Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

23rd session (New York, 12 to 30 June 2000)

Reports by States

Throughout the session, the Committee consistently raised a number of issues that effect the advancement of women in each of the countries presenting reports. These include: equal access of women to employment; education and health care; the situation of elderly women; the rights of migrant women; and the full inclusion of women in public and political life. In addition, violence against women was considered a widespread problem in each country examined.

While the political and economic situations differed from country to country, the persistence of stereotypical attitudes towards women and men continued to be a common issue. These attitudes over-emphasise women’s domestic responsibilities and limit their public participation. This was evident, for example, in the incidents of forced marriages in Iraq and the limitation of a woman’s right to work by her husband in Cameroon.

The problem of trafficking also appears to be growing in Austria, Lithuania, Romania and Moldova. The Committee urged those countries to tackle this problem through bilateral and multilateral co-operation and to develop new laws aimed at upholding the human rights of the victims of this practice.

Finally, the Committee focused on economies in transition and the significant challenges that arise in implementing the Convention. Such challenges are acute in Lithuania, Moldova and Romania, where economic reforms have led to high levels of unemployment and low school enrolment. However, the Committee stressed that countries experiencing economic hardship, including Cuba and Iraq and countries in transition, could take advantage of this situation to create widespread support for women’s rights and to ensure their participation in all spheres.

The Committee reviewed reports of seven States parties from the regions of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa. The countries included Cameroon, the Republic of Moldova, Lithuania, Iraq, Austria, Cuba and Romania.

Austria

In its report, the Austrian delegation acknowledges that women still face discrimination in many spheres, despite formal legal equality. Compared with men, women enjoy a lesser degree of social protection since the social systems rewards full and continuous employment and women are still expected to lower their career aspirations for the benefit of their families. The Committee noted a number of positive measures have been implemented in relation to the Convention, in particular, that regional Ombudspersons offices have been established to provide assistance to women or men seeking advice on issues of equal treatment.

The experts raised questions, though, about the issues of: migrant women and their susceptibility to violence; the lack of data provided on the issue of violence against women; the rights of elderly women to social security and health care benefits; and the high drop out rate for girls at different educational levels. In addition, experts were concerned about Austria’s national machinery to deal with gender mainstreaming since the Ministry for Women’s Affairs have been removed from the Chancellor’s office. Related to this, one expert mentioned her concern about the power of the ombudsperson and stressed that it seemed to be an ineffective mechanism. Increasing trafficking in women was also discussed by the Committee, although Austria was commended for having strong legislation in this area.

Cameroon

In its questions and comments, the Committee stressed the importance of overcoming negative cultural practices that could simply negate all the country’s work in the area of promoting women’s rights. On the issue of legal policy, one expert noted that the country lacked a clear description of discrimination against women and recommended that the country incorporate the Convention’s definition into legal provisions.

The Committee also expressed concern about negative cultural traditions such as polygamy and genital mutilation. They stressed the need for increased efforts in that area. The situation of rural women also requires more attention, according to the experts. In addition, several experts pointed out that while it is important to ensure that girls continued to enrol in school, it is equally important to ensure that they remain in school. Finally, the Committee stressed the need for capacity building of institutions within Cameroon. It further emphasised the need to ensure political support for awareness raising of women’s rights.

Cuba

In their presentation, the Cuban delegation highlighted women’s cultural, technical and professional advances in the country despite the United States Government’s ongoing economic, commercial and financial blockade. The report highlights the AIDS pandemic. The report notes that the embargo has presented a major obstacle to the treatment of HIV, contraception and treatment of other diseases.

Experts’ questions and comments focused on several issues. First, the culture of "machismo" prevalent in Cuba was highlighted as a serious impediment to women’s advancement. "Machismo" is reflected in the increase in sexual harassment cases, as well as verbal violence. In response to these comments, the Cuban delegation agreed that the negative stereotypical attitudes are a serious cultural problem. However, the media has taken important steps to balance its portrayal of women.

Iraq

In its report, the Iraqi delegation identifies the 10-year embargo as the major obstacle to implementation of the Convention. The report also states that the embargo undermines the academic, social, economic and occupational progress of women.

In their questions and comments, experts focused on a number of key issues. Several experts felt that the conditions caused by the embargo are no excuse for failing to implement obligations under the treaty. Experts expressed concern about the failure of Iraqi law to include an explicit definition of discrimination. In addition, the experts expressed concerns about discrimination, equal rights in marriage and nationality, issues that were particularly troubling, as they comprise essential aspects of women’s rights.

Experts identified the issue of stereotypes in Iraqi culture and the fact that many stereotypical laws were condoned. Honour killings, forced marriages and cases of female genital mutilation appear to be on the rise. This was considered problematic as cultural practices should not be a justification for the ill-treatment of women, one expert stated.

Another expert questioned "why everything is blamed on the embargo" as there are issues regarding the personal status of women in Iraq that have nothing to do with these restrictions. For examples, polygamy is still permitted, and rape offenders are not prosecuted if they agree to marry their victim(s). In addition, the law does not permit women to inherit equally. These provisions were of further concern to the Committee.

Lithuania

The experts’ questions and comments focused on the situation of elderly women, representation of women in the media and violence against women. One expert expressed particular concern about the situation of elderly women, given that the report includes statistics on Lithuania’s ageing population, including a sharp increase in the number of women over the age of 80. The Committee also noted that a significant portion of older women are unemployed. Though impressed with Lithuania’s media initiatives to raise awareness and change stereotypes, several experts were concerned with the representation of the "modern woman" in the media and the degree to which such an image served to reinforce stereotypes. On the issue of violence against women, an expert noted that, while Lithuania has established many programs to address the issue, the actual provisions of the law are problematic.

Republic of Moldova

The major concerns identified by the Committee were poverty and the integration of women into all sectors of society. Some experts also expressed concern over clear contradictions to the letter and spirit of the Convention. For example, there are increased reports of violence against women in the family. In addition, a legal provision prohibits authorities from intervening in disputes unless there are severe injuries.

Experts were also concerned about trafficking in women. Many Moldavian women are fooled by promises of wage-earning employment abroad but end up in forced labour as prostitutes in various parts of Europe. There, they have no legal status and are left to the mercy of their abusers. This is an increasing trend that requires immediate investigation and regulation by the Moldavian Government.

Romania

Many Committee members noted that, while there are several draft laws, further action is needed in the form of legislation so that the Government and the public are mobilised to address the issue of women’s rights. One expert said that the greatest area of concern is women’s health care, particularly reproductive health care. The importance of providing women with health care throughout their life span has not been realised, she argued. She also expressed concern over the high rate of HIV/AIDS and the fact that 50 percent of AIDS cases among European children are Romanian.

Several experts pointed out that countries whose economies are in transition face serious problems in ensuring women’s rights. This is most often reflected in a lack of focus on women’s health care concerns. Another expert noted that abortion is still one of the primary causes of maternal death in Romania.

The Committee continued to express concern over the integration of human rights legislation into domestic law, particularly in the areas of health, employment, equal salaries and job segregation. In addition, the Committee was deeply concerned with the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Romania. Abortion is also a problem of serious magnitude and affects not only the physical but also the mental health of women. Finally, the expert stressed the importance of continuing action in combating violence against women; society must acknowledge that violence in the family is not a private but a social problem.

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