First Periodic Report

• Due: 12 March 1998
• Submitted: 26 August 1998
• Concluding observations of the Committee (French) (Spanish)
• The Committee was pleased that human rights were part of the educational curriculum, yet was concerned at the lack of understanding of gender discrimination as a multi-faceted phenomenon that included direct, indirect, intentional and unintentional discrimination. The Committee noted that the existing budget and personnel for the advancement of women was inadequate and suggested that greater budgetary and human resources be allocated to ensure effective function at national and regional levels. The Committee was concerned that no temporary measures had been taken to improve women's situations or to ensure women's non-traditional employment and participation in decision-making positions. The Committee expressed concern at the prevalence of patriarchal culture and emphasis on women's traditional roles as mothers and wives, stating that initial reports, referring to men as breadwinners, legitimized existing stereotypes. The Committee expressed concern at the increase of violence against women and regretted that the report's emphasis focused on sexual violence, rather than gender-based violence. The Committee suggested that the government focus on all forms of gender-based violence as a serious concern. The Committee also recommended that network crisis centers and consultative services be established in urban and rural areas to medically assist women victims of violence. The Committee was concerned about the increase in prostitution and trafficking of women, as a result of poverty and unemployment. The Committee recommended that efforts be strengthened to arrest and punish perpetrators of trafficking, and domestic measures be taken to provide vulnerable women with job opportunities and training, while taking the gender dimension of poverty into consideration. The Committee expressed concern at the work conditions and job security of women entering the informal sector, recommending comprehensive measures aimed at the improvement of women's economic status relating to small businesses. Women's health care, specifically maternal and infant mortality and the use of abortion as contraception, were additional concerns of the Committee. The Committee recommended family planning programs that emphasize the right to reproductive choice and measures to ensure that abortion is not used as contraception.

Second Periodic Report (Addendum)

• Due: 12 March 2002
• Submitted: 25 September 2002
• Issues and questions (Russian, Spanish)

Third Periodic Report

• Due: 12 March 2006
• Submitted: 2 March 2007