Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women considers report of Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women 19 July 2013 The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Introducing the report, Samra Filipovic-Hadziabdic, Director of the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the country counted with a complex and decentralised constitutional and institutional structure, with federal, entity, and municipal levels. The law on gender equality was the main implementing legislation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Training on the Convention had been provided to legal professionals; cooperation with civil society was good and funding had been allocated for the national action plan on gender equality. Specific policies and actions had been adopted on domestic violence, rural women, Security Council resolution 1325, and on gender-responsible budgeting. The new gender action plan recognised the need for further investment in a coordinated and multi-institutional approach. Committee Experts raised several issues of concern including the complexity of the various systems of governance and the need to harmonise laws along different levels. Gaps in the data provided were pointed out and questions raised about the methodology for future data collection exercises. Concern was also expressed about negative stereotypes and efforts to combat their reproduction through educational and social measures. Experts noted the low employment rates and asked about efforts to promote female entrepreneurship, as well as the participation of minorities and persons with disabilities in the labour market. The status of victims of violence during the armed conflict and their access to justice and reparations were also discussed. In concluding remarks, Ms. Filipovic-Hadziabdic hoped that the Committee’s concluding remarks and observations would help with future work and that gender mainstreaming would be recognised in the European integration processes. Ms. Filipovic-Hadziabdic also hoped that the Committee would do more to push the European Commission to increase the importance of women’s rights in membership negotiations. Also in concluding remarks, Ismat Jahan, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, thanked the delegation for the responses provided and the constructive dialogue. The Committee called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to take all necessary measures to implement the recommendations. The delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina included representatives from the Agency for Gender Equality, the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, the Parliamentary Assembly, and the Gender Centre. The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 25 July, at 11:30 a.m., to hold a panel discussion on HIV/AIDS. The Committee will conclude its session on Friday, 26 July. Report of Bosnia and Herzegovina The combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Bosnia and Herzegovina is available here (CEDAW/C/BIH/4-5).
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:33:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015