Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to hold sixty-sixth session in Geneva from 13 February to 3 March

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women                                                                                                                      

 9 February 2017

BACKGROUND RELEASE

Committee to Consider Situation in Ukraine, Ireland, Jordan, El Salvador, Germany, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Micronesia

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women will hold its sixty-sixth session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 13 February to 3 March, during which it will review reports presented by Ukraine, Ireland, Jordan, El Salvador, Germany, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Micronesia on how they implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 

At the opening meeting on Monday, 13 February, the Committee will hear an address by a representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, swear in new Committee members, adopt its agenda and programme of work and elect a new Chair and Bureau.  During the session, the Committee will consider the reports of eight States parties, and hold public informal meetings with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions to discuss the situation in the countries whose reports will be considered.

Ukraine is presenting its eighth periodic report (CEDAW/C/UKR/8).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the combined sixth and seventh periodic reports, considered in January 2010, can be found in CEDAW/C/UKR/CO/7.

Ireland is presenting its combined sixth and seventh periodic reports (CEDAW/C/IRL/6-7) under the simplified reporting procedure.  The Committee’s concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports, considered in July 2005, can be found in A/60/38(SUPP) paras. 359-405.

Jordan is presenting its sixth periodic report under the Convention (CEDAW/C/JOR/6).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the fifth periodic report, considered in February 2012, are available here: CEDAW/C/JOR/CO/5.

El Salvador is presenting its combined eighth and ninth periodic reports under the Convention (CEDAW/C/SLV/8-9).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the seventh periodic report, considered in October 2008, are available here: CEDAW/C/SLV/CO/7.

Germany is presenting its combined seventh and eighth periodic reports (CEDAW/C/DEU/7-8).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the sixth periodic report, considered in February 2009, are available here: CEDAW/C/DEU/CO/6.

Sri Lanka is presenting its eighth periodic report (CEDAW/C/LKA/8).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the combined fifth to seventh periodic reports, considered in January 2011, are available here: CEDAW/C/LKA/CO/7.

Rwanda is presenting its combined seventh to ninth periodic reports (CEDAW/C/RWA/7-9).  The Committee’s concluding observations on the combined fourth, fifth and sixth periodic reports, considered in February 2009, are available here: CEDAW/C/RWA/CO/6.

Micronesia is presenting its combined initial to third periodic reports (CEDAW/C/FSM/1-3).

Detailed meeting coverage can be found in English and French on the United Nations Information Service’s webpage and further information, including copies of the States parties’ reports, all related documentation and the programme of work, are available on the session webpage.

The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings will be available via the following link: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 1979, and entered into force on 3 September 1981. Often described as an international bill of rights for women, the Convention both defines discrimination against women and sets an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. Since its entry into force, the Convention has achieved near-universal acceptance, with 189 States parties.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as "... any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field".

By accepting the Convention, States parties commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including: incorporating the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system; abolishing all discriminatory laws and adopting appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women; establishing public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and ensuring the elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.

Optional Protocol to the Convention

On 22 December 2000, the Optional Protocol to the Convention entered into force, by which States parties recognize the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications submitted by individuals or groups of individuals claiming to be victims of a violation of their rights under the Convention.

To date, 108 of the Convention's 189 States parties have accepted the Optional Protocol. Before the Committee considers a complaint, it first must establish its admissibility under the terms of the Optional Protocol. The Optional Protocol also enables the Committee, upon the fulfilment of certain criteria, to undertake inquiries into possible grave or systematic violations of women's rights.

Membership

The Committee is made up of 23 experts of high moral standing and recognized competence in the field of women's rights.  Members are nominated and elected by the States parties and serve in their personal capacity.

The Committee Members are: Ayse Feride Acar (Turkey); Gladys Acosta Vargas (Peru); Nicole Ameline (France); Magalys Arocha Dominguez (Cuba); Gunnar Bergby (Norway); Marion Bethel (Bahamas); Louiza Chalal (Algeria); Naéla Mohamed Gabr (Egypt); Hilary Gbedemah (Ghana); Nahla Haidar (Lebanon); Ruth Halperin-Kaddari (Israel); Yoko Hayashi (Japan); Lilian Hofmeister (Austria); Ismat Jahan (Bangladesh); Dalia Leinarte (Lithuania); Rosario Manalo (Philippines); Lia Nadaraia (Georgia); Theodora Oby Nwankwo (Nigeria); Pramila Patten (Mauritius); Bandana Rana (Nepal); Patricia Schulz (Switzerland); Wenyan Song (China); and Aicha Vall Verges (Mauritania).

Bakhita Al-Dosari, Barbara Evelyn Bailey, Niklas Bruun,Silvia Pimentel, Biancamaria Pomeranzi, and Xiaoqiao Zou finished their term as Committee Members on 31 December 2016.  At its opening meeting on Monday, 13 February 2017, the Committee will welcome new members and elect its officers.

Programme of Work

Monday, 13 February

10 a.m.         Opening of the session, adoption of the agenda, solemn declaration by new members, election of Chair and Bureau
11 a.m.         Closed meeting
3. p.m.         Informal meeting with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions from Ukraine, Ireland, Jordan and El Salvador

Tuesday, 14 February

10 a.m.         Eighth periodic report of Ukraine CEDAW/C/UKR/8
3 p.m.          Ukraine (continued)

Wednesday, 15 February
10 a.m.         Combined sixth and seventh periodic reports of Ireland CEDAW/C/IRL/6-7
3 p.m.          Ireland (continued)

Thursday, 16 February
10 a.m.         Sixth periodic report of Jordan CEDAW/C/JOR/6
3 p.m.          Jordan (continued)

Friday, 17 February
10 a.m.         Combined eighth and ninth periodic reports of El Salvador CEDAW/C/SLV/8-9
3 p.m.            El Salvador (continued)

Monday, 20 February
10 a.m.         Closed meeting
4 p.m.          Informal meeting with non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions from Germany, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Micronesia

Tuesday, 21 February
10 a.m.         Combined seventh and eighth periodic reports of Germany CEDAW/C/DEU/7-8
3 p.m.           Germany (continued)

Wednesday, 22 February
10 a.m.         Eighth periodic report of Sri Lanka CEDAW/C/LKA/8
3 p.m.           Sri Lanka (continued)

Thursday, 23 February
10 a.m.         Combined seventh to ninth periodic reports of Rwanda CEDAW/C/RWA/7-9
3 p.m.            Rwanda (continued)

Friday, 24 February
10 a.m.         Combined initial to third periodic reports of Micronesia CEDAW/C/FSM/1-3
3 p.m.           Micronesia (continued)

Monday, 27 February
Closed meetings

Tuesday, 28 February
Closed meetings

Wednesday, 1 March
Closed meetings

Thursday, 2 March
Closed meetings

Friday, 3 March
10 a.m.         Closed meeting
4 p.m.          Public closing of the session

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