Eliminating Discriminatory Laws and Closing Gender Gaps

Worldwide, several challenges to the full realization of women's rights persist, and women continue face discrimination in access to education, work, social protection, inheritance, economic assets, productive resources and participation in decision-making and society at large.

Gender discrimination is defined as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment

or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly). 

Please click here to read the full concept note of this e-Discussion.

Please click here to access the consolidated reply of this e-Discussion.

The e-Discussion will take place from 16 May to 12 June 2016. 

QUESTIONS 

Addressing gaps: enactment vs. enforcement

1. Please share concrete examples of reforms from your country (e.g. type of law, actors involved, recipe for success)? What entities exist to report and track impact of these reforms?
2. Please identify the major challenges to amend and repeal discriminatory provisions in existing laws in your country and /or to introduce new legislation protecting women, including young women, and girls where no law exists and/or implement existing gender equality legislation. If possible, please explain the steps and actors involved in making these changes.

 Measures, mechanisms and institutions

1. Did your country adopt temporary measures that increased women’s representation in politics and public administration? What gender quality mechanisms or structures exist in your Parliament (committee, caucus etc…)?
2. Are you aware of the existence of gender analysis efforts and gender impact analysis initiatives taken in your country’s governmental or parliamentary bodies? Can you share information on the way such analysis are carried out? Can you share good practices and lessons learned in this regard?