requests that additional data be collected on
the status of women involved in prostitution. The Committee
would also appreciate more detailed information on the
problem of trafficking in women, in particular migrant
women, and the measures taken to implement legislation in
this area.
115. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Croatia collect and make available statistical information
pertaining to the social, economic and political status of
minority women with a view to developing specific policies
to respond to the needs of different groups.
116. The Committee requests that more information be
provided about the situation of women with disabilities in
future reports.
117. The Committee strongly recommends that the
Government take steps to secure the enjoyment by women of
their reproductive rights by, inter alia, guaranteeing them
access to abortion services in public hospitals. It is suggested
that the Government examine fully the implications for
women, in particular, of funding cuts for contraceptives and
that it implement strategies to address any detrimental impact
on women.
118. The Committee urges the Government of Croatia to take
the necessary steps to incorporate the participation of non-
119. The Committee requests wide dissemination in Croatia
of the present concluding comments in order to make the
and human rights organizations, the Convention, the
Committee’s general recommendations and the Beijing
Declaration and the Platform for Action. Zimbabwe
120. The Committee considered the initial report of
Zimbabwe (CEDAW/C/ZWE/1) at its 366th, 367th and
372nd meetings on 22 and 27 January 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.366, 367 and 372).
121. The representative of Zimbabwe expressed her
Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the
Convention and the achievement of gender equality. Much
progress has been made in that area, including the
establishment of the National Machinery for the Advancement
of Women and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human
Rights. A national programme of action and vision 2020 has
also been formulated, relevant legal provisions enacted and
gender focal points appointed in all Ministries. Despite this,
prevailing negative attitudes towards women and
discriminatory customary laws and practices continue to
contribute to the slow pace in advancing the status of women.
122. Non-governmental organizations and research
organizations specializing in gender and development issues
had been consulted during the preparation of the report and
were also active in promoting gender equality.
123. The representative noted that the constitution had been
amended in 1997 and now explicitly prohibits discrimination
based on gender and that other legal instruments, including
the Sex Discrimination Removal Act, also prohibit
discrimination based on sex.
124. The Ministry of Community Development and Women’s
Affairs was established as the National Machinery for the
Advancement of Women in 1981. Although the Ministry has
since been dissolved, the National Machinery continues and
gender focal points have been appointed in all Ministries.
125. The representative notes that an Inter-Ministerial
Committee on Human Rights, which advises Government on
human rights issues, has been established, and violations of
human rights, including those relating to gender, can be 132. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the
investigated by the ombudsperson. constitution has been amended to prohibit any act of
126. Court procedures to improve the experience of victims,
including provisions to allow for the taking of evidence in a 133. The Committee commends the Government for
separate room, have been introduced. Violence against translating the Convention into local languages in order to
women remains a serious problem and gender-sensitivity encourage its wider dissemination.
training has been introduced for police and judicial officers.
127. Affirmative action measures, in particular in the areas Zimbabwe for undertaking a number of initiatives, including
of education, employment and political participation and the development of a National Gender Policy, to implement
decision-making, have been introduced, but sex role the Beijing Platform for Action.
stereotypes continue to affect the attitudes of many
Zimbabweans. In that regard, the Government has begun a
programme to review school textbooks and is developing a
curriculum on human rights to be taught at the primary and
secondary levels.
128. The representative indicated that HIV/AIDS is a serious the enjoyment of these rights by women.
problem in Zimbabwe and that the pandemic has increased
the burden on women. Rural women generally remain very
disadvantaged compared with their urban counterparts.
129. The representative concluded by noting that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
National Machinery for the Advancement of Women has against Women.
drawn up a list of statutes that do not comply with the
Convention. In addition, the Convention has been translated
into two major local languages and disseminated widely in
simplified form.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
130. The Committee congratulates the Government for
ratifying the Convention without reservations. It welcomes
the State party’s initial report, which is comprehensive and
frank in its analysis of obstacles to the implementation of the
Convention. The Committee is also pleased to note that the
report has been prepared in consultation with nongovernmental
organizations. Additional information provided
by the oral presentation is also appreciated. The Committee
welcomes the high-level delegation, which included the
Minister of National Affairs, Employment Creation and
Cooperatives.
Positive aspects
131. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
Government for its strong commitment to advancing the status
of women and commends it for establishing the National
Machinery for the Advancement of Women after
independence, as well as for assigning a gender focal point
in each Ministry.
discrimination on the basis of sex.
134. The Committee commends the Government of
135. The Committee notes with satisfaction the establishment
of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights and the
strengthening of the office of the ombudsperson, which can
now investigate the police and security forces. These
developments enhance the recognition of human rights and
136. The Committee commends the Government for putting
in place clear and relevant national policies for women, which
are consistent with international agreements, particularly the
137. The Committee welcomes the introduction of gender sensitive
training for police officers and the establishment of
“victim-friendly courts”.
138. The Committee also commends the implementation of
affirmative action measures with respect to education,
employment and political participation, in particular in the
rural councils.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
139. The Committee notes with great concern that, although
the national laws guaranteed the equal status of women, the
continued existence of and adherence to customary laws
perpetuated discrimination against women, particularly in the
context of the family. The Committee notes with
dissatisfaction that prevailing traditional and socio-cultural
attitudes towards women contribute to the perpetuation of
negative images of women, which impedes their
emancipation.
140. The Committee notes with concern the negative impact
of the structural adjustment programmes, especially in the
areas of education, health and employment.
Principal areas of concern
141. The Committee expresses concern that discriminatory
traditional practices, such as lobule, polygamy and female

genital mutilation, are still accepted. Although the 150. The Committee is concerned at the lack of support
constitution criminalizes any act of discrimination on the systems to enable pregnant teenagers to continue their
ground of sex and, furthermore, the practice of lobule has schooling. The Committee also notes with dissatisfaction that
been made illegal, tradition and customary law still ensure there are no detailed statistics available on teenage pregnancy.
continued discrimination.
142. The Committee notes with concern that much of the
violence against women, especially in society and in the
domestic sphere, is not recognized by law. Violence against
women is a serious violation of women’s human rights. In
addition, there is not enough support provided by the
Government to help victims of violence, such as rehabilitation
programmes and temporary shelters.
143. The Committee expresses concern that the Ministry of
National Affairs, Employment Creation and Cooperation, as
the National Machinery for the Advancement of Women, has
no real power or responsibility to initiate and implement
policy measures to eliminate discrimination against women.
144. While the Committee agrees with the effectiveness of
having gender focal points in all Ministries, the Committee
is concerned about the absence of a functional central
coordinating body with a regular budget.
145. The Committee is concerned at the low level of
women’s participation at the decision-making level.
146. The Committee notes with dissatisfaction that
prostitutes are criminalized by law while their clients go
unpunished. The Committee notes with concern that poor
women, migrant women and women from other marginalized
sectors are particularly vulnerable and often turn to
prostitution as a means of survival. The Committee notes with
concern the absence of data and programmes for women in
prostitution, suggesting that the Government has not
adequately addressed article 6 of the Convention.
147. The Committee is deeply concerned about the effect of
the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the very high rate of infection
among young women, who comprise 84 per cent of those
infected in the 15 to 19 year age group and 55 per cent of the
20 to 29 year age group. The Committee notes that this is of
particular concern given the risks of transmission to infants
through childbirth and breastfeeding.
148. The Committee is also concerned about reports relating
to the refusal of some health-care providers to give family
planning services to sexually active adolescents, despite there
being no legal restrictions in this regard.
149. The Committee expresses concern that women in rural
areas often suffer more as a result of prevailing negative
attitudes and discriminatory traditional practices.
Furthermore, women in rural areas often work longer hours
than any other group.
Suggestions and recommendations
151. The Committee urges the Government to take a more
proactive role by introducing concrete measures to abolish
all discriminatory customs and practices.
152. The Committee urges the Government to review the
functions of the National Machinerywith a view to providing
it with the authority and financial resources to initiate and
implement policy programmes to eliminate discrimination
against women. The National Machinery should also act as
a coordinating body for all the gender focal points of the
ministries. A public awareness-raising campaign for gender
equality should be organized by the National Machinery
targeting both women and men. A campaign to promote
positive images of women should also be organized, involving
the mass media.
153. The Committee suggests that gender-sensitive training
should be extended to all sectors, including health-care
workers.
154. The Committee further recommends that the President
and Government Ministers be briefed regularly on the
progress in implementation of the Convention and the Beijing
Platform for Action. It recommends that measures be taken
to ensure that the President and the Ministers are accountable
for gender-mainstreaming within their respective departments.
155. The Committee recommends the adoption of temporary
special measures of affirmative action to promote the status
of women in all spheres of society.
156. The Committee suggests that the Government extend
the function of the office of the ombudsperson to allow it to
address complaints about gender discrimination in the private
sphere and the private sector.
157. The Committee recommends the codification of family
and customary laws, incorporating only those customary laws
and practices that promote gender equality and the
empowerment of women.
158. The strongly recommends that the Government
adequately address article 6 of the Convention by putting in
place socio-economic programmes that will assist women
living by prostitution. The Committee urges the Government
to document systematically the prevalence of prostitution so
as to enable it to develop assistance programmes in this meetings, on 26 January 1998, and at its 373rd meeting on
regard. 27 January 1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR.370, 371 and 373).
159. Noting that illegal abortion is cited by the Government 168. In introducing the report, the representative of the
as a major cause of death for women in Zimbabwe, the Czech Republic indicated that more than two years had
Committee recommends that the Government reappraise the elapsed since her country’s initial report had been submitted
law on abortion with a view to its liberalization and and, consequently, her statement would focus on important
decriminalization. changes in protecting women’s rights as individuals.
160. The Committee urges the Government to increase its 169. The representative referred to the ratification of a
efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to ensure that number of International Labour Organization (ILO)
appropriate sexual and reproductive health information, instruments, including ILO Conventions 89, 100 and 101. She
education and services are provided to all women and, in also cited several legislative reform measures that had been
particular, to adolescents. taken, including amendments to the Employment Act
161. The Committee suggests that the Government provide
sex education and practical family planning to both youth and
adults.
162. The Committee requested more detailed data and
adequate information on all forms of violence against women,
prostitution, and trafficking in women in the next report.
163. The Committee requests detailed data and adequate
information on teenage pregnancy and the ability of young
mothers to continue their education in the next report.
164. The Committee encourages the Government of
Zimbabwe to continue its efforts to implement the Beijing
Platform for Action. It also recommends the establishment of
a functional central coordinating body with a regular budget
to accelerate implementation of Government gender policies
and programmes.
165. The Committee requests the Government to utilize the
Committee’s general recommendations in order to plan
measures to advance the status of women and to implement
the measures more effectively.
166. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
Zimbabwe of the present concluding comments in order to
make the people of Zimbabwe, and particularly its
government administrators and politicians, aware of the steps
that have been taken to ensure de facto equality for women
and the further steps required in this regard. It also requests
the Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
Czech Republic
167. The Committee considered the initial report of the
Czech Republic (CEDAW/C/CZE/1) at its 370th and 371st
(1/1991); Act on Wages (1/1992); Act on Salaries
(143/1992); and Act on Pension Insurance (155/1995). The
representative then briefed the Committee on the differential
entitlements in retirement pensions between women and men,
and among women based upon the number of children.
170. Although no fundamental changes in health or social
insurance had occurred since 1994, certain health insurance
benefits had been transferred to the State social allowance
system in 1995, with the goal of unifying State social
allowances and benefits and thus providing support under a
single system to families with children.
171. Recent changes had led to the development of civil
society, including women’s organizations, resulting in
activities, conferences and workshops that addressed specific
women’s issues, such as domestic violence, violence against
women in general and women victims of criminal acts.
172. The representative then briefed the Committee on
specific programmes for women related to education and
vocational training and described some of the socio-economic
factors that significantly influence women’s position in
society and in the labour market. She also noted the
importance of kindergartens and their linkage with the rate
of female employment.
173. The representative indicated that Decree No. 261/97
specified explicitly the jobs and workplaces which are
prohibited for all women, pregnant women, mothers until the
end of the nine months after childbirth and youth,
respectively. She also referred to draft legislation that
specified conditions for occupational health and safety.
174. The representative cited a number of women’s health
programmes and projects, including those related to
HIV/AIDS, which focused primarily on the reproductive
health of women.
175. The representative stated that prostitution, although not
considered a criminal offence, was a growing problem, which
was primarily attributed to illegal migration. She also

expressed concern that organized prostitution continues to be infant and prenatal mortality rates attained by the Czech
a lucrative source of money for criminal gangs. A number of Republic.
measures have been adopted by the Czech Republic to fight
prostitution, including the creation of a special unit for
detecting organized crime.
176. The representative referred to the foundations of the provisions can be found in the Constitution, the Charter of
Czech legal system, which protect women’s rights, focusing Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and in several other codes.
on individual citizens, based upon the principle of uniform,
general and equal protection of both men and women.
177. In concluding her presentation, the representative of the
Czech Republic indicated that she looked forward to the
Committee’s questions so that she could provide a complete
and objective picture of women in the Czech Republic.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
178. The Committee compliments the Government of the
Czech Republic for exhibiting a clear commitment to the
promotion of the human rights of its citizens since the
independence of the country and for ratifying the Convention
without reservations. It is also pleased to note the positive
spirit in which its comments and suggestions has been
received by the delegation of the Czech Republic.
179. The additional and updated information presented in the
oral report of the representative of the Czech Republic is
welcomed by the Committee, as an aid to its understanding
of the conditions of women and the extent of the
implementation of the Convention in the Czech Republic.
Positive aspects
180. The Committee is particularly satisfied at the
information included in the oral report of the delegation about
the very creation of an inter-ministerial coordinating body
within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Similarly,
the reported effort to draft a National Plan on the basis of the
Beijing Platform for Action by a commission on the status of
women is especially welcomed by the Committee.
181. The Committee notes that there have been significant
gains in the status of women in the Czech Republic,
particularly with regard to education and participation in
economic life, as well as social support services, such as child
care.
182. The Committee is also happy to note the high standards
of health coverage in general, and for maternal health in
particular, that exist throughout the Czech Republic. In this
context, it is especially gratified to note the exceptionally low
183. The Committee is pleased to note that the legal system
of the Czech Republic gives supremacy to international
treaties over domestic legislation and that numerous equality
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
184. The Committee observes that the report of the Czech
Republic and its oral introduction to the Committee reflect
an overarching tendency on the part of the Government to
conceive of women as mothers and within the context of the
family, rather than as individuals and independent actors in
the public sphere. The Committee considers that such a
perception is a major obstacle to the implementation of the
Convention because it reflects a fundamental
misunderstanding of such critical concepts as gender roles,
indirect discrimination and de facto inequality.
185. The Committee is distressed to note that, while the
Government is eager to improve the living conditions of
women in the Czech Republic, the structural and cultural
causes of gender inequality are not fully appreciated by the
Government. Having emerged from the restrictions of a
totalitarian State, where full employment of women and
institutional caretaking of children has been emphasized, the
Czech Republic’s current policies directed at women and
family overemphasize motherhood and family roles for
women. The Committee considers the absence of special
measures to elevate women’s status, save those pertaining to
the protection of pregnancy and motherhood, to be a major
constraint to the full implementation of the Convention.
Principal subjects of concern
186. The Committee notes with concern that Czech law does
not provide a clear definition of discrimination and/or address
de facto inequalities between women and men.
187. Though the creation of an intra-ministerial coordinating
unit on women’s issues within the Ministry of Labour and
Social Affairs is welcomed, the Committee considers that
such a body cannot be viewed as a sufficient national
machinery. The Committee views the absence of a national
machinery with adequate resources and personnel as a severe
constraint to the implementation of the Convention and the
Beijing Platform for Action.
188. The Committee is very concerned about women’s
inadequate and declining representation in decision-making
positions in the political and economic spheres and at the

Government’s apparent lack of attention to this phenomenon. 194. The Committee notes with concern that the Government
This is reflected in the absence of any special temporary appeared reluctant to direct girls to scientific and
measures to remedy the situation, as well as the lack of technological fields of study.
Government willingness to consider any such measures.
189. The decline in the number of women’s non- wage disparities between women and men and the segregation
governmental organizations since the early days of the Czech of women in low-paying and low skilled work, which had
Republic’s establishment is also noted with concern by the been one of the results of privatization and economic
Committee. The Committee considers the existence of an rationalization.
active civil society, in which a wide range of views and
attitudes on gender equality find expression, to be highly
beneficial for the promotion of equality between women and
men. It also encourages Government cooperation with nongovernmental
organizations representing different women’s
interests and perspectives in the implementation and
monitoring of the provisions of the Convention.
190. The Committee notes with particular concern the
absence of special legislation on violence against women and
is alarmed by the Government’s perception that there is no
need for such legislation. The Committee considers the
absence of data on the extent and prevalence of such violence
in the Czech Republic to be a critical deficiency. It also
expresses concern about the lack of information on any
preventive measures and/or programmes to support victims
of violence, raise public awareness of the issue and sensitize
health professionals and law-enforcement personnel on the
topic.
191. The Committee notes with concern the lack of measures
and programmes to promote a positive image of women as
actors in all areas at all levels of public life and to encourage
equal sharing of family responsibilities by men in the media.
192. The Committee notes with concern that, in the Czech
Republic, prostitution and trafficking in women are
approached exclusively in the context of combating organized
crime. These crimes are closely related to economic transition
and socio-political changes. The Committee acknowledges
the adverse effects of such developments as rising
unemployment and increasing poverty as factors contributing
to prostitution and trafficking in women.
193. The Committee views the Czech Republic’s policy of
creating “household management” schools, which, although
not formally sex segregated, basically cater to female students
and train them for traditional stereotypical roles, as promoting
gender stereotyping. The same applies with regard to the
practice of some schools admitting only boys because of their
“different physical abilities”. In stressing the importance of
encouraging girls and boys to choose non-traditional fields
of study in order to eliminate discrimination against women,
the Committee expresses its heightened concern about such schools.
195. The Committee is very concerned about the prevailing
196. The Committee also notes with concern the increase in
over-protective measures for pregnancy and motherhood, as
well as early retirement policies for women. It also noted that
the cultural glorification of women’s family roles could
exacerbate the negative impact of economic rationalization
policies on women.
197. The Committee is very disturbed about the high rate of
induced abortions in the Czech Republic, particularly in the
face of the wide availability of contraceptives. It is further
dissatisfied to learn about the lack of information and training
of health professionals with regard to contraceptives. Owing
to the partial nature of the information provided in the oral
report, the Committee is not entirely satisfied with the
information provided on women’s general health in the Czech
Republic.
198. The Committee is especially disappointed not to have
received answers to its questions on the implementation of
the provisions of articles 7, 8 and 16 of the Convention in the
Czech Republic’s oral responses. In particular, the very high
divorce rate that prevails in the country, its causes, as well as
the legal status of protection, if any, accorded to women in de
facto unions are of special concern to the Committee.
Suggestions and recommendations
199. The Committee recommends that a definition of
discrimination modeled on article 1 of the Convention be
incorporated in the constitution and other relevant laws.
200. The Committee recommends that the Government of the
Czech Republic give impetus to the establishment of an
adequately resourced national machinery with a clear mandate
to implement, coordinate and monitor the provisions of the
Convention. It further recommends that, as a future member
of the European Union, the Czech Republic draw upon the
experiences of the European Union countries, make efforts
to get assistance from such countries as it designs machinery,
and review its legislation and policies in the area of
discrimination against women.
201. The Committee urges the Government of the Czech
Republic to review its perspective on special temporary
measures in the area of women’s political and economic temporary measures, such as effective use of paternity leave,
participation in leadership positions. In this context, it to share family responsibilities equally with women.
recommends instituting numerical goals and targets, as well
as a plan of action with timetables to boost women’s
participation in these areas.
202. The Committee also urges the enactment of a special government administrators and politicians, aware of the steps
law and introduction of policies to combat all forms of that have been taken to ensure de facto equality for women
violence against women, together with promotion of and the further steps required in this regard. It also requests
education and media programmes sensitizing the public on the Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
this issue. In addition, it recommends introduction of training particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
for the judiciary, law enforcement officers, lawyers, health Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
professionals and others whose work is relevant in the context the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
of violence against women. The Committee strongly
recommends that the Czech Republic initiate comprehensive
research to assess the extent and nature of violence against
women in the country.
203. The Committee recommends a comprehensive study and
analysis of the effects of the economic and socio-political
transition of the country on women. It is necessary to carry
out such a study from a gender perspective to determine the
differential impact of the transition on women and men and
to determine the differential policies that are required.
204. The Committee strongly recommends the formulation
and implementation of effective policies to combat
prostitution and trafficking of women. The Committee
suggests that measures to combat these crimes require not
only services to victims and sanctions for perpetrators, but
the design and implementation of comprehensive national
social and economic policies to create new opportunities for
women. It therefore recommends that the Government take
effective action to combat feminization of poverty and to
improve the economic situation of women in order to prevent
trafficking and prostitution.
205. The Committee urges the Government to launch specific
training programmes to educate health professionals, as well
as mass campaigns to inform the public on the use of
contraceptives and misuse of induced abortions as a means
of family planning.
206. The Committee strongly stresses the need to promote
the image of women as individuals and independent actors in
the public sphere and recommends that the Government
launch comprehensive, systematic, goal-oriented efforts to
balance the existing positive emphasis placed on women’s
role in the private sphere in laws, policy measures and
governmental attitudes, with an equal emphasis on their
public sphere functions. In this regard, the Committee also
recommends that the Government encourage men, through
public media campaigns, school curricula and special
207. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in the
Czech Republic of the present concluding comments in order
to make the people of the Czech Republic, and particularly
2. Combined second and third periodic reports Bulgaria
208. The Committee considered the combined second and
third periodic reports of Bulgaria (CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3) at
its 373rd and 374th meetings, on 28 January 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.373 and 374).
209. The combined reports covered the period up to
3 November 1994 and were supplemented by a document
containing additional information to update the information
contained in the written reports and the core document
providing information about political, legal and social
structures in Bulgaria.
210. In her statement, the representative drew attention to
the fact that, since Bulgaria’s initial report in 1985, the
country had commenced a process of radical political and
economic transformation. A new constitution had been
adopted in 1991. The representative pointed to a number of
difficulties the country had faced during the transition period,
including the fact that there had been seven different
Governments in power since 1990. Economic conditions had
also been severe. However, the Committee was informed that
a more favourable economic position was emerging as
evidenced by improved foreign investment and a forecast of
modest growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first
half of 1998.
211. The representative acknowledged that Bulgarian society
had been inherited from the communist era where there was
de jure, but not de facto equality for women. She expressed
the Government’s commitment to taking further measures to
improve the de facto situation of women in line with the
Convention. She referred to the fact that, in May 1992,
Bulgaria withdrew its reservation on paragraph 1 of article

29 of the Convention concerning the jurisdiction of the 217. The representative reported that some very favourable
International Court of Justice. She also outlined steps taken advances had been made regarding the participation of
by the Government of Bulgaria to translate and disseminate women in decision-making and political life. In some
the Convention widely throughout the country. The Ministries, the number of women significantly exceeded the
representative stated the Government’s position that equality number of men. The situation was similar in the judiciary.
between women and men was a condition sine qua non of
democracy.
212. The representative pointed out that article 6 of the discrimination against women were still evident, with some
constitution of Bulgaria guaranteed equality and non- employers preferring to fill vacancies with men or with very
discrimination. In addition, the Committee was informed that, young women who had no family responsibilities. It was
although there are no special laws on human rights and gender acknowledged that women were more affected by
equality, article 5 of the constitution provided for the unemployment than men.
incorporation of international treaties to which the Republic
of Bulgaria was a party into domestic law.
213. The representative cited statistics demonstrating that In particular, she referred to measures taken to strengthen
infant mortality in Bulgaria had decreased substantially since provisions against the illicit trafficking in persons and
the years from 1970 to 1980. She referred to the substantial emphasized the Government’s commitment to strengthen
increase in the number of births outside of wedlock in international and regional cooperation on the issue.
Bulgaria and reported that the Government saw this as a
reflection of more flexible choices of family partnerships for
women than previously.
214. The representative outlined some measures that had only be commenced upon the complaint of the victim. The
been adopted to improve the situation of Roma children, in representative acknowledged that domestic violence in
particular with regard to education. Several reports had been Bulgaria was still not seen as a human rights abuse and that
prepared relating to the Roma minority and various more awareness-raising campaigns were needed. The
consultations carried out with the specialized agencies on the Parliament was at present considering draft legislation that
issue. The situation of the Roma minority had been raised would criminalize domestic violence against children,
during the consideration of Bulgaria’s proposed membership including girls.
of the European Union and further measures would be
implemented in cooperation with the Union.
215. The Committee was informed of the measures taken by Convention and looked forward to the Committee’s
the Government of Bulgaria to implement the Beijing recommendations in that regard.
Declaration and the Platform for Action. Immediately after
the Fourth World Conference on Women, an
intergovernmental commission had been established. In
cooperation with women’s non-governmental organizations,
the commission produced a national action plan. This was
adopted by the Council of Ministers in July 1996 and a
decision was reached to establish a permanent
intergovernmental council to monitor its application. At
present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs served as the focal
point for the commission.
216. The representative referred to the Government’s
proposal to appoint an ombudsperson who could be entrusted
with the role of monitoring women’s human rights and gender
equality. A draft law was in the process of preparation and
two seminars to discuss the proposal had been planned for
1998.
218. The representative referred to the problem of
unemployment for women and noted that cases of
219. The representative stated that the reduction of crime had
been, and continued to be, a main priority for the Government.
220. The Committee was informed that, while domestic
violence resulting in severe, medium and slight physical
injury was regarded as a criminal offence, proceedings could
221. The representative concluded by indicating that the
Government was committed to the implementation of the
Concluding comments of the Committee
222. The Committee notes with appreciation the combined
second and third periodic reports of Bulgaria. The Committee
is pleased that an effort has been made to update the
information and to respond to the questions posed by the precession
working group.
223. The Committee welcomes the high-level delegation
headed by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.
224. The Committee appreciates the efforts made to respond
to the questions posed by the experts during the oral
presentation. The delegation is able to provide some valuable
information within a very short time, which significantly
assists the Committee’s understanding of the situation faced
by women in Bulgaria. However, the Committee notes that

the delegation has failed to address many of the questions 231. The Committee notes the difficult economic and
transmitted to the Government of Bulgaria by the pre-session political process Bulgaria is undergoing in its transformation
working group and that some of those posed are not addressed to democracy and a market-oriented society.
in depth. In addition, many of the questions that have been
raised by members of the Committee during the delegation’s
oral presentation have not been responded to. The Committee
appreciates the time constraints imposed, but nonetheless
requests that all those questions be answered in the next
report.
Positive aspects
225. The Committee commends Bulgaria for withdrawing
its reservation to article 29 of the Convention.
226. The Committee notes that the Bulgarian constitution
enshrines formal equality between women and men.
227. The Committee notes the willingness of the Bulgarian
Government, expressed in frequent oral statements, to
improve, in accordance with the Convention, the de facto and
de jure situation of women in Bulgaria, who currently carry
a disproportionate share of the burden associated with the 234. The Committee notes with concern that the Government
radical political and economic changes in the country. Of Bulgaria apparently lacks an understanding of paragraph
228. The Committee notes with great pleasure the changes
implemented in Bulgaria in recent years that have brought
about respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. In
particular, the Committee welcomes the Government’s
recognition that democracy will not be achieved without the
full and equal participation of women in decision-making and
all other areas of life.
229. The Committee welcomes the Government’s proposed
establishment of ombudsperson for human rights who will
also monitor women’s rights and equality issues. The
Committee notes with satisfaction the delegate’s comments
recognizing the importance of ensuring that the
ombudsperson has adequate resources and is given a clear
mandate to address gender issues.
230. The Committee commends Bulgaria on the adoption of
a national action plan to implement the Beijing Declaration
and the Platform for Action. The Committee is also pleased
that efforts have been made to establish a body to monitor the
implementation of the plan, namely the intergovernmental
commission. The comments of the delegate that an
appropriate place will soon be found for the commission
during the ongoing process of administrative reform are noted
and the Committee looks forward to the provision of further 237. The Committee is concerned that the Government of
information on that point in the State party’s next report. Bulgaria has not taken any steps to translate the provisions
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
232. The Committee considers that previous ideological
positions, including the former insistence on formal or de jure
equality, now tends to impede a proper understanding of the
complex issue of discrimination, such as structural and
indirect discrimination, which further compounds the
situation of the de facto inequality of women.
233. The Committee considers that the persistence of the
emphasis on women’s role as mothers, together with the
extensive protection provided to women as mothers, tend to
perpetuate sex role stereotypes and reduce the father’s role
and responsibility in the upbringing of the children. This
makes it difficult for the Government to promote new
concepts of men’s and women’s roles without appearing to
interfere, once again, with individual choices and desires.
Principal subjects of concern
1 of article 4 of the Convention. As embodied in the
Convention, special, temporary measures or affirmative action
means the establishment of programmes that advantage
women more than men. They require undermining formal
equality for a certain period of time in order to achieve de
facto equality in the long term. The reference by the
representative of the Government of Bulgaria to earlier
retirement age for women than men is not regarded as a
measure of affirmative action.
235. While welcoming the establishment of a commission
to monitor the implementation of the national action plan, the
Committee notes the prevalence of women in the Department
of Foreign Affairs and agrees that it is commendable to seek
the involvement of women in the Commission. However, the
Committee feels that a failure to house the commission within
an appropriate framework in the governmental structure may
impair the implementation of the Convention.
236. While the Committee notes the fact that the Bulgarian
constitution contains the principle of equality between women
and men, it is concerned that the constitution does not contain
a definition of discrimination modeled on article 1 of the Convention.
of the Convention into national legislation.
238. The Committee is concerned that there are no special
laws aimed at bringing about women’s de facto as well as de
jure equality and that the Government has not demonstrated this issue and looks forward to information about the progress
a commitment to introduce special, temporary measures in achieved in the State party’s next report.
the near future.
239. The Committee notes that the reports do not reflect any unemployment rate for women in Bulgaria. It is also
government strategy regarding a national machinery to concerned about the fact that the Government provides
address women’s issues and to implement the Convention. contradictory information on whether women’s
It is concerned that valuable time has been lost in establishing unemployment is higher than that of men. It is clear, however,
such a machinery and integrating a gender dimension into all that, despite their high level of education, unemployment
policies, which the Committee deems especially important amongst Bulgarian women warrants the serious attention and
during times of radical societal and economic change. efforts of the Bulgarian Government.
Information provided in the oral presentation about the
establishment of an intergovernmental commission to
coordinate the national action plan on women’s issues
provides some clarification, although the goals of the national
action plan, its timetable and the resources committed to its
implementation remain unclear. The Committee remains
concerned that currently there appears to be no strong
national machinery.
240. The Committee is particularly alarmed by the
overwhelming number of people living below the poverty line
in Bulgaria, which the delegation states to be approximately
80 per cent. This is of concern, as women, and in particular
elderly women, are most likely to be adversely affected by
poverty.
241. The Committee is very concerned that large numbers contraceptives. The Committee is also confused about the
of highly educated women in Bulgaria are excluded from causes of the rising rate of out-of-wedlock births and requests
decision-making processes and hence their skills are not fully further information on that point. The Committee is also
harnessed for the development of the country. concerned that the Government does not have data,
242. The Committee identifies the problem of violence
against women in Bulgaria, both in the public and private
spheres, as one of its dominant concerns. Some information 247. The Committee believes it has been provided with
has been provided in response to the questions of the pre- inadequate information on the situation of rural women and
session working group, but the Committee questions whether the extent to which they have benefited from agrarian and
the Government’s responsibility (flowing from the ratification other types of reform in the rural sector.
of the Convention and in accordance with the Committee’s
General Recommendation 19) for taking measures to address
the problem at all levels are fully acknowledged. The
Committee expresses concern at the fact that legal
proceedings for domestic violence may only be initiated upon
the complaint of the victim.
243. Although some information is provided about measures
to combat trafficking in women, the Committee remains
concerned about the adequacy of the response so far. The
Committee is concerned about the extent of the problem,
regarding both Bulgarian women who are led into prostitution
in other European countries by organized crime, as well as
women from other countries who have fallen into prostitution
in Bulgaria. The Committee notes the Government’s
undertaking to give priority to international cooperation on
244. The Committee is very concerned about the
245. Although the delegation describes some measures that
have been taken to improve the situation of Roma children,
the Committee is concerned about the very high rate of nonparticipation
of those children in schools. The need to provide
incentives for children to stay in school and to educate their
parents as to the importance of continued schooling is
emphasized.
246. The reports describe an extremely high rate of induced
abortion among women, in particular young women, in
Bulgaria. The Committee expresses alarm that abortion
appears to be used as a method of family planning. Although
the delegation provides some additional information in its oral
presentation, the Committee remains concerned about the
measures taken to ensure that women have proper access to
disaggregated by sex, on drug dependency and venereal
disease, including HIV/AIDS.
248. The Committee expresses concern that information has
not been provided on the social, economic and political status
of women of different ethnic and religious minorities in
Bulgaria.
249. The Committee requests the Government of Bulgaria
to address in its next report all the questions raised by
members of the pre-session working group, as well as all the
questions raised by members of the Committee during the oral
presentation which have not been answered. In addition, the
Committee requests that particular attention should be paid
to and detailed descriptions provided of measures to change
the prevailing attitudes and policies with regard to women’s
role in the home, to remove stereotypes from school books
and from other facets of the education system, so as to
overcome the legal, economic and social problems of female

heads of households with children, to combat all forms of of a complaint by the victim. The Committee urges the
discrimination against women in employment and to improve Government to develop an array of medical, psychological
women’s access to free legal aid and the standard of living of and other measures to assist women victims of violence and
rural women. to change prevailing attitudes to domestic violence, which
250. The Committee urges the Government to introduce a
definition of discrimination modeled on article 1 of the
Convention into its constitution and other relevant laws.
251. The Committee recommends that, despite the economic
difficulties associated with transition, the Government give
priority to the establishment of a strong and effective national
machinery with adequate financial and human resources for
advancing the position of women in Bulgaria. Special
attention should be given to where this machinery should be
placed within the Government structure to make it as effective
as possible. The Committee notes that countries undergoing
transition have a unique political opportunity to improve the
situation of women as an integral part of the successful
transition to democracy and a free market economy. They can
thereby avoid the entrenchment of structural discrimination
and the need for further fundamental changes in the future.
252. The Committee recommends that, as the Government
embarks upon the procedure of setting up an appropriate
national machinery for the promotion of women’s rights,
recourse be had to the experience of other European
Governments that have been through the same procedure in
the past. The Committee requests that more information be
provided on the implementation of the national action plan
in the State party’s next report.
253. The Committee urges the Government of Bulgaria to
appoint an ombudsperson, in accordance with the current
proposal before Parliament. The Committee further urges the
Government to ensure that sufficient resources be allocated
to enable the office to function effectively. The ombudsperson
should also be provided with a clear mandate to address
gender issues.
254. The Committee strongly recommends that temporary,
special measures, in accordance with paragraph 1 of article
4 of the Convention, be adopted in all necessary areas,
particularly in the areas of employment and political decisionmaking,
to accelerate the de facto situation of equality for
women in Bulgaria. The Committee suggests that the
Government give further consideration to the nature and role
of affirmative action. Experts of the Committee could be
called upon to provide further information and assistance to
the Government in that respect.
255. The Committee recommends that legislative measures
protecting women against all forms of violence, both public
and private, be strengthened. In particular, provision should
be made for the prosecution of offenders even in the absence
view it as a private problem, and to encourage women to seek
redress. A range of strategies are available, including the
utilization of popular music, theatre and so on, with the
cooperation of civil society, including women’s organizations.
The Committee requests that the Government of Bulgaria
include information on steps taken to address domestic
violence in its next report.
256. The Committee encourages Bulgaria to implement its
intention to cooperate at the regional and international levels
with regard to the problem of trafficking in women and their
exploitation through prostitution. The Committee suggests
that, in order to tackle the problem of trafficking in women,
it is essential to address women’s economic vulnerability,
which is the root cause of the problem. In addition, national
legislation should be reviewed and amended in accordance
with the Convention, effective administrative and police
structures need to be created, media sensitization and training
campaigns conducted and the work of women’s nongovernmental
organizations in this area promoted. The
Committee also requests that the Government of Bulgaria
include in its next report yearly data on the number of women
trafficked into Bulgaria and the number of those women who
have been returned to their countries of origin, as well as the
number of women trafficked out of Bulgaria to other countries
and the number of people engaged in trafficking who have
been arrested, prosecuted and sentenced.
257. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Bulgaria develop appropriate measures to address poverty
amongst women, particularly the most vulnerable women,
including elderly women, women with children and women
with disabilities.
258. The Committee urges the Government of Bulgaria to
undertake efforts to collect statistical information on the
social, economic and political status of women of different
ethnic minorities and to ensure that such data is available to
the Committee in the next periodic report.
259. The Committee recommends that special measures be
taken to encourage women to become entrepreneurs. Training
should be provided and measures taken to facilitate access to
credit and loans for women, in particular rural women. The
Committee requests that the next report provide detailed
information on the involvement of women in economic
operations, including information about discriminatory
practices against women in employment and measures taken
to counteract such practices.

260. The Committee urges the Government to facilitate development. The representative noted that, in spite of that
consultations between Bulgarian women’s non-governmental progress, the national machinery was still under resourced,
organizations and other European women’s non-governmental both financially and in terms of human resources.
organizations, in order to discuss Bulgarian women’s issues
and receive any necessary assistance.
261. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in of Harmonious Gender Partnership between Men and Women
Bulgaria of the present concluding comments in order to make in the Family, Society and Development - with a view to
the people of Bulgaria, and particularly its Government inculcating values of equality in the citizenry. It had also
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have translated the Platform for Action and the Convention into
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and the local languages. However, the representative reported that
further steps required in this regard. It also requests the the particular focus of the Government was on the four core
Government of Bulgaria to continue to disseminate widely, areas of poverty eradication, education, health and
in particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the empowerment.
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
Indonesia
262. The Committee considered the combined second and
third periodic reports of Indonesia (CEDAW/C/IDN/2-3) at
its 377th meeting, on 2 February 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.377).
263. In introducing the reports, the representative stated that
in terms of Indonesia’s State ideology, the Pancasila, and the
1945 constitution, as well as the Basic Guidelines of State
Policy of 1978, women’s right to equality was explicitly
guaranteed. However, the de facto situation is that women
remain unequal to men in terms of rights and opportunities
because of a combination of traditional and cultural practices
and certain laws that are contrary to the spirit, if not the letter,
of the principle of equality. The view that the man is the head
of the family and the woman the manager of the household
reflects this.
264. The Government of Indonesia established a national
machinery in 1978, well before its ratification of the
Convention in 1984. In its current form, the national
machinery consists of a State Ministry for the Role of Women,
which operates at both the national and provincial levels and
has responsibility for policy formulation, coordination,
consultation, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation of the
status and of the role of women in development.
265. The representative reported that in 1994 the State
Ministry had established a Planning and Foreign Affairs Unit
to enhance its coordinating and advocacy capacity. Its
research and outreach work was being facilitated through the
establishment of women’s studies centres at institutions of
higher learning. Also, as a first step in engendering the
national development plan, the Government had developed
a profile of the status and role of women in all sectors of
266. As a follow-up to the Beijing Conference, the
Government had launched a national movement - the Outlook
267. In the sphere of political decision-making, the
representative noted that even though there were no legal
barriers to women’s participation, it remained low because
of traditional attitudes. The Government intended to address
the situation through consultation with different sectoral
ministries, institutions, non-governmental organizations and
political parties.
268. Indonesia did not yet have specific laws and regulations
relating to trafficking in women, but it was proposing to
undertake the rehabilitation of women victims. Likewise, it
was also proposing to deal with the specific issues of
women’s human rights within the general context of human
rights violations through the newly established independent
National Commission on Human Rights. There was no
specific framework for dealing with violence against women.
Prostitution was formally banned by the Government, but
since its practice through the ages had proved very difficult
to eradicate, the Government of Indonesia had taken steps to
localize prostitution, that is, to leave the practice only within
specifically authorized areas. The Government was also
making efforts to rehabilitate women involved in prostitution.
269. Indonesia was a source of considerable migrant labour
for her neigh boors and the Middle East. The majority of those
workers were women, mostly from rural backgrounds. They
tended to face problems, including violation of rights, such
as torture and rape. The Government had established a
computerized system to monitor the mobility of women
overseas and was intensifying the pre-departure training of
women.
270. The representative stated that Indonesia would be taking
concrete measures to revise gender-discriminatory legislation,
to ratify United Nations human rights treaties and to sensitize
the courts with regard to sexual offenders. Equal rights to
inheritance between women and men had been established in
a Supreme Court judgement in 1960 and polygamy had been
outlawed. However, the prevalence of socio-cultural values

and traditional norms reduce the impact of the legal 279. The Committee is pleased to note the role of women’s
framework. non-governmental organizations in Indonesia, which have a
271. The representative reported that the current economic
crisis affects both women and men, although the Government 280. The Committee recognizes the success of the
has taken measures at both the central and regional levels to Government’s family planning programme. The Committee
provide for equal access to employment for disadvantaged views this as an example of the Government’s ability to take
women, in addition to existing efforts to encourage highly effective steps to improve the situation of women.
entrepreneurship and access to resources such as land and However, some concern is expressed that the focus of the
credit. programme is so predominantly upon women, and Committee
272. Finally, the Government intends to pursue its
commitment to the advancement of women on different fronts
and has set itself goals and deadlines, including the reduction
of the maternal mortality rate by the end of 2018 and the near
eradication of illiteracy by 1999. The Government intends to
enhance the status and role of women in development as it
seeks to achieve a just and prosperous society.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
273. The Committee notes with satisfaction the combined
second and third periodic reports of Indonesia, which are
frank, detailed and demonstrate a desire to move the women’s
agenda forward.
274. Nonetheless, the Committee expresses disappointment
that change has not taken place as fast as it should have in
Indonesia and that many of the problems that have been
identified during consideration of the State party’s initial
report remain unresolved.
275. The Committee appreciates the Government’s efforts
to address the large number of questions posed by the
pre-session working group. The additional information
provided by the delegation in the oral presentation raises a
series of further questions.
Positive aspects
276. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the
Convention forms part of the domestic law of Indonesia and
has been cited before courts in discrimination cases.
277. The Committee is pleased to learn that the Indonesian
Government has addressed the implementation of the Beijing
Platform for Action through the introduction of an Indonesian
National Action Plan.
278. The Committee expresses approval of the fact that
Indonesia has established a Ministry for the Role of Women
in the 1970s, even before its ratification of the Convention.
The creation of women’s studies centres is also considered
to be a significant achievement by the Government.
history of strong and effective action.
members emphasize the need also to take into account men’s
responsibility for family planning.

Factors and difficulties affecting the equal the situation actually is in practice and how many
implementation of the Convention women benefit from the application of civil law.
281. The Committee notes the current economic crisis in 287. The Committee was informed that Muslims may choose
Indonesia and urges the Government not to allow it to become whether Islamic or civil law is to be applied to them.
a justification for failing to implement the Convention. However, the Committee is concerned as to who decides this
282. The Committee is convinced that the existence of
cultural attitudes that confine women to the roles of mothers
and housewives presents a great obstacle to the advancement
of women. Policies and programmes developed on the basis 288. The Committee expresses concern that marriages
of those stereotypes limit women’s participation and between partners of different religions are prohibited de facto
entitlements, thereby impeding implementation of the in certain regions of Indonesia.
Convention. The Committee expresses the view that cultural
and religious values cannot be allowed to undermine the
universality of women’s rights. It also stated its belief that
culture is not a static concept and that the core values in
Indonesian society are not inconsistent with the advancement
of women.
283. The Committee notes Indonesia’s failure to collect data which present a serious obstacle to the advancement of
on certain issues that are crucial to the well-being of women, women in Indonesia. Traditional gender stereotypes are also
such as the prevalence of violence against women. Without perpetuated in formal education; and textbooks have not been
such data, neither the Government nor the Committee can revised to eliminate such stereotypes.
accurately monitor the situation of women’s equality in
Indonesia and the Committee could not offer
recommendations as to what measures might be taken to
combat the problem.
Principal areas of concern
284. The Committee is very concerned at the existence of
laws that are not in accordance with the provisions of the
Convention. It notes that discrimination against women exists
in laws regarding:
(a) Family and marriage, including polygamy; age for
marriage; divorce and the requirement that a wife obtain her
husband’s consent for a passport;
(b) Economic rights, including ownership and
inheritance of land; access to loans and credits; entitlement
to social, health and other benefits in the labour sector and the
requirement that a wife obtain her husband’s consent for night
employment;
(c) Health, including the requirement that the wife
obtain her husband’s consent with regard to sterilization or
abortion, even when her life is in danger.
285. The Committee also expresses concern that there is no
clear definition of discrimination modeled on article 1 of the
Convention in the constitution or other national laws.
286. The Committee is pleased to note the eradication of
discrimination at the de jure level in a number of areas,
including inheritance, but it remains concerned about how
issue, and to what extent Muslim women are able to choose
to have civil law applied to their affairs rather than Islamic
law.
289. The Committee expresses great concern about existing
social, religious and cultural norms that recognize men as the
head of the family and breadwinner and confine women to the
roles of mother and wife, which are reflected in various laws,
Government policies and guidelines. It is unclear what steps
the Government is proposing to take to modify such attitudes,
290. The Committee expresses concern that the full
implementation of the Indonesian national plan of action,
which represents Indonesia’s follow-up to its commitments
at the Fourth World Conference on Women, might be impeded
by prevailing religious and cultural norms that constitute the
backdrop to Indonesia’s legal and policy efforts towards
women’s equality.
291. The Committee is concerned about women’s low rates
of participation in education, as well as the high level of
illiteracy among women, especially in the rural areas. It notes
that education is a basic human right and that while the State
has made some efforts to facilitate the education of poor but
gifted children, the Committee remains concerned about the
access to education of all children, including those from
minority groups.
292. The Committee is concerned that the information
provided demonstrates that women are still employed in
lower-paid and lower-skilled work. It notes with concern that
the predominant view appears to be that married women
might provide supplemental income for a family, but that
there is very little emphasis on the right of women to develop
a career of their own.
293. The Committee is seriously concerned about the lack
of adequate laws to address violence against women, as well
as the lack of systematic sex disaggregated data collection and
documentation on the extent, forms and prevalence of
violence against women in Indonesia.

294. The Committee is gravely concerned about information concerned that not enough is being done to assist these
it has received with regard to violations of women’s human women through socio-economic and health programmes and
rights in East Timor. that preventive measures and re-socialization efforts are
295. The Committee is concerned that the information
provided on the situation of women in areas of armed conflict
reflects a limited understanding of the problem. The
Government’s remarks are confined to the participation of
women in the armed forces and do not address the
vulnerability of women to sexual exploitation in conflict
situations, as well as a range of other human rights abuses
affecting women in such contexts.
296. The Committee notes the information on the situation
Of migrant women, which has been presented in the form of
a supplement to the report. However, the Committee remains
concerned that this does not include discussion of reports of
the death as a result of mistreatment and abuses of Indonesian
migrant women abroad, as well as cases of trafficking for the
purposes of prostitution. It is concerned that the Government
lacks the mechanisms to respond to abuses of Indonesian
women abroad.
297. The Committee is gravely concerned about reported
cases of coercion in the course of the implementation of the
family planning programme. The Committee points out that
such coercion contravenes the Government’s obligations
under the Convention to ensure women’s reproductive rights
to freedom of choice and informed consent with respect to
methods of family planning.
298. The Committee is concerned that limited information
has been provided on the problem of HIV/AIDS. There is no
data on the extent of the problem, rates of increase or any sexdisaggregated
data. The Committee is particularly concerned
that the problem of HIV/AIDS is being attributed to women
in prostitution. Concern is also expressed about programmes
designed to “clean the city streets” of prostitutes whenever
there is a major international event in Jakarta. Information
provided to the Committee by other sources suggests that
women taken off the streets have been subjected to forced
vaginal examinations.
299. The Committee is seriously concerned about the extent
of unemployment amongst women, particularly those from
female-headed households, in the light of the current
economic crisis. It is also concerned about wage disparities
between female and male workers, job-segregation in the
workforce, with women disproportionately occupying low skilled
and low-paying jobs, as well as women’s unequal
access to social security, employment and health benefits.
300. The Committee is concerned that not enough is being
done to address the issue of prostitution and trafficking in
women as envisaged in article 6 of the Convention. It is also
aimed principally at prostitutes and do not address male
clients.
Suggestions and recommendations
301. The Committee recommends that, in its next report, the
Government of Indonesia fully describe the results of all
measures to implement the Beijing Platform for Action as
described in the Indonesian National Plan of Action and the
Outlook of Harmonious Gender Partnership between Men and
Women in the Family, Society and Development. The
Committee also recommends that the Indonesian Government
take account of the Committee’s remarks on religious and
cultural values and their effect on the implementation of these
initiatives.
302. The Committee recommends that the Government take
appropriate measures to mitigate the negative impact that the
current economic crisis may have on women in Indonesia,
particularly in the areas of education, health and employment.
303. The Committee urges the Government to collect, as a
matter of priority, data on the extent, causes and
consequences of the problem of violence against women in
Indonesia. The Committee also emphasizes the need for the
gender sensitization of authorities, including the judiciary,
law enforcement officers, lawyers, social workers, health
professionals or others who are directly involved in
combating violence against women.
304. The Committee recommends that the Government give
priority to hastening the pace of progress on women’s issues
in Indonesia. The Committee urges the Government to take
stronger measures to address the contradiction that currently
exists between the Government’s stated commitment to the
principles contained in the Convention and the actual
situation facing women in Indonesia.
305. The Committee recommends that in Indonesia’s fourth
periodic report efforts be made to consolidate the written
replies with other parts of the presentation, to avoid overlap
and to enable the Committee to spend more time in dialogue
with the State party. The Committee also requests that the
report pay particular attention to the priority areas identified
in the questions of the Committee.
306. The Committee requests that in its next report, the
Government of Indonesia provide information about
government-supported women’s studies programmes and
centres. The Committee also requests information on

Government efforts to revise textbooks to reflect values of and stocktaking. It provided an opportunity for assessing
gender equality. developments that had occurred in various governmental and
307. The Committee urges the Government to take
immediate steps to eradicate the practice of polygamy in
Indonesia and to change the other discriminatory laws 315. Among progress achieved in the legal sphere, the
identified by the Committee in paragraph 284 above. representative noted in particular the adoption of a law
308. The Committee recommends that the Government take
steps to ensure that women in Indonesia have the right to free
choice of spouse as provided for in article 16, subparagraph
1 (b), of the Convention.
309. The Committee recommends that appropriate measures
be taken to ensure that women in East Timor are not subject
to violations of their human rights.
310. The Committee recommends that the Government
address the issue of trafficking in women and prostitution, in
accordance with article 6 of the Convention, and establish,
inter alia, socio-economic and health programmes to assist
women in this context.
311. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
Indonesia of the present concluding comments in order to
make the people of Indonesia, and particularly its government
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and the
further steps required in this regard. It also requests the
Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
3. Combined second, third and fourth
periodic reports
Dominican Republic
312. The Committee considered the second, third and fourth
periodic reports of the Dominican Republic
(CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3 and CEDAW/C/DOM/4) at its 379th
and 380th meetings, on 3 February 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.379 and 380).
313. In introducing the reports, the representative of the
Dominican Republic noted that, since its ratification by the
Government in 1982, the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women had been an
instrument for Dominican women to overcome their
subordination and to change the patriarchal order.
314. Referring in particular to the fourth periodic report, the
representative described it as an instrument of self-assessment
societal sectors and also for identifying obstacles and areas
for further change.
against domestic violence (Ley contra la Violence
Interfamilial). She referred to the Government’s ongoing
efforts to put in place practical measures to ensure
compliance with the new law, such as awareness and
information campaigns, training for law-enforcement officers
and the creation of special units to handle violence
complaints.
316. Other legal measures included the adoption of an
education bill establishing the principle of equality of
opportunity between the sexes, the revision of the electoral
law establishing a quota of 25 per cent for women candidates
in municipal and congressional elections and the revision of
the agrarian reform law. The representative also noted that
there was widespread support, especially in the women’s
movement, for further legal reform aimed at the elimination
of discriminatory provisions, particularly in the civil code,
and for the inclusion of the principle of equality in the
constitution.
317. The representative pointed to the creation of several
mechanisms to ensure implementation of the legal and
normative framework for women. She noted in particular the
strengthening of the Direction General de Promotion de la
Muter through a substantial increase in human and financial
resources, combined with a commitment in principle to
elevate the Directorate to a secretariat of state or ministry for
women’s affairs. She also pointed to the establishment of an
intersectional committee for the follow-up to, and
implementation of, the Beijing Declaration and the Platform
for Action.
318. While there had been progress in women’s political and
social participation, this was an area where further progress
was needed. Most notably, 31 per cent of the judges of the
Supreme Court of Justice were women. There had also been
an increase in the number of women working in the Foreign
Service While important changes had also taken place in the
areas of education for women, especially in terms of their
access to all levels of education, sexism persisted in the
professional sphere.
319. The representative informed the Committee that the
economic situation of the country since the early 1990s was
characterized by macroeconomic control and stabilization
efforts. Poverty remained the major challenge and its
eradication was a priority objective for the Government. Since

poverty affected women in particular ways and limited their 324. The Committee welcomes the many important
economic participation and access to services, specific initiatives and measures undertaken in different areas by the
projects for women, in particular women heads of households, Dirección General in a short period of time and commends
formed part of the Government’s poverty eradication efforts. it for its ongoing work on a number of legislative drafts aimed
320. The representative concluded that the new Government,
which had been installed in mid-1996, had embarked on a 325. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption
policy of reform and modernization. While the impact of several new laws and legal revisions to bring the domestic
reform on the situation of women could not yet be evaluated, situation into greater conformity with the Convention. In
she noted that the Dirección General de Promoción de la particular, the Committee applauds the adoption, in 1997, of
Mujer and the national women’s movement remained the law against domestic violence following the country’s
committed to ensuring that a gender approach was reflected ratification, in 1995, of the Inter-American Convention on the
in those reforms. The Convention would provide continuing Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against
guidance into the next millennium on measures to improve Women (Convention of Belém do Pará). The Committee
the status of women. furthermore commends the Government on the holistic and
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
321. The Committee commends the Government for the
preparation of a new report in late 1997, that is, the fourth
periodic report, which is considered together with its second
and third periodic report submitted in 1993. It welcomes it
as a well-structured report that provides frank and clear
information on the situation of women in the Dominican
Republic. Together with the exhaustive replies provided to
the Committee’s numerous questions, the presentation gives
a comprehensive view of the efforts undertaken by the new
Government. This is indicative of the political will of the
Government to carry out its commitments under international
human rights law, and especially its desire to achieve full
compliance with its obligations under the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
322. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
Government of the Dominican Republic for its large and high-level
delegation headed by the Minister for Women’s Affairs,
which has enabled the Committee to obtain a realistic picture
of progress made and of challenges ahead in the achievement
of the equal rights of women.
Positive aspects
323. The Committee welcomes the fact that the Government,
while undergoing a period of change, reform and
modernization after the last election in 1996, has made great
efforts to ensure the systematic inclusion of a gender
perspective in its new policies and programmes. The catalytic
role of the Dirección General de Promoción de la Mujer and
of the women’s movement in this regard are particularly
noted.
at repealing or revising discriminatory laws and provisions.
integrated approach it is taking to address the issue of
violence against women, which includes legislative measures,
public awareness campaigns, training and sensitization
measures for law-enforcement officials and the judiciary, and
the establishment of special units to handle domestic violence
complaints.
326. The Committee notes with satisfaction the revision of
the agrarian reform law giving women the right to inherit
land, a reform of particular importance to rural women.
Changes in the Education Law were commended, as is the
establishment, in the Electoral Law, of a 25 per cent quota for
women candidates in municipal and congressional elections.
The Committee also notes women’s above-average
representation in secondary and higher education. While
illiteracy continues to be a concern, the rate of female
illiteracy is lower than that of males, which is an exception
when compared to the situation of illiteracy in most other
countries.
327. The Committee commends the Government for devoting
a special section in the fourth periodic report to women heads
of households, thus showing its sensitivity to the particular
constraints and vulnerabilities faced by this group of women,
which makes up one fourth of all Dominican households.
328. The Committee commends the role of non-governmental
organizations and of the women’s movement in awareness raising
and in lobbying lawmakers and the Government to
focus on women’s issues, and their active work in providing
services to women.
329. The Committee notes with satisfaction the establishment
of a governmental mechanism to follow up and implement the
commitments of the Platform for Action.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention

330. The Committee notes the persistence of a high poverty 335. The Committee expresses concern that, while close ties
level and of situations of extreme poverty, with 57 per cent exist between the Dirección General de Promoción de la
of the Dominican population living below the poverty line. Mujer and women’s groups, insufficient cooperation and
As women are most affected by poverty, which is aggravated networking has been established between the Dirección
by discrimination and inequality, this constitutes a serious General and women in decision-making in all areas of
obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention in the political, economic and social life.
Dominican Republic.
331. Although the Dominican Republic is a secular State, the of women workers. While the high percentage of women
Committee notes the absence, in practice, of a clear employed in free-trade zones is laudable, because it gives
separation of Church and State. The Committee considers theme financial footing, women workers suffer considerable
such an intermingling of the secular and religious spheres as discrimination in income and benefits. The Committee notes
a serious impediment to full implementation of the with concern the absence of efforts by the Government to
Convention. ensure and enforce compliance with wage, benefits and
Principal areas of concern
332. The Committee expresses concern that, notwithstanding
legislative achievements, discriminatory provisions continue
to exist, including in the civil code, the nationality law and
marriage and family laws, especially in areas such as the
administration of marital property. Discriminatory provisions
regarding unmarried women, as well as single mothers,
persist in social security provisions and in land inheritance
rights under the agrarian reform law. The Committee notes
with concern the continuing absence of the principle of
equality from the country’s constitution.
333. The Committee expresses deep concern about the
economic consequences of women’s poverty. Women’s
migration to urban areas and to foreign countries render them
susceptible to sexual exploitation, including trafficking and
sex tourism, and prostitution. The lack of creation of jobs for
women in growth sectors, including in the tourism industry,
contributes to the high percentage of women migrating abroad
in search of work. The Committee is concerned that
notwithstanding the high level of poverty among women, and
especially of women-headed households, no affirmative action
measures are being taken to support women’s efforts to break
the cycle of poverty.
334. The Committee expresses concern about the rigid social
codes adhered to in the country and the persistence of
machismo, which is reflected in areas such as women’s low
participation in public life and decision-making, in the
stereotypical portrayal of women’s role in the family, social
life and a segregated labour market. Emphasizing that legal
measures alone are not sufficient, the Committee notes the
failure of the Government to undertake comprehensive and
systematic public awareness and information campaigns to
change stereotypical attitudes that are detrimental to women’s
equality.
336. The Committee is deeply concerned about the situation
workers’ safety laws, including compliance with International
Labour Organization Conventions. Women’s overall high
unemployment rate, the particularly insecure situation of
domestic workers and single mothers are also of concern to
the Committee. The Committee is further concerned that
women often have higher levels of education than men but are
paid less than men for work of equal value.
337. The Committee expresses deep concern with respect
to the high rate of maternal mortality which is caused, as is
noted in the report, by toxemia, hemorrhages during
childbirth and clandestine abortions; the Committee also
notes that toxemia may be caused by induced abortions. The
high rate of maternal mortality, in conjunction with the fact
that abortions in the Dominican Republic are absolutely and
under all circumstances illegal, cause very great concern to
the Committee and draws attention to the implications of the
situation for women’s enjoyment of the right to life.
Suggestions and recommendations
338. The Committee encourages the Government to ensure
that the implementation of all provisions of the Convention
proceeds without obstacles and requests the Government to
include in its next report detailed information on the practical
implementation of the Convention, emphasizing the impact
of policies and programmes aimed at achieving women’s
equality.
339. The Committee urges the Government to provide the
Dirección General with the necessary authority and with
adequate human and financial resources to implement special
programmes for women, to influence all governmental
decision-making and to ensure that a gender perspective is
consistently applied in all Government policies and
programmes.
340. The Committee encourages the Dirección General,
using the model of the Honorary Committee of Women

Advisers to the Senate, to intensify cooperation with other Public information campaigns aimed at particularly
sectors and entities of civil, political and economic life, so as vulnerable groups ofwomen should also be conducted to alert
to ensure more systematic attention to gender issues in these them to potential dangers when seeking work overseas.
areas.
341. The Committee urges the Government to make women regular assessments of the impact of the 25 per cent quota
a priority in its poverty eradication strategy. Particular regulation contained in the electoral law to ensure the full
emphasis should be placed on the mainstreaming of a gender implementation of the law and the achievement of higher
perspective in all poverty eradication efforts and measures percentages of women in decision-making.
should be taken to ensure to women the enjoyment of their
rights in such efforts.
342. The Committee recommends that the Government young women and to increase its information activities
continue its efforts to mainstream a gender perspective in all regarding non-traditional jobs for women in order to reduce
its reforms. It also suggests that the Government identify job segregation patterns and the wage gap between women
priority areas for targeted actions for women. The reduction and men.
and elimination of illiteracy, the creation of jobs and the
implementation of labour legislation and reforms are
suggested for such priority attention.
343. The Committee encourages the Government to continue HIV/AIDS and on family planning. It also invites the
to give attention to women heads of households and to Government to review legislation in the area of women’s
conduct further research into their situation with a view to reproductive and sexual health, in particular with regard to
developing sound and effective policies on strengthening their abortion, in order to give full compliance to articles 10 and
socio-economic situation and the prevention of poverty and 12 of the Convention.
to ensure that needed services and support are provided to
such households.
344. The Committee urges the Government to improve the and participatory role for rural women in the design,
collection and use of data disaggregated by sex, so that the implementation and monitoring of all policies and
strong factual basis for the picture of the de facto situation of programmes that are intended to benefit them, including in
women in all areas covered by the Convention may be areas such as access to health and social services, income maintained
and measures targeted more carefully to specific generation projects and housing. The Government should also
groups. Areas related to women’s health, work, employment, consider the establishment of special banks and of improved
wages and benefits, to the types and incidence of violence access to credit for rural women.
against women and the impact of measures against violence
against women should receive particular emphasis. Data
should also be disaggregated by age, and by other criteria
such as urban/rural.
345. The Committee urges the Government to continue its
integrated approach to the elimination and prevention of
violence against women. In particular, the collection of data
and information on the incidence and types of violence against
women should be improved and attention should be given to
so-called crimes of passion, their frequency and the response
of law enforcement.
346. The Committee strongly urges the Government to
pursue bilateral agreements and to cooperate in multilateral
efforts to reduce and eradicate traffic in women, to protect
women migrant workers, such as domestic workers, from
exploitation, including sexual exploitation. Such agreements
should be concluded, in particular with those countries that
are a primary destination for Dominican women workers.
347. The Committee invites the Government to conduct
348. The Committee urges the Government to strengthen
vocational and technical training and career counseling for
349. The Committee invites the Government to strengthen
educational programmes for all, both girls and boys, on sexual
and reproductive health, on combating the spread of
350. The Committee encourages the Government to give full
attention to the needs of rural women and to ensure an active
351. The Committee urges the Government to take steps to
ensure the de facto separation of the secular and religious
spheres, with a view to ensuring the full implementation of
the Convention.
352. The Committee urges the Government to continue its
law reform efforts aimed at the elimination of all remaining
discriminatory laws and provisions. Laws such as the civil
code, the nationality law and the labour law should be
targeted for priority action to bring them into full conformity
with the Convention.
353. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in the
Dominican Republic of the present concluding comments in
order to make the people of the Dominican Republic, and
particularly its government administrators and politicians,
aware of the steps that have been taken to ensure de facto
equality for women and the further steps required in this
regard. The Committee also requests the Government to

continue to disseminate widely, and in particular to women’s decision-making. The federal election legislation called on
and human rights organizations, the Convention, the political parties to establish a limit of participation of
Committee’s general recommendations and the Beijing candidates of the same gender. Subsequently, two main
Declaration and the Platform for Action. political parties had established quotas to ensure that at least
4. Combined third and fourth
periodic reports
Mexico
354. The Committee considered the combined third and
fourth periodic reports of Mexico (CEDAW/C/MEX/3-4 and
Add.1) at its 376th and 377th meetings, on 30 January 1998
(see CEDAW/C/SR.376 and 377).
355. Introducing the report, the representative stated that the
Mexican constitution guaranteed equal rights for women and
men. Furthermore, the constitution explicitly mentioned
women’s equal rights in the areas of education, family
planning, nationality, employment, wages and political
participation.
356. In order to implement the commitments made at the
Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Mexico had
established a national machinery for the advancement of
women, under the Ministry of the Interior, which was in
charge of putting into practice the National Programme for
Women: Alliance for Equality, the document containing
Mexico’s strategies for the implementation of the Beijing
Platform for Action. The Executive Coordination Office of
the national programme for women was responsible for
bringing together and coordinating inter-agency activities,
which would allow the full implementation of the National
Programme for Women and other governmental programmes.
Thus, the Consultative Council and the Social Comptroller
were integrated as organs for counseling, following up and
surveying the programme. These two bodies were integrated
by women belonging to different sectors of society.
357. The Government of Mexico had taken steps to conform
its national policies with international agreements on the
status of women. In January 1994, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs had established a coordination unit for international
women’s issues that monitored the implementation of
international agreements. Furthermore, the National Human
Rights Commission analysed whether the Mexican law
complies with international agreements on women’s and
children’s rights and proposed amendments thereon to the
current law.
358. The representative reported that Mexico had established
quotas to promote the participation of women in political
30 per cent of their candidates were women and one had
established a preferential option to select women.
359. Mexico had enacted special laws and reformed the civil
and criminal code for the Federal District in order to combat
and punish domestic violence. Furthermore, consultations had
started at the local level to reform the civil and criminal codes
of the majority of the states of Mexico with regard to violence
against women. In addition, special programmes had been
launched to support women victims of violence.
360. Girls and women were under-represented in higher
education; however, their enrolment has increased in recent
years. The rate of illiteracy in Mexico was declining but
remained high among older women and rural and indigenous
women. This had led to the establishment of compensatory
programmes aimed at overcoming the educational
backwardness in rural and indigenous communities, which
were in a state of extreme poverty or were isolated and lacked
access to normal educational services. The National Institute
of Adult Education addressed its action to a population
comprised mainly of women and also offered non-formal
employment training services. The National Educational
Promotion Council operated in settlements with less than 150
inhabitants with the objective of establishing schools in the
communities themselves.
361. The representative stated that women in the paid labour
force had to cope with the double burden of work and family
responsibilities and tended to be concentrated in the lower
paid professions. The Mexican Government paid special
attention to the need to train women under the Training
Fellowships for Unemployed Workers Programme of the
Ministry of Labour.
362. Maternal mortality had declined significantly, owing to
awareness-raising and training campaigns. Furthermore, the
increased use of contraceptives had led to a decline in fertility.
In order to make health care more responsive to women’s
needs, the Ministry of Health had launched a programme to
incorporate gender in all activities of its policy and
programmes. Health policies and programmes have also been
implemented in order to decrease and prevent the occurrence
of cervix-uterine and breast cancer.
363. Households headed by women were most vulnerable to
poverty. In order to combat poverty, the Mexican Government
had been implementing the Food, Health and Education
Programme, established in 1997. The Programme was
establishing a series of affirmative measures in favour of the

female population, after recognizing the disadvantages faced terms of both legislative reform and real progress in
by women and girls in terms of food, education and health. improving the status of women.
The Government also provided microcredit’s to women and
supported women entrepreneurs.
364. The situation of rural women in Mexico was very economic and political situation of women in her country and
diverse, depending on their ethnic origin and the region. her Government’s efforts to implement the Convention and
However, women in rural areas generally had less access to for her objective and analytical presentation of the obstacles
education and health care. The national machinery had to the advancement of women in Mexico.
launched policies and programmes to improve the situation
of women in rural areas, such as the conformation of a rural
women national network, in order to link governmental
organizations, with the goal of promoting integral
development.
365. The representative concluded by stating that Mexican provided on the situation of indigenous women in Chiapas to
women had advanced significantly in recent years, but still be extremely important.
faced many obstacles to the full enjoyment of their rights. She
underlined the commitment of the Mexican Government to
continue to design policies aimed at granting women and girls
equal treatment and opportunities. She also recognized that
the most profound changes were born in the deepest values
and attitudes of society, which could only be achieved through
processes that demanded time and a strong political will.
Concluding comments
Introduction
366. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the third
and fourth reports submitted by the Government of Mexico,
which reflect the current state of compliance with the
Convention in Mexico and the programmes established and
actions taken to improve the status of women.
367. The Committee points out that the significance attached
by the Mexican Government to the Convention has also been
illustrated by the high level of the delegation representing the
State party at the session.
368. The Committee thanks the Government of Mexico for
its oral report, as well as its replies to the Committee’s
questions and its representative’s statement, translated into
both French and English.
369. The Committee expresses its thanks for the Mexican
Government’s exhaustive and specific replies to all the
questions asked and for the updated information provided in
the statement of the representative of the Government of
Mexico.
370. The Committee congratulates the Government of
Mexico for the achievements made since the last report in
371. The Committee thanks the representative of Mexico for
the transparency with which she discussed the socio-
372. The Committee notes that the Mexican Government’s
report and its replies to the Committee’s questions offer
valuable, comprehensive information on the various
programmes implemented and planned by the Government
of Mexico. The Committee considers the specific information
Positive aspects
373. The Committee expresses its satisfaction at the Mexican
Government’s efforts to implement the Convention through
many programmes, either in progress or planned, for the
advancement of Mexican women and commends the legal
framework established for implementing the Convention. The
Committee stresses that the Mexican Government has adopted
the Platform for Action without reservations and has
introduced a national action programme to implement the
Platform and for the follow-up of commitments made in
Beijing.
374. The Committee notes that the constitution provides
guarantees for the protection of women’s and men’s rights,
both as individuals and as groups.
375. The Committee stresses the importance of the
establishment of the National Programme for Women:
Alliance for Equality on 8 March 1995, which is a national
mechanism to promote activities designed to improve the
status of women that was binding on Federal Government
offices and parastatal organizations. The Committee notes
with satisfaction that the executive coordinator of the National
Programme for Women, which coordinates all efforts to
improve the status of women, is at the high level of undersecretary
of State.
376. The Committee recognizes with satisfaction that the
Convention serves as a framework for both the National
Programme for Women and the National Human Rights
Commission and that the efforts to implement the Convention
are implicit in the National Development Plan.
377. The Committee notes with satisfaction that during the
period from 1993, important constitutional reforms have been
introduced in order to advance the status of Mexican women

and implement the Convention and that constitutional reform Factors and difficulties affecting the
has been followed by changes in other legislation. implementation of the Convention
378. The Committee notes with appreciation that pursuant 387. The Committee notes that, while the Convention is part
to constitutional reforms, primary and secondary education of the Supreme Law and its implementation is compulsory at
is now compulsory for women and girls. the federal level, the specific legislation of a number of
379. The Committee observes with satisfaction that the civil,
civil procedure and penal codes have been modified in order
to facilitate proceedings with regard to violence against
women in the family, including marital rape. It also 388. The Committee notes that implementation of the
commends the 1996 Federal District law to prevent and assist Convention is hampered by the fact that Mexico is a
victims of interfamilial violence and the fact that Mexico has territorially vast, multi-ethnic and multicultural developing
signed the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, country with a difficult economic situation that affects the
Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (the most vulnerable strata of society, and women in particular.
Convention of Belém do Pará).
380. The Committee notes with appreciation the recent
adoption by the Congress of the Union of an addendum to the
Federal Code of Electoral Institutions and Procedures, which
states that national political parties should consider providing
in their statutes that no more than 70 per cent of the
candidates for deputy or senator should be of the same gender.
381. The Committee notes with satisfaction the efforts being
made to implement affirmative action programmes in a
number of areas, including the Federal Code of Electoral
Institutions and Procedures and that these demonstrate a clear
understanding of paragraph 1 of article 4 of the Convention.
382. The Committee welcomes the Mexican Government’s
initiative in establishing an information, documentation and
research system on the situation of women, and considers this
to be an important tool in designing better policies to promote
equality, which would also reflect women’s non-remunerative
work.
383. The Committee acknowledges with satisfaction the
considerable number of women working in the judicial system
and that women occupy 19 per cent of high-level judicial
posts.
384. The Committee welcomes the reinstitution of the
Women, Health and Development Programme in 1995 and
the elaboration of the Reproductive Health and Family
Planning Programme, 1995–2000, both of which are evidence
of the efforts to improve the quality of health care for women
in the country.
385. The Committee commends the Government’s initiative
to encourage women’s non-governmental organizations to
participate in programmes to implement the Convention.
386. The Committee commends the Mexican Government
for objecting to reservations lodged by some States parties
to the Convention.
Mexican states contains elements that discriminate against
women and are not in keeping with the provisions of national
legislation and the Convention.
Principal areas of concern
389. The Committee expresses its concern with regard to the
discrimination faced by indigenous women, where the health,
education and employment indicators are below the national
average. It also expresses concern about the situation of rural
women living in poverty and in extreme poverty.
390. The Committee expresses concern with regard to the
situation of indigenous women and children, particularly in
the state of Chiapas since, in conflict zones where the police
or armed forces are operating, women are often the innocent
victims of violence.
391. The Committee expresses concern with regard to de
facto discrimination, referring, in this regard, to the situation
of women workers in factories where, according to
information received from various sources, Mexican labour
legislation, particularly legislation on the reproductive rights
of women workers, is being violated. The Committee also
refers to the situation in certain areas where the principle of
equal salary for work of equal value is not applied and where
women of child-bearing age are subject to mandatory
pregnancy tests as a condition of employment.
392. The Committee notes that the report does not describe
cases where the Convention has been used to support claims
for women’s human rights. The Committee is concerned that
the absence of such cases is either because women lack
awareness of the Convention and its primacy in domestic law
or because they lack sufficient resources to access the legal
system.
393. The Committee notes that, in spite of the legislative
measures Mexico has taken, violence against women,
particularly domestic violence, continues to be a serious
problem in Mexican society.
394. The Committee notes the high, and unsatisfied, demand
for contraceptive methods, in particular among poor urban

women, rural women and adolescents. It also notes with Committee would welcome a more equitable redistribution
concern cases in some localities in which contraceptive of wealth among the population.
methods have been used without women’s express consent,
which is required under Mexican law.
395. The Committee expresses serious concern at the action and, in its next report, submit a consolidated evaluation
possible existence of an illicit traffic in women. It notes that of all affirmative-action initiatives.
if there is trafficking in women, that this is a serious violation
of their human rights.
396. The Committee warns that, in the present to enable women to seek redress from the courts on the basis
circumstances, the gender-equality policy in the regular of the Convention.
educational system may be affected by the decentralization
of education in Mexico.
397. The Committee draws attention to the lack of access to factories and pursue the work of raising awareness among
health-care services for children and old people. factory employers.
398. The Committee considers that the policies to promote 407. The Committee also requests the Ministry of Agrarian
equality within the family are insufficient, since stereotyped Reform to continue its institutional intervention to persuade
roles are perpetuated in the family by deeply rooted traditions public land (ejido) assemblies to allocate to women the
of men’s superiority. In addition, the Committee notes that parcels of land to which they are entitled.
certain legal provisions might continue to promote inequality
and traditional roles within the family.
399. The Committee refers to the high rate of teenage criminalizing abortion and suggests that it weigh the
pregnancy and the lack of access for women in all states to possibility of authorizing the use of the RU486 contraceptive,
easy and swift abortion. which is cheap and easy to use, as soon as it becomes
400. The Committee expresses concern at the absence of
information about Mexican women who migrated abroad. 409. The Committee requests that information be given in
Suggestions and recommendations
401. The Committee encourages Mexico to continue to allow
women’s non-governmental organizations to participate in
the implementation of the Convention.
402. The Committee recommends that, despite the structure
of the Federal Government, the constitution and the
Convention of Belém do Pará should be implemented
throughout the country in order to speed up legal change in
all states, and requests the Mexican Government to provide,
in its next report, information on the measures it has taken in
that regard.
403. The Committee recommends that the Mexican
Government continue its efforts to reduce poverty among
rural women, particularly indigenous women, and to work
together with non-governmental organizations, making
special efforts to promote education, employment and health
programmes conducive to the integration of women into the
development process, both as beneficiaries and as
protagonists. In view of the relatively high growth levels of
the Mexican economy that have been mentioned, the
404. The Committee suggests that Mexico evaluate areas,
such as the private sector, that are not covered by affirmative
405. The Committee proposes that, in its next report, Mexico
should provide more information about existing mechanisms
406. The Committee expresses the hope that the Government
will continue to monitor compliance with labour laws in the
408. The Committee recommends that the Government
consider the advisability of revising the legislation
available.
the next report on the impact of programmes to reduce and
prevent teenage pregnancy.
410. The Committee recommends the introduction of training
for health personnel with regard to women’s human rights,
and particularly their right, freely and without coercion, to
choose means of contraception.
411. The Committee suggests that the Government continue
to work for the adoption of nationwide legislation on all forms
of violence against women, including domestic violence,
adjusting state laws to national laws.
412. The Committee requests the Government to consider
the possibility of implementing an integrated, long-term plan
for combating violence. Such a plan could include taking legal
action, training judicial, law enforcement and health
personnel, informing women about their rights and about the
Convention and strengthening victims’ services.
413. The Committee recommends that strong action be taken
against persons who commit violence against women, and that
it should be made easier for women to bring court action
against offenders.
414. The Committee recommends that the Government
address the matter of whether it intends to legalize

prostitution and whether this issue has been subject to public 425. The Committee recommends that the Government of
debate in its next report. It strongly recommends that new Mexico pay special attention to safeguarding the human rights
legislation should not discriminate against prostitutes but of women, including indigenous women and women in
should punish pimps and procurers. conflict zones, especially where police and armed forces are
415. The Committee recommends that the legal penalties for
rape be amended and that the State ensure their 426. The Committee recommends that all states of Mexico
implementation. It also recommends rape awareness should review their legislation so that, where necessary,
campaigns be conducted for non-governmental organizations women are granted access to rapid and easy abortion.
and legislators.
416. The Committee suggests that action be taken against Mexico of the present concluding comments, in order to make
employers who discriminate against women on grounds of the people of Mexico, and particularly its government
pregnancy. The women concerned should be supported, and administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have
society sent a clear signal that such discrimination is not to been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and the
be tolerated. further steps required in this regard. The Committee also
417. The Committee requests information in the
Government’s next report on the avenues of appeal open to
women who, upon a division of property in divorce, suffer
economically despite their contribution to the family’s assets.
418. The Committee requests information in the
Government’s next report on women who migrate abroad,
where they go and whether any authorized agency regulates
such migration.
419. The Committee requests that the next report provide
comparative data on men’s and women’s access to pensions
and the minimum amount of such pensions.
420. The Committee requests information in the next report
on whether homosexuality is penalized in the criminal code.
421. The Committee requests information on women heads
of rural enterprises and on programmes for the economic
advancement of rural women.
422. The Committee recommends the introduction of
education programmes on the provisions of the Convention
and the rights of women for judicial personnel, law
enforcement officers, lawyers and others who are responsible
for applying the law. The Committee also recommends that
further steps be taken to increase the numbers of women at
all levels of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
423. The Committee proposes that a campaign be conducted
to educate women about the content of the Convention,
alerting them to their economic, political, civil and cultural
rights.
424. The Committee welcomes the systematic inclusion of
statistics in future reports in order to facilitate a dialogue with
the Committee on women’s de facto situation. In particular,
the Committee requests data on the implementation of the
information system that is beginning to be applied.
operating.
427. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
requests the Government to continue to disseminate widely,
and in particular to women’s and human rights organizations,
the Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations
and the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
Chapter V
Ways and means of expediting the
work of the Committee
428. The Committee considered ways and means of
expediting the work of the Committee (agenda item 6) at its
360th and 383rd meetings, on 19 January and 6 February
1998.
429. The item was introduced by the Chief of the Women’s
Rights Unit of the Division for the Advancement of Women,
who introduced the report of the Secretariat
(CEDAW/C/1998/I/4) and a working paper containing draft
rules of procedure (CEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.1).
Action taken by the Committee on the
report of Working Group I
430. At its 383rd meeting, on 6 February 1998, the
Committee considered the item on the basis of the report of
Working Group I (CEDAW/C/1998/WG.I/WP.1).
1. Specialized agencies and other
United Nations bodies
431. The Committee decided that its Chairperson should
send letters to the specialized agencies and organizations of
the United Nations system seeking support for the work of the
Committee and identifying members of the Committee who
were serving as focal points for the particular agency or

organization. The letter would also outline the information it draws up the list of questions and issues. The three
the Committee required from those organizations and would members should be drawn from different regions. The
request that each nominate an individual member to serve as Committee agreed that the country rapporteur should take the
the focal point for the Committee. lead in drawing up the list of questions and issues and that her
432. The Committee decided to nominate a focal point from
among its members to liaise with the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
433. The Committee agreed that the pre-session working
group should make it its usual practice to invite the
specialized agencies to present to the Group country-specific
information concerning periodic reports. The specialized
agencies and other entities would be informed well in advance
of this practice, as would the countries to be considered by
the pre-session working group. The Committee also agreed
that the specialized agencies and other entities should also be
invited to address the Committee as a whole in a closed
meeting on States parties whose initial reports are to be taken 438. The Committee agreed that its Chairperson would invite
up by the Committee. the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to
2. Institutional relations
434. The Committee agreed that further steps should be
taken to establish cooperation between the Committee and the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and 439. The Committee agreed that in considering the reports
consequences. Reports to be considered by the Committee of States parties the Chairperson should be entrusted with the
should be sent to her for comments on violence against task of expressing courtesies towards the representatives of
women. Although the Committee considered that a model of reporting States on behalf of all members of the Committee.
flexible cooperation should be created between the In the interests of time, other members of the Committee
Committee and the Special Rapporteur, it considered that it would refrain from further expressions of welcome or
might be useful to nominate a focal point from among its appreciation. The Committee also agreed that members
members to develop a closer relationship with the Special should endeavour not to repeat questions that had already
Rapporteur. The Committee also agreed that the Special been posed by other members.
Rapporteur should be requested to alert the Committee to
questions it might raise with individual States parties whose
reports were before the Committee.
435. The Committee agreed that liaison should be of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
established with the Special Rapporteurs of the Commission Women for their information and comments, with a view to
on Human Rights on the sale of children, child prostitution possible consideration at its nineteenth session.
and child pornography, and on the elimination of all forms of
religious intolerance and of discrimination based on religion
or belief, and those of the Sub commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on traditional
practices affecting the health of women and children, and
systematic rape and sexual slavery and forced pregnancy in
the conduct of armed conflict.
3. Pre-session working group
436. The Committee agreed to continue its current practice
of assigning three members to prepare questions relating to
periodic reports to guide the pre-session working group as
introductory report should be sent to the pre-session working
group to assist it in its work. The Committee agreed that
country rapporteurs should be nominated at the session prior
to that at which reports are to be considered.
437. The Committee agreed that the pre-session working
group of the Committee should meet at the end of the previous
session to encourage flexibility in the work of the Committee
and to allow States parties to present more detailed and
comprehensive answers to the Committee’s questions.
Transition to this pattern of work should take place at the
twentieth session of the Committee, in January 1999 (see
chap. I, sect. B, suggestion 18/1).
present to the Committee an analysis of the impact of their
policies on women’s enjoyment of their rights.
4. Consideration of the reports of States parties
440. The Committee agreed that the Human Rights
Committee’s “Guidelines for the exercise of functions by
members of the Committee” be circulated among members
441. The Committee reaffirmed its past practice that
members should refrain from participating in any aspect of
the consideration of the reports of the States of which they
were nationals in order to maintain the highest standards of
impartiality, both in substance and appearance (see chap. I,
sect. A, decision 18/III).
5. Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome
442. The Committee welcomed the suggestion made at the
“Round table of Human Rights Treaty bodies’ Approaches
To Women’s Health, with a Focus on Reproductive and Sexual

Health Rights”, held at Glen Cove, New York, in December to in three of the expert group meetings convened by the
1996, that the eighth meeting of persons chairing the human Division for the Advancement of Women during 1997. It also
rights treaty bodies should consider the issue of human noted that throughout its work the Committee already
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency considered the extent to which adolescent girls enjoyed their
syndrome. It also noted the suggestion of the chairpersons that human rights, including their rights to reproductive and
each treaty body should address the issue of HIV/AIDS in its sexual health. It noted the suggestions made by the expert
work. The Committee had been addressing this issue for a group meetings with regard to future general
long time and would continue to do so in its constructive recommendations and agreed to take into account the
dialogue with States parties when reviewing reports, its suggestions that general recommendations should be
concluding comments and general recommendations. The formulated on refugee and displaced women and on gender-
Committee recognized the effective contribution of the Glen based persecution in armed conflict as it formulated its long-
Cove meeting to the work of the human rights treaty bodies term programme of work with regard to general
and encouraged the convening of similar meetings to explore recommendations.
thematic issues relating to women’s enjoyment of rights.
6. Cooperation with the Committee on the Rights of
the Child
443. Noting the successful joint meeting between the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child, held
at Cairo in 1996, and the recent round table on the two
committees held by the United Nations Children’s Fund, the
Division for the Advancement of Women and International
Women’s Rights Action Watch, the Committee suggested that
steps should be taken to strengthen further the cooperation
between the two Committees.
7. Suggestions of the Sub commission on Prevention
of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities
444. The Committee expressed its satisfaction at the growing
interconnections between United Nations bodies, including
between the Committee of the Sub commission on Prevention
of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the Nineteenth session
increasing interest within those bodies with regard to the
human rights of women. It noted the Sub commission’s
recommendations with regard to contemporary forms of
slavery, which the Committee addresses throughout its work,
and its suggestion that this issue should be specifically
addressed in its reporting guidelines. The Committee also
took note of the suggestions of the Sub commission in regard
to women’s right to adequate housing and to land and
property and agreed to consider the proposals in the context
of its long-term programme of work regarding general
recommendations.
8. Suggestions of the expert group meetings
convened by the Division for the
Advancement of Women
445. The Committee expressed its satisfaction that the
Convention and the work of the Committee had been referred
446. The Committee welcomed the suggestion made by the
Expert Group Meeting on Women’s Enjoyment of Economic
and Social Rights that the Human Rights Committee, the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women should consider issuing a joint statement on the
indivisibility of civil, political, economic, cultural and social
rights and the centrality of gender awareness of their rights
as part of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Committee
suggested that the proposal should be brought to the attention
of the chairpersons’ meeting in February.
9. Reports to be considered at the nineteenth,
twentieth and twenty-first sessions
447. Bearing in mind the criteria of date of submission,
geographical balance and reports delayed from earlier
sessions, the following reports should be considered:
Initial reports
Jordan
Slovakia
South Africa
Second periodic reports
Greece (second and third)
Nigeria (second and third)
Panama (second and third)
United Republic of Tanzania (second and third)
Third periodic reports
New Zealand (third and fourth)
Republic of Korea (third and fourth)

Fourth periodic reports 448. The Committee decided that the members of the pre-
Peru (third and fourth)
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the third periodic reports of Belarus or Spain.
Twentieth session
Initial reports
Algeria
Belize (initial and second)
Liechtenstein
Second periodic reports
Chile
Thailand (second and third)
Third periodic reports
Austria (third and fourth)
China (third and fourth)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Fourth periodic reports
Colombia
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the third periodic reports of Belarus or Spain.
Twenty-first session
Initial reports
Second periodic reports
Ireland (second and third)
Third periodic reports
Egypt
Finland
Germany (second and third)
Fourth periodic reports
Sweden
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
Parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the fourth periodic report of Denmark.
10. Members of the pre-session working group for
the nineteenth session
session working group for the nineteenth session and their
alternates should be:
Member
Ms. Kongit Sinegiorgis (Africa)
Ms. Yung-Chung Kim (Asia)
Ms. Carlota Bustelo (Europe)
Ms. Miriam Estrada (Latin America)
Alternate
Ms. Ahoua Ouedraogo (Africa)
Ms. Lin Shangzen (Asia)
Ms. Ivanka Corti (Europe)
Ms. Aída González (Latin America)
11. United Nations meetings to be attended by the
Chairperson or members of the Committee
in 1998
449. The Committee recommended that the Chairperson or
an alternate should attend the following meetings:
(a) The ninth (extraordinary) meeting of the persons
chairing the human rights treaty bodies to be held from 25 to
27 February 1998;
(b) Commission on the Status of Women;
(c) Commission on Human Rights;
(d) Meeting of persons chairing human rights treaty
bodies;
(e) General Assembly (Third Committee).
12. Dates of the nineteenth session of the Committee
450. Consistent with the calendar of conferences for 1997,
the nineteenth session should be held from 22 June to 10 July
1998, in New York. The pre-session working group would
meet from 15 to 19 June 1998.
Chapter VI
Implementation of article 21 of
the Convention
451. The Committee considered the implementation of article
21 of the Convention (agenda item 5) at its 360th and 383rd
meetings, on 19 January and 6 February 1998.
452. The item was introduced by the Deputy Director of the
Division for the Advancement of Women, who presented the
following documents:

(a) Draft general recommendation on article 12 of the related to women’s status. Countries, thus, needed to address
Convention prepared by a member of the Committee discrimination based on gender to guarantee women’s right
(CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.1); to health.
(b) Working paper containing a draft of the 457. She noted that by drawing out the implications of human
contribution of the Committee to the fiftieth anniversary of rights instruments, including the Convention, the United
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights concerning Nations world conferences had contributed to the
reservations to the Convention prepared by a member of the identification of sexual and reproductive health concerns as
Committee (CEDAW/C/1998/WG.II/WP.2); issues of human rights and inspired countries to broaden their
(c) Note by the Secretary-General on reports of the
specialized agencies on the implementation of the Convention
in areas falling within the scope of their activities
(CEDAW/C/1998/I/3).
A. Action taken by the Committee on the
report of Working Group II
453. At its 383rd meeting, on 6 February 1998, the
Committee took the following decisions on the basis of the
report of Working Group II (CEDAW/1998/WG.II/3 and
Adds.1 and 2; CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.4) and took the
following action.
1. Draft general recommendation on article 12
454. The Committee agreed to continue work on a draft
general recommendation on women’s health. Members of the
Committee would submit written comments on the current
draft, which would be revised by two members of the
Committee, in conjunction with the Secretariat, and submitted
to the Committee at its nineteenth session.
2. Draft working paper on reservations
455. The Committee agreed that a draft working paper on
reservations to the Convention would be circulated to
members of the Committee for comments. The draft would
be revised by a member of the Committee and submitted to
the Committee at its nineteenth session.
B. Statements by senior United Nations
officials
Executive Director of the United Nations
Population Fund
456. At its 376th meeting, on 30 January 1998, the Executive
Director of the United Nations Population Fund addressed the
Committee, indicating that women’s health, including sexual
and reproductive health, is finally acknowledged to be a
human right. She noted that women’s health depends not only
on appropriate health care, but also on social conditions
approach to reproductive health care. She indicated that the
United Nations Population Fund is now seeking to address
its programme activities in the framework of human rights and
that training of staff, as well as support to non-governmental
organization advocacy activities in the field of reproductive
rights, had been initiated.
458. Emphasizing the importance of integrating the
conclusions of the United Nations world conferences into the
human rights monitoring process, she underlined the
importance of the 1996 Glen Cove Round table of Human
Rights Treaty bodies’ Approaches to Women’s Health. She
noted that an informal inter-agency working group of gender
human rights focal points has been meeting to follow up the
recommendations of this round table and that a proposal on
advocacy, research and training activities has been put
forward.
459. She appreciated the pre-session working group’s
initiative which had provided the United Nations Population
Fund with an opportunity to discuss issues relating to
women’s health in States parties which were before the
Committee and she indicated that the Fund was ready to assist
other treaty bodies in their monitoring of reproductive rights.
She indicated that the Population Fund and the Committee
have discussed the participation of Committee experts in the
formulation, mid-term review and evaluation of the country
programmes of the Fund and in regional meetings and field staff
training.
460. Concluding that the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women has an essential role in
monitoring government fulfilment of obligations with regard
to women’s health, she suggested that a fitting
commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights would be the strengthening of
the role of the United Nations system and human rights
treaties to enable women to realize their human rights,
including those relating to reproductive and sexual rights.
Director of the United Nations Development
Fund for Women
461. At its 381st meeting on 4 February 1998, the Director
of the United Nations Development Fund for Women

addressed the Committee. Emphasizing the central 465. She indicated that the human rights of women will be
importance of the Committee on the Elimination of a highlight of commemorative activities for the fiftieth
Discrimination against Women to the United Nations human anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
rights system and the importance of placing women’s human and commended the Committee for its willingness to
rights at the forefront of the development agenda, she noted contribute to these activities through its work on reservations.
that support for the ratification and implementation of the Noting that the commemoration and the five-year
Convention is central to the advancement of the rights of implementation review of the Vienna Declaration and
women. Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on
462. She noted that the United Nations Development Fund
For Women is in a unique position within the United Nations
system to promote ratification and implementation of the
Convention because its regional programme advisers are
frequently called upon to act as brokers and facilitators
between women’s organizations, national Governments and 466. She stressed that one of her priorities as United Nations
other parts of the United Nations system and pledged the full High Commissioner would be the struggle against gender
and active support of the Fund in this regard. discrimination, which would incorporate several initiatives,
463. Recognizing that the transformation of social values and
creating a culture of respect for the human rights of women
is a lengthy process, and that implementation of these rights
must take place at national level, she described several
country-based initiatives of the Development Fund
concerning the Convention. She also described the joint
United Nations Development Fund for Women/International
Human Rights Action Watch (Asia/Pacific) training initiative,
“From global to local: a convention implementation and
monitoring workshop”, now in its second year, which seeks
to strengthen understanding of women’s rights at the national
level, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of the
Committee’s work amongst women’s non-governmental
organizations, and to increase their participation in 467. The Committee welcomed Mrs. Robinson’s
Convention monitoring and implementation. She noted that comprehensive statement and expressed sincere gratitude to
25 women from 13 countries that are reporting to the her for stressing the importance of the Committee’s work.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women at its eighteenth and nineteenth sessions had
participated in the 1998 workshop and pledged that the Fund
would ensure that it took place annually.
United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
464. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights addressed the Committee at its 382nd meeting on
4 February 1998. She noted that the full and equal enjoyment
By women of all human rights, the integration of human rights
into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide action and
the full participation of women as both agents and
development of development were among the priority
objectives of the World Conference on Human Rights. The
Secretary-General had also emphasized the importance of
human rights in the work of the United Nations system as a
whole.
Human Rights provide opportunities to assess progress
achieved with respect to the human rights of women, she
acknowledged that women continue to face serious
inequalities in law and practice in all spheres of activity, in
all societies.
including a ratification campaign concerning the Convention
and programmes to strengthen partnerships between national
and international women’s and human rights nongovernmental
organizations. She drew attention to the
increasing cooperation between the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the
Division for the Advancement of Women and the growing
recognition of the human rights of women in the work of her
office. She emphasized her strong personal commitment to
the promotion and protection of the human rights of women
and her intention to work closely with the Committee to create
a more effective system for implementing its
recommendations and those of other treaty bodies.
468. It noted that the High Commissioner had expressed
strong support for the Secretary-General’s programme for
reform, in which he pledged that strengthening substantive
and technical support to human rights legislative bodies,
treaty bodies and special procedures would be given the
highest priority and that efforts to establish common data
banks of information and to carry out research and analysis
aimed at assisting those bodies would be accelerated.
469. The Committee welcomed the High Commissioner’s
commitment to redouble her efforts to make human rights a
reality for everyone; to prevent human rights abuses and
violations; to build a global partnership for human rights; and
to ensure that the promotion and observance of human rights,
along with peace, democracy and sustainable development,
shall serve as guiding principles of the twenty-first century,
and that the human rights of women will be one of the major
highlights of the commemorative activities for the fiftieth
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

470. The High Commissioner’s initiative to campaign for the for discrimination or reservations to the Convention or other
universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of treaties.
All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to encourage
the removal of substantive reservations, was noted with
appreciation. Her support for the development of an optional
protocol to the Convention and her announcement that the
Office of the High Commissioner will make available a
substantive officer to assist the Working Group of the
Commission on the Status of Women with its elaboration of
an optional protocol was also welcomed.
471. Members noted with appreciation and accepted the
proposal of the chairpersons of the human rights treaty
bodies, endorsed by the High Commissioner, that in order to
enhance relationships with other human rights mechanisms,
the Committee should meet occasionally at Geneva. In order
to implement this proposal, the Committee requested the
Division for the Advancement of Women, in consultation with
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, to study this issue and brief in this regard the
Committee at its nineteenth session.
472. Members also invited the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, as part of her initiative to emphasize the
importance of women’s human rights in the context of the
Convention, to consider including:
(a) A comprehensive public information programme
in all regions, particularly in those countries which have
problems implementing the Convention fully, and in
complying with article 18 of the Convention;
(b) A training programme for gender sensitization of
those who must understand and implement the Convention,
including police, teachers, the judiciary and health
professionals.
C. Presentation by the Special Rapporteur of
the Commission on Human Rights on the
elimination of all forms of religious
intolerance and of discrimination based on
religion or belief
473. The Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human
Rights on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance
and of discrimination based on religion or belief addressed
the Committee at its 374th meeting on 28 January 1998.
474. He indicated that he was frequently faced with issues
concerning the status of women and their position regarding
religion. He noted that religious norms relating to women
were dynamic and could not be put forward as a justification
475. He stressed the role of education in the elimination of
discrimination, citing the responsibility of schools and other
institutions in this regard. He said that while international
legal principles relating to women’s advancement were well
developed, these principles still needed to be acted on.
476. In their comments on his presentation, experts thanked
the Special Rapporteur and noted that it was seeking to
strengthen cooperation and coordination among all United
Nations mechanisms to promote the rights of women. Several
experts stated that violence against women was often linked
to religious extremism, which was also sometimes invoked
as an excuse for discrimination. Several experts emphasized
the connection between the Committee’s work and that of the
Special Rapporteur and looked forward to further
cooperation. Experts also expressed the view that greater
religious tolerance and respect for all human rights would
create the environment for implementation of the Convention
and equality between women and men.
Chapter VII
Provisional agenda for the
nineteenth session
477. The Committee considered the provisional agenda for
its nineteenth session (agenda item7) at its 383rd meeting on
6 February 1998. The Committee decided to approve the
following provisional agenda:
1. Opening of the session.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3. Report of the Chairperson on activities
undertaken between the eighteenth and
nineteenth sessions of the Committee.
4. Consideration of reports submitted by States
parties under article 18 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
5. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
6. Ways and means of expediting the work of the
Committee.
7. Provisional agenda for the twentieth session.
8. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its
nineteenth session

Chapter VIII
Adoption of the report
478. At its 383rd meeting, on 6 February 1998, the
Committee adopted the report on its eighteenth session
(CEDAW/C/1998/I/L.1 and Add.1-9), as orally amended.

Part Two
Report of the Committee on the Elimination
of Discrimination against Women on its
nineteenth session

Letter of transmittal
10 July 1998
Sir,
I have the honor 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 nineteenth
session from 22 June to 10 July 1998 at United Nations Headquarters. It adopted its report
on the session at its 403rd meeting, on 10 July. The report of the Committee is herewith
submitted to you for transmission to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session.
Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) Salma Khan
Chairperson
Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women

Chapter I
Matters brought to the attention of
States parties
A. Statements on reservations to the
Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women
adopted by the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women
1. The Committee adopted the following statement on
reservations to the Convention which it wishes to bring to the
attention of States parties as its contribution to the
commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
Introduction
2. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women wishes to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the five-year
review of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
with a statement concerning the adverse impact that
reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women have on the
achievement by women of full and substantive equality with
men. The Committee has extensive experience of the impact
of reservations gained from the examination of States parties’
reports. It has also noted the increasing concern expressed by
other human rights treaty bodies, the International Law
Commission, some Member States, the World Conference on
Human Rights and the Fourth World Conference on Women,
as well as scholars and non-governmental organizations, at
the number and extent of reservations to human rights
treaties, and to this Convention in particular.
Background
3. The Committee has, on a number of occasions,
expressed its views and concerns regarding the number and
extent of reservations to the Convention. It has also 1 noted
that some States parties that enter reservations to the
Convention do not enter reservations to analogous provisions
in other human rights treaties. A number of States enter
reservations to particular articles on the ground that national
law, tradition, religion or culture is not congruent with
Convention principles, and purport to justify the reservation
on that basis. Some States enter a reservation to article 2,
although their national constitutions or laws prohibit
discrimination. There is therefore an inherent conflict
between the provisions of the State’s constitution and its
reservation to the Convention. Some reservations are drawn
so widely that their effect cannot be limited to specific
provisions in the Convention.
4. Several States parties have entered interpretative
declarations to the Convention on ratification or accession.
While it is not always easy to distinguish a declaration from
a reservation, any statement, irrespective of its title, which
seeks to modify the legal effect of the Convention in respect
of a State party, will be considered by the Committee to be
a reservation.2 The Committee has noted, in this regard, that
a number of States parties have entered general declarations
which constitute, in fact, general reservations.
Reservations to the Convention
5. As at 1 July 1998, 161 States parties had ratified the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women. Fifty-four States had entered reservations to
one or more articles in the Convention including permissible
reservations to article 29 (1) and (2).
6. Articles 2 and 16 are considered by the Committee to
be core provisions of the Convention. Although some States
parties have withdrawn reservations to those articles, the
Committee is particularly concerned at the number and extent
of reservations entered to those articles.
Impermissible reservations
7. Article 28, paragraph 2, of the Convention adopts the
impermissibility principle contained in the Vienna
Convention on the Law of Treaties. It states that a reservation
incompatible with the object and purpose of the present
Convention shall not be permitted.
8. Although the Convention does not prohibit the entering
of reservations, those which challenge the central principles
of the Convention are contrary to the provisions of the
Convention and to general international law. As such they
may be challenged by other States parties.
9. States parties condemn discrimination against women
in all its forms, agree to pursue by all appropriate means and
without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against
women and, to this end, undertake:
(a) To embody the principle of the equality of men
and women in their national constitutions or other appropriate
legislation, if not yet incorporated therein, and to ensure,

through law and other appropriate means, the practical to withdrawing them. In spite of these recommendations, to
realization of this principle; date few reservations to article 2 have been modified or
(b) To adopt appropriate legislative and other
measures, including sanctions where appropriate, prohibiting
all discrimination against women;
(c) To establish legal protection of the rights of
women on an equal basis with men and to ensure through
competent national tribunals and other public institutions the
effective protection of women against any act of
discrimination;
(d) To refrain from engaging in any act or practice
of discrimination against women and to ensure that public
authorities and institutions shall act in conformity with this
obligation;
(e) To take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women by any person, organization or
enterprise;
(f) To take all appropriate measures, including
legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations,
customs and practices which constitute discrimination against
women;
(g) To repeal all national penal provisions which
constitute discrimination against women.
10. Reservations affect the efficacy of the Convention,
whose objective is to end discrimination against women and
to achieve de jure and de facto equality for them.
Reservations prevent the Committee from assessing the
progress of States parties’ implementation of the Convention,
limit its mandate and potentially affect the entire human rights
regime. Some States are concerned about a perceived conflict
between article 2 and the Islamic shariah law. In other
instances, States have entered reservations, which, although
unspecific, are broad enough to encompass article 2. These
reservations pose an acute problem for the implementation
of the Convention and for the Committee’s ability to monitor
compliance with it. Several have entered reservations to
article 2 to protect rights of succession to the throne and to
chiefly and other traditional titles. This too is discriminatory
against women.
11. In general recommendation 20, the Committee, inter
alia, sought to resolve the problem of impermissible
reservations. And, in June 1993, the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action encouraged States to consider limiting
the extent of any reservations they lodged to international
human rights instruments, to formulate any reservations as
precisely and narrowly as possible, to ensure that none is
incompatible with the object and purpose of the relevant
treaty and to regularly review any reservations with a view
withdrawn by any State party.
Article 16
12. The Committee has previously analysed article 16 in its
general recommendation 21. In the course of the analysis of
factors impeding compliance with article 16, it said:
“Reservations
“The Committee has noted with alarm the number
of States parties which have entered reservations to the
whole or part of article 16, especially when a
reservation has also been entered to article 2, claiming
that compliance may conflict with a commonly held
vision of the family, based, inter alia, on cultural or
religious beliefs or on a country’s economic or political
status.
“Many of these countries hold a patriarchal belief
in the structure of a family which places a father,
husband or son in a favourable position. In some
countries where fundamentalist or other extremist
views or economic hardship have encouraged a return
to old values and traditions, women’s place in the
family has deteriorated sharply. In others, where it has
been recognized that a modern society depends for its
economic advance and for the general good of the
community on involving all adults equally, regardless
of gender, these taboos and reactionary or extremist
ideas have progressively been discouraged.
“Consistent with articles 2, 3 and 24 in particular,
the Committee requires that all States parties gradually
progress to a stage where, by their resolute
discouragement of notions of the inequality of women
in the home, each country will withdraw its reservation,
in particular to articles 9, 15 and 16 of the Convention.
“States parties should resolutely discourage any
notions of inequality of women and men which are
affirmed by laws or by private law or custom, and
progress to the stage where reservations, in particular
to article 16, will be withdrawn.”3
13. The Committee again emphasizes these
recommendations and encourages States parties to note, adopt
and implement them.
Impact of reservations
14. Reservations to any human rights treaty limit the
application of internationally accepted human rights norms
at the national level. They will also indicate clearly the degree

of commitment of the reserving State to full compliance with (c) “Regularize” its situation by replacing its
the particular treaty. impermissible reservation with a permissible reservation;
15. When reservations are made to the Convention on the (d) Renounce being a party to the Treaty.
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
there can be a double impact. By entering a reservation, the
State indicates its unwillingness to comply with an accepted
human rights norm. It also ensures that women’s inequality
with men will be entrenched at the national level. The promise
given to its women when the State ratifies the Convention is
not therefore fulfilled. This not only affects women’s ability
to exercise and enjoy their rights, but also guarantees that they
will remain inferior to men and have less access to the full
range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
enjoyed by men. The ramifications for women are significant.
They must competewithmen on an unequal footing for such
fundamental rights as equality of income, access to education,
housing and health care, and equality of rights and
responsibilities within the family. Reservations to articles 2
and 16 perpetuate the myth of women’s inferiority and
reinforce the inequalities in the lives of millions of women
throughout the world. They continue to be treated in both
public and private life as inferior to men, and to suffer greater
violations of their rights in every sphere of their lives.
16. The Committee holds the view that article 2 is central
to the objects and purpose of the Convention. States parties
which ratify the Convention do so because they agree that
discrimination against women in all its forms should be
condemned and that the strategies set out in article 2,
subparagraphs (a) to (g), should be implemented by States
parties to eliminate it.
17. Neither traditional, religious or cultural practice nor
incompatible domestic laws and policies can justify violations
of the Convention. The Committee also remains convinced
that reservations to article 16, whether lodged for national,
traditional, religious or cultural reasons, are incompatible
with the Convention and therefore impermissible and should
be reviewed and modified or withdrawn.
Removing reservations
18. The Committee considers that those States parties
which have entered reservations to the Convention have
certain options open to them. According to the Special
Rapporteur appointed by the International Law Commission
to report on the law and practice relating to reservations to
treaties a State party may:
(a) After having examined the finding in good faith,
maintain its reservation;
(b) Withdraw its reservation;
19. The Committee has already noted that to date, few
reservations to article 2 have been withdrawn or modified by
any State party and that reservations to article 16 are rarely
withdrawn.
20. While article 29 provides an inter-State dispute
procedure, a number of States have entered reservations to
article 29 itself, thereby limiting its effect. Some States
formally lodge objections to reservations to articles 2 or 16.
The Committee recognizes and appreciates the positive
impact that the use of this procedure can have in encouraging
States to withdraw or modify reservations and the
empowering effect these objections have for women in the
State party. It is optimistic that more States parties will
rigorously review and object to impermissible reservations
to the Convention.
21. The Committee also acknowledges the view of the
Special Rapporteur appointed by the International Law
Commission that objections by States are not only a means
of exerting pressure on reserving States, but also serve as a
useful guide for the assessment of the permissibility of a
reservation by the Committee itself.
The role of the Committee
22. The Committee has an important role to play, one which
has been mandated by the Vienna Declaration and Programme
for Action, which, in paragraph 39, states that the Committee
should continue its review of reservations.
23. The Committee concludes that it has certain
responsibilities as the body of experts charged with the
consideration of periodic reports submitted to it. The
Committee, in its examination of States’ reports, enters into
constructive dialogue with the State party and makes
concluding comments routinely expressing concern at the
entry of reservations to articles 2 and 16 or the failure of
States parties to withdraw or modify them.
24. The Special Rapporteur considers that control of the
permissibility of reservations is the primary responsibility of
the States parties. However, the Committee again wishes to
draw to the attention of States parties its grave concern at the
number and extent of impermissible reservations. It also
expresses concern that, even when States object to such
reservations there appears to be a reluctance on the part of
the States concerned to remove and modify them and thereby
comply with general principles of international law.

Conclusion
25. Fifty years after the adoption of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the great majority of Member
States have signified their commitment to the Convention by
ratification or accession. It is now time to re-examine States’
self-imposed limitations to full compliance with all the
principles in the Convention by the entry of reservations.
Removal or modification of reservations, particularly to
articles 2 and 16, would indicate a State party’s determination
to remove all barriers to women’s full equality and its
commitment to ensuring that women are able to participate
fully in all aspects of public and private life without fear of
discrimination or recrimination. States which remove
reservations would be making a major contribution to
achieving the objectives of both formal and de facto or
substantive compliance with the Convention – a laudable and
appropriate contribution to the commemoration of 50 years
of compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, as well as implementation of the 1993 Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action.
Notes
General recommendations 4, 20 1 and 21.
2 Article 2, subpar. 1 (d), Vienna Convention on the Law of
Treaties, 1969.
3 General recommendation No. 21 (thirteenth session, 1994),
Equality in marriage and family relations, paras. 41-44.

B. Decisions
Decision 19/I. Timing of pre-session
working group
The Committee, at its eighteenth session, decided to
effect a transition to a pattern of work in which the precession
working group meets at the session prior to which the
reports before that pre-session will be considered. The
Committee therefore decided that, in order for the transition
to this new pattern of work to be effected smoothly, the precession
working group for the twenty-first session would meet
as a third working group during the twentieth session and
would remain, if necessary, for up to three days after the
twentieth session to consolidate the lists of issues and
questions with respect to the reports to be considered at the
twenty-first session.
Decision 19/II. Concluding comments
The Committee decided to revise its procedures and
format for the elaboration of concluding comments with a
view to streamlining the comments, while retaining flexibility
(see paras. 395 to 397).
Decision 19/III. List of issues and
questions for consideration of
periodic reports
The Committee requested the Secretariat to prepare
drafts, lists of issues and questions with regard to periodic
reports, based on an analytical comparison of current States
parties’ reports, with previous reports and the Committee’s
discussion thereon and other relevant information, including
concluding observations of other treaty bodies. The draft lists
prepared by the Secretariat would be sent in advance of the
meeting of the pre-session working group to those Committee
members designated as country rapporteurs.
Chapter II
Organizational and other matters
A. States parties to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women
26. On 10 July 1998, the closing date of the nineteenth
session of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, there were 161 States parties
to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, which was adopted by the
General Assembly in its resolution 34/180 of 18 December
1979 and opened for signature, ratification and accession in
New York in March 1980. In accordance with article 27, the
Convention entered into force on 3 September 1981.
27. A list of States parties to the Convention is contained
in annex I to the present report.
B. Opening of the session
28. The Committee held its nineteenth session at United
Nations Headquarters from 22 June to 10 July 1998. The
Committee held 20 plenary meetings (384th to 403rd), and
its two working groups held 4 meetings.
29. The session was opened by the Chairperson of the
Committee, Ms. Salma Khan (Bangladesh), who had been
elected at the sixteenth session of the Committee in
January 1997.
30. In her opening statement, Ms. Angela E. V. King,
Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of
Women, welcomed two experts, Ms. Antonia Guvava
(Zimbabwe) and Ms. Chikako Taya (Japan), who were,
respectively, serving the remainder of the terms of Ms. Tendai
Bare (Zimbabwe) and Ms. Ginko Sato (Japan), members who
had resigned from the Committee. She also congratulated the
four members who had been re-elected for a further four-year
term at the tenth meeting of States parties on 17 February
1998. She expressed gratitude to those members leaving the
Committee, noting that, because of their commitment and
expertise, she was sure that they would continue to support
and disseminate the ideals of the Convention.
31. The Special Adviser informed the Committee that in
relation to the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the forty-second session of the
Commission on the Status of Women, held from 2 to 13
March 1998, reviewed critical areas of concern of the Beijing
Platform for Action that relate to the theme of human rights,

i.e., violence against women, human rights of women, women
and armed conflict and the girl child. The Commission on the
Status of Women urged Governments to ratify and accede to
the Convention in order to achieve one of the Platform for
Action’s objectives, that of universal ratification of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women by the year 2000, and also addressed the issue
of reservations to the Convention, a question that the
Committee will take up as it completes its statement for the
commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. She noted that the open-ended
working group of the Commission established to draft the
optional protocol to the Convention had met in parallel to the
Commission and had moved forward in drafting the text of the
protocol. The working group would meet again in 1999
during the forty-third session of the Commission to continue
its work.
32. The Special Adviser noted that the year 2000 would
mark five years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration
and the Platform for Action. In order to mark this important
anniversary, the Commission on the Status of Women had
called for a high-level plenary review by the General
Assembly to appraise progress achieved in implementing the
Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of
Women and the Beijing Platform for Action. The General
Assembly had approved the convening of a special session
to be held from 5 to 9 June 2000. The preparatory work for
the session would be carried out by the Commission at its
forty-third and forty-fourth sessions in 1999 and 2000, both
of which would be extended by one week. In that connection,
the Commission had invited the Committee to provide it with
information, at its forty-third session, on the implementation
of the Beijing Platform for Action through its review of States
parties’ reports.
33. Ms. King concluded by noting that within the United
Nations system there was evidence of increasing commitment
to gender mainstreaming and recognition of the human rights
of women. However, despite progress, there was a need to
guard against complacency. For example, she said, there had
been no additional ratifications or accessions to the
Convention since the Committee’s last session. As the
Committee approached the twentieth anniversary of the
Convention in 1999, better and more innovative methods
were needed to encourage ratification and to bridge the gap
between ratification and implementation. In addition, a
significant number of States parties’ reports were long
overdue, including initial reports. Strategies to encourage
reporting should be designed and implemented.
C. Attendance
34. Twenty-one members of the Committee attended the
session; several attended only part of the session. Ms. Ivanka
Corti attended from22 to 26 June and from6 to 10 July 1998,
Ms. Javate de Dios on 22 and 23 June and from 1 to 10 July,
Ms. Schöpp-Schilling from 26 June to 10 July, Ms. Carlota
Bustelo from 29 June to 10 July, Ms. Sunaryati Hartono from
29 June to 10 July and Ms. Carmel Shalev from 29 June to
10 July.
35. A list of the members of the Committee, together with
their terms of office, is contained in annex II to the present
report.
D. Solemn declaration
36. At the opening of the nineteenth session, before
assuming their functions, the replacement members,
Ms. Antonia Guvava (Zimbabwe) and Ms. Chikako Taya
(Japan), made the solemn declaration as provided for under
rule 10 of the rules of procedure of the Committee.
E. Adoption of the agenda and organization
of work
37. The Committee adopted its provisional agenda and
organization of work (CEDAW/C/1998/II/1) at its 384th
meeting, on 22 June 1998, as follows:
1. Opening of the session.
2. Solemn declaration by the new members of the
Committee.
3. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
4. Report of the Chairperson on activities
undertaken between the eighteenth and
nineteenth sessions of the Committee.
5. Consideration of reports submitted by States
parties under article 18 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
6. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
7. Ways and means of expediting the work of the
Committee.
8. Provisional agenda for the twentieth session.

9. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its 43. The pre-session working group encouraged States
nineteenth session. parties to take advantage of available United Nations support
F. Report of the pre-session working group
38. The Committee had decided, at its ninth session, to
convene a pre-session working group for five days before
each session to prepare lists of issues and questions relating
to periodic reports that would be considered by the
Committee at the session.
39. The following three members, representing different
regional groups, participated in the working group at the
nineteenth session: Aída González-Martínez (Latin America
and the Caribbean), Yung-Chung Kim (Asia and the Pacific),
and Ahoua Ouedraogo (Africa), Chairperson of the presession
working group. The Chairperson of the Committee,
Ms. Salma Khan, also served as a member of the pre-session
working group.
40. The pre-session working group prepared lists of issues
and questions relating to the subsequent reports of six States
parties, namely, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the
Republic of Korea and the United Republic of Tanzania.
41. At the 392nd meeting, on 30 June 1998, the
Chairperson of the pre-session working group, Ms. Ahoua
Ouedraogo, introduced the report of the working group
(CEDAW/C/1998/II/CRP.1/Add.1-6). The pre-session
working group noted that the majority of reports reviewed
followed the guidelines of the Committee and described the
major social, economic and political changes that had
occurred since the States parties last reported to the
Committee. States parties had made efforts to respect and
implement the Convention through the passage of legislation
and other measures. Most of the reports under review
indicated that Governments and non-governmental
organizations were cooperating with respect to the
Convention, and a greater awareness of the Convention and
its principles had been achieved; however there remained a
lack of reliable statistical data relating to several areas of the
Convention.
42. In accordance with the decision of the Committee at its
eighteenth session, the pre-session working group received
country-specific information on the States parties that were
before the working group from representatives of the
specialized agencies and other bodies of the United Nations.
Also in accordance with the Committee’s decision at the
eighteenth session, the pre-session working group received
country-specific information on those States parties from
representatives of national and international nongovernmental
organizations.
to countries seeking to develop statistical databases. It noted
that the reports suggested that women continued to be subject
to persistent discrimination and difficulties in the context of
education, employment, health and nationality, although some
gains had been made where women’s representation in
decision-making positions was concerned.
44. The pre-session working group also noted the
persistence of cultural and customary norms in some States
parties that sometimes impeded the implementation of the
Convention and that could also pose obstacles to the
introduction of measures designed to advance the status of
women. It also noted the persistence of violence against
women and sexual exploitation in all the countries under
review. This constituted a serious obstacle to the
implementation of the Convention and remained a serious
issue despite clear governmental efforts to address violence
and sexual exploitation and stereotypical notions of the roles
of men and women and cultural patterns of behaviour.
G. Composition and organization of work of
the working groups
45. At its 384th meeting, on 22 June, the Committee agreed
on the composition of its two standing working groups:
working group I, on ways and means of expediting the work
of the Committee, and working group II, on ways and means
of implementing article 21 of the Convention.
46. Working group I was composed of Ayse Feride Acar,
Emna Aouij, Desirée P. Bernard, Silvia Cartwright, Ivanka
Corti, Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, Aída González-Martínez,
Antonia Guvava, Salma Khan, Yung-Chung Kim, Ahoua
Ouedraogo, Anne Lise Ryel, Lin Shangzhen and Chikako
Taya.
47. Working group II was composed of Charlotte Abaka,
Ayse Feride Acar, Emma Aouij, Silvia Cartwright, Ivanka
Corti, Aurora Javate de Dios, Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, Aída
González-Martínez, Ahoua Ouedraogo, Anne Lise Ryel and
Lin Shangzhen.
48. The specific issues addressed by working groups I
and II were the following:
(a) Working group I: Practices of the Committee with
respect to the concluding comments; timing and working
methods of the pre-session working group; the Committee’s
relationship with the Special Rapporteur on violence against
women, its causes and consequences; the guidelines of the
Human Rights Committee for the exercise of functions by

members; and issues raised at the ninth meeting of the Assembly to be held in the year 2000 on the follow-up to the
chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies. World Summit for Social Development. The major focus of
(b) Working group II: Statement on reservations;
draft general recommendation on health; joint statement on
indivisibility and gender in enjoyment of human rights;
recommendations to the Committee from the Commission on 53. The Chairperson informed the Committee that she had
the Status of Women and the Commission on Human Rights. attended the annual session of the UNDP/United Nations
Chapter III
Report of the Chairperson on
activities undertaken between the
eighteenth and nineteenth sessions of
the Committee
49. The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Salma Khan,
reported on her activities between the eighteenth and
nineteenth sessions.
50. She informed the Committee that from 23 to 27
February 1998 she had attended the ninth meeting of persons
chairing the United Nations human rights treaty bodies.
Participants underlined the importance of universal
ratification of the six core human rights treaties. They
suggested that a letter be sent by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights requesting the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop a
comprehensive programme to facilitate ratification and
reporting by States parties. Referring to the success of the
Plan of Action for the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
the meeting recommended that an overall plan of action be
drawn up to enhance the resources available to the treaty
bodies. Various recommendations were made with regard to
the concluding comments of treaty bodies and approaches to
be taken in the context of long-overdue reports.
51. Ms. Khan reported on her participation at the forty-second
session of the Commission on the Status of Women
and also informed the Committee that she had addressed the
fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Human Rights,
informing it of the Committee’s achievements, including the
adoption of general recommendation 23 on women and public
life, and progress in respect of a general recommendation on
health.
52. Ms. Khan informed the Committee that, in her personal
capacity, she had made a statement at a non-governmental
meeting on women and fundamentalism, held from 16 to 18
April 1998 in Barcelona, Spain. Again, in her personal
capacity, she had attended the organizational session of the
preparatory committee of the special session of the General
her statement at the session was the plight of people,
particularly the poorest, living in South Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa where the goals of the Summit had been largely unmet.
Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Board, which was held
in Geneva on 8 June 1998. The Board focused on ways to
enhance the capacity of countries to make the most effective
use of resources allocated to population programmes. At the
meeting, she had emphasized the need for a greater focus on
reproductive health, particularly among adolescent girls and
women.
54. She stressed the importance of linkages between the
Committee and other United Nations human rights
mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on Violence
against Women and suggested that the Committee consider
appointing a focal point to liaise with the Special Rapporteur.
She noted that between the eighteenth and nineteenth
sessions, the Committee had strengthened its relationship with
the specialized agencies and other bodies, including the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United
Nations Development Fund for Women, the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the
Joint and Co-sponsored United Nations Programme on
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome. She acknowledged with appreciation the continued
support of international and national non-governmental
organizations, including the International Women’s Action
Watch and the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, and
their role in the realization of women’s rights, particularly in
the developing world.
55. The Chairperson concluded by congratulating the
Committee on its achievements and indicated that as a result
of continued teamwork, solidarity and commitment she looked
forward to further progress.
Chapter IV
Consideration of reports submitted
by States parties under article 18 of
the Convention
A. Introduction
56. At its nineteenth session, the Committee considered the
reports submitted by eight States parties under article 18 of
the Convention: two initial reports; three combined second

and third periodic reports; two combined third and fourth Women, and had organized a world conference to evaluate
periodic reports; one third and fourth periodic reports. the International Year of the Family in 1995.
57. As decided at its thirteenth session, in 1994, the 63. Slovakia has been actively implementing the Beijing
Committee prepared concluding comments on each report Platform for Action, including through the establishment, in
considered. March 1996, of the Coordination Committee for the Problems
58. 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 the reports
of the States parties.
B. Consideration of reports of States parties
1. Initial reports
Slovakia
59. The Committee considered the initial report of Slovakia
(CEDAW/C/SVK/1 and CEDAW/C/SVK/1/Add.1) at its
385th, 386th and 389th meetings, on 23 and 30 June 1998
(see CEDAW/C/SR.385, 386 and 389).
Introduction by the State party
60. In introducing the report, the representative emphasized
human rights and their importance for all individual members
of society and their quality of life. She informed the
Committee that one of the essential tasks of the State was to
ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens
through, inter alia, the adherence to international treaties and
the realization of the rights espoused in those instruments at
the national level.
61. The representative informed the Committee that
Slovakia had adopted essential guarantees of democracy,
human rights and civil liberties, as well as the international
agreements to which Czechoslovakia had been party. At its
independence in January 1993, Slovakia succeeded to various
United Nations human rights treaties, including the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
62. The representative informed the Committee that
Slovakia had been actively involved in international activities
relating to women’s rights and equal rights for women and
men. It had participated in the major United Nations world
conferences, including the Fourth World Conference on
of Women, consisting, inter alia, of representatives of the
Slovak Republic National Council, various ministries, nongovernmental
organizations, trade unions, churches and
experts. In 1997, the Coordination Committee for the
Problems of Women elaborated the National Action Plan for
Women in Slovakia, which was then approved by the
Government and submitted to the secretariat of the
Commission on the Status of Women. The representative also
informed the Committee that Slovakia had been elected to the
Commission on the Status of Women through 1999 and that
its representative was currently a vice-chairperson of the
Commission.
64. Based on the results of demographic and sociological
research, the representative informed the Committee that
matrimony and parenthood were important values in Slovak
society. She indicated that, owing to their greater
responsibilities, women considered their status to be less
advantageous than that of men’s, but that they did not
perceive themselves to belong to the “weaker sex”. Women
derived their status and identity from their societal roles,
including maternity.
65. The representative noted that equality was guaranteed
in the social security system, including with respect to
pensions, health insurance, State-provided social benefits and
social care. The prohibition of discrimination on the basis of
sex and the principle of equality were explicitly expressed in
the Labour Code and women workers were protected from
termination of employment as a result of pregnancy or when
involved in the continuous care of a child up to three years of
age. Slovakia had a high employment rate for women, and the
labour law was above the standard of many other advanced
countries. However, women experienced inequality in
employment, including with regard to reduced hiring
opportunities and unequal pay for work of equal value.
Notably, new legislation, such as the amended Labour Code,
the Civil Act and the State Service Act, which are currently
under preparation, emphasized pay equality.
66. The representative indicated that domestic violence was
a growing focus of attention, although it was likely to be
hidden from public attention. Crime prevention measures
played a major role in combating all forms of violence against
women and a special council to act as an advisory body to the
Government on this issue had been established. The council
had reviewed crime prevention proposals prepared by the
Ministry of Interior and other departments and regional

offices, and was expected to encourage cooperation between Factors and difficulties affecting the
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Also, implementation of the Convention
institutional frameworks for crime prevention were broadened
in 1997 through an increase in the number of police
specializing in juvenile crime. Positions for crime prevention
specialists were also established at all district and regional
directorates of the Slovak constabulary.
67. In concluding her presentation, the representative counteract negative effects, these changes can have a negative
emphasized that Slovakia had taken the preparation of its effect on women’s enjoyment of their human rights and
initial report to the Committee very seriously and stressed that impede the implementation of the Convention.
Slovakia considered the thorough implementation of human
rights treaties to be an essential condition for a modern
democratic society and the rule of the law.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
68. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial
report of Slovakia. It also expresses its appreciation to the
delegation for the comprehensive nature of the report,
especially the addendum, and for the provision of extensive
information in response to the Committee’s questions on such
short notice. The Committee welcomes the identification of
the numerous legal provisions relevant to women’s
advancement in the report.
69. The Committee welcomes the high-level delegation,
including the State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Social
Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic.
Positive aspects
70. The Committee is pleased to note that, according to the
legal system of Slovakia, international treaties, including the
Convention, have been promulgated in Parliament and take
precedence over domestic legislation.
71. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the
Coordination Committee for the Problems of Women and the
Gender Centre. The Committee expresses its satisfaction that
the national machinery provides a strong framework for the
promotion of gender equality and the advancement of women,
essential in minimizing the structural adjustment experienced
during the transition. The Committee is pleased to note that
Slovakia has submitted a national plan of action in
compliance with the Beijing Platform for Action.
72. The Committee expresses its satisfaction with the
general standard of women’s health and education in
Slovakia.
73. The Committee notes that Slovakia is undergoing a
difficult transition from a centrally controlled economy to a
democracy and a social market-oriented economy, albeit with
consideration for social factors. The Committee observes that,
in the absence of gender-sensitive policies and measures to
74. The Committee expresses its concern at the
overemphasis on legislative protection of and cultural
promotion of motherhood and family roles for women, rather
than on women as individuals in their own right. The
traditional, stereotyped view of women as mothers is thereby
reinforced and negates the participation of fathers in child
care. That perception reflects a misunderstanding of such
critical concepts as gender roles, indirect discrimination and
de facto inequality.
Principal subjects of concern and the
Committee’s recommendations
75. The Committee is concerned that the definitions of
affirmative action and temporary special measures as outlined
in the Convention have been misunderstood and
misinterpreted by the Government to be protective measures.
While legislation and institutional structures are essential to
the advancement of women’s status, they are not sufficient to
address the ongoing preference for men in employment and
politics. While the Committee recognizes that the
establishment of quotas and other temporary special measures
to promote women are often controversial, they have been
shown to address effectively structural discrimination against
women in politics and employment and to accelerate de facto
equality of women.
76. The Committee recommends that the Government
reconsider its position on temporary special measures and
take note of the information and practice developed
internationally in structural discrimination. Such
discrimination can be eliminated through temporary special
measures. The Committee therefore recommends the
provision of such measures, combined with numerical goals
of a minimum of 30 per cent presence of women, as well as
timetables to ensure women’s increased presence in political
parties, as well as in all sectors, segments and at all levels of
employment.
77. The Committee is unclear as to whether the
Coordinating Committee for the Problems of Women is
provided with adequate resources, personnel and authority.

78. The Committee requests in the next report detailed arrested, prosecuted and sentenced as a result of their
information on the status and function of the Coordinating involvement in trafficking.
Committee for the Problems of Women, its programmes and
their impact, with a special focus on the use of temporary
measures and their effect. The Committee also recommends
that the Government secure sufficient funds to enable the
Coordinating Committee for the Problems of Women to
guarantee the full implementation of the national plan of
action. The Committee further recommends that the
Government reconsider the name of the Coordinating
Committee for the Problems of Women in order to reflect the
view that “women’s problems” as they are currently
understood in Slovakia are in fact challenges faced by society
and require a change to the current theoretical framework of
dealing with them.
79. The Committee expresses alarm at the high rates of
domestic violence against women, including murder in the
home. The Committee is also concerned that charges cannot
be brought against an abuser by the police independent of the
victim and that securing a conviction often requires the
corroboration of independent witnesses. Furthermore, there
are no emergency or protective shelters available to victims
of domestic violence.
80. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Slovakia implement procedures designed to permit
prosecution of violence against women independent of victim
testimony and omitting the requirement that the complainant’s
evidence be corroborated; establish crisis centre hotlines and
victim support centres equipped with medical, psychological
and emotional support; and, in order to raise public
awareness, disseminate information through the media, on this
issue.
81. The Committee is concerned that information has not
been provided or compiled on the actual situation regarding
trafficking in women. The Committee notes that trafficking
is an international crime and therefore not only concerns
women trafficked out of Slovakia, but also those being
trafficked into Slovakia from neighbouring countries.
82. The Committee requests that Slovakia pay particular
attention to safeguarding the human rights of women and take
all necessary measures to monitor and eradicate trafficking
in women in Slovakia, including the sensitization of police,
border officials and non-governmental organizations working
in that area. The Committee encourages Slovakia to continue
its cooperative efforts with border States to eliminate
trafficking across national borders. The Committee also
requests the Government to provide, in the next report,
detailed information on the number of women who have been
trafficked into Slovakia and those returned to their country
of origin, as well as statistics on the number of individuals
83. The Committee notes with concern the limited
involvement of non-governmental organizations in the
preparation of the initial report.
84. The Committee recommends that the Government
encourage the participation of women’s non-governmental
organizations in the drafting of national policy and in
following up its implementation. The Committee also
recommends that the Government take note of the importance
of non-governmental organizations in increasing public
awareness and countering traditional stereotypes of women.
85. The Committee expresses concern regarding the
establishment of and increase in “household management
schools”, which cater to female students and train them for
traditional roles, thus promoting gender stereotyping.
86. Stressing the importance of encouraging girls and boys
to choose non-traditional fields of study in order to promote
equal opportunity, the Committee requests further
information, in the next report, on the purpose and
composition of these schools as well as how the curricula
differ from those in other schools.
87. The Committee is concerned with the highly segregated
labour market which is accompanied by low pay for women.
The segregation of women and men into different employment
sectors is not a valid justification for unequal pay between
women and men. The Committee is concerned that job
descriptions that link “physically demanding” elements to
male physical strength and to higher pay for men may be
based on a one-sided understanding of those elements. These
descriptions may underestimate other physically demanding
elements found in women’s work, thereby discriminating
against women in terms of pay.
88. The Committee requests the Government to avail itself
of the existing body of research and practice on equal pay for
work of equal and comparable value in order to overcome pay
inequity. The Committee also recommends that the
Government use temporary special measures to break through
the sex segregation of the labour market.
89. The Committee is concerned that the Government did
not answer the Committee’s question as to why women in
Slovakia are faced with the dilemma of choosing between
work and raising a family. Although social services are
available for children aged two years and above, there are no
social services available for women with children under the
age of two years. Furthermore, the decrease in pre-school
childcare is particularly detrimental to women’s equal
opportunity in the employment market since, owing to lack

of childcare, they have to interrupt their employment career, 99. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
which again has negative effects on their employment status, Slovakia of the present concluding comments in order to make
pay and promotion. the people of Slovakia, and particularly government
90. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Slovakia provide options to women who have children and
choose to work, including establishment of and access to
public day-care facilities. The Committee further recommends
the funding and support of pre-school child-care centres at
both the local and national levels to ensure women the
opportunity to work.
91. The Committee expresses deep concern at the high rate
of abortions among Slovak women. The Committee is
concerned that abortion is being used as a form of family
planning.
92. The Committee strongly recommends an increase in
family planning education and accessibility to affordable and
safe contraception in order to reduce the number of abortions
carried out.
93. The Committee is concerned about the absence of
development programmes for rural women to assist them in
obtaining the skills and resources necessary to become
competitive in the labour market.
94. The Committee recommends that the Government
provide information on the measures undertaken to empower
rural women and to encourage economic self-sufficiency.
95. The Committee is concerned that inadequate
information was provided to the Committee on minority
women in Slovakia.
96. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Slovakia collect and make available statistical information
pertaining to the social, economic and political status of
minority women, with a view to developing specific policies
to respond to the needs of different groups. The Committee
also urges the Government to address the high rate of
unemployment among Roma women and to provide further
information on assistance programmes in the next report.
97. The Committee expresses regret that the report did not
comply fully with its guidelines on the form and content of
initial reports and that its general recommendations were not
taken into account in the report.
98. The Committee requests that the next report follow the
guidelines provided by the Committee in order to improve the
presentation of information. It also recommends the serious
consideration of the Committee’s general recommendations
during the creation of legislative measures and when drafting
the next report.
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and the
further steps required in that regard. The Committee also
requests the Government to continue to disseminate widely,
and in particular to women’s and human rights organizations,
the Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations
and the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
South Africa
100. The Committee considered the initial report of South
Africa (CEDAW/C/ZAF/1) at its 387th, 388th and 393rd
meetings, on 24 and 29 June 1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR.387,
388 and 393).
Introduction by the State party
101. The representative of South Africa indicated that her
country had acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, without reservations, on 15
December 1995. The representative noted that the struggle
to improve the status of women in South African society
paralleled the country’s efforts to reconstruct a society out of
the legacy of the oppressive apartheid regime.
102. The representative informed the Committee that the new
constitution was written in non-sexist and accessible language
and had been widely disseminated in 11 languages and in
Braille. The constitution guaranteed equality between men
and women and prohibited discrimination on the basis of,
inter alia, sex, pregnancy and marital status. Gender equality
and provisions for affirmative action had also been
constitutionally entrenched.
103. The representative noted that shortly after the new
Government took office in 1994, an Office on the
Empowerment of Women was established within the
President’s office to develop a women’s empowerment policy
for the new Government. Following an extensive consultative
review, South Africa adopted a national machinery with a
multi-pronged approach to gender mainstreaming and
transforming gender relations. The Office on the Status of
Women operated within the Office of the Deputy President
and was mandated to translate government objectives of
gender equality into meaningful government programmes. A
draft policy on women’s empowerment and gender equality
had recently been completed. The Commission on Gender

Equality was charged with facilitating the transformation of providing services that will improve the quality of life for
gender relations in civil society through education and public women in South Africa.
advocacy. Despite those advances, the representative
indicated that the national machinery still required
consolidation.
104. The representative noted that continuing deep
entrenchment of patriarchy and customary, cultural and
religious practices contributed to widespread discrimination
against women in South Africa. She informed the Committee
that violence against women and children was increasing,
including domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual
harassment, and described several policy initiatives in that
area.
105. The representative reported that only 6 per cent of
African women 20 years and older had graduated from tertiary
education, while 20 per cent of African women had not had
any formal education. Unemployment was higher among
women than men and womenweremost often self-employed,
with little job security and lower incomes than those in the
formal wage employment sector. Consequently, the
Government had passed a number of bills designed to
ameliorate the situation. The Government had also adopted
temporary special measures in order to accelerate the equality
between women and men in the public sector. A 1995 white
paper on the transformation of the public service had set a
target of 30 per cent for women among new recruits to middle
and senior management within the public service. She noted
that although few senior judges were currently women, a
position paper on the transformation of the judiciary had
recently been developed. She also indicated that South
African women currently comprised 40 per cent of the staff
of foreign missions.
106. The representative stated that the prevalence of human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS) was highest among heterosexual
African women aged 20 to 24, particularly those who were
poor and otherwise marginalized, and that health care was
available to pregnant women and children under age six at
State clinics and hospitals.
107. She indicated that according to the Customary Marriage
Act, a woman married under customary law was deemed to
be a minor under her husband’s guardianship, but that
Parliament was considering repeal of that and other acts
pertaining to married women’s rights under customary law.
108. The representative concluded by reiterating the
Government’s firm commitment to bringing its legislation in
line with the Convention as well as to fully implementing the
Convention and the Beijing Platform for Action and to
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
109. The Committee commends the Government of South
Africa for ratifying the Convention, without reservations, in
December 1995. It commends the Government for the clarity
and frankness of the report as well as the oral presentation,
and for the extensive replies to the questions posed by the
Committee.
110. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
Government of South Africa for its high-level delegation,
headed by the Minister for Welfare and Population
Development, which also included representatives of nongovernmental
organizations. The report refers to some of the
Committee’s general recommendations and describes
programmes put in place to implement the Beijing Platform
for Action.
Positive aspects
111. The Committee notes the efforts undertaken by the
Government at the level of legislation, policies, programmes
and awareness-raising to redress the effects left by apartheid
on women and to achieve gender equality. It recognizes the
crucial role women have played in the country’s transition to
a democratic, multiracial society and their continuing active
participation in and contribution to the creation of an enabling
environment of respect for human rights.
112. The Committee commends the establishment of national
machinery as well as other bodies for achieving the goal of
gender equality. It also notes the active partnership of
Government with non-governmental organizations and the
existence of a vibrant women’s movement.
113. The Committee notes with satisfaction that while health
workers are not forced to participate in the provision of legal
abortions, they may not obstruct access to services for
termination of pregnancy.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
114. The Committee notes that the legacy of apartheid for
women includes widespread discrimination and
underdevelopment, and is visible in areas such as women’s
high levels of unemployment, illiteracy and poverty and in the
violence against women.
115. The Committee notes that while the constitution of
South Africa includes an equality clause, the continuing

existence of conflicts between the constitution and religious priority attention they require, with a view to ensuring a
and customary laws perpetuates practices in various areas that comprehensive approach. Steps should be taken, including
are discriminatory to women. through education, awareness-raising and sensitization of the
Principal subjects of concern and the
Committee’s recommendations
116. The Committee recommends the adoption of a definition
of discrimination in the constitution and other legislation
which reflects the definition contained in article 1 of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women. The definition should be one which can be
easily applied by courts in cases of discrimination on the basis
of sex.
117. The Committee expresses concern that, in spite of the
legal measures put in place, de facto implementation of such
laws and policies have yet to be achieved in many areas. It
also notes with concern the continuing recognition of
customary and religious laws and their adverse effects on the
inheritance and land rights of women and women’s rights in
family relations. The Committee notes the absence of a
definition of gender discrimination in the constitution.
118. The Committee recommends that the Government
complete, as a matter of priority, the adoption of legislation
as well as ensure its effective implementation in order that
women’s de jure and de facto equality will be guaranteed. It
also recommends that a uniform family code in conformity
with the Convention be prepared in which unequal inheritance
rights, land rights and polygamy are addressed, with the aim
of abolishing them.
119. The Committee is concerned that the national machinery
and the Commission on Gender Equality do not have
sufficient financial and human resources.
120. The Committee encourages the Government to ensure
that the national machinery as well as the Commission on
Gender Equality are provided with adequate resources for
entrenching gender equality firmly at this formative stage of
the country’s development as a democratic, multiracial
society.
121. The Committee expresses its concern at the high level
of violence against women, including the high incidence of
rape, particularly of young girls. It notes in particular that,
given the persistent overall high levels of crime and violence
in the country, there is a danger that efforts to address
violence against women, although identified as a priority area
in the National Crime Prevention Strategy, may become
submerged in the larger struggle against violence in society.
122. The Committee recommends that efforts to prevent and
combat violence against women continue to receive the
public, to deal with stereotypical attitudes that are amongst
the root causes of violence against women and to emphasize
the unacceptability of such violence.
123. The Committee encourages the Government to reinforce
its existing strong collaboration with civil society and nongovernmental
organizations on violence against women with
budgetary allocations commensurate with the priority attached
to combating such violence.
124. The Committee recommends that the seriousness of
rape, including marital rape, be emphasized and the law fully
enforced. It also urges the Government to undertake research
into the causes of the high incidence of rape so that effective
preventive measures can be developed.
125. The Committee regrets that insufficient attention was
being devoted to the problem of trafficking in women.
126. The Committee recommends that both the legal
situation and the reality with regard to trafficking in women
be addressed, and requests that information on this issue be
contained in South Africa’s next report.
127. Notwithstanding the implementation of several
temporary special measures in the political field and
appointments to decision-making posts, the Committee is
concerned whether such measures have become acceptable.
128. The Committee encourages the Government to continue
the use of temporary special measures, including quota
systems, in upcoming elections. The Government is also
urged to assess ways of extending quota systems to other
governmental or governmentally appointed bodies to increase
women’s participation therein. In that regard, particular
attention should be paid to public bodies dealing with
business and economic matters to facilitate women’s
achievement of decision-making positions in those fields. The
Government is further urged to ensure that supportive
mechanisms are in place for beneficiaries of temporary
special measures. The Committee also suggests that the
Government consider carefully the advantages and
disadvantages of different electoral systems for the
representation of women.
129. Noting that women are under-represented in the judicial
system, the Committee is concerned that women have
problems gaining access to high judicial office. It is
concerned that, in the appointment process, there is an
emphasis on factors which generally favour male candidates.

130. The Committee recommends that special temporary 137. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
measures, in accordance with article 4 of the Convention, be South Africa of these concluding comments in order to make
used to address the low number of women in the judiciary. the people of South Africa, and particularly government
131. The Committee expresses serious concern at the chronic
high rate of unemployment for women and the insufficient
implementation of article 11 of the Convention. Given the
large number of self-employed women and of women
domestic/household workers, the level of their protection,
including through insurance or social security schemes, raises
grave concerns, as does the move towards regulated flexibility
in employment legislation.
132. The Committee urges the Government to focus, as a
matter of priority, on creating income generating activities for
women. Existing efforts, including the use of quotas in job
creation schemes, such as the community-based public works
programme, should be expanded into areas where the number
of unemployed women workers is particularly high.
133. The Committee is concerned about the uneven
distribution of health care services in the country. It notes that
insufficient data disaggregated by sex are being kept on birth
rates and in disease registers. It notes with concern that the
practice of female genital mutilation has not been given
attention.
134. The Committee encourages the Government to continue
its efforts to ensure equal access to health services throughout
the entire country. It further encourages the Government to
continue its efforts to ensure women, particularly poor
women, access to family planning programmes and related
information to increase women’s choices and as a means of
empowerment. It recommends further research into the
prevalence of female genital mutilation and other harmful
practices, such as witch burning, and recommends that the
Government ensure the prohibition and eradication of such
practices.
135. The Committee underlines that vulnerable groups of
women, especially rural women, require specific measures
to empower them to overcome the constraints of poverty, low
levels of education and literacy, high unemployment and high
fertility rates. It notes the need for rural women’s
participation in land reform programmes.
136. The Committee encourages the Government to
implement special programmes for vulnerable groups of
women in rural areas, including education and employment.
The national machinery for women is encouraged to work
actively on matters of land reform policy and problems of
rural women to ensure their active participation in those
areas.
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and further
steps that are required in that regard. It also requests the
Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
2. Combined second and third
periodic reports
Nigeria
138. The Committee considered the combined second and
third periodic reports of Nigeria (CEDAW/C/NGA/2-3) at
its 396th and 397th meetings, on 2 July 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.396 and 397).
Introduction by the State party
139. In introducing the reports, which covered the period
from 1987 to 1994, the representative noted that they
demonstrated the progress made since the 1986 initial report
and identified the remaining areas of difficulty in the
promotion of equality between women and men in Nigeria.
She noted that the reports addressed the impact of external
factors on national efforts to promote equality between
women and men.
140. The representative indicated that there had been an
awareness-raising campaign concerning the need to have
more women legislators and senators and that women had
been elected into local government councils and the state and
federal legislatures. However, the Government remained
unsatisfied with the small number of women in elective
positions.
141. The representative noted that, although education and
training promoted equality between men and women, certain
cultural and traditional practices and beliefs remained
obstacles to women’s full enjoyment of rights, including in
the context of marriage, inheritance and land ownership.
142. The representative informed the Committee that a
National Committee of Women and Children reviewed all
laws relating to women and children, in order to bring them
into conformity with the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention

on the Rights of the Child. The National Commission for decade. She described several Government measures to
Women Decree had established a National Commission for address that situation.
Women in 1989 to coordinate the implementation of
programmes to facilitate and enhance the advancement of
women in Nigeria. The Commission had been upgraded to the
Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social
Development. In addition, the state Ministries of Women
Affairs and Social Development had been established in the
36 states of the Federation.
143. The representative informed the Committee that the
Ministry of Women’s Affairs sought to raise awareness
among women and men of the need to empower women and
to forge a new partnership based on mutual respect for the
family. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs had emphasized the
importance of education and the acquisition of skills for
women and girls.
144. The representative described several temporary special
measures which had been adopted by the Government,
including education committees relating to women, the
appointment of women to decision-making positions and
poverty alleviation measures to improve the economic status
of women. She noted that the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination against Women had been
published in a simplified version by the Ministry of Women’s
Affairs and Social Development.
145. The representative noted that traditional practices had
affected rural women more than urban educated women. The
1979 constitution, particularly article 31, addressed certain
of these practices, and seminars for women had been
organized to discourage these traditional practices. Domestic
violence was seldom reported because of fear of reprisal and
lack of response from law enforcement officials. Statistics
relating to this problem would not be available until women
were motivated to report domestic and other forms of
violence.
146. The representative described measures to inform
Nigerian women of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform
for Action, including the production of instruction manuals
and workbooks on the 12 critical areas of concern.
147. The representative noted that commercial banks
frequently denied women credit because of lack of
creditworthiness, and the Government had implemented
several credit schemes, including the Family Economic
Advancement Programme, which operated credit facilities for
women and family units for the promotion of family
enterprises.
148. The representative informed the Committee that rural
women played an essential role in the agricultural sector, but
had only been recognized in development plans within the last
149. The representative concluded by noting that, although
significant progress had been achieved, much work still
needed to be done in order to eliminate some of the
customary, traditional and religious practices which impeded
the advancement of women.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
150. The Committee commends the Federal Republic of
Nigeria for having ratified the Convention in June 1985
without reservations. The Committee also commends the
Government on the level of the delegation, led by the Minister
for Women’s Affairs and Social Development.
Positive aspects
151. The Committee notes with satisfaction that progress had
been made in some areas since the previous report. Such
progress includes the establishment of a Ministry of Women’s
Affairs and the Advancement of Women, and an increase in
school attendance rates for girls and literacy rates for women.
The number of women in decision-making posts had also
increased.
152. The Committee commends the Government of Nigeria
for improving rural women’s access to drinking water and
electricity.
Factors and difficulties affecting implementation
of the Convention
153. The Committee notes the predominance of cultural
stereotypes that are prejudicial to women. The Committee is
also disturbed to learn about the continued existence of such
practices as polygamy, inhumane rites undergone by widows,
female circumcision and similar customs, which present
serious dangers to the physical and emotional health of
women and violate their fundamental human rights.
154. The coexistence of three legal systems, civil, religious
and customary, make it difficult to adopt and enforce laws
which genuinely protect women’s rights.
Principal subjects of concern and the
Committee’s recommendations
155. The Committee regrets that the Government did not
reply to all the questions raised in connection with the second
and third periodic reports. The Committee recommends that

Nigeria include answers to these questions in its next periodic 166. Notwithstanding the Government’s efforts in the field
report.
156. The Committee is very concerned about religious and
customary laws and practices in the family context that violate
women’s human rights.
157. The Committee recommends that effective measures be
taken to change laws and cultural norms which allow such
practices as polygamy, one-sided repudiation, unequal
subsistence rights and shares, as well as preventing women
to travel without the permission of a male relative.
158. Notwithstanding ratification of the Convention without
reservations, the Committee is concerned that the Convention
is not being implemented within an adequate legal and
constitutional framework.
159. The Committee recommends that the Government
should fully respect the commitments and obligations arising
under the Convention and that it should adopt all necessary
measures in this regard.
160. The Committee is concerned by the lack of statistical
data in the reports While there are financial constraints in this
context, the use of statistics allows a clearer understanding
of progress since the previous report, including in the areas
of domestic violence, prostitution, women’s labour, including
in the informal sector, and women’s and children’s health.
161. The Committee recommends that the Government
should collect statistical information disaggregated by sex in
all areas of importance in the lives of women and that such
data should be used in future reports.
162. The Committee is concerned about the inadequate
representation of women in the judiciary.
163. The Committee recommends that temporary special
measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the
Convention be adopted to increase the participation of women
in the judiciary.
164. The Committee is seriously concerned at the various
forms of violence against women that exist in Nigeria and the
absence of laws, programmes and policies to address this
serious problem.
165. The Committee recommends that the Government
collect information on this issue and introduce and enforce
appropriate laws, programmes and policies to confront all
forms of violence against women. It further recommends the
establishment of shelters for victims and the introduction of
measures to ensure that women are protected from reprisal
where they report their victimization. The Committee also
recommends the introduction, at all levels of education, of
courses on women’s and children’s rights, as well as public
awareness campaigns with regard to these issues.
of education, the Committee is concerned at the low literacy
rate among women and the low attendance rate by girls at
secondary institutions.
167. The Committee encourages the Government to increase
its efforts through implementation of a specific programme
to reduce illiteracy among women, particularly in rural areas,
and promote access by girls to secondary education. The
Government should ensure that primary education is free.
168. The Committee is concerned that there are no statistics
and information on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
The Committee also notes that polygamy and prostitution
were serious risk factors in the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases.
169. The Committee recommends that statistical data and
information be compiled on the incidence of HIV/AIDS and
other sexually transmitted diseases.
170. The Committee is alarmed by the rates of maternal and
infant mortality and the lack of medical facilities for women
and children.
171. The Committee encourages the Government to increase
its efforts to guarantee access to medical services and hospital
medical facilities, particularly in the context of women’s
health needs. The Committee notes that family planning
programmes must be available to all, including young women
and men, and stresses women’s right to receive informed and
reliable medical care. The Committee recommends that free
access to health services should be a priority for Government.
In this regard, it recommends that the Government take
account of the recommendations of the United Nations
Development Programme with respect to sustainable human
development.
172. The Committee notes with concern that rural women
had little access to education and to credit facilities.
173. The Committee recommends that the Government
strengthen its socio-economic programmes so as to reduce
discrimination suffered by rural women.
174. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
Nigeria of the present concluding comments in order to make
the people of Nigeria, and particularly Government
administrators and politicians aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and further
steps that are required in that regard. It also requests the
Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.

Panama
175. The Committee considered the second and third
periodic reports of Panama (CEDAW/C/PAN/2-3) at its
392nd and 393rd meetings, on 30 June 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.392 and 393).
Introduction by the State party
176. In introducing the report, the representative of Panama
stated that Panama had recently gone to great efforts to
advance the status of women. Those efforts had included the
establishment of institutional mechanisms, the formulation
of national action plans and programmes for the advancement
of women and measures to promote the political participation
of women and to combat violence against women.
177. The representative noted that, in 1995, the Government
of Panama had established the National Women’s Council and
the National Women’s Office, both of which were attached
to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. She indicated
that the Ministry of Youth, Women, Children and the Family
had been created in 1997 and that one of its main functions
was the promotion of gender equality. The Ministry of Youth,
Women and Children would shortly submit a draft law on
equality for the consideration of Parliament. In addition, most
Government institutions had established special offices and
programmes for the advancement of women.
178. The representative indicated that Panama had
introduced various plans and programmes to raise the status
of women. Non-governmental organizations had also been
active and had formulated the Women and Development
Action Plan. During 1993, all presidential candidates had
committed themselves to implement the Plan. In 1997, a
series of projects had also been launched under the Equal
Opportunities Programme, a five-year programme supported
by the European Union that seeks to mainstream gender in all
public policies and programmes.
179. The representative informed the Committee of measures
to increase the participation of women in political decision-making,
including the Electoral Code, which now provided
that at least 30 per cent of candidates in public elections
should be women.
180. The representative indicated that the Government of
Panama had prioritized the issue of violence against women
and that the submission of a report to the Special Rapporteur
on violence against women, its causes and consequences had
initiated the formulation of a national policy to address the
underlying causes of violence against women.
181. The representative emphasized that, although much had
been achieved, women in Panama still faced gender
discrimination and negative cultural attitudes continued to
reinforce the subordination of women. Women in Panama
earned less than men and were not equally represented in
positions of decision-making, while institutional mechanisms
for gender equality lacked financial resources. She concluded
by stressing the importance of sustained dialogue between the
Government and civil society.
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
182. The Committee welcomes the presence of the Minister
Of Youth, Women, Children and the Family and the fact that
the delegation was at such a high level; it also thanks the
Republic of Panama for submitting its combined second and
third reports, noting that the report follows the Committee’s
guidelines and a format, which offered a better overview of
the general situation of women and the implementation of the
Convention than the previous report submitted to the
Committee.
183. The Committee appreciates the Minister’s efforts to
reply to questions in her oral report, but notes that it would
have been more useful to the experts if the questions asked
by the group prior to the session had been answered in
writing, thereby providing a reference tool for dialogue with
the representative of the Republic of Panama.
Positive aspects
184. The Committee commends the establishment of the
Ministry of Youth, Women, Children and the Family as the
government body in charge of implementing the Convention
at the national level.
185. The Committee commends the Government for its
support for non-governmental organizations.
186. The Committee commends the promulgation of Act No.
22 of 14 July 1997, which reforms the Electoral Code and
provides that at least 30 per cent of the candidates for public
election must be women.
187. The Committee also commends the promulgation of Act
No. 27 of 16 June 1995, which qualified domestic violence
and child abuse as crimes, thereby linking them with the
institutional system established to deal with such violence.
It also welcomes the establishment of family courts following
the adoption of the Family Code.
188. The Committee also welcomes the Government’s efforts
to make the mass media more aware of, and to eliminate,

sexism and the projection of women as sex objects in the 198. The Committee recommends the initiation of a
media. campaign by the national machinery to guarantee equality of
Factors hindering and blocking the
implementation of the Convention
189. The Committee considers that one factor hindering the
implementation of the Convention has been the difficult and
special political, economic, social and legal situation in
Panama.
190. The unequal distribution of wealth, which has kept
45 per cent of the population below the poverty level, as well
as the institution of coercive measures and structural
adjustment programmes also hinder the implementation of the
Convention.
191. The high rate of unemployment in the metropolitan and
in the rural areas is also an inhibiting factor.
Areas of concern and recommendations of the
Committee
192. The Committee is concerned that neither the
constitution of the Republic of Panama nor any other
legislative provision made clear or specific reference to the
elimination of discrimination against women.
193. The Committee recommends that all legislation be
revised to provide expressly for the elimination of
discrimination against women.
194. The Committee notes with concern the failure to
disseminate and publicize the Convention at various levels
of Panamanian society.
195. The Committee recommends that a major campaign
should be mounted to disseminate the principles of the
Convention and provide education and training in them,
especially among judges, lawyers, journalists, teachers and
Panamanian women.
196. The Committee requests that the next report should
contain gender-specific statistics so as to shed light on the
results of the various programmes proposed and awaiting
realization.
197. The Committee expresses deep concern at the general
situation of working women in Panama. Despite the legal
provisions guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, the reality
was different. Women continue to be discriminated against
in the workplace. In addition, women have no effective
protection with respect to maternity leave and breastfeeding
breaks. Further, although often better educated than men,
women accounted for only 28 per cent of the economically
active population.
treatment in the workplace. It further recommends that
legislation on the right to maternity leave and breastfeeding
breaks be implemented vigorously to ensure adequate
protection for women.
199. The Committee is concerned that 53 per cent of the
female population is illiterate, the majority of these being
indigenous women. It also expresses concern at the
persistence of gender stereotypes, which results in a large
number of adolescent girls terminating their education at an
early age to marry or to undertake domestic work.
200. The Committee recommends that, as a matter of
urgency, the Government of Panama should mount an
aggressive educational campaign designed to ensure that all
Panamanian girls and women have a full education and to
reduce sharply the number of adolescent girls leaving school
early to work in unskilled employment or to marry.
201. The Committee expresses deep concern in connection
with the reproductive health of Panamanian women and an
apparent setback in the treatment of the right to abortion in
cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape. The
Committee recommends that multidisciplinary measures
should be taken to provide special care to the victims of
sexual violence which should include legal and psychological
assistance for the victim. It also recommends that Panamanian
women who are pregnant as a result of rape should be granted
the opportunity to seek termination of such pregnancies.
202. The Committee recommends training programmes for
women political leaders and encourages the large-scale
participation of women in democratic activities and decision making.
203. The Committee expresses concern at the discriminatory
treatment received by women engaged in prostitution in
Panama, especially the statement that a prostitute would find
it difficult to seek legal redress in the case of rape since the
Code still requires the victim in that situation to be chaste and
virtuous in order to be able to institute legal proceedings.
204. The Committee recommends that a serious effort be
made to eliminate entrenched stereotypes.
205. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in
Panama of the present concluding comments in order to make
the people of Panama, and particularly Government
administrators and politicians aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and the
further steps that are required in that regard. It also requests
that the Government continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Committee’s general recommendations and the Beijing
Declaration and the Platform for Action.

United Republic of Tanzania
206. The Committee considered the combined second and
third periodic reports of the United Republic of Tanzania
(CEDAW/C/TZA/2-3) at its 394th and 395th meetings, on
1 July 1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR.394 and 395).
Introduction by the State party
207. In introducing the reports, which covered the period
from 1990 to 1996, the representative of the United Republic
of Tanzania informed the Committee that, since the first
report in 1990, the country had changed from a one-party
system to a multi-party democracy, with the first democratic
elections being held in 1995, and that political reforms had
provided great scope for the participation of women’s nongovernmental
organizations.
208. The representative noted ongoing economic reforms,
including structural adjustment programmes, which had
adversely affected women, inter alia, because of their low
incomes and levels of education, and had impeded their ability
to compete in the free market.
209. The representative informed the Committee that the
National Women’s Machinery had been elevated to two full-fledged
Ministries, namely, the Ministry of Community
Development, Women’s Affairs and Children, on Tanzania
mainland, and the Ministry of State, Women and Children in
Zanzibar, and not just one Ministry on the mainland. She
noted that the constitution upheld the principle of equality,
but that the definition of “discrimination” did not include
“sex” as a ground of discrimination. However, the
Government was considering amendments to the constitution,
which would provide an opportunity to incorporate “sex” as
a ground of discrimination.
210. The representative outlined steps to reform laws that
discriminate against women, noting that several laws,
including some customary laws, had been identified as
contradicting human rights principles. Amendments had been
made to the laws relating to sexual offences and new laws had
been introduced relating to trafficking in women, the
exploitation of prostitution and criminalizing the practice of
female genital mutilation. Consideration had also been given
to amending laws relating to women’s rights to land. The
representative noted that the multiple sources of law,
including statutory, customary and religious laws, impeded
implementation of the Convention in some areas. In this
regard, she noted that the Law of Marriage Act recognized
polygamous marriages.
211. The representative informed the Committee of steps that
had been taken to inform the public of women’s rights,
including the publication of a booklet on women’s rights, and
the translation of the Convention into Kiswahili, the national
language of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Beijing
Platform for Action was also being used as resource material
to educate women and girls about their rights. Nongovernmental
organizations had been active in sensitizing the
general public and government officials to violations of
women’s rights.
212. The representative informed the Committee that
affirmative action measures had been implemented in the
areas of political participation and decision-making,
employment and education. She noted that the drop-out rate
of girls at school remained high, and that access to secondary
and advanced levels of education for girls was low.
213. The representative indicated that, although violence
against women, including sexual assault and harassment and
domestic violence, remained serious problems, few statistics
had been collected. Young girls were particularly vulnerable
to sexual abuse, as men believed there was less risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS from them, among other reasons.
Traditions and customary practices, including female genital
mutilation, affected implementation of the Convention.
214. The representative informed the Committee that the
deterioration of women’s health was attributable to poor
hygiene, heavy workloads, undernourishment, frequent births
and to the fact that high levels of poverty and maternal
mortality rates had increased sharply. Family planning
programmes in the United Republic of Tanzania had been
successful and measures had been taken to improve public
awareness of HIV/AIDS.
215. The representative stated that a women’s development
fund had been established in 1994, in order to mobilize
resources, provide loans, act as a guarantee fund, create
employment and income generation and offer business
advisory services for women.
216. The representative informed the Committee that
approximately 80 per cent of the population in the United
Republic of Tanzania live in rural areas. Government policies
to provide basic services such as safe water, health facilities,
appropriate technologies and good infrastructure had been
impeded as a result of the economic difficulties facing the
country. In addition, special attention had been given to the
role of women in the management of the water supply and
sanitation. However, the traditional irrigation system
remained male dominated.
217. The representative concluded by emphasizing
difficulties caused by lack of resources, noting that the high
level of foreign debt servicing, combined with the low levels

of international aid, meant that there were few resources to 225. The Committee is of the view that traditional practices
implement programmes, including those for the advancement and the existence of a multiplicity of laws hinders the
of women. advancement of women. It also notes the problems associated
Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
218. The Committee congratulates the Government of the
United Republic of Tanzania for the submission of its
combined second and third periodic reports. It notes that the
reports complied to a large extent with its guidelines
concerning the form and content of periodic reports. The
Committee appreciates the delegation’s oral presentation,
which covered most of the questions asked by the
Committee’s pre-session working group.
219. While expressing its appreciation for the high-level
delegation, including the Principal Secretary to the Ministry
of Community Development, Women’s Affairs and Children,
and her candid oral presentation, the Committee regrets that
the report lacks sufficient information and statistics and thus
fails to deliver a complete picture of the progress made in the
implementation of the Convention since the country compiled
its initial report, which had been considered in 1990.
Positive aspects
220. The Committee commends the initiative of the
Government in elevating its national machinery from a
department to a full-fledged ministry, which had produced a
policy which supported women’s rights.
221. The Committee welcomes the enactment of a new law
which criminalizes female genital mutilation as a concrete
step towards eliminating violence against women and the girl
child.
222. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the
Government to review and revise existing national laws in
accordance with the Convention.
223. The Committee also welcomes the active involvement
of non-governmental organizations and women’s groups in
advancing the status of women in the United Republic of
Tanzania and encourages the Government to develop further
its partnership with these groups.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
224. The Committee notes the current economic situation of
the United Republic of Tanzania and the burden posed by
servicing its foreign debt.
with stereotypical roles of women and men.
Principal subjects of concern and the
Committee’s recommendations
226. The Committee is concerned that the constitution of the
United Republic of Tanzania did not explicitly define gender
discrimination.
227. The Committee urges the Government to consider, as
a matter of priority, incorporating a definition of
discrimination in accordance with article 1 of the Convention
as a ground of discrimination in the constitution.
228. The Committee regrets that the report does not
sufficiently examine obstacles to the elimination of
discrimination against women and the advancement of the
status of women in society. This is necessary in order to
formulate effective strategies. The Committee suggests that
the Government may need to re-examine its policies and
programmes for the implementation of the Convention and
the advancement of women. Further, the Committee regrets
that the report does not include information on the impact of
policies and programmes that had been successfully
implemented since the time of the submission of the initial
report.
229. The Committee expresses concern at the fact that the
prevailing customary laws and religious laws which
sometimes supersede the constitution are discriminatory
towards women. In particular, the Committee notes that
several groups in the United Republic of Tanzania are entitled
to practice polygamy. The Committee points out that
customary laws and religious laws continue to govern private
life and notes the critical importance of eliminating
discrimination against women in the private sphere.
230. The Committee recommends immediate action to
modify customary laws and religious laws to comply with the
constitution and the Convention. It also requests more
information on measures that had been taken or would be
taken as follow-up to the Customary Law Declaration of
1963. It recommends that the Government organize
awareness-raising campaigns for the general public, as well
as training courses to sensitize policy makers, the judiciary
and law enforcement officers and seek assistance from United
Nations agencies in the region for such activities.
231. The Committee notes with concern that, although
legislation is in place to ensure equality between women and
men in the United Republic of Tanzania, in reality, women’s
human rights were often violated. The Committee points out
that, although some temporary special measures have been

introduced to ensure the participation of women in policy- that more detailed information should have been obtained and
making, the number of women in the Parliament and local included in the report. The Committee deeply regrets that the
authorities is still very small. The Committee further notes report lacked more explicit information, including statistics
that more women than men are confined to low-paid, insecure on issues such as the exact types of punishment for those
jobs with no legal protection. committing violence against women; the new, expanded
232. The Committee strongly recommends that the
Government take concrete action, including temporary special
measures, to redress the situation.
233. The Committee notes with serious concern the problem
faced by Tanzanian women with regard to violence against
women, especially domestic violence, which is condoned by
customary laws.
234. The Committee strongly recommends that violence
against women in all its forms be criminalized, that law and
practice to achieve this objective be developed and effectively
enforced and that shelters for women who have been
subjected to violence be established and adequately
resourced.
235. The Committee is concerned with the disadvantaged
situation of rural women who comprise the majority of the
rural population, and the majority of workers in rural areas.
The Committee further notes that customary and religious
laws are practiced and accepted more widely in rural areas
and, inter alia, often prevent women from inheriting and
owning land and property. Food taboos, which are more
prevalent in rural areas, are a serious concern to the
Committee, as they are not only harmful to the health of
women, including mothers, but also impact on the health of
future generations.
236. The Committee recommends that laws of inheritance
and succession be formulated so as to guarantee rural women
their rights of inheritance and ownership of land and property.
It also recommends that a programme be introduced to
educate rural women about their rights and that steps be taken
to remove all traditional practices, including food taboos,
which are harmful to the health of women.
237. The Committee notes with concern that the infant and
maternal mortality rate is still high, despite the efforts made
since the time of the country’s initial report.
238. The Committee recommends that the Government make
vigorous efforts to address this serious problem and seek
assistance of the World Health Organization (WHO),
UNICEF and other relevant United Nations agencies.
239. The Committee notes the establishment of a women’s
development fund. The Committee requests that detailed
information on the mandates, budget and projects of the fund
be included in the next report.
240. While it recognizes that collection and analysis of data
might have financial implications, the Committee points out
definition of rape; forms of female genital mutilation that are
practiced in the United Republic of Tanzania; the situation
of trafficking in women and girls; revisions made to
educational materials in order to include a gender perspective;
the situation of HIV/AIDS and women in the United Republic
of Tanzania.
241. The Committee notes the large number of refugee
women currently resident in Tanzania and requests further
information on the situation of refugee women and any
Government programmes in place to address their needs.
242. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in the
United Republic of Tanzania of these concluding comments
in order to make the people, and particularly government
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that have
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women, and further
steps that are required in this regard. It also requested the
Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in
particular to women’s and human rights organizations, the
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations, and
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
3. Combined third and fourth
periodic reports
New Zealand
243. The Committee considered the combined third and
fourth periodic reports of New Zealand (CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4
and Add.1) at its 401st and 402nd meetings, on 8 July 1998
(see CEDAW/C/SR.401 and 402).
Introduction by the State party
244. In introducing the combined report, the representative
conveyed a personal message of greeting from New Zealand’s
Prime Minister and the Minister of Women’s Affairs, the
Right Honorable Jenny Shipley. The representative noted
that the report was a record of continuing progress for
women. The economic reforms initiated in 1984 had led to
an open and competitive economy and New Zealand’s
economic performance had improved considerably since the
early 1990s. Recent developments in Asia, however, were of
concern to the Government.

245. The representative described the steps taken by the implemented in December 1998, would provide free biannual
Government to implement the Beijing Platform for Action in screenings for women between the ages of 50 and 64.
six cross-cutting themes.
246. The representative then highlighted initiatives in the earn approximately 80.5 per cent of men’s average hourly
area of legislative reform, policy development and the earnings, the Government was taking further measures to
delivery of better services for women since 1994. She reduce the discrepancy, including research and data analysis,
highlighted, in particular, the adoption of the 1995 Domestic awareness-raising and doubling the funding ratio for the
Violence Act. The issuance of the 1996 Statement of Policy Equal Employment Opportunities Trust.
on Family Violence and the allocation of substantial financial
resources for the development of collaborative anti-violence
prevention and response strategies were also noted.
247. A comprehensive time-use survey was being conducted doubled over the past five years with Maori women
by Statistics New Zealand, sponsored by the Ministry of outnumbering Maori men.
Women’s Affairs, to document the contribution of women’s
and men’s unpaid activities to the economy and to provide
assistance in the development of government policies and
programmes Maori statistical advisers were being consulted
to ensure that the survey would accurately record Maori
activities.
248. The introduction of the Matrimonial Property had revealed that the provisions for parental leave available
Amendment Bill and the De Facto Relationships (Property) in New Zealand were in many respects among the best in the
Bill sought to achieve fair distribution of property to women world and that New Zealand was moving towards a situation
upon the death of a spouse or dissolution of marriage. The where comparable social benefits might be realized in the
women’s access to justice project was aimed at making legal future.
services more accessible to women.
249. The representative noted that a Women’s Commissioner Focused Welfare policy which would require domestic
on the Human Rights Commission had been designated for purpose beneficiaries to look for full or part-time work,
the first time in New Zealand. The Commissioner would depending on the age of their children. Furthermore, social
provide an annual report on the progress of women’s human benefits continue to be provided and have been extended to
rights in New Zealand and would complement the work of the single parents to make it easier for them to take up work and
Ministry of Women’s Affairs. provide childcare.
250. Women’s participation in the labour market was 257. The representative noted that New Zealand’s report
increasing dramatically and women were responsible for 40 included material on Tokelau. The representative concluded
per cent of new businesses. The Maori Women’s the reporting responsibilities of the self-governing States of
Development Fund and the Women in Self-Employment Cook Islands and Niue, which were included in New
Network provided financial and peer support to women Zealand’s ratification of the Convention, were currently under
entrepreneurs. examination.
251. Substantial gains had been achieved in women’s
political participation with an increase in appointments and
reappointments made by the Cabinet Committee on
Appointments and Honors from 25 per cent in 1993 to 31
per cent in 1997. The Government was seeking gender
balance on statutory boards by the year 2000.
252. In order to improve the health of women and families,
and recognizing the importance of women’s sexual and
reproductive health, the Government had introduced the
Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy to raise awareness
of responsible sexual behaviour and to improve information
about and access to contraception, particularly among high-risk
groups. A national breast-screening programme, to be
253. Given a continuing gender pay gap, whereby women
254. Progress in women’s education had led to a higher
number of women than men enrolled in tertiary education.
The number of Maori in tertiary education had more than
255. Turning to New Zealand’s two reservations, the
representative noted that further progress was expected over
the next reporting period with respect to removal of the
reservation on the role of women in combat While there were
no immediate plans to withdraw the reservation related to
paid maternity leave, the representative noted that research
256. In 1998, the Government had announced the Work
Concluding comments by the Committee
Introduction
258. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
Government of New Zealand for submitting, in a timely
manner, a well-structured and well-written combined third
and fourth periodic report, and for the fact that
non-governmental organizations had been consulted in its
preparation. It commends the Government on its oral
presentation of the report and for the extensive replies to the
questions posed by the Committee.

259. The Committee commends the Government of New the lack of awareness by women of existing unpaid parental
Zealand for having sent a high-level delegation, headed by the leave rights.
Associate Minister of Women’s Affairs. It notes that the report
described steps taken by the Government to implement the
Beijing Platform for Action.
Positive aspects
260. The Committee commends the Government’s sensitivity
to the situation of Maori women, and its efforts to overcome
obstacles to Maori women’s achievement of equality.
261. The Committee also notes new legislative efforts
undertaken by the Government, in particular the adoption of
the Domestic Violence Act of 1995, and the designation of
a Women’s Commissioner on the Human Rights Commission.
It welcomes the efforts to remove the reservation relating to
women in combat.
262. The Committee commends the Government’s efforts to
implement the Beijing Platform for Action under six crosscutting
themes, including through mainstreaming a gender
perspective in the development of all policies and
programmes, and improved data collection on all aspects of
women’s lives.
263. The Committee welcomes the acceptance by the
Government of the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of
the Convention concerning the Committee’s meeting time. It
also expressed its appreciation for the Government’s active
participation in the elaboration of and support for an optional
protocol to the Convention.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
264. The Committee notes with concern the continuing
existence of reservations to the Convention, particularly with
regard to paid maternity leave.
265. The Committee considers that the existing legislative
and de facto framework for women in the formal labour
market, including pay equity, employment contracts and
women’s family responsibilities, constitute a serious
impediment to the full implementation of the Convention.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
266. The Committee expresses serious concern at the
continuing existence of a reservation to article 11,
subparagraph 2 (b), on paid maternity leave. It is concerned
that the requirement for women to negotiate maternity leave
individually with their employers, rather than being
established as a matter of national law and policy, is a
disadvantage for New Zealand’s women. It is also concerned
about the constraints for obtaining unpaid maternity leave and
267. The Committee recommends that the Government
examine in greater detail paid maternity leave provisions that
exist in a number of countries at a comparative level of
economic and social development. It also recommends that
the Government study the impact of existing maternity leave
provisions on women’s equal pay and career opportunities.
The Government should also consider the possible long-term
impact of this situation, especially in conjunction with the
proposed Matrimonial Property Amendment Bill, which does
not recognize future earnings in divorce settlements.
268. Noting that there is an increase of women in part-time
or casual work and an insufficient number of full-time jobs
for women, the Committee expresses concern that the impact
on women of economic restructuring in the country continues
to be insufficiently addressed by the Government. It is
seriously concerned that legislation such as the Employment
Contracts Act of 1991, which emphasizes individual
employment contracts rather than collective agreements,
constitutes a major disadvantage for women in the labour
market due to their dual responsibilities to work and family.
269. The Committee urges the Government to assess the
impact of existing free-market legislation on women’s ability
to compete on an equal basis with men in the labour market
and to assess the benefits that women derived from the
favourable economic situation of recent years. It recommends
that the Government recognize maternity as a social function
which must not constitute a structural disadvantage for
women with regard to their employment rights.
270. The Committee recommends the proactive use of
temporary special measures in the public and private sectors
in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, to accelerate
women’s de facto equality in employment.
271. The Committee recommends that the Government
consider ratifying International Labour Organization
Convention 103 (Rev).
272. The Committee also recommends that the Government
systematically monitor trends on the situation of women,
especially in the employment field, and assess regularly the
impact of legislative and policy measures to achieve women’s
equality in accordance with the Convention.
273. The Committee expresses serious concern about the
continuing wage-differential between women and men, which
is not expected to narrow under current trends, and is due in
part to the over-representation of women in lower-paid
occupations and their under-representation in above-average
wage-growth sectors. It expresses serious concern at existing
pay differentials between women and men for equal work, and

at the impact of the repeal of the Employment Equity Act on Forms of Discrimination against Women into the Maori
women’s equal pay rights. language, and to distribute it widely in Maori communities,
274. The Committee recommends that further efforts,
including through legislation and innovative policies, be
undertaken to reduce the gender pay gap. The impact of the 282. The Committee expresses concern that, despite progress
Privacy Act on women’s ability to seek redress in court for made in achieving women’s equal participation in political
discriminatory unequal pay should be examined. The and public life, including in Parliament, the Judiciary and in
Government should also consider developing an “equal pay statutory boards, there was little effort to achieve targets set
for work of comparable value” strategy, and reinstate for gender balance through the use of temporary special
respective legislation. measures.
275. The Committee expresses concern that the ongoing 283. The Committee recommends that the Government
privatization of social services and the introduction of consider introducing a broad range of measures, including
fee-based systems in areas such as health reduces women’s, targets and flexible numerical goals. The advantages and
especially poor and Maori women’s, access thereto. disadvantages of the current electoral system, namely, Mixed
276. The Committee recommends that the Government
Closely monitor the impact of privatization on social services,
especially in health, so as to ensure equal access to quality
health care for all women.
277. The Committee expresses concern that the Matrimonial
Property Amendment Bill and the De Facto Relationships
(Property) Bill, introduced in Parliament in March,
differentiate between the rights of married women in the
division of property upon the death of a husband or following 285. The Committee recommends that the status and
divorce, and the rights of women upon separation from a de decision-making capacity of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs
facto partner. It is also concerned that the Matrimonial be upgraded.
Property Amendment Bill does not take into consideration
future earnings of a husband with regard to property divisions
in divorce settlements.
278. The Committee recommends that the Government treatment of sex workers who were in the country illegally.
reconsider the content of the De Facto Relationships
(Property) Bill with a view to bringing it in line with the
Matrimonial Property Amendment Bill, especially since de
facto relationships are more common among the Maori
population and are growing among the population in general.
279. The Committee is concerned that the situation of Maori
women remained unsatisfactory in many areas, including in
respect to the high percentage of Maori girls leaving school
early, higher-than-average teenage pregnancy rates, the
continuing low number of Maori women in tertiary education,
their employment situation, their absence from the judiciary
and political decision-making, their health situation and
access to health services and higher-than-average incidences
of domestic violence.
280. The Committee urges the Government to continue its
efforts to implement fully the Treaty of Waitangi, with
particular emphasis on achieving equality for Maori women
in all areas covered by the Convention.
281. The Committee urges the Government to translate, as
a matter of priority, the Convention on the Elimination of All
so as to increase New Zealand women’s awareness of their
rights.
Member Proportional Representation System, on the
percentage of women in Parliament should be assessed and,
if necessary, amendments introduced to increase the numbers
of women in Parliament.
284. The Committee considers that the merely advisory and
coordinating nature of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs is
an impediment to furthering women’s human rights in New
Zealand.
286. The Committee expresses concern that the Government
did not provide sufficient data and information on the
situation of prostitution, the Prostitutes Collective and the
287. The Committee recommends that the Government
provide more information on those issues in its next report.
In addition, the Committee wishes to be informed as to which
economic activity sex work is included with for the purpose
of the national accounts and the time-use survey.
288. The Committee expresses concern that the lack of
comparative data disaggregated by sex and ethnicity and
collected over time impeded the Committee’s full
understanding of changes in the de facto situation of women’s
human rights.
289. The Committee recommends that the Government
supply more data of that kind in its next report.
290. The Committee requests that the Government responds
in its next periodic report to the outstanding questions,
particularly in relation to the implementation of article 11 of
the Convention, posed during its constructive dialogue with
the representative of New Zealand.
291. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in New
Zealand of the present concluding comments, in order to make

the people of New Zealand, and particularly Government 297. The representative informed the Committee that
administrators and politicians, aware of the steps that had domestic and sexual violence continued to be a serious
been taken to ensure de facto equality for women and further problem. However, only a fraction of victims reported
steps that are required in that regard. It also requested the incidents of abuse. He noted approaches which had been
Government to continue to disseminate widely, and in introduced to eradicate violence against women, including the
particular, to women’s and human rights organizations, the 1993 Domestic Violence Act, awareness-raising campaigns,
Convention, the Committee’s general recommendations and the establishment of police offices for women, training of
the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action. members of the police force, prosecutors and judges and the
Peru
292. The Committee considered the combined third and
fourth periodic reports of Peru (CEDAW/C/PER/3-4) at its
397th and 398th meetings, on 6 July 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.397 and 398).
Introduction by the State party
293. The representative of Peru informed the Committee that,
since 1990, women’s access to education, employment and
health care services in Peru had improved. The right to
equality before the law and freedom from discrimination had
been entrenched in the 1993 constitution, and the Government
of Peru had introduced legislative measures to ensure de jure
equality to women and to encourage their full participation
in the social, political and economic development of the
country. The representative acknowledged that, despite the
introduction of these and other policies designed to respond
to the current socio-political and economic changes, structural
inequalities persisted.
294. The representative noted recent legislative changes,
including the statutory definition of discrimination, legal
provisions guaranteeing pregnant adolescents and mothers
access to education, the obligation to ensure that candidates’
lists for all public elections included a minimum of 25 per
cent of women or men, the removal of all protective measures
relating to women’s employment and the reform of the penal
code provision allowing rapists to avoid prosecution by
marrying their victims.
295. The representative described institutional mechanisms
to ensure implementation of these legislative guarantees,
including the Ministry for the Advancement of Women and
Human Development established in 1996 and the Special
Office for the Defense of the Rights of Women within the
office of the Special Ombudsperson.
296. The representative stated that, of the 5 million women
living in poverty, 18 per cent live in extreme poverty but that
the Government had committed itself to a 50 per cent
reduction in the rate of extreme poverty by the year 2000.
creation of shelters.
298. The representative stated that women living in rural
areas, particularly those belonging to indigenous groups,
remained marginalized and had higher rates of maternal
mortality, adolescent pregnancy and illiteracy than women
living in Peru’s urban centres. The representative noted that
among the illiterate population in Peru, 72 per cent were
women, the majority of whom were rural, indigenous women.
Integrated literacy programmes had been designed and were
being implemented by the Ministry for the Advancement of
Women.
299. The representative noted that economically active
women were primarily concentrated in trading, the hotel and
restaurant sectors, agriculture and manufacturing; most
women were over-represented in the lower income bracket.
300. The representative indicated that pregnancy rates
among adolescents were high, particularly among indigenous
groups and that the maternal mortality rate was high at 261
deaths per 100,000 live births, but that this was being
addressed through the implementation of an emergency plan.
In addition, the Programme for Reproductive Health and
Family Planning for 1996–2000 had guaranteed access to an
integrated range of services designed to address, inter alia,
maternal health, contraception and sexually transmitted
diseases.
301. The representative stated that, during the past 10 years,
there had been significant displacement from rural
communities to urban centres and that the Government was
currently seeking to identify internally displaced persons.
Many displaced persons, the majority of whom were women,
had been returned to their places of origin and the Ministry
for the Advancement of Women had provided emergency
support and reintegration programmes to women heads of
households.
302. The representative concluded by reaffirming his
Government’s commitment to the implementation of the
Convention and to providing the Committee with all the
necessary materials to assist it in its task.

Concluding comments of the Committee
Introduction
303. The Committee expresses its gratitude to the
Government of Peru for the comprehensive and frank
information contained in its third and fourth periodic reports,
as well as in the supplementary report, explaining current
policies, projects and programmes for implementation of the
Convention. The Committee also welcomes the
comprehensive answers to the questions posed by the precession
working group, which had provided further
information regarding the situation of Peruvian women and
the obstacles which continued to impede implementation of
the Convention.
304. The Committee stresses the need to include, in
subsequent reports and on an ongoing basis, comparative
statistical data for men and women covering different periods
so as to be able to assess meaningfully and in appropriate
depth changes in the situation of Peruvian women.
305. The Committee welcomes the Peruvian delegation,
headed by the Deputy Minister for the Advancement of
Women and Human Development.
Positive aspects
306. The Committee notes the efforts made by the Peruvian
Government to promote compliance with its commitment to
implement the Convention, notwithstanding the difficult
situation being faced by the country owing to the economic
crisis and terrorist violence.
307. The Committee notes that since the entry into force of
the 1993 constitution, the Government of Peru has been
introducing significant new legislation together with reforms
in current legislation to promote compliance with the
Convention, including the establishment of the Office of the
Ombudsman, establishment of the independence of the
judiciary, and Act No. 26260 on Domestic Violence, which
represents a fundamental advance in confronting a serious
problem in Peruvian society.
308. The Committee views as especially significant the
establishment of the Ministry for the Advancement of Women
and Human Development as a mechanism for the
advancement of women in the country and the attainment of
gender equality. In that regard it listened with great interest
to the policies and programmes being undertaken by the
Government, as well as its objective of implementation as
quickly as possible of the follow-up programme to the Beijing
Platform for Action and the Cairo Programme of Action.
309. The Committee emphasizes collaboration by Peruvian
civil society as a whole and in particular by women’s nongovernmental
organizations; in that regard, it considers that
their ties with the Ministry for the Advancement of Women
and Human Development offers a suitable framework for
implementation of the Convention.
Factors and difficulties affecting implementation
of the Convention
310. One of the main obstacles to full implementation of the
Convention is poverty, which affects 44 per cent of Peruvian
women. The situation is worsening, with 18 per cent of
women living in extreme poverty. Long-term poverty as a
result of structural adjustment policies divorced from social
development, debt-servicing and the aftermath of terrorism
has led to a serious deterioration in the quality of life of
millions of women, who have no access to education, medical
and hospital services, employment and the basic resources
needed for subsistence. Notwithstanding the national strategy
for poverty alleviation introduced by the Government, the
feminization of poverty is a reality in the country, and is
worsening in rural areas and indigenous settlements, as well
as in areas declared emergency zones. Although the
Committee notes that government macroeconomic indicators
show progress, and that there has been a distinct reduction
in the percentage of people classified as poor, more than half
the country’s population (13 million) suffer from poverty or
extreme poverty.
Principal subjects of concern and the
Committee’s recommendations
311. The Committee notes with great concern the situation
of women who have been displaced from their places of origin
with their families as a result of terrorist activity. It takes note
of the programmes being implemented by the Government to
return such women to their places of origin or to settle them
where they currently resided.
312. The Committee recommends that the greatest possible
care should be given to such women, who, in the main, were
heads of household, and who should be the beneficiaries of
programmes to promote their participation in the labour force
together with access for them and their families to education,
health care, housing, drinking water and other essential
services.
313. The Committee notes with concern that,
notwithstanding the introduction of significant legal changes
for implementation of the provisions of the Convention,
inequality between men and women is still a reality in Peru.
314. The Committee recommends the formulation of a
working strategy involving training, publicity and legal
literacy regarding the new legal provisions to achieve de facto
compliance with legislation promoting the rights of women.

It also recommends systematic dissemination of the 321. The Committee observes that article 4 is being
Convention at all levels, to men and women in communities, misinterpreted and that no distinction is being made between
and in particular to all government authorities and persons protective measures and the definitions of affirmative
responsible for its implementation. There is also a need for temporary special measures contemplated in the Convention.
penalties against those infringing current legislation. However, reference is made, in the supplementary report, to
315. The Committee notes that, under the 1993 constitution,
international agreements form part of national legislation. It
is not clear whether, in order to implement this provision, the
Convention has been adopted by Congress. 322. The Committee recommends that the Government take
316. The Committee recommends that an explanation be
given in the next report as to whether the Convention is
already incorporated in legislation, whether the judiciary has
the authority to implement Convention provisions before the
courts, what degree of access there is for women to the
Convention and to the Ombudsman and, lastly, whether cases
of discrimination have been resolved by the courts with 323. The Committee is concerned at the lack of information
reference to the Convention. on the migration of Peruvian women abroad and on the
317. The Committee notes the prevalence, throughout
Peruvian society, of socio-cultural patterns of behaviour that
perpetuated prejudices and discrimination against women.
The Committee draws attention to the fact that, despite the 324. The Committee requests information on the issue in the
legislative changes and the commitment of the Government next periodic report.
of Peru to implement the Convention, change would not come
about in practice unless efforts are made to change society’s
attitudes to and prejudices with respect to women.
318. The Committee recommends, as a matter of priority, the and preventing them from falling victim to violence,
inclusion in gender equality programmes of a component to trafficking and exploitation and from contracting diseases or
promote the gradual elimination of such harmful stereotypes, whether, on the contrary, it protects the health of the clients
and a general awareness-raising campaign to eradicate them. and makes it easier for them to obtain sexual services.
It suggests prioritizing those sectors with the greatest impact
on the population, such as the various levels of education, the
mass media, health sector agencies and workers, community
leaders and others.
319. The Committee expresses concern as to whether the
definition contained in Act No. 26772, which establishes what
is meant by discrimination, is consistent with article 1 of the
Convention relating to direct and indirect discrimination. It
also expresses concern at a clause in the Act which defined
discrimination as “the act of according different treatment to
people, without there being any objective and reasonable
justification, on the basis of race, sex, ...”.
320. The Committee recommends that “any objective and
reasonable justification” be used only as a basis for the
implementation of temporary special measures which
accelerate the de facto equality between women and men. It
further requests the Government of Peru to include
information on the manner in which the criterion of “objective
and reasonable justification” has been implemented and
whether a definition of discrimination reflecting article 1 of
the Convention is now an enforceable part of the law.
the requirement that, as an affirmative action measure, 25 per
cent of the candidates on the lists of candidates for election
to Parliament must be women.
steps to help increase the access of women to management
and, in particular, decision-making posts. The Committee
requests that the next report contain the results of the steps
taken to increase the access of women to Parliament through
the requirement of a 25 per cent quota for women in the lists
of candidates.
protection afforded to them by the Government, given the new
problem created by the vulnerability of such women to
exploitation and discrimination.
325. The Committee expresses concern at the effects of
regulating prostitution and wishes to know whether such
regulation has the effect of protecting the rights of prostitutes
326. The Committee recommends that the next periodic
report contain information on:
(a) Any increase or decrease in the number ofwomen
prostitutes;
(b) The existence of under-age prostitutes;
(c) The situation of women who engage in
prostitution without meeting the established requirements,
and that of their clients;
(d) The number of women and men who have been
accused, arrested, tried and convicted for offences relating to
prostitution and trafficking in persons;
(e) Sociological characteristics of women engaged
in prostitution;
(f) The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases
and other diseases among prostitutes.
327. The Committee expresses concern at the fact that,
although the report mentions Act No. 26260 on domestic
violence, it does not make reference to any specific measures
taken to deal with cases of violence, including incest, the

incidence of which is extremely high. Moreover, the thus to ensure that women are able to be active agents in the
Committee is deeply disturbed by the instances of sexual development of the country.
violence against rural and indigenous women and the high
rate of sexual abuse of teenagers and girls in emergency
zones.
328. The Committee recommends that the Government take
the necessary practical measures to implement the Act and
make necessary efforts to treat the victims and to provide
training to police officers, members of the army, and court,
medical and paramedical personnel, psychologists and
nursing staff whose job it is to treat the victims. The
Committee also recommends that official records be kept and
the necessary monitoring system be established so as to make
it possible to evaluate the magnitude of the problem and how
it is evolving. The women’s police offices have been a valid
initiative to deal with such situations but they appear to be
insufficient.
329. The Committee emphasizes the vital importance of
education in improving the situation of women. It notes with
concern that drop-out rates among girls are very high,
particularly in poor urban areas and in rural and indigenous
areas.
330. The Committee recommends that programmes be
undertaken to curb and reverse that trend and, where such
programmes exist, it recommends that they should be made
more systematic.
331. The Committee notes with concern that illiteracy rates
among women are very high and it stresses the importance of
focusing on educating women so that they can exercise their
rights as citizens.
332. The Committee recommends that particular attention
be paid to literacy programmes and that they be implemented
in a sustained manner and it requests that information on
progress made in that area be included in the next report.
333. The Committee expresses concern at the situation of arising as a result of abortion.
women in the employment area and it draws attention to the
need for programmes and projects designed to increase the
access of the working female population in the labour force
and to increase the number of women in all occupational
categories, since they are currently concentrated mainly in
commerce, services and jobs where the pay is extremely low.
Many women are underpaid and they are paid less than men
for work of equal value.
334. The Committee recommends that greater efforts be
made to achieve the principles of equal pay and equal pay for
work of equal value, to educate women so as to enable them
to enter the labour force, to provide training and re-training
programmes so as to encourage women to gain access to nontraditional
jobs, to guarantee their right to social security and
335. The Committee notes with concern the high percentage
of women heads of household in Peru and the need for
systematic programmes to meet the needs of such women.
336. The Committee requests information on the outcome
of the efforts made in that sector.
337. The Committee notes with concern that maternal and
infant mortality and teenage pregnancy rates are high and that
preventable diseases are common, all of which contributed
to serious flaws in the Peruvian health system. It notes that
the main factor which affected women primarily in the most
disadvantaged sectors is lack of resources to avail themselves
of medical care when needed and with the necessary speed.
338. The Committee recommends that all efforts be made so
that such women may exercise their right to health and receive
proper care and the necessary information from medical and
paramedical personnel as part of basic respect for their human
rights.
339. The Committee notes with concern that there is a close
link between the number of abortions performed and the high
maternal mortality rate, and it stresses that criminalizing
abortion does not discourage abortions, but rather has the
effect of making the procedure unsafe and dangerous for
women.
340. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Peru review its law on abortion and ensure that women have
access to full and complete health services, which include safe
abortion, and to emergency medical attention when
complications arise from abortions. The Committee also
requests that information be included in the next periodic
report on the implementation of these measures and on the
health services that are available to women who need
emergency medical attention as a result of complications
341. The Committee expresses concern at the lack of
information and lack of access to adequate contraception
among poor women in urban and rural areas, indigenous
women and teenage girls.
342. The Committee recommends the establishment of family
planning programmes that emphasize sex education, use of
adequate contraception and responsible use of sterilization
services where necessary, with the patient’s express
authorization and after the consequences of such procedure
had been fully explained.
343. The Committee recommends the implementation of
programmes to prevent cervical and breast cancer, which are
also major causes of mortality among women, and

programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as 350. The representative described several major legal
to treat this disease. reforms, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Act
344. Despite the support given by Peru to microcredit, the
report does not describe activities in this area, which are
extremely important and necessary in order to improve the
status of women living in poverty, primarily in rural areas.
345. The Committee requests that the next report contain an
account of the results of the programmes implemented by the
Ministry for the Advancement of Women and Human
Development, other government bodies and nongovernmental
organizations, and also statistics comparing the
situation of women with that of men and comparing the
situation in the period covered by the next report with that in
the period covered by the present report.
346. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in Peru
of the present concluding comments in order to make the
people of Peru, and particularly Government administrators
and politicians aware of the steps that have been taken to
ensure de facto equality for women and the further steps that
are required in that regard. It also requests the Government
to continue to disseminate widely, and in particular to
women’s and human rights organizations, the Convention, the
Committee’s general recommendations and the Beijing
Declaration and the Platform for Action. 353. The representative noted the significant impact of the
Republic of Korea
347. The Committee considered the third and fourth periodic
reports of the Republic of Korea (CEDAW/C/KOR/3 and
CEDAW/C/KOR/4) at its 400th and 401st meetings, on 7 July
1998 (see CEDAW/C/SR. 400 and 401).
Introduction by the State party
348. The representative noted that the fourth report had been
produced by a consultative body, comprising representatives
from 25 non-governmental organizations, and by 7 women’s
policy specialists and that the Republic of Korea had ratified
the amendment to article 20 of the Convention in August
1996.
349. The representative stated that ratification of the
Convention had impacted significantly on the lives of Korean
women. The comments of the Committee members on the
second report in 1993 had provided substantial guidance in
implementing women’s policies, particularly in respect to
women’s participation in decision-making and the elimination
of gender-discriminatory laws relating to citizenship.
1987, the Mother-Child Welfare Act 1991, the 1993
Punishment of Sexual Violence and Protection of the Victim
Act, the 1995 Women’s Development Act and the 1997
Prevention of Domestic Violence and Protection of the Victim
Act. Amendments to the Nationality Act had been enacted in
1997 and the Republic of Korea’s reservations to article 9
would soon be withdrawn.
351. The representative described Government efforts to
make the Convention widely known, including a 1994
symposium observing the tenth anniversary of the country’s
ratification of the Convention, and the publication of
annotations to the Convention in 1996.
352. The representative noted that, since February 1998, the
Government had made it a policy priority to promote women’s
rights as an integral part of human rights. It had established
the Presidential Commission on Women’s Affairs and had
introduced the Master Plan in Women’s Policies
(1998–2002), which aimed to increase the participation of
women in all sectors of Korean society. The Government also
planned to increase the ratio of women in Governmental
committees to 30 per cent by the year 2002.
Fourth World Conference on Women and that the Beijing
Platform for Action actively contributed to the further
empowerment of women. In follow-up to the Conference, the
Government had identified ten policy priorities for the
advancement of women, including the expansion of child-care
facilities, the upgrade of child-care services, and the
establishment of a women’s information network.
354. The representative emphasized that increased
participation by women in politics was a prerequisite for the
enhancement of women’s social status and further democratic
development of the society. A female public employee target
system had been instituted in 1995 to facilitate the recruitment
of a prescribed number of women into the public sector each
year and ratios of women employees were expected to rise
from 10 per cent in 1996 to 20 per cent by the year 2000.
355. The representative noted the impact of the economic
crisis and its potential adverse affects on Korean women,
particularly low-income female-headed households, and
indicated that the Government intended to increase its efforts
to provide a safety net for these families and prevent the
breakdown of the family unit. It also intended to strengthen
its programmes to enhance women’s economic activities.
356. The representative indicated that gender equality in
recruitment, placement and promotion had not been realized
and that, while laws and regulations designed to achieve equal

employment were already in place, the entry of women into advancement of women and identification of ten priorities in
the workforce had not proceeded as rapidly as expected. that respect. The Committee commends the 1995 enactment
357. In concluding her presentation, the representative stated
that, although Confucian ideology still hindered the complete
realization of gender equality, it was a matter of time before
the traditions of the past would give way to full gender
equality, representative democracy and shared prosperity. She 363. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption
expressed confidence that, with the benefit of equal protection and revision of numerous laws and legal provisions in order
under the law, Korean women would emerge as contributing to bring domestic legislation in line with the Convention, in
partners in the process of nation-building and write their own particular, the 1998 Prevention of Domestic Violence Act,
chapter in the global gender-equality renaissance of the Protection of the Victim Act and the 1995 Law for the
twenty-first century. Advancement of Women, which aims to address the issues of
Concluding comments by the Committee
Introduction
358. The Committee welcomes the high-level delegation of
the Republic of Korea and commends the Government for its
reports and particularly the well-structured and
comprehensive fourth periodic report, which generally
complied with the Committee’s guidelines, and provides a
broad range of information and data on the situation of women
in Korea and the political will of the Government to advance
the status of women. The Committee appreciates the
exhaustive replies of the Government to questions posed by
experts which amplified the written reports. The Committee
also appreciates the input of non-governmental organizations
to the preparation of the reports.
Positive aspects
359. The Committee welcomes the definitive steps taken by
the Government towards the advancement of women and the
measures taken to integrate a gender perspective into policies
and programmes.
360. The Committee welcomes the establishment and
strengthening of the proactive national machinery for women,
in particular, the Presidential Commission on Women’s
Affairs.
361. The Committee welcomes the Government’s close
collaboration with non-governmental organizations to combat
domestic violence through the introduction of protective
legislation, in addition to the creation of sexual and domestic
violence prevention and victim protection centres, emergency
shelters and awareness-raising campaigns to encourage the
reporting of and official response to domestic violence and
other forms of sexual harassment.
362. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the
Government’s efforts to implement the Beijing Platform for
Action through the preparation of a national plan for the
of the Women’s Development Act and the Women’s
Development Fund endowed with US$ 70 million to support
the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the
Women’s Development Plan.
gender equality in a comprehensive way. The Committee
welcomes the amendments of the National Act in 1997 and
the news that the Government is considering the withdrawal
of its reservation to article 9 of the Convention.
364. The Committee commends the Government on a wide
range of policies, strategies and measures in social and
economic areas and underlines, in particular, the
achievements in the area of education, including the
introduction of non-traditional career orientation for women.
365. The Committee commends the fact that discrimination
against women is defined in a number of articles of the
constitution, as well as the Equal Opportunity Act 1989. It
also commends the fact that maternity benefits for working
women and preferential benefits for specific classes of
workers for the purpose of redressing discriminatory
conditions is not viewed as discriminatory.
Factors and difficulties affecting the
implementation of the Convention
366. The Committee notes the negative impact of the
economic crisis, and particularly the policies and positions
of the International Monetary Fund, which are aggravating the
situation for Korean women.
367. The Committee notes the persistence of entrenched
paternalistic male values and traditional stereotyping of
women’s role. In spite of amendments to the civil code,
discriminatory provisions remained, such as the prohibition
of marriages between individuals with common surnames.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
368. The Committee is concerned with the reservations
entered by the Government of Korea to the Convention.
369. The Committee urges the Government to review its
reservations to the Convention with a view to their withdrawal
before the year 2000.

370. The Committee is concerned that the reports contain encourage the private sector to introduce quotas for women,
insufficient information on the actual impact of laws and particularly in non-traditional areas.
policies on women’s lives.
371. The Committee recommends that subsequent reports women in the labour market and emphasizes the current Asian
provide detailed information on the implementation and economic crisis and its impact on the situation of women. The
enforcement of laws and policies. The Committee also Committee raises the following concerns:
recommends that subsequent reports include a comparative
analysis of the progress achieved since the previous reports
through, inter alia, statistical data disaggregated by sex.
372. The Committee notes with concern that, although the
constitution contains a definition of discrimination, the
definition does not include discrimination with both the
purpose or effect as specified in article 1 of the Convention.
The Committee also notes that the Equal Opportunity Act
1989 does not include a full definition of discrimination,
which also includes discrimination on the basis of religious
beliefs, political preferences, age or disability.
373. The Committee recommends the inclusion in the
constitution and all relevant legislation of a definition of
discrimination which reflects that in article 1 of the
Convention. It also recommends that the Government
disseminate information, ensure the provision of legal aid and
undertake all necessary measures to increase legal literacy
among women. The Committee also recommends that the
establishment of the National Human Rights Commission be
expedited and the provision of remedies for discriminatory
practices.
374. The Committee is concerned that violence against
women is still pervasive in Korean society.
375. The Committee recommends that the Government
intensify its efforts to combat violence against women
through, inter alia, the introduction of comprehensive
measures, including gender-sensitive training of the judiciary,
health personnel and law enforcement officials. It also
recommends the provision of adequate shelters and the
incorporation of models of non-violent forms of conflict
resolution in education and the media.
376. The Committee is concerned about the underrepresentation
of women in politics and decision-making
structures, including the judicial system. It emphasizes the
importance of fostering a political environment conducive to
women’s promotion in all sectors of public and private life.
377. The Committee recommends the provision of more
governmental support in order to increase women’s political
participation and political education, raise public awareness
about women leaders, continue promoting targets and quotas,
introduce incentives to encourage a minimum quota of 30 per
cent representation of women in political parties and the
drafting of policies to increase the participation of women in
the judicial system. It also recommends that the Government
378. The Committee is concerned about the situation of
(a) Sexual harassment in the workplace;
(b) Insufficient social protection of female workers
in the private sector;
(c) Occupational segregation, including concentration
in traditional female occupations;
(d) Lack of employment opportunities for highly
qualified women, as well as the wage differential between
women and men;
(e) Insufficient support to women entrepreneurs,
particularly in non-traditional areas;
(f) Situation of women in agriculture, especially of
elderly women and in rural areas;
(g) Early lay-off and an increase in the number of
part-time women workers.
379. The Committee recommends:
(a) Provision of statistical data on the growing
number of part-time workers in social protection schemes;
(b) Implementation of the principle of equal pay for
work of equal value and recognition of women’s unpaid work;
(c) Provision of equal social protection for women
in both the public and private sectors including extension of
paid maternity leave to the private sector to bridge the gap
between the working conditions in these sectors;
(d) Ratification of International Labour Organization
conventions, especially Conventions 110 and 111;
(e) Elimination of gender-restrictive recruitment and
advertisements;
(f) Awareness-raising campaigns and training
programmes to encourage the reporting and elimination of
sexual harassment in the workplace.
380. The Committee expresses concern at the situation of
rural women, in particular in regard to their underrepresentation
in decision-making/leading public and private
positions.
381. The Committee encourages the Government to give full
attention to the needs of rural women and to ensure that
policies and programmes benefit them in all areas, including
in regard to their recognition as agricultural workers, so as
to benefit from the rights under the Employment Standard
Act, and access to decision-making, health and social

services. The Committee also recommends more studies on
the situation of rural women, and the collection of statistical
data to inform policies in this area. The Committee also
recommends that the Government facilitate access to credit
for rural women.
382. The Committee’s further concerns include:
(a) The status and role of the national machinery,
including the Commission on Women’s Affairs, its authority
and budget;
(b) The differential minimum age of marriage of
women and men;
(c) The high rate of abortion;
(d) The discriminatory impact of existing inheritance
laws;
(e) The provision of inadequate information on the
numbers of women using health facilities, especially those
with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, in the
report.
383. The Committee recommends that the Government of
Korea provide further information in its next periodic report
describing measures taken to address these concerns.
384. The Committee recommends that the Government give
special attention to the realization of the right to social
security provided by the 1955 Unemployment Insurance
Scheme to disabled women, and that the policy to provide a
variety of programmes for older women, including the
promotion of their health, not be jeopardized by the present
economic crisis.
385. The Committee recommends that that special attention
be given by the Government, and if necessary special
measures be introduced, to prevent adverse consequences for
women as a result of the present economic crisis.
386. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in the
Republic of Korea of the present concluding comments in
order to make the Korean people, and particularly the
Government, administrators and politicians, aware of the
steps that have been taken to ensure de facto equality for
women and the further steps required in that regard. The
Committee also requests the Government to continue to
disseminate widely, and in particular to women’s and human
rights organizations, the Convention, the Committee’s general
recommendations and the Beijing Declaration and the
Platform for Action.
Chapter V
Ways and means of expediting the
work of the Committee
387. The Committee considered ways and means of
expediting the work of the Committee (agenda item 7) at its
384th and 403rd meetings, on 22 June and 10 July 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.384 and 403).
388. The item was introduced by the Chief of the Women’s
Rights Unit of the Division for the Advancement of Women,
who introduced the report of the secretariat
(CEDAW/C/1998/II/4) and a working paper containing draft
rules of procedures (CEDAW/C/1997/WG.I/WP.1).
Action taken by the Committee on the
report of Working Group I
389. At its 403rd meeting on 10 July 1998, the Committee
considered the item on the basis of the report of Working
Group I (CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.I/WP.1) and took the
following decisions.
1. Pre-session working group
390. In the light of decision 19/1 on the pre-session working
group, the Committee decided that the pre-session working
group for the twenty-first session should be treated in the
same way as all other pre-session working groups, especially
in regard to input from the specialized agencies and other
bodies of the United Nations and non-governmental
organizations.
391. The Committee also decided to continue the current
practice of assigning three members, including the designated
country rapporteur, to prepare questions relating to periodic
reports to guide the pre-session working group whenever it
meets as it draws up the list of questions and issues with
respect to periodic reports. The three members should be
drawn from different regions.
2. Receipt of reports by experts
392. The Committee decided that the secretariat should make
its best efforts to ensure early receipt of reports, including
through the use of electronic means of communication.

3. Follow-up to the Committee
decision 18/III
393. The Committee decided that its decision 18/III,
prohibiting the participation of members of the Committee
in the consideration of the reports of countries of which they
are nationals, should be made widely known, and, in
particular, to States parties whose nationals are members of
the Committee at the time these States parties are presenting
their reports. The Committee decided that the Chairperson
of the Committee should make this decision, as well as the
procedures of the Committee, known to new experts.
4. The Guidelines of the Human Rights
Committee
394. The Committee decided that the Guidelines of the
Human Rights Committee for the exercise of functions by
members should be discussed by Working Group I at the
twentieth session of the Committee in January 1999, if the
programme of work of the Committee permits.
5. Concluding comments
395. The Committee decided to streamline those parts of the
Committee’s concluding comments relating to “factors and
difficulties” and “positive aspects”, while retaining flexibility
in this regard. The sections relating to “principal areas of
concern” and “recommendations and suggestions” of the
Committee’s concluding comments should be combined in
a single section to be entitled “principal areas of concern and
recommendations”.
396. Where appropriate, the Committee’s concluding
comments should include specific suggestions to the States
parties with regard to obtaining technical assistance from the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights and other parts of the United Nations system.
Recommendations relating to technical assistance could, for
example, be directed to reservations and law reform,
including review of legislation.
397. The Committee adopted the following procedures and
format for the elaboration of concluding comments:
(a) The Committee designates from among its
members a country rapporteur for the report of each State
party;
(b) Assisted by the secretariat, the country rapporteur
seeks additional information on the situation of women in the
State party under review. The findings of the country
rapporteur are presented as a briefing on the report at a closed
meeting before the State party’s presentation. In the case of
periodic reports, the rapporteurs report is sent in advance
to the pre-session working group;1
(c) The Committee holds a closed meeting after the
constructive dialogue to consider the main issues and trends
to be reflected in the concluding comments relating to the
report of the State party. Concluding comments drafted
thereafter reflect only the views expressed at the meetings
during which the report is presented, and not the views of the
individual country rapporteurs;
(d) The expert nominated as the country rapporteur
drafts concluding comments in close collaboration with the
general rapporteur of the Committee and with the support of
the secretariat;
(e) Concluding comments are preceded by a summary
of the State party’s presentation, which is prepared by the
secretariat;
(f) Concluding comments usually follow a standard
format under four headings: introduction; positive aspects;
factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the
Convention; principal areas of concern and recommendations;
(g) The introduction contains comments on whether
the report has followed the Committee’s guidelines for the
preparation of initial and periodic reports; whether it was
sufficient or insufficient; whether it incorporates or refers to
statistical information disaggregated by sex; and the
Committee’s general recommendations. Whether there are
any reservations to the Convention; whether reservations have
been withdrawn; whether the State party has objected to the
reservations of other State parties; and whether the State party
has mentioned the implementation of the Beijing Platform for
Action are issues which are addressed in this section, as well
as the nature and relevance of the oral presentation. An
objective indication of the strengths of the report and the
strength of the delegation is generally included;
(h) The “positive aspects” section is organized in the
order of the articles of the Convention;
(i) The “factors and difficulties” section describes
major overarching reasons why the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
has not been implemented fully by the State party. Any
reservations to the Convention are also addressed in this
section, as well as other legal impediments to 2 the
implementation of the Convention;
(j) The “principal areas of concern and
recommendations” section is organized in the order of the
importance of the particular issues to the country under
review and provides concrete proposals from the Committee
on the problems identified in the rest of the comments;

(k) The concluding comments include reference to
any commitments of the State party made at the Fourth World
Conference on Women;
(l) Where appropriate, the concluding comments
include specific suggestions to the States parties with regard
to possible technical assistance from the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other
parts of the United Nations system. Recommendations
relating to technical assistance could, for example, be directed
to reservations, review of legislation and law reform;
(m) Concluding comments close with a
recommendation relating to dissemination, requesting the
wide dissemination of the concluding comments in the State
party concerned, in order to make the people in the State
party, and particularly its government administrators and
politicians, aware of the steps that have been taken to ensure
de facto equality for women and the further steps required in
that regard. It also requests the State party to continue to
disseminate widely, and in particular to women’s and human
rights organizations, the Convention, the Committee’s general
recommendations and the Beijing Declaration and the
Platform for Action;
(n) Each concluding comment is internally balanced,
and the Committee strives to achieve consistence and balance,
particularly in terms of praise and expressions of concern,
among the concluding comments elaborated at each session.
Accordingly, the Committee considers concluding comments
comparatively in an effort to ensure that they are even.
6. Enforceability of the Convention in
domestic legal systems
398. The Committee requested that the secretariat prepare
a study on enforceability of the Convention in domestic legal
systems for the information of the Committee to be submitted
to its twenty-first session.
7. Reports to be considered at future sessions
399. The Committee decided that it would consider the
following reports at its twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second
sessions:
Twentieth session
Initial reports
Algeria
Jordan
Liechtenstein
Second periodic reports
Chile
Greece
Thailand
Third periodic reports
Austria
China, including Hong Kong
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Fourth periodic reports
Colombia
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the third periodic reports of Belarus or Spain.
Twenty-first session
Initial reports
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Belize
Georgia
Second periodic reports
Ireland
Third periodic reports
Egypt
Germany
Spain
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the fourth periodic report of Sweden.
Twenty-second session
Initial reports
[to be submitted]
Second periodic reports
Burkina Faso

Equatorial Guinea
Uruguay
Third periodic reports
Belarus
Luxembourg
Finland
Fourth periodic reports
Sweden
In the event that one of the above-mentioned States
parties should be unable to present its report, the Committee
will consider the fourth periodic report of Denmark.
8. Members of the pre-session working
groups for the twentieth and twenty-first
sessions
400. The Committee decided that the members of the precession
working group for the twentieth session and their
alternates should be:
Members
Ms. Emna Aouij (Africa)
Ms. Ivanka Corti (Europe)
Ms. Salma Khan (Asia)
Ms. Yolande Ferrer (Latin America)
Alternates
Ms. Charlotte Abaka (Africa)
Ms. H. B. Schöpp-Schilling (Europe)
Ms. Chikako Taya (Asia)
Ms. Aída González (Latin America and the Caribbean)
The Committee decided that the members of the precession
working group for the twenty-first session and their
alternates should be:
Members
Ms. Charlotte Abaka (Africa)
Ms. H. B. Schöpp-Schilling (Europe)
Ms. Yung-Chung Kim (Asia)
Ms. Aída González (Latin America and the Caribbean)
Alternate
Ms. Kongit Sinegiorgis (Africa)
Ms. Feride Acar (Europe)
Ms. Savitri Goonersekere (Asia)
Ms. Rosalyn Hazelle (Latin America and the
Caribbean)
9. Dates of the twentieth session of the
Committee
401. Consistent with the calendar of conferences for 1998,
the twentieth session should be held from 18 January to
5 February 1999. The pre-session working group for the
twentieth session will meet from 11 to 15 January 1999.
Notes
Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-secon1 d
Session, Supplement No. 38 (A/52/38/Rev.1), part II,
para. 469.
2 At its thirteenth session, the Committee agreed that for
those States parties that have entered substantive
reservations to the Convention, it would include, in the
concluding comments it prepares following the review of
their reports, a section in which the Committee’s views
would be reflected: Official Records of the General
Assembly, Forty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 38
(A/49/38), chap. I, sect. C, para. 10.

Chapter VI
Implementation of article 21 of the
Convention
402. The Committee considered the implementation of article
21 of the Convention (agenda item 6) at its 384th and 403rd
meetings, on 22 June and 10 July 1998 (see
CEDAW/C/SR.403).
403. The item was presented by the Deputy Director of the
Division for the Advancement of Women, who introduced the
following documents:
(a) Draft general recommendation on article 12 of the
Convention (CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.3 and Add.1 and
2);
(b) Working paper containing a draft of the
contribution of the Committee to the fiftieth anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(CEDAW/C/1998/WG.II/WP.2);
(c) Note by the Secretary-General on reports of the
specialized agencies on the implementation of the Convention
in areas falling within the scope of their activities
(CEDAW/C/1998/II/3 and Add.4).
Action taken by the Committee on the
report of Working Group II The principle of indivisibility of all human rights
404. At its 403rd meeting, on 10 July 1998, the Committee
took the following action on the basis of the report ofWorking
Group II (CEDAW/C/1998/WG.II/WP.1/Rev.2 and
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.2) (see CEDAW/C/SR.403).
1. Revised text on reservations
405. The Committee adopted the revised text on reservations
as a contribution to the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
2. Draft general recommendation on
article 12
406. The Committee agreed that the secretariat should make
the text in CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.2 available to
Committee members, along with an annex containing
proposals for amendment. Members may wish to submit
comments to the secretariat by no later than 1 October 1998
to enable a further discussion and adoption of a full text to
take place at the twentieth session of the Committee in
January 1999.
3. Statement on the indivisibility of civil and
political rights and economic, social and
cultural rights and the centrality of gender
awareness to the enjoyment of those rights
407. At their ninth meeting, the persons chairing the human
rights treaty bodies took note of a proposal by the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that that
Committee, along with the Human Rights Committee and the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights consider
issuing a joint statement on the indivisibility of civil and
political rights and economic, social and cultural rights and
the centrality of gender awareness to the enjoyment of those
rights as part of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (report of the ninth
meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies:
A/53/125, para. 35).
408. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women adopted the following statement for
consideration and possible adoption by the Human Rights
Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights:
is a fundamental underpinning of the international
consensus on human rights. The Universal Declaration
of Human Rights establishes the canon of rights and
freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. These
rights, and their indivisibility, have been reiterated in
international human rights instruments, including the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. The World Conference on Human
Rights held in 1993 underscored the interdependence
of all human rights and emphasized that all societies
should work to ensure the enjoyment by all their
members of their civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights, including their right to development.
The principle of the equal rights of women and
men is one of the pillars of the United Nations. reflected
in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and all subsequent major
international human rights instruments, this principle
is elaborated in the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The
Convention codifies women’s right to nondiscrimination
and equality with men and also

establishes that women and men are equally entitled to in the consideration of the reports of States parties, in
the full enjoyment and exercise of human rights and concluding comments and general comments and
fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, recommendations.
cultural, civil or any other field. In so doing it reflects
the principle of indivisibility of rights.
The two Covenants are premised on the Rights Committee, the Committee on Economic, Social
entitlement of all human beings, without distinction and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the
based on sex, to the rights in these instruments. They Elimination of Discrimination against Women reaffirm
also oblige States parties to ensure the equal their individual and joint responsibility to contribute to
entitlement of women and men to the enjoyment of the enjoyment of all human rights by all members of
these rights. society, as foreseen in the Declaration upon which they
The 1990s have been characterized by a growing
understanding of the interdependence between human
rights and fundamental freedoms, sustainable
development, and democracy. This decade has also
witnessed renewed emphasis on women’s entitlement
to assert and exercise their human rights. The
achievement of equality is no longer seen solely, or
primarily, as the responsibility of women, but is
increasingly recognized as a societal responsibility and
a legal obligation assumed by States parties to
international human rights instruments.
The centrality of gender equality in the full
enjoyment of human rights is reshaping the way in
which the scope and content of human rights and the
resulting obligations for implementation are
understood.
The Human Rights Committee, the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women recognize their critical role in increasing the
understanding of gender factors in the enjoyment of
human rights. They are conscious of the need to
interpret creatively the human rights norms they
monitor so that they can be applied to those experiences
of women which differ from those of men. The
Committees underline that a broader, inclusive
understanding of such rights brings with it an
international legal obligation for States parties to
ensure to women the full enjoyment of all their human
rights.
The Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women provides leadership,
within the United Nations human rights treaty bodies,
in the elaboration of a human rights concept that takes
gender into account. The Human Rights Committee and
the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
increasingly consider the impact of gender on the
enjoyment of rights protected under the two Covenants,
On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights the Human
are based. To that end, they pledge to increase their
efforts to assess factors and obstacles that impinge on
women’s enjoyment of their civil, political, economic,
social, cultural and other rights and to suggest specific
actions on how such obstacles might be overcome so
that full enjoyment of human rights by all, without
discrimination, may be realized.
4. Report of Ms. Silvia Cartwright, resource
person appointed by the Committee to
attend the open-ended working group on
the elaboration of a draft optional protocol
to the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against
Women held in parallel with the forty-second
session of the Commission on the
Status of Women
409. At its 392nd meeting on 30 June 1998, Ms. Silvia
Cartwright, the resource person appointed by the Committee
to attend the open-ended working group on the elaboration
of a draft optional protocol to the Convention reported that
significant progress had been made by the working group
when it met during the forty-second session of the
Commission on the Status of Women in March 1998.
410. She noted, however, that several important issues
remained to be determined. These included the extent to
which groups may lodge communications on behalf of women
or groups of women suffering violations of their rights under
the Convention or where States parties have failed to comply
with Convention obligations and whether reservations to the
optional protocol will be permitted.
411. She urged experts to familiarize themselves with the
text of the draft optional protocol and to support and
encourage the adoption of an instrument which is as strong
or stronger than other human rights communications
procedures.

Chapter VII
Provisional agenda for the twentieth
session
412. The Committee considered the provisional agenda for
its twentieth session (agenda item 8) at its 403rd meeting, on
10 July 1998. The Committee decided to approve the
following provisional agenda:
1. Opening of the session.
2. Solemn declaration by the new members of the
Committee.
3. Election of officers.
4. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
5. Report of the Chairperson on activities
undertaken between the nineteenth and twentieth
session of the Committee.
6. Consideration of reports submitted by States
parties under article 18 of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
7. Implementation of article 21 of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
8. Ways and means of expediting the work of the
Committee.
9. Provisional agenda for the twenty-first session.
10. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its
twentieth session.
Chapter VIII
Adoption of the report
413. At its 403rd meeting, on 10 July 1998, the Committee
adopted the report on its nineteenth session
(CEDAW/C/1998/II/L.1 and Add.1-9), as orally amended.
Annex I
States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women as at 10 July 1998
Date of receipt of the instrument

States parties of ratification or accession Date of entry into force
Albania 11 May 1994 10 June a 1994
Algeria 22 May 1996a b 21 June 1996
Andorra 15 January 1997a 14 February 1997
Angola 17 September 1986a 17 October 1986
Antigua and Barbuda 1 August 1989a 31 August 1989
Argentina 15 July 1985b 14 August 1985
Armenia 13 September 1993a 13 October 1993
Australia 28 July 1983b 27 August 1983
Austria 31 March 1982b 30 April 1982
Azerbaijan 10 July 1995a 9 August 1995
Bahamas 6 October 1993a 5 November 1993
Bangladesh 6 November 1984a b 6 December 1984
Barbados 16 October 1980 3 September 1981
Belarus 4 February 1981c 3 September 1981
Belgium 10 July 1985b 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 1993d 1 October 1993
Botswana 13 August 1996a 12 September 1996
Brazil 1 February 1984b 2 March 1984
Bulgaria 8 February 1982c 10 March 1982
Burkina Faso 14 October 1987a 13 November 1987
Burundi 8 January 1992 7 February 1992
Cambodia 15 October 1992a 14 November 1992
Cameroon 23 August 1994a 22 September 1994
Canada 10 December 1981c 9 January 1982
Cape Verde 5 December 1980a 3 September 1981
Central African Republic 21 June 1991a 21 July 1991
Chad 9 June 1995a 9 July 1995
Chile 7 December 1989 6 January 1990
China 4 November 1980b 3 September 1981
Colombia 19 January 1982 18 February 1982
Comoros 31 October 1994a 30 November 1994
Congo 26 July 1982 25 August 1982
Costa Rica 4 April 1986 4 May 1986
Côte d’Ivoire 19 December 1995a 17 January 1996
Croatia 9 September 1992d 9 October 1992
Cuba 17 July 1980b 3 September 1981
Cyprus 23 July 1985a b 22 August 1985
Czech Republic 22 February 1993cd 24 March 1993

Date of receipt of the instrument
States parties of ratification or accession Date of entry into force

Democratic Republic
of the Congo 17 October 1986 16 November f 1986
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 1981b 18 October 1981
El Salvador 19 August 1981b 18 September 1981
Equatorial Guinea 23 October 1984a 22 November 1984
Eritrea 5 September 1995a 5 October 1995
Estonia 21 October 1991a 20 November 1991
Ethiopia 10 September 1981b 10 October 1981
Fiji 28 August 1995a b 27 September 1995
Finland 4 September 1986 4 October 1986
France 14 December 1983b c 13 January 1984
Gabon 21 January 1983 20 February 1983
Gambia 16 April 1993 16 May 1993
Georgia 26 October 1994a 25 November 1994
Germany 10 July 1985b 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 1980c 3 September 1981
Iceland 18 June 1985 18 July 1985
India 9 July 1993b 8 August 1993
Indonesia 13 September 1984b 13 October 1984
Iraq 13 August 1986a b 12 September 1986
Ireland 23 December 1985a b c 22 January 1986
Israel 3 October 1991b 2 November 1991
Italy 10 June 1985b 10 July 1985
Jamaica 19 October 1984b 18 November 1984
Japan 25 June 1985 25 July 1985
Jordan 1 July 1992b 31 July 1992
Kenya 9 March 1984a 8 April 1984
Kuwait 2 September 1994a 2 October 1994
Kyrgyzstan 10 February 1997a 12 March 1997
Lao People’s Democratic
Republic 14 August 1981 13 September 1981
Latvia 14 April 1992a 14 May 1992
Lebanon 21 April 1997a b 21 May 1997

Date of receipt of the instrument
States parties of ratification or accession Date of entry into force

Lesotho 22 August 1995 21 September a b 1995
Liberia 17 July 1984a 16 August 1984
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 16 May 1989a b 15 June 1989
Liechtenstein 22 December 1995a c 21 January 1996
Lithuania 18 January 1994a 17 February 1994
Luxembourg 2 February 1989b 4 March 1989
Madagascar 17 March 1989 16 April 1989
Malawi 12 March 1987a c 11 April 1987
Malaysia 5 July 1995a b 4 August 1995
Maldives 1 July 1993a b 31 July 1993
Mali 10 September 1985 10 October 1985
Malta 8 March 1991a b 7 April 1991
Mauritius 9 July 1984a c 8 August 1984
Mexico 23 March 1981b 3 September 1981
Mongolia 20 July 1981c 3 September 1981
Morocco 21 June 1993a b 21 July 1993
Mozambique 16 April 1997a 16 May 1997
Myanmar 22 July 1997a b 21 August 1997
Namibia 23 November 1992a 23 December 1992
Nepal 22 April 1991 22 May 1991
Netherlands 23 July 1991b 22 August 1991
New Zealand 10 January 1985b 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
Pakistan 12 March 1996a b 11 April 1996
Panama 29 October 1981 28 November 1981
Papua New Guinea 12 January 1995a 11 February 1995
Paraguay 6 April 1987a 6 May 1987
Peru 13 September 1982 13 October 1982
Philippines 5 August 1981 4 September 1981
Poland 30 July 1980c 3 September 1981
Portugal 30 July 1980 3 September 1981
Republic of Korea 27 December 1984b c 26 January 1985
Republic of Moldova 1 July 1994a 31 July 1994
Romania 7 January 1982b 6 February 1982
Russian Federation 23 January 1981c 3 September 1981
Rwanda 2 March 1981 3 September 1981
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 April 1985a 25 May 1985
Saint Lucia 8 October 1982a 7 November 1982
Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 4 August 1981a 3 September 1981
Samoa 25 September 1992a 25 October 1992
Senegal 5 February 1985 7 March 1985
Seychelles 5 May 1992a 4 June 1992
Sierra Leone 11 November 1988 11 December 1988

Date of receipt of the instrument
States parties of ratification or accession Date of entry into force
Singapore 5 October 1995 4 November a b 1995
Slovakia 28 May 1993cd 27 June 1993
Slovenia 6 July 1992d 5 August 1992
South Africa 15 December 1995a 14 January 1996
Spain 5 January 1984b 4 February 1984
Sri Lanka 5 October 1981 4 November 1981
Suriname 1 March 1993a 31 March 1993
Sweden 2 July 1980 3 September 1981
Switzerland 27 March 1997a 26 April 1997
Tajikistan 26 October 1993a 25 November 1993
Thailand 9 August 1985a b c 8 September 1985
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia 18 January 1994d 17 February 1994
Togo 26 September 1983a 26 October 1983
Trinidad and Tobago 12 January 1990b 11 February 1990
Tunisia 20 September 1985b 20 October 1985
Turkey 20 December 1985a b 19 January 1986
Turkmenistan 1 May 1997a 31 May 1997
Uganda 22 July 1985 21 August 1985
Ukraine 12 March 1981c 3 September 1981
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland 7 April 1986b 7 May 1986
United Republic of Tanzania 20 August 1985 19 September 1985
Uruguay 9 October 1981 8 November 1981
Uzbekistan 19 July 1995a 18 August 1995
Vanuatu 8 September 1995a 8 October 1995
Venezuela 2 May 1983b 1 June 1983
Viet Nam 17 February 1982b 19 March 1982
Yemen 30 May 1984ab 29 June 1984
Yugoslavia 26 February 1982 28 March 1982
Zambia 21 June 1985 21 July 1985
Zimbabwe 13 May 1991a 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 Effective 17 May 1997 Zaire was renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo.
g 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”.
h 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
Ayse Feride Acar** Turkey
Emna Aouij* Tunisia
Tendai Ruth Bare* Zimbabwe
Desiree Patricia Bernard* Guyana
Carlota Bustelo García del Real** Spain
Silvia Rose Cartwright** New Zealand
Miriam Yolanda Estrada Castillo* Ecuador
Ivanka Corti* Italy
Yolanda Ferrer Gómez** Cuba
Aída González Martínez** Mexico
Sunaryati Hartono* Indonesia
Aurora Javate de Dios* Philippines
Salma Khan** Bangladesh
Yung-Chung Kim** Republic of Korea
Lin Shangzhen* China
Ahoua Ouedraogo** Burkina Faso
Anne Lise Ryel** Norway
Ginko Sato* Japan
Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling** Germany
Carmel Shalev* Israel
Kongit Sinegiorgis** Ethiopia
Mervat Tallawy* Egypt
___________________
* Term of office expires in 1998.
** Term of office expires in 2000.

Annex III
Documents before the Committee at its eighteenth and nineteenth
sessions
A. Eighteenth session
Document number Title or description
CEDAW/C/1998/I/1 Provisional agenda and annotations
CEDAW/C/1998/I/2 Report of the Secretary-General on the status of
submission of reports by States parties under article 18
of the Convention
CEDAW/C/1998/I/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/1998/I/4 Report of the Secretariat on ways and means of
improving the work of the Committee
CEDAW/C/1998/I/CRP.1 Report of the pre-session working group
and Add.1-4
CEDAW/C/1998/I/INF.1/Rev.1 List of participants
CEDAW/C/1998/I/L.1 and Add.1-9 Draft report of the Committee
CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.I/WP.1 Report of Working Group I
CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.1 Draft general recommendation on article 12
CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.2 Working paper on reservations
CEDAW/C/1998/I/WG.II/WP.3 Report of Working Group II
and Add.1-2
Reports of States parties
CEDAW/C/AZE/1 Initial report of Azerbaijan
CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of Bulgaria
CEDAW/C/CRO/1 Initial report of Croatia
CEDAW/C/CZE/1 Initial report of the Czech Republic
CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of the
Dominican Republic
CEDAW/C/DOM/4 Fourth periodic report of the Dominican Republic
CEDAW/C/IDN/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of
Indonesia
CEDAW/C/MEX/3-4 and Add.1 Combined third and fourth periodic reports of
Mexico
CEDAW/C/ZWE/1 Initial report of Zimbabwe
B. Nineteenth session

Document number Title or description
CEDAW/C/1998/II/1 Provisional agenda and annotations
CEDAW/C/1998/II/2 Report of the Secretary-General on the status of
submission of reports by States parties under article 18
of the Convention
CEDAW/C/1998/II/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/1998/II/3/Add.1/ Report of the Food and Agriculture Organization
Part.1 and Part.2
CEDAW/C/1998/II/4 Report of the Secretariat on ways and means of
improving the work of the Committee
CEDAW/C/1998/II/CRP.1 and Report of the pre-session working group
Add.1-6
CEDAW/C/1998/II/INF.1/Rev.1 List of participants
CEDAW/C/1998/II/L.1 and Add.1-9 Draft report of the Committee
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.I/WP.1 Report of Working Group I
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.1/ Draft statement on reservations
Rev.1
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.1/ Statement on reservations
Rev.2
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.2 Draft general recommendation on article 12
CEDAW/C/1998/II/WG.II/WP.3 Report of Working Group II
Reports of States parties
CEDAW/C/KOR/3 Third periodic report of the Republic of Korea
CEDAW/C/KOR/4 Fourth periodic report of the Republic of Korea
CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4 and Add.1 Combined third and fourth periodic reports of New
Zealand
CEDAW/C/NGA/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of Nigeria
CEDAW/C/PAN/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of Panama
CEDAW/C/PER/3-4 Combined third and fourth periodic reports of Peru
CEDAW/C/SVK/1 and Add.1 Initial report of Slovakia
CEDAW/C/ZAF/1 Initial report of South Africa
CEDAW/C/TZA/2-3 Combined second and third periodic reports of the
United Republic of Tanzania

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
10 July 1998

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)a )
Considered by Committee

A. Initial reports
Albania 10 June 1995
Algeria 21 June 1997
Andorra 14 February 1998
Angola 17 October 1987
Antigua and Barbuda 31 August 1990 21 September 1994 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina 14 August 1986 6 October 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.39)
Armenia 13 October 1994 30 November 1994 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ARM/1)
10 February 1997
(CEDAW/C/ARM/1/Corr.1)
Australia 27 August 1984 3 October 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.40)
Austria 30 April 1983 20 October 1983 Fourth (1985)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.17)
Azerbaijan 9 August 1996 11 September 1996 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/AZE/1)
Bahamas 5 November 1994
Bangladesh 6 December 1985 12 March 1986 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.34)
Barbados 3 September 1982 11 April 1990 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.64)
Belarus 3 September 1982 4 October 1982 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.5)
Belgium 9 August 1986 20 July 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.53)
Belize 15 June 1991 19 June 1996
(CEDAW/C/BLZ/1-2)
Benin 11 April 1993
Bhutan 30 September 1982
Bolivia 8 July 1991 8 July 1991 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/BOL/1)
26 August 1993
(CEDAW/C/BOL/1/Add.1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 October 1994

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Botswana 12 September 1997
Brazil 2 March 1985
Bulgaria 10 March 1983 13 June 1983 Fourth (1985)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.15)
Burkina Faso 13 November 1988 24 May 1990 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.67)
Burundi 7 February 1993
Cambodia 14 November 1993
Cameroon 22 September 1995
Canada 9 January 1983 15 July 1983 Fourth (1985)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.16)
Cape Verde 3 September 1982
Central African Republic 21 July 1992
Chad 9 July 1996
Chile 6 January 1991 3 September 1991 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/CHI/1)
China 3 September 1982 25 May 1983 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.14)
Colombia 18 February 1983 16 January 1986 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.32)
Comoros 30 November 1995
Congo 25 August 1983
Costa Rica 4 May 1987
Côte d’Ivoire 17 January 1997
Croatia 9 October 1993 10 January 1995 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/CRO/1)
Cuba 3 September 1982 27 September 1982 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.4)
Cyprus 22 August 1986 2 February 1994 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/CYP/1-2)
Czech Republic 24 March 1994 30 October 1995 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/CZE/1)
Democratic Republic of 16 November 1987 1 March 1994
the Congo (CEDAW/C/ZAR/a /1)
Denmark 21 May 1984 30 July 1984 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.22)
Dominica 3 September 1982
Dominican Republic 2 October 1983 2 May 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.37)
Ecuador 9 December 1982 14 August 1984 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.23)
Egypt 18 October 1982 2 February 1983 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.10)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

El Salvador 18 September 1982 3 November 1983 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.19)
Equatorial Guinea 22 November 1985 16 March 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.50)
Eritrea 5 October 1996
Estonia 20 November 1992
Ethiopia 10 October 1982 22 April 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)
16 October 1995
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)
Fiji 27 September 1996
Finland 4 October 1987 16 February 1988 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.56)
France 13 January 1985 13 February 1986 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.33)
Gabon 20 February 1984 19 June 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.54)
Gambia 16 May 1994
Georgia 25 November 1995 9 March 1998
(CEDAW/C/GEO/1)
Germany 9 August 1986 15 September 1988 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.59)
Ghana 1 February 1987 29 January 1991 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/GHA/1-2)
Greece 7 July 1984 5 April 1985 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.28)
Grenada 29 September 1991
Guatemala 11 September 1983 2 April 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2 and Corr.1)
7 April 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2/
Amend.1)
Guinea 8 September 1983
Guinea-Bissau 22 September 1986
Guyana 3 September 1982 23 January 1990 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.63)
Haiti 3 September 1982
Honduras 2 April 1984 3 December 1986 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.44)
Hungary 3 September 1982 20 September 1982 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.3)
Iceland 18 July 1986 5 May 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2)
India 8 August 1994
Indonesia 13 October 1985 17 March 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.36)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Iraq 12 September 1987 16 May 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.66/Rev.1)
Ireland 22 January 1987 18 February 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.47)
Israel 2 November 1992 12 January 1994 b/ Seventeenth (1997)
7 April 1997
(CEDAW/C/ISR/1-2)
Italy 10 July 1986 20 October 1989 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.62)
Jamaica 18 November 1985 12 September 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.38)
Japan 25 July 1986 13 March 1987 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.48)
Jordan 31 July 1993 27 October 1997
(CEDAW/C/JOR/1)
Kenya 8 April 1985 4 December 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/KEN/1-2)
Kuwait 1 October 1995
Kyrgyzstan 12 March 1998
Lao People’s Democratic 13 September 1982
Republic
Latvia 14 May 1993
Lebanon 21 May 1998
Lesotho 21 September 1996
Liberia 16 August 1985
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 15 June 1990 18 February 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/LIB/1)
4 October 1993
(CEDAW/C/LIB/1/Add.1)
Liechtenstein 21 January 1997 4 August 1997
(CEDAW/C/LIE/1)
Lithuania 17 February 1995 4 June 1998
(CEDAW/C/LTU/1)
Luxembourg 4 March 1990 13 November 1996 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/LUX/1)
Madagascar 16 April 1990 21 May 1990
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65)
8 November 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.65/Rev.2)
Malawi 11 April 1988 15 July 1988 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.58)
Malaysia 4 August 1996
Maldives 1 July 1994
Mali 10 October 1986 13 November 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.43)
Malta 7 April 1992

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Mauritius 8 August 1985 23 February 1992 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/MAR/1-2)
Mexico 3 September 1982 14 September 1982 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.2)
Mongolia 3 September 1982 18 November 1983 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.20)
Morocco 21 July 1994 14 September 1994 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/MOR/1)
Mozambique 16 May 1998
Namibia 23 December 1993 4 November 1996 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/NAM/1)
Nepal 22 May 1992
Netherlands 22 August 1992 19 November 1992 )
(CEDAW/C/NET/1) )
17 September 1993 )
(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.1) Thirteenth (1994)
20 September 1993 )
(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.2) )
9 October 1993 )
(CEDAW/C/NET/1/Add.3) )
New Zealand 9 February 1986 3 October 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.41)
Nicaragua 26 November 1982 22 September 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.55)
Nigeria 13 July 1986 1 April 1987 Seventh (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.49)
Norway 3 September 1982 18 November 1982 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.7)
Pakistan 11 April 1997
Panama 28 November 1982 12 December 1982 Fourth (1985)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.9)
Papua New Guinea 11 February 1996
Paraguay 6 May 1988 4 June 1992 Fifteenth (1996)
(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)
Peru 13 October 1983 14 September 1988 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.60)
Philippines 4 September 1982 22 October 1982 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.6)
Poland 3 September 1982 10 October 1985 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.31)
Portugal 3 September 1982 19 July 1983 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.21)
Republic of Korea 26 January 1986 13 March 1986 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.35)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Republic of Moldova 31 July 1995
Romania 6 February 1983 14 January 1987 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.45)
Russian Federation 3 September 1982 2 March 1983 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.12)
Rwanda 3 September 1982 24 May 1983 Third (1984)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.13)
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1986
Saint Lucia 7 November 1983
Saint Vincent and the 3 September 1982 27 September 1991 Sixteenth (1997)
Grenadines (CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
28 July 1994
(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3/Add.1)
Samoa 25 October 1993
Senegal 7 March 1986 5 November 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.42)
Seychelles 4 June 1993
Sierra Leone 11 December 1989
Singapore 4 November 1996
Slovakia 27 June 1994 29 April 1996 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/SVK/1)
11 May 1998
(CEDAW/C/SVK/1/Add.1)
Slovenia 5 August 1993 23 November 1993 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/SVN/1)
South Africa 14 January 1997 5 February 1998 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/ZAF/1)
Spain 4 February 1985 20 August 1985 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.30)
Sri Lanka 4 November 1982 7 July 1985 Sixth (1987)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.29)
Suriname 31 March 1994
Sweden 3 September 1982 22 October 1982 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.8)
Switzerland 26 April 1998
Tajikistan 25 October 1994
Thailand 8 September 1986 1 June 1987 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.51)
The former Yugoslav 17 February 1995
Republic of Macedonia
Togo 26 October 1984
Trinidad and Tobago 11 February 1991
Tunisia 20 October 1986 17 September 1993 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/TUN/1-2)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Turkey 19 January 1987 27 January 1987 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.46)
Turkmenistan 31 May 1998
Uganda 21 August 1986 1 June 1992 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/UGA/1-2)
Ukraine 3 September 1982 2 March 1983 Second (1983)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.11)
United Kingdom of Great 7 May 1987 25 June 1987 Ninth (1990)
Britain and Northern Ireland (CEDAW/C/5/Add.52)
United Republic of Tanzania 19 September 1986 9 March 1988 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.57)
Uruguay 8 November 1982 23 November 1984 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.27)
Uzbekistan 18 August 1996
Vanuatu 8 October 1996
Venezuela 1 June 1984 27 August 1984 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.24)
Viet Nam 19 March 1983 2 October 1984 Fifth (1986)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.25)
Yemen 29 June 1985 23 January 1989 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.61)
Yugoslavia 28 March 1983 3 November 1983 Fourth (1985)
(CEDAW/C/5/Add.18)
Zambia 21 July 1986 6 March 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/ZAM/1-2)
Zimbabwe 12 June 1992 28 April 1996 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/ZWE/1)
B. Second periodic reports
Angola 17 October 1991
Antigua and Barbuda 31 August 1994 21 September 1994 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina 14 August 1990 13 February 1992 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ARG/2)
27 May 1994
(CEDAW/C/ARG/2/Add.1)
19 August 1994
(CEDAW/C/ARG/2/Add.2)
Australia 27 August 1988 24 July 1992 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/AUL/2)
Austria 30 April 1987 18 December 1989 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.27)
Bangladesh 6 December 1989 23 February 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.30)
Barbados 3 September 1986 4 December 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/BAR/2-3)
Belarus 3 September 1986 3 March 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.5)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Belgium 9 August 1990 9 February 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/BEL/2)
Belize 15 June 1995 19 June 1996
(CEDAW/C/BLZ/1-2)
Benin 11 April 1997
Bhutan 30 September 1986
Bolivia 8 July 1995
Brazil 2 March 1989
Bulgaria 10 March 1987 6 September 1994 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3)
Burkina Faso 13 November 1992 11 December 1997
(CEDAW/C/BFA/2-3)
Burundi 7 February 1997
Cambodia 14 November 1997
Canada 9 January 1987 20 January 1988 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.11)
Cape Verde 3 September 1986
China 3 September 1986 22 June 1989 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.26)
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 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3/Rev.1)
Congo 25 August 1987
Costa Rica 4 May 1991
Croatia 9 October 1997
Cuba 3 September 1986 13 March 1992 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3)
30 November 1995
(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3/Add.1)
Cyprus 22 August 1990 2 February 1994 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/CYP/1-2)
Czech Republic 24 March 1998
Democratic Republic of 16 November 1991 24 October 1996
the Congo (CEDAW/C/ZAR/a /2)
Denmark 21 May 1988 2 June 1988 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.14)
Dominica 3 September 1986
Dominican Republic 2 October 1987 26 April 1993 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3)
Ecuador 9 December 1986 28 May 1990 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.31)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Egypt 18 October 1986 19 December 1986 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.2)
El Salvador 18 September 1986 18 December 1987 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.12)
Equatorial Guinea 22 November 1989 6 January 1994
(CEDAW/C/GNQ/2-3)
Estonia 20 November 1996
Ethiopia 10 October 1986 22 April 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)
16 October 1995
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)
Finland 4 October 1991 9 February 1993 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/FIN/2)
France 13 January 1989 10 December 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/FRA/2 and Rev.1)
Gabon 20 February 1988
Gambia 16 May 1998
Germany 9 August 1990 8 October 1996
(CEDAW/C/DEU/2-3)
Ghana 1 February 1991 29 January 1991 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/GHA/1-2)
Greece 7 July 1988 1 March 1996
(CEDAW/C/GRC/2-3)
Grenada 29 September 1995
Guatemala 11 September 1987 2 April 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2 and Corr.1)
7 April 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/GUA/1-2/ Amend.1)
Guinea 8 September 1987
Guinea-Bissau 22 September 1990
Guyana 3 September 1986
Haiti 3 September 1986
Honduras 2 April 1988 28 October 1987 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.9)
Hungary 3 September 1986 29 September 1986 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.1)
Iceland 18 July 1990 5 May 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/ICE/1-2)
Indonesia 13 October 1989 6 February 1997 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/IDN/2-3)
Iraq 12 September 1991
Ireland 22 January 1991 6 February 1997
(CEDAW/C/IRL/2-3)
Israel 2 November 1996 7 April 1997 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ISR/1-2)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Italy 10 July 1990 1 March 1994 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ITA/2)
Jamaica 18 November 1989 17 February 1998
(CEDAW/C/JAM/2-4)
Japan 25 July 1990 21 February 1992 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/JPN/2)
Jordan 31 July 1997
Kenya 8 April 1989 4 December 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/KEN/1-2)
Lao People’s Democratic 13 September 1986
Republic
Latvia 14 May 1997
Liberia 16 August 1989
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 15 June 1994
Luxembourg 4 March 1994 8 April 1997 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/LUX/2)
Madagascar 16 April 1994
Malawi 11 April 1992
Maldives 1 July 1998
Mali 10 October 1990
Malta 7 April 1996
Mauritius 8 August 1989 23 February 1992 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/MAR/1-2)
Mexico 3 September 1986 3 December 1987 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.10)
Mongolia 3 September 1986 17 March 1987 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.7)
Namibia 23 December 1997
Nepal 22 May 1996
Netherlands 22 August 1996
New Zealand 9 February 1990 3 November 1992 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/NZE/2)
27 October 1993
(CEDAW/C/NZE/2/Add.1)
Nicaragua 26 November 1986 16 March 1989 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.20)
Nigeria 13 July 1990 13 February 1997 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/NGA/2-3)
Norway 3 September 1986 23 June 1988 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.15)
Panama 28 November 1986 17 January 1997 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/PAN/2-3)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Paraguay 6 May 1992 4 June 1992 Fifteenth (1996)
(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)
Peru 13 October 1987 13 February 1990 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.29)
Philippines 4 September 1986 12 December 1988 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.17)
Poland 3 September 1986 17 November 1988 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.16)
Portugal 3 September 1986 18 May 1989 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.22)
Republic of Korea 26 January 1990 19 December 1989 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.28 and Corr.1)
Romania 6 February 1987 19 October 1992 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/ROM/2-3)
Russian Federation 3 September 1986 10 February 1987 Eighth (1989)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.4)
Rwanda 3 September 1986 7 March 1988 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.13)
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1990
Saint Lucia 7 November 1987
Saint Vincent and the 3 September 1986 27 September 1991 Sixteenth (1997)
Grenadines (CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
28 July 1994
(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3/Add.1)
Samoa 25 October 1997
Senegal 7 March 1990 23 September 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/SEN/2 and Amend.1)
Seychelles 4 June 1997
Sierra Leone 11 December 1993
Slovakia 27 June 1998
Slovenia 5 August 1997
Spain 4 February 1989 9 February 1989 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.19)
Sri Lanka 4 November 1986 29 December 1988 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.18)
Suriname 31 March 1998
Sweden 3 September 1986 10 March 1987 Seventh (1988)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.6)
Thailand 8 September 1990 3 March 1997
(CEDAW/C/THA/2-3)
Togo 26 October 1988
Trinidad and Tobago 11 February 1995

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Tunisia 20 October 1990 17 September 1993 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/TUN/1-2)
Turkey 19 January 1991 7 February 1994 Sixteenth b (1997)
3 September 1996
(CEDAW/C/TUR/2-3)
Uganda 21 August 1990 1 June 1992 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/UGA/1-2)
Ukraine 3 September 1986 13 August 1987 Ninth (1990)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.8)
United Kingdom of Great 7 May 1991 11 May 1991 Twelfth (1993)
Britain and Northern Ireland (CEDAW/C/UK/2 and Amend.1)
United Republic of Tanzania 19 September 1990 25 September 1996 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/TZA/2-3)
Uruguay 8 November 1986 3 February 1998
(CEDAW/C/URY/2-3)
Venezuela 1 June 1988 18 April 1989 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.21)
Viet Nam 19 March 1987
Yemen 29 June 1989 8 June 1989 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.24 and Amend.1)
Yugoslavia 28 March 1987 31 May 1989 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/13/Add.23)
Zambia 21 July 1990 6 March 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/ZAM/1-2)
Zimbabwe 12 June 1996
C. Third periodic reports
Angola 17 October 1995
Antigua and Barbuda 31 August 1998 21 September 1994 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ANT/1-3)
Argentina 14 August 1994 1 October 1996 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ARG/3)
Australia 27 August 1992 1 March 1995 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/AUL/3)
Austria 30 April 1991 25 April 1997
(CEDAW/C/AUT/3-4)
Bangladesh 6 December 1993 26 January 1993b Seventeenth (1997)
27 March 1997
(CEDAW/C/BGD/3-4)
Barbados 3 September 1990 4 December 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/BAR/2-3)
Belarus 3 September 1990 1 July 1993
(CEDAW/C/BLR/3)
Belgium 9 August 1994
Bhutan 30 September 1990
Brazil 2 March 1993

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Bulgaria 10 March 1991 6 September 1994 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/BGR/2-3)
Burkina Faso 13 November 1996 11 December 1997
(CEDAW/C/BFA/2-3)
Canada 9 January 1991 9 September 1992 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/CAN/3)
Cape Verde 3 September 1990
China 3 September 1990 29 May 1997
(CEDAW/C/CHN/3-4)
Colombia 18 February 1991 14 January 1993
(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3)
2 September 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/COL/2-3/Rev.1)
Congo 25 August 1991
Costa Rica 4 May 1995
Cuba 3 September 1990 13 March 1992 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3)
30 November 1995
(CEDAW/C/CUB/2-3/Add.1)
Cyprus 22 August 1994
Democratic Republic of the 16 November 1995 2 July 1998
Congo (CEDAW/C/COD/a 3)
Denmark 21 May 1992 7 May 1993 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/DEN/3)
Dominica 3 September 1990
Dominican Republic 2 October 1991 26 April 1993 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/DOM/2-3)
Ecuador 9 December 1990 23 December 1991 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/ECU/3)
Egypt 18 October 1990 30 January 1996
(CEDAW/C/EGY/3)
El Salvador 18 September 1990
Equatorial Guinea 22 November 1993 6 January 1994
(CEDAW/C/GNQ/2-3)
Ethiopia 10 October 1990 22 April 1993 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3)
16 October 1995
(CEDAW/C/ETH/1-3/Add.1)
Finland 4 October 1995 28 January 1997
(CEDAW/C/FIN/3)
France 13 January 1993
Gabon 20 February 1992
Germany 9 August 1994 8 October 1996
(CEDAW/C/DEU/2-3)
Ghana 1 February 1995

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Greece 7 July 1992 1 March 1996
(CEDAW/C/GRC/2-3)
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 Eleventh (1992)
(CEDAW/C/HON/3)
Hungary 3 September 1990 4 April 1991 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/HUN/3)
3 November 1995
(CEDAW/C/HUN/3/Add.1)
Iceland 3 July 1994
Indonesia 13 October 1993 6 February 1997 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/IDN/2-3)
Iraq 12 September 1995
Ireland 22 January 1995 7 August 1997
(CEDAW/C/IRL/2-3)
Italy 10 July 1994 21 June 1997 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/ITA/3)
Jamaica 18 November 1993 17 February 1998
(CEDAW/C/JAM/2-4)
Japan 25 July 1994 28 October 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(CEDAW/C/JPN/3)
Kenya 8 April 1993
Lao People’s Democratic 13 September 1990
Republic
Liberia 16 August 1993
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 15 June 1998
Luxembourg 4 March 1998 12 March 1998
(CEDAW/C/LUX/3)
17 June 1998
(CEDAW/C/LUX/3/Add.1)
Madagascar 16 April 1998
Malawi 11 April 1996
Mali 10 October 1994
Mauritius 8 August 1993
Mexico 3 September 1990 7 March 1997 Eighteenth b (1998)
(CEDAW/C/MEX/3-4)
Mongolia 3 September 1990

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

New Zealand 9 February 1994 2 March 1998 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4)
15 April 1998
(CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4/Add.1)
Nicaragua 26 November 1990 15 October 1992 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/NIC/3)
Nigeria 13 July 1994 13 February 1997 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/NGA/2-3)
Norway 3 September 1990 25 January 1991 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/NOR/3)
Panama 28 November 1990 17 January 1997 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/PAN/2-3)
Paraguay 6 May 1996
Peru 13 October 1991 25 November 1994 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/PER/3-4)
Philippines 4 September 1990 20 January 1993 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/PHI/3)
Poland 3 September 1990 22 November 1990 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/18/Add.2)
Portugal 3 September 1990 10 December 1990 Tenth (1991)
(CEDAW/C/18/Add.3)
Republic of Korea 26 January 1994 8 September 1994 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/KOR/3)
Romania 6 February 1991 19 October 1992 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/ROM/2-3)
Russian Federation 3 September 1990 24 July 1991 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/USR/3)
Rwanda 3 September 1990 18 January 1991 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/RWA/3)
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1994
Saint Lucia 7 November 1991
Saint Vincent and 3 September 1990 27 September 1991 Sixteenth (1997)
the Grenadines (CEDAW/C/STV/1-3)
28 July 1994
(CEDAW/C/STV/1-3/Add.1)
Senegal 7 March 1994
Sierra Leone 11 December 1997
Spain 4 February 1993 20 May 1996
(CEDAW/C/ESP/3)
Sri Lanka 4 November 1990
Sweden 3 September 1990 3 October 1990 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/18/Add.1)
Thailand 8 September 1994 3 March 1997
(CEDAW/C/THA/2-3)
Togo 26 October 1992
Tunisia 20 October 1994

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Turkey 19 January 1995 3 September 1996 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/TUR/2-3)
Uganda 21 August 1994
Ukraine 3 September 1990 31 May 1991 Fifteenth (1996)
(CEDAW/C/UKR/3)
21 November 1995
(CEDAW/C/UKR/3/Add.1)
United Kingdom of Great 7 May 1995 16 August 1995
Britain and Northern Ireland (CEDAW/C/UK/3)
8 August 1997
(CEDAW/C/UK/3/Add.1)
United Republic of Tanzania 19 September 1994 25 September 1996 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/TZA/2-3)
Uruguay 8 November 1990 3 February 1998
(CEDAW/C/URY/2-3)
Venezuela 1 June 1992 8 February 1995 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/VEN/3)
Viet Nam 19 March 1991
Yemen 29 June 1993 13 November 1992 Twelfth (1993)
(CEDAW/C/YEM/3)
Yugoslavia 28 March 1991
Zambia 21 July 1994
D. Fourth periodic reports
Australia 27 August 1996
Austria 30 April 1995 25 April 1997
(CEDAW/C/AUT/3-4)
Bangladesh 6 December 1997 27 March 1997 Seventeenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/BGD/3-4)
Barbados 3 September 1994
Belarus 3 September 1994
Bhutan 30 September 1994
Brazil 2 March 1997
Bulgaria 10 March 1995
Canada 9 January 1995 2 October 1995 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/CAN/4)
Cape Verde 3 September 1994
China 3 September 1994 29 May 1997
(CEDAW/C/CHN/3-4)
Colombia 18 February 1995 8 July 1997
(CEDAW/C/COL/4)
Congo 25 August 1995
Cuba 3 September 1994
Denmark 21 May 1996 9 January 1997
(CEDAW/C/DEN/4)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Dominica 3 September 1994
Dominican Republic 2 October 1995 29 October 1997 Eighteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/DOM/4)
Ecuador 9 December 1994
Egypt 18 October 1994
El Salvador 18 October 1994
Equatorial Guinea 22 November 1997
Ethiopia 10 October 1994
France 13 January 1997
Gabon 20 February 1996
Greece 7 July 1996
Guatemala 11 September 1995
Guinea 8 September 1995
Guyana 3 September 1994
Haiti 3 September 1994
Honduras 2 April 1996
Hungary 3 September 1994
Iceland 3 July 1998
Italy 10 July 1998
Indonesia 13 October 1997
Jamaica 18 November 1997 17 February 1998
(CEDAW/C/JAM/2-4)
Kenya 8 April 1997
Lao People’s Democratic 13 September 1994
Republic
Liberia 16 August 1997
Mauritius 8 August 1997
Mexico 3 September 1994 7 March 1997 Eighteenth b (1998)
(CEDAW/C/MEX/3-4)
Mongolia 3 September 1994
New Zealand 9 February 1998 2 March 1998 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4)
15 April 1998
(CEDAW/C/NZL/3-4)
Nicaragua 26 November 1994 16 June 1998
(CEDAW/C/NIC/4)
Norway 3 September 1994 1 September 1994 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/NOR/4)
Panama 28 November 1994
Peru 13 October 1995 25 November 1994 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/PER/3-4)

States parties Date due Date of submission (session (year)) a
Considered by Committee

Philippines 4 September 1994 22 April 1996 Sixteenth (1997)
(CEDAW/C/PHI/4)
Poland 3 September 1994
Portugal 3 September 1994
Republic of Korea 26 January 1998 27 March 1998 Nineteenth (1998)
(CEDAW/C/KOR/4)
Romania 6 February 1995
Russian Federation 3 September 1994 31 August 1994 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/USR/4)
Rwanda 3 September 1994
Saint Kitts and Nevis 25 May 1998
Saint Lucia 7 November 1995
Saint Vincent and 3 September 1994
the Grenadines
Senegal 7 March 1998
Spain 4 February 1997
Sri Lanka 4 November 1994
Sweden 3 September 1994 21 May 1996
(CEDAW/C/SWE/4)
Togo 26 October 1996
Ukraine 3 November 1994
Uruguay 8 November 1994
Venezuela 1 June 1996
Viet Nam 19 March 1995
Yemen 29 June 1997
Yugoslavia 28 March 1995
E. Reports submitted on an exceptional basis
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 February 1994 (oral report; see Thirteenth (1994)
CEDAW/C/SR.253)
Democratic Republic of 16 January 1997 (oral Sixteenth (1997)
the Congo report; see CEDAW/C/a /SR.317)
Croatia 15 September 1994 Fourteenth (1995)
(CEDAW/C/CRO/SP.1)
Rwanda 31 January 1996 (oral report; see Fifteenth (1996)
CEDAW/C/SR.306)
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2 December 1993 Thirteenth (1994)
(Serbia and Montenegro) (CEDAW/C/YUG/SP.1)
2 February 1994 (oral report; see
CEDAW/C/SR.254)
a One year prior to the due date, the Secretary-General invites the State party to submit its report.
b Report withdrawn.

98-25659 (E) 081098
*9825659E*