By Theme or Subject Matter - Equality and Discrimination - Gender Discrimination - Stereotypes - Concluding Observations

III. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

ICCPR

• Kyrgyzstan, ICCPR, A/55/40 vol. I (2000) 57 at para. 402.

The State party is urged to take all necessary measures to sensitize the population, so as to improve the condition of women by eradicating all traditional and stereotypical attitudes that deny women equality in education, the workplace, public life, and in access to public service. In particular, measures against discrimination should be enforced and positive measures taken to further the education of women at all levels.

• Ireland, ICCPR, A/55/40 vol. I (2000) 61 at para. 441.

The references to women made in article 41 (para. 2) of the Constitution could perpetuate traditional attitudes toward the role of women. In that provision, the State “recognizes that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.”

• Uzbekistan, ICCPR, A/56/40 vol. I (2001) 59 at para. 79(20).

The traditional attitudes to women, whereby a women's role continues to be seen by the State primarily as that of wife and mother exclusively responsible for children and the family, make the establishment of equality for women very difficult. The limited contribution by women to civil society is of concern (articles 3 and 26 of the Covenant). The State party should take measures to overcome traditional attitudes regarding the role of women in society. It should take steps to increase the number of women in decision-making bodies at all levels and in all areas. It should also organise special training programmes for women and regular awareness campaigns in this regard.

ICESCR

• Jordan, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 49 at para. 233.

Traditional and stereotypical attitudes towards the roles and responsibilities of women and men in Jordanian society are of concern.

CEDAW

• Madagascar, CEDAW, A/49/38 (1994) 45 at para. 235.

Education and training are considered to be the springboard to development. In giving females education and training, care must be taken not to concentrate on traditional female occupations to avoid stereotyping and also to give them the opportunity of having better-paid occupations.

• Ukraine, CEDAW, A/51/38 (1996) 32 at para. 286.

Concern is expressed over sexual stereotyping and overprotective labour legislation. Protective labour laws have the sole effect of restricting women's economic opportunities, and are neither legitimate nor effective as a measure for promoting women's reproductive health. Women should have a right to free choice as to their employment.

• Morocco, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part I (1997) 11 at paras. 72 and 74.

Paragraph 72

The establishment of specific machinery located at the highest policy level, with adequate financial and human resources, that would coordinate and guide action in favour of women would be able to prevent the persistence of attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes that discriminate against women and would narrow the gap between de jure and de facto equality.

Paragraph 74

The competent national bodies, the women's sections of the different political parties and associations and non-governmental organizations should do their utmost to bring about as great a change in men's traditional role in the family and in society as in women's, so as to ensure genuine equality of opportunity between men and women in all spheres. It is observed that revising the content and orientation of school textbooks in order to eliminate stereotypes and negative images of women could help to speed up a change of mentality and remove certain obstacles.

• Slovenia, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part I (1997) 15 at paras. 109 and 113.

Paragraph 109

The concept of privacy of family life and the reproductive role of women could be utilized to hide violence against women and reinforce sex-role stereotypes.

Paragraph 113

Systematic efforts should be made to ensure that women students are encouraged to enter diverse disciplines so as to overcome the clustering of female students in certain disciplines at schools and universities. Such measures could include special counselling and gender-specific temporary measures with numerical goals and timetables. Women's studies should also be formally established at universities and made part of the school curriculum. The Government should also review its gender-neutral educational framework and develop positive measures to counteract hidden stereotypical educational messages and practices.

• Turkey, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part I (1997) 24 at para. 197.

The media should be mobilized in support of advancing the status and the rights of women, including through the non-sexist and non-stereotypical portrayal of women in the media and through programmes to address violence against women.

• Venezuela, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part I (1997) 30 at para. 245.

The Government should undertake broad-based programmes directed at the entire population, through the mass media and other possible channels, to combat gender stereotypes.

• Armenia, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part II (1997) 78 at paras. 53 and 65.

Paragraph 53

The cultural stereotypes that overemphasize the traditional role of women as mothers in a protective and restrictive way are noted.

Paragraph 65

The Government should use the education system and the electronic media to combat the traditional stereotype of women "in the noble role of mother" and to raise awareness of the role of men in caring and their responsibility for parenting.

• Luxembourg, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part II (1997) 92 at para. 219.

In relation to the removal of the stereotyped attitudes and perceptions of the role of women in society and to raise the awareness of men of their family responsibilities, educational programmes in schools should be reoriented in accordance with article 5 of the Convention.

• Antigua and Barbuda, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part II (1997) 97 at para. 254.

The continuing selection by female students of stereotypical subjects and the greater exposure of girls within the school system to domestic skills and boys to technical skills are matters of concern.

• Italy, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part II (1997) 106 at paras. 346, 347 and 356.

Paragraph 346

The inadequacy of efforts to combat stereotypes through education and other public means is of concern. Concern is also expressed over the fact that no substantial initiative had been taken in Italy to rid textbooks and teaching materials of stereotypes, and/or towards making women and their contributions to history and society more visible and apparent.

Paragraph 347

The persistence of patriarchal norms and stereotypes in Italian society is of concern and of particular concern is the relative lack of attention to that matter in governmental policies and by governmental officials. The State party's attitudes and actions aimed at "utilizing women's own resources" were viewed as potentially reinforcing and glorifying stereotypical roles of women, thereby impeding the realization of de facto equality.

Paragraph 356

Large-scale measures should be taken to combat the widespread acceptance of stereotypical roles of women and men, particularly in the south, by alerting the public to the importance of an equitable distribution between women and men of family roles and "caring responsibilities." It is essential that textbooks and teaching material be reviewed and revised to reflect the non-stereotypical roles of men and women.

• Azerbaijan, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 7 at para. 71.

Paragraph 71
Close cooperation with non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights and with other representatives of civil society is suggested to enhance gender awareness and to promote the campaign to combat traditional stereotypes regarding the roles of women and men.

• Zimbabwe, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 13 at para. 152.

Paragraph 152

A campaign to promote positive images of women should be organized, involving the mass media.

• Czech Republic, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 16 at paras. 191 and 193.

Paragraph 191

The lack of measures and programmes in the media to promote a positive image of women as actors in all areas at all levels of public life, and to encourage equal sharing of family responsibilities by men, is concerning.

Paragraph 193

The policy of creating “household management” schools, which, although not formally sex segregated, basically cater to female students and train them for traditional stereotypical roles, is promoting gender stereotyping. The same applies with regard to the practice of some schools admitting only boys because of their “different physical abilities.” The importance of encouraging girls and boys to choose non-traditional fields of study in order to eliminate discrimination against women is stressed, and concern is expressed about such schools.

• Indonesia, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 24 at para. 289.

The existing social, religious and cultural norms that recognize men as the head of the family and breadwinner and confine women to the roles of mother and wife, which are reflected in various laws, Government policies and guidelines are of great concern. It is unclear what steps the Government is proposing to take to modify such attitudes, which present a serious obstacle to the advancement of women. Traditional gender stereotypes are also perpetuated in formal education and textbooks have not been revised to eliminate such stereotypes.

• Dominican Republic, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 28 at para. 334.

The rigid social codes adhered to in the country and the persistence of machismo, which is reflected in areas such as women’s low participation in public life and decision-making, and in the stereotypical portrayal of women’s role in the family, social life and a segregated labour market, are of concern. Emphasizing that legal measures alone are not sufficient, the failure of the Government to undertake comprehensive and systematic public awareness and information campaigns to change stereotypical attitudes that are detrimental to women’s equality is noted.

• Mexico, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part I (1998) 32 at para. 398.

The policies to promote equality within the family are insufficient, since stereotyped roles are perpetuated in the family by deeply rooted traditions of men's superiority. In addition, certain legal provisions might continue to promote inequality and traditional roles within the family.

• South Africa, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part II (1998) 58 at para. 122.

Efforts to prevent and combat violence against women should continue to receive the priority attention they require. Steps should be taken, including through education, awareness raising and sensitization of the public, to deal with stereotypical attitudes that are amongst the root causes of violence against women and to emphasize the unacceptability of such violence.

• Panama, CEDAW, A/53/38/Rev.1 part II (1998) 64 at para. 199.

The persistence of gender stereotypes, which results in a large number of adolescent girls terminating their education at an early age to marry or to undertake domestic work, is of concern.

• Algeria, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 12 at paras. 75, 76 and 86.

Paragraph 75

The persistence of cultural stereotypes and patriarchal values, as well as polygamy, which violates women's rights, is of concern.

Paragraph 76

The development and implementation of a legal literacy strategy and training for all levels of society are recommended in order to address discriminatory cultural norms and attitudes.

Paragraph 86

The Algerian Government should continue its revision of both curricula and textbooks to rid them of stereotypes and negative images of women in order to help change attitudes more quickly and to remove obstacles to equality. Women teachers and women’s non-governmental organizations should be consulted in the rewriting of textbooks.

• Kyrgyzstan, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 15 at paras. 120 and 121.

Paragraph 120

Concern is expressed over the prevalence of patriarchal culture and the continuing emphasis on the traditional roles of women exclusively as mothers and wives. The Committee notes with particular concern that the initial report, in referring to the role of the man as breadwinner, may legitimize existing stereotypes.

Paragraph 121

A range of measures, including comprehensive public education and mass-media campaigns, should be introduced to eliminate traditional stereotypes of the roles of men and women.

• Greece, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 20 at para. 202.

Paragraph 202

The Government should conduct a comprehensive review of all educational curricula at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels with a view to eliminating remaining discriminatory aspects, remedying the stereotypical portrayal of women and girls and creating an educational environment that is conducive to girls' and women's education and learning.

• Thailand, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 24 at paras. 244 and 245.

Paragraph 244

The traditional stereotypes of women and men that are reflected in some laws and portrayed in school text books and through the media, undermine positive policies relating to gender equality.

Paragraph 245

A review should be made of laws and policies and school text books in order to remove gender stereotypes. The media should also be encouraged to portray girls and women in non-stereotyped ways.

• Colombia, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 33 at para. 382.

A systematic effort should be made to educate the population on gender issues by all possible methods and in all sectors, and programmes should be developed with the aim of raising the awareness of media personnel with respect to equality of men and women, with a view to eradicating sexist stereotypes in all media.

• Georgia, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part II (1999) 53 at para. 100.

Comprehensive measures should be taken to eliminate gender stereotypes through a number of efforts, including: the review of textbooks beyond primary education; the sensitization of teachers; the creation of awareness and understanding through research into the rich heritage of women’s positive role in Georgian history for policy planning and as role models; and the formulation of positive symbolic messages at the highest political level concerning the equality of women in all areas of life.

• Ireland, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part II (1999) 60 at paras. 182 and 190.

Paragraph 182

The Government is urged to ensure that legislation and policies create the structural and systemic framework that will lead to women’s long-term participation in the labour force on a basis of equality with men. In particular, the Government should take further measures to reduce the pay gap in women’s earnings, taking into account developments that have refined the concepts of equal pay for work of comparable value, and to assess the impact of cultural stereotypes and women’s reproductive responsibilities on the continuing pay gap.

Paragraph 190

The Government is urged to make full use of temporary special measures to increase women’s participation in politics and decision making. Awareness-raising and educational measures are recommended to redress cultural stereotypes, increase men’s sharing of domestic work and encourage mentoring, networking and support systems to facilitate women’s entry into public life.

• Spain, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part II (1999) 67 at para. 258.

High priority should be placed on efforts to eradicate traditional stereotypes that perpetuate direct and indirect discrimination against women. The State party is encouraged to strengthen educational measures, beginning at a very early age, and to increase its collaboration with civil society organizations, the media and the private sector so as to achieve greater balance in the roles and responsibilities of women and men, particularly in the sharing of family responsibilities. In promoting this policy, it is also necessary simultaneously to encourage greater participation of women in decision making in public life.

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part II (1999) 71 at para. 308.

The Government should use its new employment policies to address the pay gap between women’s and men’s earnings, taking into account developments that have refined the concepts of equal pay for equal work and for work of comparable value. The Government should also assess the impact of cultural stereotypes and women’s reproductive responsibilities on the continuing pay gap. In this regard, the Government is invited to pursue its efforts towards providing men more opportunities to take on roles traditionally assumed by women and to continue to review and rationalize maternal and parental leave and benefits.

• India, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 7 at paras. 60 and 61.

Paragraph 60

Steps have not been taken to reform the personal laws of different religious and ethnic groups, in consultation with them, so as to conform with the Convention. The Government’s policy of non-intervention perpetuates sexual stereotypes, son preference and discrimination against women.

Paragraph 61

The Government is urged to withdraw its declaration to article 16 (1) of the Convention and to work with and support women’s groups as members of the community in reviewing and reforming personal laws of different religious and ethnic groups. The Government should follow the directive principles in the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions and enact a uniform civil code which different ethnic and religious groups may adopt.

• Jordan, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 16 at paras. 166 and 167.

Paragraph 166

The persistence of cultural practices and strong stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men, affecting all spheres of life and impeding the full implementation of the Convention, is of concern.

Paragraph 167

The Government is urged to review, or enact laws that will make cultural practices that discriminate against women illegal. It is also urged to increase awareness-raising programmes, as well as change stereotypical attitudes and perceptions about the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

• Democratic Republic of the Congo, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 21 at para. 210.

The persistence of prejudices and stereotyped behaviours with respect to the role of women and men in the family and society, based on the idea of male superiority and the consequent subordination of women to men, is a serious obstacle to the implementation of the Convention.

See also:

• Guinea, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 55 at para. 116.

• Burkina Faso, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 25 at paras. 265 and 266.

Paragraph 265

The prevalence of discriminatory traditions and customs which accentuate stereotypes and resist all change is of concern. These social practices, attitudes and beliefs derive from an overwhelmingly rural population with low levels of literacy and are contributing to the delay in the advancement of women.

Paragraph 266

The Government is urged to adopt all appropriate measures and policies to develop the sociocultural climate to the benefit of women. The Ministry for the Advancement of Women is called upon, with the cooperation of NGOs, intellectuals, religious leaders and the media, to encourage a change in people’s way of thinking and accelerate the process of the emancipation of women through law reform, information, education and communications activities, particularly in rural areas, so that a change takes place in women’s view of themselves and society as a whole recognizes that the participation of women is necessary for the development of Burkina Faso.

• Germany, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 29 at paras. 312-314, 323 and 324.

Paragraph 312

The Government is urged to monitor closely the impact of its new programme on women and work so as to ensure that it achieves its stated aims of advancing equal opportunities of women and men in the working world and in the family and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes.

Paragraph 313

Concern is expressed at the persistence of stereotypical and traditional attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in private and in public life. That persistence is reflected in women’s predominance in part-time work, their main responsibility for family and caring work, occupational segregation, men’s extremely low participation in parental leave, at 1.5 per cent of those taking parental leave in 1997, and the taxation of married couples. It is of concern that measures aimed at the reconciliation of family and work entrench stereotypical expectations for women and men. In that regard, concern is expressed at the unmet need for kindergarten places for the 0-3 age group, the fact that the proportion of all-day kindergartens was only 34.8 per cent in 1994 and that childcare centres were available for only 5.1 per cent of school-age children, especially since all-day schools are the exception in Germany.

Paragraph 314

The Government is urged to study the impact of measures aimed at reconciliation of work and family responsibilities so as to create a firm basis for policies and programmes that will accelerate change and eradicate stereotypical attitudes. The State party is urged to develop more programmes and policies targeted at men to accelerate the changing of attitudes and behaviour. The State party should consider the introduction of non-transferable parental leave for fathers to increase the number of men that share responsibility for childcare and child-rearing. The Government is also urged to improve the availability of care places for school-age children to facilitate women’s re-entry into the labour market. The State party should assess the current legal provisions on the taxation of married couples (“splitting”) and its impact on the perpetuation of stereotypical expectations for married women.

Paragraph 323

The continuing stereotypical portrayal of women, especially of foreign women, in the media, is of concern.

Paragraph 324

The Government is urged to support the important role of the media in changing stereotypical attitudes to women. Opportunities should be created for the portrayal of positive, non-traditional images of women and to encourage and facilitate the use of self-regulatory mechanisms in the media to reduce discriminatory and stereotypical portrayals of women.

• Belarus, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 34 at paras. 357 and 361.

Paragraph 357

That the Government predominantly uses an approach of service delivery to women rather than a human rights approach when implementing the Convention is of particular concern. Such an approach emphasizes the protection of and the delivery of services to women mainly as mothers and members of families, thus perpetuating stereotypical attitudes concerning the roles and responsibilities of women.

Paragraph 361

Concern is expressed over the continuing prevalence of sex-role stereotypes and the reintroduction of such symbols as a Mothers’ Day and a Mothers’ Award, which are seen as encouraging women’s traditional roles. The issue of whether the introduction of human rights and gender education aimed at countering such stereotyping is being effectively implemented, is also a matter of concern.

• Luxembourg, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 38 at paras. 403-405 and 408.

Paragraph 403

The Government should undertake awareness-raising and education campaigns to overcome traditional and stereotypical images of women and men so as to enable it to withdraw its reservation under article 16.

Paragraph 404

Concern is expressed at the persistence of traditional and stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in public and in private life. These attitudes are reflected in people’s behaviour and in legislation and policy, and limit women’s full enjoyment of all their rights guaranteed under the Convention.

Paragraph 405

The Government is urged to intensify its awareness-raising efforts, supported by legislation, policy and specific projects, to overcome traditional and stereotypical attitudes, so as to emphasize women’s and men’s shared family responsibilities and the importance of women’s full participation in public and economic life.

Paragraph 408

Concern is expressed at the lack of equality of opportunity of women in the labour market, as expressed in the relatively low percentage of women in the labour force (37 per cent of the active population), the wage gap between women and men, the higher number of women in part-time work, the ongoing segregation of the labour market and the stereotypical attitudes that tend to portray men as heads of households and breadwinners and women primarily as mothers and homemakers. That there is insufficient understanding of the structural causes that perpetuate the wage gap is also of concern, as women’s work remains undervalued compared with men’s work.

• Cameroon, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 53 at paras. 53 and 54.

Paragraph 53

The persistence of cultural practices and deep-rooted stereotypes relating to the roles and responsibilities of women and men in all areas of life, which affect their enjoyment of all human rights, is disturbing.

Paragraph 54

The Government is urged to carry out further public-awareness, information and training programmes targeting community leaders and the general public, so as to change ways of thinking and the stereotyped perceptions of the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

• Republic of Moldova, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 56 at paras. 97, 98, 105 and 106.

Paragraph 97

The persistence of stereotyped attitudes and behaviour patterns about the roles of women and men in the family and in society, is noted with concern. It is also of concern that there is no clear understanding of article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Stereotyped attitudes are reflected, for example, in the low level of women’s participation in decision-making in political life, where women hold fewer than 10 per cent of the seats in Parliament. Such stereotyped behaviour is also reflected in the lack of sharing of responsibilities between women and men for household and family duties.

Paragraph 98

Urgent measures should be taken to overcome stereotyped and patriarchal societal attitudes. The Government should use article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention to increase the number of women in decision-making at all levels, and in all areas, including the establishment of targets and of timetables to monitor progress. The Government should also take urgent measures to modify social and cultural patterns of behaviour, including through information and public awareness-raising campaigns, so as to facilitate the emergence of non-discriminatory attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

Paragraph 105

The persistence of stereotyped portrayals of women and men in curricula and teaching materials is a matter of concern.

Paragraph 106

The Government should undertake curriculum reforms and textbook revisions addressing stereotyped images.

• Lithuania, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 61 at paras. 138 and 139.

Paragraph 138

The persistence of traditional stereotypes regarding the role of men and women in the family, in employment and in society, is of concern. Further concern is expressed about the lack of targeted educational programmes, mass media campaigns and temporary special measures in education, employment and politics to eliminate these stereotypes. The fact that provisions in the current draft Code of Advertising Ethics may not be sufficient to address advertisements that utilize and support traditional sex-role stereotypes, is also of concern.

Paragraph 139

The Government should design and implement comprehensive programmes in education and the mass media in order to promote roles and tasks of women and men in all sectors of society. The draft Code of Advertising Ethics should be amended in order to cover not only the prohibition of the promotion of discrimination against women and men, or of the alleged superiority of one sex over the other, but also of the more subtle utilization of and support for traditional role stereotypes in the family, in employment and in society.

• Iraq, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 66 at paras. 191 and 192.

Paragraph 191

Concern is expressed over the prevailing view that emphasizes women’s stereotypical role in the family and in private life to the detriment of establishing equality of women in all spheres of life. The fact that insufficient attention is being given to modifying harmful traditional and cultural practices, such as polygamy, and stereotypical attitudes that perpetuate discrimination against women, is noted with concern.

Paragraph 192

Awareness-raising campaigns should be implemented to change stereotypical and discriminatory attitudes concerning the roles of women and girls, in addition to providing a non-discriminatory legislative basis. The State party should also ensure that gender-sensitive public education campaigns at all levels create a non-discriminatory environment.

• Austria, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 70 at paras. 224 and 231.

Paragraph 224

Persisting cultural stereotypes of women as homemakers and child-rearers constitute an impediment to the full implementation of the Convention.

Paragraph 231

The continuing gender role stereotyping in the area of education and vocational training for girls and boys is a matter of concern.

• Cuba, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 73 at paras 261 and 262.

Paragraph 261

Concern is expressed over the persistence of stereotypes concerning the role of women in the family and society and of attitudes and behaviours of machismo in many areas of public and private life. Notwithstanding the Government’s recognition of this problem and the implementation of measures to address it, concern is expressed that the persistence of such stereotypes continues to be an issue affecting efforts to fully implement the Convention.

Paragraph 262

The State Party should continue to undertake measures to address stereotypical attitudes in Cuban society. In particular, the Government is called upon to continue efforts aimed at increasing women’s participation in all areas and at all levels of decision-making, as well as to encourage men to share family responsibilities. The Government should also continue to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of its measures to identify shortcomings, and adjust and improve these measures accordingly.

• Romania, CEDAW, A/55/38 part II (2000) 77 at paras. 301-303.

Paragraph 301

Stereotypical attitudes about the roles of women and men in the family and society are reflected in women’s low level of representation in decision-making at all levels and in all areas, and this is of concern.

Paragraph 302

Efforts should be increased to combat stereotypical attitudes. Temporary special measures should be implemented, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention, to increase the number of women in all decision-making posts, including in Government and Parliament.

Paragraph 303

Concern is expressed over the continuing stereotypical and sexist portrayal of women in the media, especially in advertising. The State party should encourage the media to contribute to the societal effort to overcome such attitudes, should create opportunities for a positive, non-traditional portrayal of women and should encourage and facilitate the use of self-regulatory mechanisms in the media to reduce discriminatory and stereotypical portrayals of women.

• Burundi, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 7 at paras. 48, 63 and 64.

Paragraph 48

Deep-seated prejudice and stereotypical perceptions of the role of women and some customary and traditional practices pose significant obstacles to the implementation of the Convention.

Paragraph 63

The persistence of stereotypes that confine women and girls to traditional roles is of concern.

Paragraph 64

Concrete steps should be taken, including sector-specific and general awareness campaigns, to eliminate deep-rooted prejudice and stereotypes in order to achieve de facto equality.

• Kazakhstan, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 10 at paras. 86, 89, 90 and 100.

Paragraph 86

The persistence of traditional stereotypes of women and men in society constitutes a major impediment to the full implementation of the Convention.

Paragraph 89

Concern is expressed that stereotypical attitudes regarding the role of women and men in society are reflected in the low representation of women in decision-making bodies, and the fact that women hold only 11 per cent of the seats in Parliament. Traditional attitudes towards women are also reflected in the lack of sharing of family responsibilities by men and there is no legislative provision for parental leave. Further concern is expressed over the lack of targeted educational programmes and mass media campaigns to eliminate those stereotypes.

Paragraph 90

Urgent measures should be taken to overcome traditional stereotypes of women and men in society. Steps should be taken to create an understanding of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and implement such measures to increase the number of women in decision-making at all levels and in all areas. Efforts to promote women to positions of power should be strengthened by organizing special training programmes for women and by conducting awareness-raising campaigns on the importance of women’s participation in decision-making at all levels.

Paragraph 100

The Government is encouraged to analyse the correlation between the high level of educational attainments of women and their income levels. Measures to accelerate the representation of women at all levels of decision-making should be introduced. The Government is urged to implement the planned curriculum reform and revision of textbooks in order to combat the traditional attitudes towards women, and to help create an enabling environment for promoting women’s presence in high-level and well-paid positions.

See also:

• Maldives, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 15 at para. 129.

• Maldives, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 15 at paras. 135 and 142.

Paragraph 135

Temporary special measures should be introduced in a short-term and long-term framework. The Government should combine them with public awareness and legal literacy programmes that challenge sexual stereotypes and should recognize the right of women to equality. The Government is urged to give priority to developing such programmes in areas of the country with high literacy levels.

Paragraph 142

Patriarchal and stereotypical attitudes have a negative impact on women’s health and nutrition.

• Uzbekistan, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 18 at paras. 168-170.

Paragraph 168

It is of concern that there is a very strong prevalence and significant resurgence of patriarchal attitudes and behaviour. Such traditional attitudes towards women are reflected in the lack of sharing of responsibility by men for household and family duties. Concern is also expressed over the lack of targeted educational programmes, revision of curricula and textbooks, and mass media campaigns to eliminate those stereotypes.

Paragraph 169

The Government should take urgent measures to overcome traditional stereotypes regarding the role of women and men in the society. It is emphasized that gender equality policy in compliance with the Convention will require the reconceptualization of the role of women in society from that of mother and wife, exclusively responsible for children and the family, to that of individual person and actor in society. The number of women in decision-making bodies at all levels and in all areas should be increased. Efforts should be strengthened to organize special training programmes for women and to conduct on a regular basis awareness-raising campaigns in this regard.

Paragraph 170

The low representation of women in decision-making bodies because of a number of factors, including traditional sex roles, is of concern.

• Jamaica, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 22 at para. 210.

The entrenched stereotypical attitudes with regard to the role of women and men and the persistence of gender-based violence within the society constitute obstacles to the full implementation of the Convention.

• Mongolia, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 26 at paras. 247 and 258.

Paragraph 247

The persistence of stereotypical and patriarchal attitudes of the role of women in the family and the community prevents the enjoyment by women of human rights and denies them the opportunity to participate fully in national development.

Paragraph 258

The Government is called upon to extend its distance education programmes for the youth population to include gender education programmes as soon as possible. The youth population can be an important resource in changing stereotypical and patriarchal attitudes in society.

• Finland, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 29 at para. 298.

Efforts should be increased to eliminate stereotypes in women’s education, biased perceptions in job evaluations and pay relating to traditional areas of employment for women. In particular, efforts to encourage cross-vocational training in typical female and male-dominated areas and to address the issue of the negative impact on women of policies of time-fixed contracts are recommended.

• Egypt, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 33 at paras. 325, 332-335 and 340.

Paragraph 325

Although the Constitution guarantees equality of men and women and the Convention prevails over national legislation, the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and stereotypical behaviour with respect to the role of women and men in the family and society limit the full implementation of the Convention.

Paragraph 332

The persistence of cultural stereotypes and patriarchal attitudes impedes progress in the implementation of the Convention and the full enjoyment of human rights. In this regard, there is concern that article 11 of the Egyptian Constitution, which states that “the State shall enable a woman to reconcile her duties towards her family with her work in society and guarantee her equality with men in the sphere of political, social, cultural and economic life”, appears to entrench the woman’s primary role as mother and homemaker.

Paragraph 333

Awareness-raising programmes, including those specifically directed to men should be increased. Measures should also be taken to change stereotypical attitudes and perceptions about the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

Paragraph 334

Concern is expressed at the continuing stereotypical portrayal of women in the media, which encourages discrimination and undermines equality between men and women.

Paragraph 335

The Government, including the National Council for Women, is urged to support the important role of the media in changing stereotypical attitudes towards women and in promoting equality between men and women as prescribed by the Constitution and international standards. Opportunities should be created for the portrayal of positive, non-traditional images of women and the number of women in decision-making positions in the media should be increased. A monitoring body on the representation of women in the media should be established.

Paragraph 340

Stereotypical attitudes about the roles of women and men in the family and society are reflected in the low level of representation of women in decision-making at all levels and in all areas. In particular, there is concern that, although there is no law that prohibits the appointment of women as judges, no woman has ever been appointed as a judge.

• Andorra, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 49 at paras. 38 and 39.

Paragraph 38

Concern is expressed at the persistence of patriarchal patterns of behaviour, as well as at the existence of negative stereotypes relating to the roles of women and men in the home, the workplace and society. It is of particular concern that, while women are rapidly becoming integrated into the world of paid employment, men are not becoming involved in parental and household tasks at a comparable rate.

Paragraph 39

High priority should be given to efforts to eradicate traditional stereotypes that perpetuate direct and indirect discrimination against women. The State party is encouraged to strengthen educational measures, beginning at a very early age, and to increase collaboration with civil society organizations, the media and the private sector in order to achieve a greater balance in the roles and responsibilities of women and men, in particular in the sharing of family duties.

• Singapore, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 51 at paras. 79 and 80.

Paragraph 79

While the importance of the family as the basic social unit is recognized, concern is expressed that the concept of Asian values regarding the family, including that of the husband having the legal status of head of household, might be interpreted so as to perpetuate stereotyped gender roles in the family and reinforce discrimination against women.

Paragraph 80

The Government is urged to ensure that laws, policies and programmes with regard to the family incorporate the principle of equality between women and men in all spheres, including the family, and the full realization of women’s human rights.

• Guyana, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 60 at paras. 170 and 171.

Paragraph 170

It is of concern that stereotypical attitudes and behavioural patterns owing to cultural beliefs about the roles of women and men in the family and in society persist.

Paragraph 171

Awareness-raising campaigns should be implemented in order to change stereotypical and discriminatory attitudes concerning the roles of women and girls, including specific programmes targeting boys and men.

See also:

• Jamaica, CEDAW, A/56/38 part I (2001) 22 at paras. 217 and 218.

• The Netherlands, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 63 at paras. 206, 214 and 227.

Paragraph 206

Effective measures should be taken to eliminate discrimination against immigrant, refugee and minority women, both in society at large and within their communities. The Government is urged to respect and promote the human rights of women over discriminatory cultural practices, and take effective and proactive measures, including awareness-raising programmes and programmes to sensitize the community to combat patriarchal attitudes and practices and stereotyping of roles and to eliminate discrimination and violence against women in immigrant and minority communities.

Paragraph 214

Efforts to eliminate stereotypes relating to traditional areas of employment and education for women should be increased. Efforts to improve the conditions for working women so as to enable them to choose full-time employment, rather than part-time employment in which they are currently over-represented, are recommended. The discrimination that part-time workers face in relation to overtime should also be eliminated.

Paragraph 227

Concern is expressed about the status of women in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles where, despite the strides that have been made towards strengthening the legal position of women, gender equality is far from being achieved and gender-based stereotypes persist. Particular concern is expressed about the negative effects that the structural adjustment programmes might have on women in the Netherlands Antilles and on the limited resources available to the National Bureau of Women’s Affairs in Aruba, which might prevent the effective implementation of projects aimed at empowering women.

• Viet Nam, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 68 at paras. 250, 251, 266 and 267.

Paragraph 250

It is of concern that patriarchal attitudes and behaviour, reflected in women’s inferior role in the family, the non-recognition of women’s work, son-preference and men’s failure to share household and family responsibilities, are deeply entrenched.

Paragraph 251

Urgent and wide-ranging measures, including targeted educational programmes, the revision of curricula and textbooks, and mass media campaigns, should be taken to overcome traditional stereotypes regarding the role of women and men in society.

Paragraph 266

The persistence of stereotypical attitudes with respect to women’s health concerns is of concern, especially contraception which appears to be regarded as the sole responsibility of women, as well as the increased incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis among women.

Paragraph 267

The Government is urged to maintain free access to basic health care and to continue to improve its family planning and reproductive health policy, inter alia, through making modern contraceptive methods widely available, affordable and accessible. Also, sex education for both boys and girls should be promoted, paying special attention to HIV/AIDS prevention.

• Nicaragua, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 72 at paras. 294 and 295.

Paragraph 294

Concern is expressed about the persistence of stereotypes concerning the role of women in the family and society, including the expectations of women’s subordination to men expressed by some religious communities, and attitudes and behaviour driven by machismo in public and private life. There is concern that, notwithstanding the Government’s recognition of the problem and its efforts to address the problem, including legislative change, such stereotypes continue to constitute an obstacle to the achievement of equality for women.

Paragraph 295

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, should be strengthened in order to achieve de facto equality between women and men. An assessment of the impact of the measures should be undertaken in order to identify shortcomings, and to adjust and improve these measures accordingly.

• Sweden, CEDAW, A/56/38 part II (2001) 76 at paras. 333, 342 and 343.

Paragraph 333

The Government is commended for its important achievements in the promotion of equality between women and men and especially for the involvement of boys and men in promoting gender equality and changing sexual stereotyping and traditional and stereotypical values.

Paragraph 342

The existence of gender-based segregation at all levels of the educational system is of concern, including the choice by girls and boys of traditional disciplines and the attitudes of teachers that perpetuate and reinforce stereotypical gender roles.

Paragraph 343

Efforts should be strengthened to eliminate gender stereotypes in educational curricula and to consistently integrate awareness and understanding of gender equality in teacher training. Given the clear correlation between the choice of field of study and placement in the labour market, efforts towards ending gender segregation in students’ choice of field of education should be increased and both women and men encouraged to choose non-traditional fields of education.

CRC

• Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), CRC, CRC/C/50 (1996) 17 at para. 108.

The State party should give further consideration to the need to allocate greater resources to education and to reverse any trends in the education system which may perpetuate gender discrimination or stereotyping as well as to address other problems, including those relating to teaching in national languages.

• Jordan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 31 at paras. 175 and 176.

Paragraph 175

Concern is expressed that discriminatory social attitudes towards the education of girls, primarily in rural areas, result in their low levels of school enrolment and high drop-out rates, and in early and forced marriages. Concern is also expressed about persistence of stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men.

Paragraph 176

The State party should incorporate equality on the basis of sex in article 6 of the Constitution. All efforts should be made to enact or rescind civil and criminal legislation, where necessary, to prohibit any such discrimination. In this regard, the State party is encouraged to consider the practice of other States that have been successful in reconciling fundamental rights with Islamic texts. All appropriate measures, such as comprehensive public education campaigns, should be taken to prevent and combat negative societal attitudes in this regard, particularly within the family. Religious leaders should be mobilized to support such efforts.

See also:

• Islamic Republic of Iran, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 8 at para. 42.

• Saudi Arabia, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 71 at para. 397.

• Kyrgyzstan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 51 at paras. 292 and 293.

Paragraph 292

Like the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (A/54/38), the Committee is concerned that de facto discrimination on the grounds of gender persists and expresses its concern at the persistence of stereotypical attitudes relating to roles and responsibilities of women and men.

Paragraph 293

The launching of comprehensive public education campaigns to prevent and combat gender discrimination, particularly within the family is encouraged.

See also:

• Tajikistan, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 53 at paras. 289 and 290.

• Guatemala, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 47 at para. 233.

The establishment of the Advisory Committee on Educational Reform for the modification of curriculum content to help eradicate stereotypes and discrimination based on sex, ethnic and social origin, or poverty, and the programme for girls, established by the Ministry of Education to develop a gender methodology and an intercultural approach in curricula, textbooks, and educational material are welcomed.