Contributed, in part, by: Vanja Mikulic and Irena Milatovic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights addresses the progress and difficulties faced with the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by Serbia and Montenegro.  Implementing the Covenant has yielded several positive achievements including new legislative and policy reforms, which seek to promote economic, social and cultural rights.  The document goes on to describe the difficulties and subjects of concern with the implementation of the Covenant.  Several of these concerns focus on gender issues such as the absence of law in regard to gender equality and the low representation of women in government offices.  Other problematic areas include the high unemployment rate among women and the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and forced labor.  The document concludes with possible suggestions and recommendations.  One suggestion seeks the development of a council and office for gender equality within Serbia and Montenegro.  It is also mentioned that there is a need to take effective measures to combat domestic violence, a need for a national plan of action on trafficking in Serbia, as well as a call for laws on gender equality, so as to assist women in the attainment of positions of responsibility within the government.