The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women's rights in Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, whose reports the Committee will review this week.
In relation to Lao People's Democratic Republic, speakers raised concerns regarding gender-based violence, human trafficking, and the experiences of Hmong women and girls.
Non-governmental organizations speaking on Saudi Arabia raised topics on the imprisonment of women human rights defenders, women on death row, and the treatment of female domestic workers.
On New Zealand, speakers addressed the situation of Māori women and girls, the treatment of transgender and intersex persons, and the gender pay gap.
The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Lao People's Democratic Republic: Association for Development of Women and Legal Education; Gender Development Association; the Alliance for Democracy in Laos; Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization in affiliation with its member the Congress of World Hmong People; and Hawai'i Centre for Human Rights Research and Action and on behalf of the Advocates for Human Rights, the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, and Harm Reduction International.
The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Saudi Arabia: Amnesty International; MENA Rights Group and ALQST; the Advocates for Human Rights, the World Coalition against the Death Penalty, and the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights; Migrants Rights and Global Detention Project; and Sema Nami, Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, Solidarity Centre, IZWI Domestic Worker Alliance, and Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative.
The New Zealand Human Rights Commission spoke on New Zealand, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Te Whare Tiaki Wahine Refuge, Homeless Women's Coalition and Maori Women's Welfare League; Pacific Allied Council (of women) Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All; Shakti; Pacific Women's Watch; and the National Council of Women.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women's eighty-ninth session is being held from 7 October to 25 October. 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 in public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 October to consider the tenth periodic report of Lao People's Democratic Republic (CEDAW/C/LAO/10).
Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair
ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, said this was the first opportunity during the session for non-governmental organizations to provide information on States parties that were having their reports reviewed during the first week, namely Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. A second meeting would be held on Monday, 14 October, where civil society would provide information on the countries under consideration in the second week of the session.
Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand
Lao People's Democratic Republic
On Lao People's Democratic Republic, speakers, among other things, said the percentage of women and girls who experienced gender-based violence was high. Authorities had misconceptions about what violence against women looked like. It was recommended that the Government develop an appropriate platform to raise awareness and expand shelter services, to ensure women and girls had access to protection and legal mechanisms. There were also limitations for women's access to the justice system, especially in the context of violence against women. Customary law was often applied to violence against women cases, without women representatives. It was recommended that the Government enhance the capacity of law enforcement and mediation units, and review relevant laws for ensuring the full protection of women and girls.
There was a great difference in the rates of young births between the rural and urban areas; 23.5 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 were married or in a relationship. It was recommended that the Government develop communication tools for ethnic women and provide community hospitals and resources. Around 32 per cent of young females between 15 and 17 years of age did not go to school, primarily due to financial reasons. It was recommended that the Government enhance the monitoring and data collection system. Many young women and girls were often offered for sale to men in China on the internet. The internet trade continued unabated, and perpetrators roamed free. Many women human rights defenders were murdered or disappeared. The Government had announced that it would do everything to improve the situation, but there were many laws which only existed on paper and had not truly been implemented.
