Geneva, The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has released its evaluations on the state of women’s rights in eight countries, revealing a complex landscape of achievements and ongoing challenges. The comprehensive review, covering the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Greece, Italy, Niger, Oman, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, underscores the global effort to uphold and advance gender equality under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the findings highlight the positive strides made by these nations in implementing the Convention, while also pinpointing critical areas of concern and offering targeted recommendations. The Committee’s insights range from applauding legal reforms and institutional advancements to addressing grave issues such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and the impact of conflict on women and girls.
In the Central African Republic, the establishment of the Special Criminal Court and the conviction of gender-based violence perpetrators were commended. Yet, the persistence of violence, especially sexual violence in conflict settings, and the vulnerability of women in rural and conflict-affected regions to violence and displacement were flagged as areas needing urgent attention.
Djibouti’s geographic and socio-economic context was noted as contributing to a high risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation, particularly affecting refugee, migrant, and LBTI women. The presence of foreign military bases raised additional concerns regarding the safety and well-being of women in rural areas.
Greece was recognized for its efforts to combat trafficking in women and girls, but concerns remain about the country being a destination and origin point for trafficked individuals. The Committee urged Greece to enhance training for law enforcement and judicial officials to better identify and protect victims.
Italy received acknowledgment for its initiatives to counter gender stereotypes in media. However, the Committee highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate entrenched societal and institutional sexism and gender stereotypes. Concerns were also raised about the underrepresentation of women in political and public life, despite recent progress.
In Niger, amidst a transitional period, the Committee stressed the importance of embedding women and girls’ human rights and gender equality in the new Constitution. Efforts to reduce child marriage and early pregnancy were noted, but legislative reforms to set the legal marriage age at 18 for both genders were deemed necessary.
Oman was urged to extend labor law protections to migrant domestic workers, most of whom are women, to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation. The need for better coordination among national entities for women’s advancement and the establishment of independent women’s rights organizations was also emphasized.
Tajikistan’s employment restrictions on women and girls were criticized as being rooted in gender stereotypes. The Committee recommended harmonizing the Labour Code with equality and non-discrimination laws and addressing the situation of female asylum-seekers, particularly from Afghanistan.
For Turkmenistan, the lack of specific legislation criminalizing gender-based violence and the underrepresentation of women in political and leadership positions were key issues. Recommendations included adopting legislation to criminalize all forms of gender-based violence and establishing quotas to ensure gender parity in political representation.
These Concluding Observations offer a roadmap for each country to bolster their commitment to women’s rights and gender equality, reflecting the UN’s continuous monitoring and advocacy efforts in these critical areas.