Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend Venezuela on High Number of Girls Studying Science Subjects, Ask Questions about Trafficking and Health Issues Affecting Women

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the ninth periodic report of Venezuela, with Committee Experts commending the State on the high number of girls studying science subjects, and asking about trafficking and health issues affecting women. 

A Committee Expert commended the State party for the progress made in education, including incorporating gender equality and comprehensive sexual health into curricula.  Venezuela was congratulated for the high number of girls enrolled in science, technology, mathematics and engineering subjects; 57 per cent of girls were enrolled in universities and 42 per cent of these girls were enrolled in courses like engineering and architecture.  This was a great achievement. 

Another Committee Expert was heartbroken at reports that Venezuelans had been exploited into prostitution on the way to other countries.  Why had the national action plan on trafficking not been published?  What was the State party doing to combat criminal groups that lured women and girls into prostitution?  Was there a law against the exploitation of prostitution, and how was it enforced?  What was being done to educate women and girls on prostitution, especially during migration?  What assistance did the State party offer its citizens if they were exploited or trafficked in other countries? 

One Committee Expert said the sanctions imposed against Venezuela significantly impacted the current state of healthcare in Venezuela.  How did the State party plan to ensure universal access to safe and affordable contraceptives in both urban and rural areas?  Did the State party plan to amend its legislation to decriminalise abortion, and ensure the availability of abortion services?  Would the shortages of vital medications for women and girls be addressed?  Had there been an evaluation of the childcare plan?  What was the status of the system to monitor maternal health?

Diva Ylayaly Guzmán, Minister of People's Power for Women and Gender Equality of Venezuela and head of the delegation, said women made up 54 per cent of students in studies of science subjects, and 50 per cent of science researchers.  The unilateral measures had an impact on health; it was difficult to purchase the medical equipment needed and to carry out required medical treatment.  Venezuela urged the Committee to speak out in favour of the elimination of unilateral coercive measures, which made it very difficult for progress to be made. 

The delegation said Venezuela was facing a large challenge in migration, which meant women could fall into the hands of criminal organizations and potentially faced being subjected to sexual torture and slavery.  Different investigative bodies had been developed to focus on trafficking.  This meant there were proper communications with Interpol, as well as the countries that victims travelled to.  Since 2019 there had been two specialised prosecutors for cases of trafficking in women and children.  The State was publicly committing to publishing the country’s trafficking plan a fortnight from today.  There were two special centres created especially for women who had been brought to Venezuela through trafficking. 

The delegation said that unilateral coercive measures had significantly impacted the health sector in Venezuela.  Shortages included medication for breast cancer, highlighting the impact the sanctions had had on Venezuelan women.  The procurement of surgical equipment and vaccines was difficult.  The sanctions also impacted the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines. 

In concluding remarks, Ms. Ylayaly Guzmán thanked the Committee for providing a space for Venezuela; this had been a valuable opportunity to share advances made. 

Ana Peláez Narváez, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which allowed the Committee to better understand the situation of women in Venezuela. 

The delegation of Venezuela was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality; the Ministry of Internal Relations, Justice and Peace; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Science and Technology; the National Assembly; the National Human Rights Council; the Supreme Court of Justice; the Public Prosecutor’s Office; the National Electoral Council; and the Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the United Nations Office at Geneva. 

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-fifth session is being held from 8 to 26 May.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, 22 May to consider the ninth periodic report of Iceland (CEDAW/C/ISL/9).

Report

The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of Venezuela (CEDAW/C/VEN/9).

Presentation of Report

DIVA YLAYALY GUZMÁN, Minister of People's Power for Women and Gender Equality of Venezuela and head of the delegation, said Venezuela had a strong commitment to eliminate all discrimination against women and guarantee the enjoyment of their rights.

There had been a number of unilateral measures of coercion which had undermined the rights of women.  The State would never give up on speaking up against these actions.  The pandemic had had an impact on gender and brought about some major changes.  The elections of the national assembly in 2020 and the regional assembly in 2021 were carried out with regulations to guarantee parity.  Laws had been promulgated which focused on gender, including cross-cutting initiatives against discrimination and violence.  The State was making strides on an organic law for women, for a life free of violence.  Four new legal identifications of violence had been introduced, bringing the total to 25 different recognised kinds of violence.

The strides forward in social policy were sustained by a gender perspective.  A programme had been implemented to enable far-reaching support for indigenous women living in frontier regions.  There were 67 different federations which were run by women.  Forty-five per cent of the Paralympic players were women.  Women also made up 54 per cent of students in studies of science subjects, and 50 per cent of science researchers.  The unilateral measures had an impact on health; it was difficult to purchase the medical equipment needed and to carry out required medical treatment.  Buyers such as JP Morgan Stanley had blocked more than 300,000 United States Dollars for medical equipment and vaccines. 

Women accounted for 70 per cent of participants involved in programmes to stimulate financial investment.  The political system had 46 different councils for women, and 5,000 women’s rights defenders had been trained at the national level.  Between 2017 and 2022, there were more than 2,500 training and awareness raising activities conducted on women’s rights.  In 2022, the Public Ministry initiated two awareness raising campaigns on sexual abuse for children and teenagers.  The Government was working to raise awareness about trafficking and to incorporate specialists in this area, while focusing on the care given to victims.  There needed to be a single format when it came to complaints. 

More courts had been established to address crimes relating to violence against women, and more than 16 per cent of judges were female.  There was total parity when it came to magistrates, with 10 female and 10 male magistrates.  It was hoped that specialised judicial circuits would be able to be extended throughout the country.  Venezuela had a challenge, to exponentially increase the number of judges, both men and women, including those with specialised functions.  Venezuela was moving into a new era, where the women in the country, regardless of their professions, led dignified lives.  The State urged the Committee to speak out in favour of the elimination of unilateral coercive measures, which made it very difficult for progress to be made. 

Questions by Committee Experts

LETICIA BONIFA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Venezuela, said it was clear that the unilateral coercive measures had been a significant factor when it came to Venezuela seeing a fall in the quality of public services provided.  The economic situation in Venezuela was very fragile, as the unilateral coercive measures meant there was widespread poverty in the country affecting 89 per cent of the population.  The lack of resources had led to displacement and migration.  Over 7 million Venezuelans had found shelter in other Latin American countries, including Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay, among others.  The issue of migration was extremely important. 

Ms. Bonifa was delighted to see the laws which had been promulgated since 2021.  There had been a rebirth since then, and legal instruments were now in place.  Was work being carried out on a new criminal offense of femicide?  How were specialised shelters working to provide protection for women victims of violence?  How were judges and prosecutors being trained to ensure a gender perspective in cases and rulings?  Did rural women have access to justice? 

A Committee Expert said Venezuela faced substantial prejudices, particularly in the political sphere, and due to the ongoing and complex humanitarian crisis.  Would the State party consider drafting a national action plan relating to the Security Council resolution on women, peace and security, particularly as more women left the country?   Would the State party agree that women’s participation and leadership were essential for sustaining peace?  Would the State party consider establishing a national action plan, in consultation with civil society? 

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said a reform had been conducted on the law on women’s right to a life free from violence, which had brought about significant changes, including establishing a crime of femicide and aggravated femicide.  Currently judges and all civil servants were being trained with a gender-based perspective.  Across the country, gender-based justice was ensured with specialised courts, meaning all women victims of violence were given access to justice.  There were six shelters located around the country.  The Government had implemented a practice on diplomacy and peace, following a roundtable in Mexico, which focused on dialogue and discussion.

Regarding the resolution plan on a gender perspective in post-conflict situations, the delegation said there was no conflict in Venezuela.  This was a false narrative about the country.  The State was fully committed to a gender-based perspective and had a high number of female diplomats within the Venezuelan diplomatic service.  There was no conflict and no humanitarian crisis, as had been labelled by the media.  The country was suffering from the unilateral coercive measures which had been imposed on Venezuela, and their effects were being felt by women.  Venezuela would therefore never be under the remit of the Security Council. 

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert asked how the coherence of gender equality policies were ensured by the existing mechanism?  When would the national commission against violence become operational?  Would an observatory on femicide be established, as well as one on enforced disappearances?  When would the next gender equality strategy be drafted?  Would gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting be included within this plan? 

Another Expert asked if temporary special measures would be considered for women in the field of criminal justice?  What special temporary measures existed for women to lead transitional justice bodies?  What temporary special measures were being enacted to promote women’s participation in the justice system?  How would quotas be used as a form of crisis control? 

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said the State of Venezuela, through the Prosecutor’s office, had the authority to deal with crimes, including those pertaining to violence against women.  There were 73 prosecutors throughout the territory, and specialised judges and prosecutors when it came to cases of femicide.  The crimes when perpetrated would be punished with a maximum sentence.  There were 21 laws with a gender perspective, including the organic law on the right of women to a life free from violence, which was undergoing its second reform.  Venezuela had a national statistics institute which allowed for the establishment of a methodology analysis. 

The Venezuelan Government had spoken out against the International Criminal Court in 2014, saying this was being used to break the Constitutional structure of Venezuela.  It had been demonstrated that the institutions of the Venezuelan justice system had been investigating all allegations of human rights violations which had occurred.  There was no need for examination by the International Criminal Court. 

Venezuela had suffered from political violence, which had impacted the rights of the people in the country.  The standards in the Venezuelan Constitution and its reforms sought to secure the application of article four of the Convention.  The displacement of men and women abroad had not been seen before in the country’s history.  This was due to the sanctions and their terrible economic impact on a large portion of the population.  It was hoped the Committee could have a hard look at the statements made by independent experts who had visited Venezuela; although there were challenges, there was no violence at the level which had been reported. 

Venezuela was proposing to change stereotypes, particularly when it came to women and science.  The State was among the three countries in the world with the highest number of women participating in scientific research.  There were more than 21,600 scientific researchers in Venezuela; of these 50 per cent were women.  Venezuela had been building a planning model to ensure civil society participation was present from the beginning, and to ensure an intersectoral model which saw the participation of all relevant institutions when it came to gender equality.  The needs of vulnerable groups were a priority.  The State Council for Gender had enabled Venezuela to build a training process on the organic law on women’s right to a life free from violence; 2,000 consultations had been held, which had led to the creation of a national commission, comprised of representatives of several ministries. 

Questions by Committee Experts

ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, expressed the Committee’s complete disagreement regarding Venezuela’s assessment of the International Criminal Court, which was a fundamental organ in the area of human rights.

Another Expert asked whether the national commission on violence against women was operational? 

A Committee Expert said female leadership was key to economic growth, especially for underrepresented women.  What was being done to develop temporary special measures to take note of the most disadvantaged groups of women in political and economic life?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said Venezuela recognised and respected the International Criminal Court and had participated actively in the mechanisms of the Court.  The assessment was provided regarding a statement put before the court which formed part of the aggression against Venezuela.  It was important to denounce that the mechanism had been activated with political motivation.  Venezuela aimed to establish the national commission this year.  The technical board was established last year, and progress had been made on the mechanisms and on the executive level.  The State was working on an intersectoral basis, ensuring that political policy took account of each group, including women in rural areas and indigenous women.  The intersectoral, intercultural approach taken by the Government highlighted the respect for the human rights of vulnerable groups, and took their specific needs into account. 

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert said the law for the promotion and use of language with a gender approach 2021 established the duty of all public bodies to use language with a gender inclusive and non-sexist approach in their acts and actions.  This obligation extended to the Supreme Court and the Bolivarian Armed Forces.  These were good initiatives.  How was this monitored and implemented? 

What were the State’s efforts to remove harmful gender stereotypes from the educational curricula?  What efforts were being made to prevent re-victimisation of women?  Despite the subsequent reforms to the organic law, cases of femicide had been increasing two-fold in Venezuela.  Since 2016 there had been no official data on femicide from the Government.  How did the State plan to assess and address the prevention of increasing femicides, and make data on femicide available to the public?  What measures were planned to address gender violence in public spaces?  Was gender-based violence data publicly available? 

Another Committee Expert was heartbroken at reports that Venezuelans had been exploited into prostitution on the way to other countries.  There was a concern about underreporting in this area.  Could more information on prostitution be provided?  How would Venezuela improve the data on trafficking and prostitution?  Why had the national action plan on trafficking not been published?  What was being done to enforce legislation on trafficking in the mines?  What was the State party doing to combat criminal groups that lured women and girls into prostitution?  Was there a law against the exploitation of prostitution, and how was it enforced?  What was being done to educate women and girls on prostitution, especially during migration?  What assistance did the State party offer its citizens if they were exploited or trafficked in other countries? 

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said femicide was a key focus in Venezuela.  There was a possibility to press charges anonymously.  Gender violence was a public issue.  Femicide could be avoided when women could empower themselves.  The country was facing a large challenge in migration, which meant women could fall into the hands of criminal organizations, and potentially faced being subjected to sexual torture and slavery.  Different investigative bodies had been developed to focus on trafficking.  This meant there were proper communications with Interpol, as well as the countries that victims travelled to.  Through Interpol, Venezuela was working to ensure that victims could return home to live a dignified life. 

Through coordinated work, Venezuela hoped to guarantee a life for women which was free of violence.  A public procurement office had been set up to ensure there was a single path of approach to file complaints.  The officials in the office who did not report complaints in time would be sanctioned.  Since 2019 there had been two specialised prosecutors for cases of trafficking in women and children. 

Venezuela had provided proper training to personnel so they used a gender-oriented nature in all communications.  There had been training and awareness raising to all staff regarding negative stereotypes.  There was ongoing training in high schools and universities to avoid misunderstanding regarding violence against women.  Trafficking was a phenomenon which occurred in all countries.  Venezuela had diplomatic relations with bodies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, which provided support in cases of trafficking.  The State was committed to eradicating violence and supporting families.  Community defenders were women who took on a voluntary commitment to women’s rights and defence.  There was a State policy for the support of women who were working in mining activities. 

Around 1,300 training activities had been carried out on equality and non-discrimination.  March 20 was the national day against hate, particularly pertaining to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population.  A specialised body had been created for the protection of human rights and gender diversity.  A law was being developed to provide protection for the most vulnerable populations, including indigenous people, people of African descent, and those with disabilities.  This law would mean great strides forward in non-discrimination, and the Committee was invited to participate in the development of the legislative instrument.  Venezuela had created programmes to change stereotypes in science.  School curricula and textbooks were being revised in both the public and private sector.  Different activities were being carried out to ensure girls and women were more exposed to science.  There were 48 research centres for science which around 500 children visited on a weekly basis.  Over 60 per cent of projects in science were led by women. 

Questions by Committee Experts and Responses by the Delegation

LETICIA BONIFA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Venezuela, asked how many repatriations there had been of victims of trafficking? 

A Committee Expert appreciated the hotline for femicide.  What efforts would be done to strengthen data for a transparent approach? 

Another Expert said there had been many questions which had not been answered, including on prostitution, exploitation, and shelters for victims.

A Committee Expert asked if measures to promote parity in elections were now mandatory?  How was the power in parliament shared between men and women?  How many committees were headed up by female members of parliament?  What held the State party back from adopting gender parity in its national legislation?  What progress had been made to combat political violence against women?  

The delegation said economic action waged against Venezuela meant the State had not been able to significantly invest in shelters.  The national report of the Prosecutor’s office published the number of femicide cases.  A manual had been developed with the United Nations Children’s Fund to aid the prosecutors in the protection of women and girls from sexual exploitation.  A plan had been developed 2019–2030 which would be presented publicly.  Venezuela was originally a country which received migrants, and now was seeing forced migration out of the country.  The State had restructured policies to meet these new challenges.

The delegation said 111 victims of trafficking had been repatriated.  Migration was not a crime in Venezuela, and girls who were trafficked during migration were treated the same as any Venezuelan.  A care team was available to provide legal advice and psychological support for those who required it.  The State was publicly committing to publish the country’s trafficking plan a fortnight from today.  There were two special centres created especially for women who had been brought to Venezuela through trafficking. 

There were special regulations in place to ensure parity between men and women elected to the national assembly.  There was an automated system in place, which meant political organizations could be certain they had registered female candidates on an equal footing with males.  The electoral power guaranteed the will of the people and ensured gender equality.  Political violence was considered as form of violence against women. 

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert commended the State party for the progress made in education, including incorporating gender equality and comprehensive sexual health into curricula.  Venezuela was congratulated for the high number of girls enrolled in science, technology, mathematics and engineering subjects; 57 per cent of girls were enrolled in universities and 42 per cent of these girls were enrolled in courses like engineering and architecture.  This was a great achievement.  What steps and measures were being taken by the State party to eliminate discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities?  What was being done to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse faced by women and girls in educational institutions?  How would access to menstrual products be increased?  How would it be ensured that gender equality and comprehensive sexual health were taught in all schools?

Another Expert said that Venezuela’s economy relied heavily on the oil industry.  Had the State party assessed its national plan for economic development from a gender perspective?  What were further plans to increase employment opportunities?  What measures were there to encourage women to enter the labour market?  Had the State party taken measures to help rural women find employment? 

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said women were studying health, science and liberal arts.  Venezuela was repairing the school system, which had been impacted due to the sanctions.  During the pandemic, the State had paid public and private salaries to avoid mass layoffs.  It had been a challenge to diversify the economy.  There were plans to upscale the economy, which would give rise to the creation of more jobs.  There was a policy which allowed those within the informal sector to pay into a pension, and be protected by the State.  Venezuela was developing a plan for the prevention of early pregnancy.

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert said the sanctions imposed against Venezuela significantly impacted the current state of healthcare in the State.  In 2014, the Committee had expressed deep concern at the high maternal mortality rate, the high rates of teenage pregnancy, and the restrictive abortion law.  These challenges continued today in more extreme ways.  How did the State party plan to ensure universal access to safe and affordable contraceptives, in both urban and rural areas?  Were there plans to sensitise men and boys to their role in sexual and reproductive rights?  Did the State party plan to amend its legislation to decriminalise abortion, and ensure the availability of abortion services?  Would the shortages of vital medications for women and girls be addressed?  Had there been an evaluation of the childcare plan?  What was the status of the system to monitor maternal health?

Another Expert said Venezuela’s policies on subsidies, price cuts and easy access to food through the national Mercal network and the Venezuelan Food Producer and Distributor were applaudable.  What schemes were available for women in the informal sector, including farmers, traders, artisans, the unemployed, women with disabilities, female headed households, indigenous women and other vulnerable groups of women?  What percentage of the population or households lived in chronic poverty, and what had been done to reduce poverty among these women?  What policies were in place to make private sector companies accountable for protecting the population against environmental degradation?  

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said 40,000 students had been trained in sexual and reproductive health.  The unilateral coercive measures had significantly impacted the health sector in Venezuela.  Contraception had been dispensed to teenagers and university students.  Venezuela had trained staff to reduce maternal mortality and neo-natal mortality.  There had been over 371 people trained on health teams and pre-natal care had been increased.  The humanised birth plan contained different levels of risk assessment, depending on age and other factors.  Over 256 birthing rooms had been refurbished and the State was committing to rolling these out across the country.  Shelters had been created to provide support for women in rural areas, who had difficulty accessing health services.  There were 620 birthing rooms for low-risk pregnancies which were now fully operational in Venezuela. 

A national HIV/AIDS programme was being implemented to improve the quality of life of persons with HIV/AIDS and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.  Anti-retroviral therapy was 100 per cent guaranteed in Venezuela, and access to treatment was ensured and covered by the Government. 

Programmes were carried out in Venezuela to provide support for the most prominent cancers in the State, namely breast and prostate cancer.  The procurement of surgical equipment and vaccines was difficult, and sanctions meant Venezuela had been blocked from the payments of 9 million dollars which was intended for patients on dialysis.  The sanctions also impacted the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.  The humanised birth plan involved over 10,000 volunteering women who supported women in pregnancies and breast feeding.  This was a sign of how Venezuelan women were aware of the value of life. 

The delegation said there was a law to promote entrepreneurship, guided by the organic law on workers.  A system was in place to protect more than 6 million homes, in which vulnerable families received a monthly benefit.  The knowledge of indigenous people was included within the health core of the country, particularly on issues such as mercury, which impacted the indigenous population.  The retirement age for indigenous women was 50, compared to the rest of the population which was 55; this was to recognise the important contributions they made. 

Questions by Committee Experts

A Committee Expert asked how Venezuela was monitoring ongoing mercury contamination, and what measures were in place to understand who was affected?  How was the national strategic development zone being implemented?  How was awareness raising being conducted among these communities?

LETICIA BONIFA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Venezuela, was concerned that there had been attacks on women human rights defenders.  What sort of protection was in place for these women?  What could be done to streamline investigations?  What was the role being played by rural and indigenous women in the fight against climate change? 

Another Expert asked what actions were being taken in the area of education to prevent early marriages?  Would rights be guaranteed for same sex marriage?  When did the sanctions start having an impact on the population?  How did they affect women in the family environment?  What was the scope of the public tribunals which specialised in violence? 

Responses by the Delegation

In Venezuela, human rights defenders could freely carry out their work without any fear of reprisals.  Any allegations of threats were investigated by the Prosecutor’s office.  The State had always insisted that economic aggression against Venezuela started in 2014.  It was this year that the United States’ Congress had adopted a law which significantly impacted the economic situation of Venezuela.  Venezuela had previously distributed 22 units per capita in 2015 and this had dropped to 10 units per capital in 2016 as a result of the sanctions.  Shortages included medication for breast cancer, highlighting the impact the sanctions had had on Venezuelan women.  Women represented around 8 per cent of all those deprived of their liberty. 

Closing Remarks

DIVA YLAYALY GUZMÁN, Minister of People's Power for Women and Gender Equality of Venezuela and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for providing a space for Venezuela; this had been a valuable opportunity to share advances made.  The State had a constructive spirit and renewed its commitment in favour of the Convention. 

ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which allowed the Committee to better understand the situation of women in Venezuela.

Link: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2023/05/examen-du-venezuela-les-expertes-du-comite-cedaw-abordent-les