IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•          Armenia, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 50 at para. 281.

281. The Committee encourages the Government to allocate resources to facilitate publications and broadcasting in minority languages. It welcomes the statement by the delegation that a special budget is to be established for that purpose.

•          Botswana, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 53 at para. 305.

305. The Committee notes that the cultural and linguistic rights of the Basarwa/San are not fully respected, especially in educational curricula and in terms of access to the media. The Committee recommends that the State party fully recognize and respect the culture, history, languages and way of life of its various ethnic groups as an enrichment of the State's cultural identity and adopt measures to protect and support minority languages, in particular within education.

•          Morocco, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 33 at para. 145.

145. The Committee... recommends that more programmes in Amazigh be included in the public broadcast media.

•          Poland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 35 at para. 164.

164. The Committee notes with satisfaction efforts to include human rights education in the school curriculum and encourages the State party to expand these efforts beyond the school system in order to promote understanding and tolerance among all racial and ethnic groups in society. In this regard, particular attention should be paid to the role of the mass media.

•          Albania, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 53 at para. 317.

317. The Committee notes that persons belonging to minorities in Albania have very little access to radio and television in minority languages.

The Committee welcomes the Albanian authorities’ decision to take measures to increase broadcast time in minority languages on public radio and television and urges the State party to ensure that these measures are intended for all minorities, in particular, the Montenegrin, Roma and Aromanian minorities. It also suggests that the State party facilitate broadcasting designed especially for minorities, including the Greek minority.

•          Latvia, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 75 at para. 443.

443. The Committee welcomes the Supreme Court ruling of 6 June 2003 declaring unconstitutional section 19, paragraph 5, of the Law on Radio and Television which restricts the airtime of broadcasts in languages spoken by minorities in Latvian private media.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 88 at para. 531.

531. The Committee...reiterates its concern over the fact that the State party continues to uphold its restrictive interpretation of the provisions of article 4 of the Convention. It recalls that such interpretation is in conflict with the State party’s obligations under article 4 (b) of the Convention and draws the State party’s attention to the Committee’s general recommendation XV according to which the provisions of article 4 are of a mandatory character.

In the light of the State party’s recognition that the right to freedom of expression and opinion are not absolute rights, and in the light of statements by some public officials and media reports that may adversely influence racial harmony, the Committee recommends that the State party reconsider its interpretation of article 4.

•          Nepal, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 24 at para. 136.

136. The Committee notes that the Government broadcasts in several national languages. The Committee is concerned, however, with the lack of representation of disadvantaged groups in the State-owned media, and that issues such as racial discrimination and human rights receive little coverage by the media in general.

The Committee invites the State party to consider introducing special measures to ensure due representation in the mass media of members of disadvantaged groups, including Dalits.

•          Tajikistan, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 74 at para. 413.

413. The Committee notes with concern that, according to some information, minority languages are rarely used on public television and radio, newspapers and magazines.

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that sufficient time is devoted to programmes in minority languages on public radio and television. The State party should take steps to facilitate the publication of newspapers in minority languages. Particular efforts should be made in this regard in relation to the use of Uzbek, which is the language spoken by the largest minority.

•          Saint Lucia, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 86 at para. 448.

448. The Committee is concerned at the apparent lack of television programmes in Kweyol on the three national channels.

It recommends that the State party consider the inclusion in public radio and television programmes of broadcasts in Kweyol and other minority languages.

•          Turkmenistan, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 61 at paras. 321 and 325.

321. The Committee is concerned about information that persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities are impeded from exercising their right to enjoy their own culture. In particular, it is concerned about the reported closure of minority cultural institutions and of numerous schools teaching in minority languages, in particular Uzbek, Russian, Kazakh and Armenian languages, and the reduced possibilities for the use of minority languages in the media (arts. 2 and 5).

The Committee recommends that the State party fully respect the cultural rights of persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities. In particular, the State party should consider reopening Uzbek, Russian, Kazakh, Armenian and other minority language schools...The State party should ensure that members of national and ethnic minorities are not discriminated against in their access to the media and have the possibility of creating and using their own media in their own language.

...

325. The Committee is deeply concerned by information that the State party has adopted measures drastically limiting access to foreign culture and art, foreign media and the Internet...

The Committee recommends to the State party that it respect the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or other media, in order to foster common understanding and tolerance amongst nations and ethnic groups...

•          Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 71 at para. 374.

374. The Committee notes with satisfaction that one of the objectives of the Radio and Television Social Responsibility Act of 2004 is to promote tolerance among peoples and ethnic groups.

CEDAW

•          Estonia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 13 at paras. 95 and 96.

95. The Committee is concerned about the resurgence and persistence of traditional stereotypes regarding the role of men and women in the family, and in society at large. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of targeted educational programmes, mass media campaigns and temporary special measures to eliminate these stereotypes.

96. The Committee urges the State party to design and implement comprehensive programmes in the educational system and to encourage the mass media to promote cultural changes with regard to the roles and tasks attributed to women and men, as required by article 5 of the Convention. It recommends that legislation be enacted and policies adopted to cover not only the prohibition of discrimination against women but also of the more subtle utilization of and support for traditional sex role stereotypes in the family, in employment, in politics and in society.

•          Sri Lanka, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 31 at paras. 288 and 289.

288. The Committee, while noting with appreciation the efforts of the State party to eliminate gender role stereotyping in formal education, expresses concern at the perpetuation of traditional stereotyped gender roles among the general public and in the media.

289. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen measures to eliminate stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men, including awareness-raising and educational campaigns directed at both women and men of the general public and at the media. It also calls upon the State party to undertake an assessment of the impact of its measures in order to identify shortcomings and to adjust and improve these measures accordingly.

•          Portugal, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 35 at paras. 329 and 330.

329. While recognizing the State party’s efforts to address the problem of stereotypes relating to the roles of women in the family and society, the Committee remains concerned at the persistence of these stereotypes and the continuing stereotypical portrayal of women in the media.

330. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen measures to change stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men, including awareness-raising and educational campaigns directed at both women and men, as well as the media, in order to achieve de facto equality between women and men. It further calls on the State party to encourage the media to contribute to the societal efforts at overcoming such attitudes, and to create opportunities for a positive, non-traditional portrayal of women.

•          Ukraine, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 114 at paras. 295 and 296.

295. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of traditional stereotypes regarding the role of men and women in the family and in society at large.

296. The Committee urges the State party to design and implement comprehensive programmes in the educational system and to encourage the mass media to promote cultural changes with regard to the roles and tasks attributed to women and men, as required by article 5 of the Convention. It recommends that policies be developed and programmes implemented to ensure the eradication of traditional sex role stereotypes in the family, in employment, in politics and in society.

See also:

•          Czech Republic, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 157 at paras.103 and 104.

•          Peru, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 212 at paras. 492 and 493.

492. The Committee is concerned at the persistence of traditional stereotypes associated with women’s and men’s roles and responsibilities in the family and in society in general.

493. The Committee requests the State party to design and implement comprehensive educational programmes and to urge the communications media to help modify cultural patterns of conduct in the publicizing and planning of entertainment in relation to women’s and men’s roles and responsibilities, in accordance with article 5 of the Convention...

•          Albania, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 13at para. 69.

69. The Committee...urges the State party to design and implement comprehensive programmes in the educational system to ensure eradication of traditional sex role stereotypes in the family, in employment, in politics and in society. The Committee recommends that the State party encourage the mass media to promote cultural changes with regard to the roles and responsibilities attributed to women and men, as required by article 5 of the Convention.

•          Switzerland, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 20 at para. 115.

115. The Committee urges the State party to design and implement comprehensive programmes in the educational system, including human rights education and gender training, and to disseminate information on the Convention, with a view to changing existing stereotypical attitudes on women and men’s roles, including advancing the notion of parenting as a social responsibility of both mothers and fathers. It recommends that awareness-raising campaigns be addressed to both women and men and that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in the private and public spheres.

•          Congo, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 29 at para. 165.

165. The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to address stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men that perpetuate direct and indirect discrimination against women and girls. These should include educational measures at all levels, beginning at an early age; the revision of school textbooks and curricula; and awareness-raising campaigns directed at both women and men - designed, where relevant, with the involvement of the media and civil society, including non-governmental organizations - to address stereotypes regarding the role of women and men with a view to combating discrimination against women. The Committee also calls upon the State party to periodically review the measures taken in order to identify shortcomings and to adjust and improve those measures accordingly...

•          Kenya, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 35 at para. 210.

210. The Committee requests the State party to increase its efforts to create awareness in society about the need to change stereotypical attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards women and girls through, inter alia, specific programmes directed at both women and men in this regard. The Committee further encourages the media to project a positive image of women and to promote the equal status of women and men in both the public and private spheres. It also calls upon the State party to periodically review the measures taken in order to identify shortcomings and to adjust and improve those measures accordingly.

•          Luxembourg, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 47 at para. 309.

309. The Committee calls upon the State party to take additional measures to eliminate stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men, including through awareness-raising and educational campaigns directed at both women and men and at the media. It also calls upon the State party to assess the impact of such measures in order to identify shortcomings and to adjust and improve such measures accordingly.

•          Norway, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 61 paras. 411 and 412.

411. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of stereotypical cultural attitudes towards women reflected in the low proportion of women in top leadership positions in the public sector, including in academia, which remains well below 20 per cent.

412. The Committee recommends that the State party take additional measures to eliminate stereotypical cultural attitudes, including through awareness-raising campaigns directed at both women and men, and conduct research into the stereotypical cultural attitudes prevailing in Norway...The Committee furthermore recommends that the State party encourage the media to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in the private and public spheres.

•          Brazil, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 93 at paras. 108 and 109.

108. The Committee is concerned about the glaring persistence of stereotyped and conservative views, behaviour and images of the role and responsibilities of women and men, which reinforce women’s inferior status in all spheres of life.

109. The Committee recommends that policies be developed and that programmes directed at men and women be implemented to help ensure the elimination of stereotypes associated with traditional roles in the family and the workplace, and in society at large. It also recommends that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men both in the private and public spheres.

•          Morocco, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 101 at paras. 166 and 167.

166. The Committee expresses its concern that traditional discriminatory practices and strong stereotypical attitudes persist about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society, negatively affecting women’s enjoyment of their rights and impeding the full implementation of the Convention.

167. The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to design and implement comprehensive awareness-raising programmes to foster a better understanding of equality between women and men at all levels of society with a view to changing stereotypical attitudes and negative cultural norms about the responsibilities and roles of women and men in the family and society. It also recommends that the media be encouraged to project positive images of women and the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in society.

•          Slovenia, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 109 at paras. 216 and 217.

216. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of traditional stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large.

217. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen measures to eradicate traditional sex role stereotypes in the family, in employment, in politics and in society. The Committee recommends that the State party encourage the mass media to promote cultural changes with regard to the roles and responsibilities attributed to women and men, as required by article 5 of the Convention.

•          France, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 116 at paras. 269 and 270.

269. While noting initiatives to eliminate stereotypes, the Committee is concerned that stereotypical attitudes persist.

270. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts, including legislative measures to prevent the portrayal of negative and discriminatory images of women in the media, to change stereotypical images and discriminatory attitudes and perceptions about the roles and responsibilities of women and girls and men and boys in the family and in society.

•          Japan, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 130 at para. 360.

360. The Committee recommends that the State party design and implement comprehensive programmes in the educational system, including human rights education and gender equality training, and disseminate information on the Convention and the Government’s commitment to gender equality, with a view to changing existing stereotypical attitudes on women’s and men’s roles. It recommends that the State party disaggregate its surveys and opinion polls, not only by sex but also by age and, on the basis of the results increase targeted efforts at advancing the notion of parenting as a social responsibility of both mothers and fathers. It recommends that awareness-raising campaigns be intensified and that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in the private and public spheres.

•          Kuwait, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 15 at para. 71.

71. The Committee urges the State party to design, implement and strengthen comprehensive awareness-raising measures to foster a better understanding of equality between women and men, at all levels of society, with a view to eradicating traditional stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society. It also recommends that the State party encourage the media to promote cultural changes with regard to the roles and responsibilities attributed to women and men, as required by article 5 of the Convention.

•          Bhutan, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 21 at para. 116.

116. The Committee urges the State party to analyse existing traditions and stereotyped views in order to assess their impact on gender equality. It recommends that policies be developed and programmes be directed at men and women to support the elimination of stereotypes associated with traditional roles in the family, the workplace, and society at large, and to prevent the emergence of new stereotypes that are discriminatory against women. It also recommends that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men both in the public and private spheres...

•          Kyrgyzstan, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 28 at paras. 167 and 168.

167. While noting the efforts of the State party to eliminate gender role stereotyping, especially in the media, the Committee is concerned about the persistence of discriminatory cultural practices and stereotypes relating to the roles and responsibilities of women and men in all areas of life, and the deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes, which undermine women’s social status and are an obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention.

168. The Committee urges the State party to monitor carefully the persistence of discriminatory cultural practices and stereotypes and intensify its efforts to eliminate them. It urges the State party to encourage men to share family responsibilities, to direct its awareness-raising programmes to both women and men, and to take action to change stereotypical attitudes and perceptions as to men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities. It recommends that the State party encourage the media to promote a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in both the private and public spheres.

•          Nepal, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 34 at para. 207.

207. The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to eliminate discriminatory cultural practices and stereotypes. It also urges the State party to encourage men to share family responsibilities and direct its awareness-raising programmes to men as well as women, and to take action to change stereotypical attitudes and perceptions as to men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities. It recommends that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in both the private and public spheres...

•          Germany, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 62 at paras. 384 and 385.

384. The Committee is concerned about the continuation of pervasive stereotypical and conservative views of the role and responsibilities of women and men. It is also concerned that women are sometimes depicted by the media and in advertising as sex objects and in traditional roles.

385. The Committee recommends that policies be strengthened and programmes implemented, including awareness-raising and educational campaigns directed at women and men, and specifically at media and advertising agencies, to help ensure the elimination of stereotypes associated with traditional roles in the family and the workplace, and in society at large. It also recommends that the media be encouraged to project a positive image of women and that concerted efforts be made to change men’s and society’s perception of women as sex objects.

•          Malta, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 111 at para. 106.

106. The Committee strongly recommends the organization of awareness-raising campaigns, on the basis of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendations, at regular intervals to foster a better understanding at all levels of society of the equal status and joint responsibilities of women and men in the family and in family care...It also recommends that the media be encouraged to project positive images of women and men in non-traditional activities...

•          

Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 118 at para. 147.

147. The Committee urges the State party to view culture as a dynamic aspect of the country’s social fabric and life, and subject, therefore, to change. It urges the State party to introduce measures without delay to modify or eliminate cultural practices and stereotypes that discriminate against women, in conformity with articles 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention, and ensure that women’s rights to non-discrimination and equality set forth in the provisions of the Convention prevail. It urges the State party to undertake such efforts in collaboration with civil society organizations, women’s groups and community leaders, as well as teachers and the media...

•          Dominican Republic, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 141 at para. 293.

293. The Committee recommends that the State party should formulate policies and carry out programmes directed to men and women and oriented towards the elimination of stereotypes regarding traditional roles in the family, the workplace and society in general in accordance with article 2 (f) and article 5 of the Convention. It also recommends that the State party should continue to encourage the media to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in both private and public spheres.

•          Spain, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 149 at para. 333.

333. The Committee calls upon the State party to take additional measures to eliminate stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men, including through awareness-raising and educational campaigns directed at both women and men and at the media, and carefully monitor the impact of such measures...It recommends that the media be further encouraged to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in the private and public spheres...

•          Gabon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 37 at paras. 239 and 240.

239. The Committee expresses its concern about the prevalence of entrenched adverse customs and traditions, including early and forced marriage, polygamy, widowhood practices and levirate, as well as the persistence of stereotypes that discriminate against women and constitute a violation of women’s human rights under the Convention. The Committee is particularly concerned about the State party’s limited efforts to address directly such discriminatory practices and stereotypes and its position that the current widespread support for and adherence to these practices would prevent compliance with legislative measures designed to eliminate them.

240. The Committee urges the introduction without delay, and in conformity with articles 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention, of measures, including legislation, to modify or eliminate customs and cultural and traditional practices that discriminate against women, so as to promote women’s full enjoyment of their human rights...The Committee encourages the State party to undertake such efforts in collaboration with civil society and women’s and human rights organizations, and to seek effective cooperation with the media, including radio and print media...

•          Italy, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 51 at paras. 322 and 323.

322. The Committee remains concerned about the persistence and pervasiveness of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society. These stereotypes undermine women’s social status, present a significant impediment to the implementation of the Convention and are a root cause of women’s disadvantaged position in a number of areas, including in the labour market and in political and public life. The Committee is also deeply concerned about the portrayal of women in the media and in advertising as sex objects and in stereotypical roles.

323. The Committee calls upon the State party to adopt a large-scale, comprehensive and coordinated programme to combat the widespread acceptance of stereotypical roles of men and women, including awareness-raising and educational campaigns aimed at women and men, to help ensure the elimination of stereotypes associated with men’s and women’s traditional roles in the family and in society at large, in accordance with articles 2(f) and 5(a) of the Convention. It recommends that the State party make every effort to disseminate information on the Convention among both private and public actors to increase awareness and understanding of the meaning and content of the substantive equality of women. It also recommends that the media and advertising agencies be specifically targeted and encouraged to project an image of women as equal partners in all spheres of life and that concerted efforts be made to change the perception of women as sex objects and primarily responsible for child-rearing.

•          Ireland, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 151 at paras. 382 and 383.

382. The Committee is concerned at the persistence of traditional stereotypical views of the social roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large, which are reflected in article 41.2 of the Constitution and its male-oriented language, as recognized by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, in women’s educational choices and employment patterns, and in women’s low participation in political and public life.

383. The Committee recommends that the State party take additional measures to eliminate traditional stereotypical attitudes, including through sensitization and training of all educational actors and sustained awareness-raising campaigns directed at both women and men. It recommends that the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution take the Convention fully into account in considering any amendments to article 41.2 of the Constitution, as well as including a provision to underline the obligation of the State to pursue actively the achievement of substantive equality between women and men. The Committee also suggests that the State party consider replacing male-oriented language with gender-sensitive language in the Constitution to convey the concept of gender equality more clearly. Considering the important role of the media in regard to cultural change, the Committee furthermore recommends that the State party encourage the media to project a positive image of women and of the equal status and responsibilities of women and men in the private and public spheres.

CRC

•          Panama, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 23 at para. 157

157. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure that indigenous children enjoy all their rights without discrimination, including equal access to culturally appropriate services including health, education, social services, housing, potable water and sanitation. The Committee also recommends that the State party, with the full participation of indigenous communities and children, develop public awareness campaigns, including through the mass media, to combat negative attitudes and misperceptions about indigenous children...

•          Croatia, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 36 at paras. 202 and 203.

202. [The Committee] is...concerned at the lack of adequate measures to encourage the mass media to disseminate information that would promote a spirit of understanding of differences.

203. The Committee...urges the State party to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child, in line and with the spirit of articles 17 and 29 of the Convention. To that end, the State party should provide children with access to diversity of cultural, national and international sources, taking into particular account the linguistic and other needs of children who belong to a minority group.

•          Bosnia and Herzegovina, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 49 at paras. 227 and 228.

227. The Committee is concerned that discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, political affiliation, national origin, social status, status as internally displaced persons or returnees, residence in rural areas and gender or disability continues to be widespread. The Committee also expresses concern at the information that - despite some improvements - the media sometimes contribute to stigmatization and social exclusion by conveying stereotyped messages and distrust of people belonging to minority and/or ethnic groups.

228. In accordance with article 2 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party carefully and regularly evaluate existing disparities in the enjoyment by children of their rights and undertake on the basis of that evaluation the necessary steps to prevent and combat all discriminatory disparities... The State party is also encouraged to develop, in consultation with the media, a code of conduct with a view to eliminating stereotyping and stigmatization of minority and/or ethnic groups in the media.