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6.
At its fifth session, in 1990, the Committee adopted new guidelines
regarding the form and content of reports to be submitted by States parties
under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant (E/C.12/1991/1), with a view to
ensuring that principal concerns would be elaborated methodically. The
guidelines provide a uniform framework for reports, thus enabling the
Committee to conduct a constructive dialogue with States parties in a
consistent manner. They focus on issues which the Committee regards as
indicative of the extent to which economic, social and cultural rights are
enjoyed by all constituents of States parties to the Covenant.
7.
The text of the guidelines reflects the Committee’s abiding concern in
its repeated reference to the specific situation of women in relation to the
rights protected by the Covenant. In their reports, States parties are asked
to identify the persons or group of persons who are particularly vulnerable or
disadvantaged with regard to the practical application of the Covenant, and to
provide statistical indicators on the subject.
8.
The Committee’s experience in its consideration of 103 reports thus far
shows that women in particular continue to suffer the effects of poverty, of
discrimination in education, in employment and in the family, of inequalities
in health care, of sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation, and of lack of
access to economic opportunities, social security and adequate housing. The
Committee has cited the particular difficulties of single mothers and elderly
women. It is regrettable that, in many instances, customs and traditions
assign a role to women that is detrimental to the enjoyment of their human
rights.
9.
It is precisely for this reason that the Committee has considered the
economic, social and cultural rights of women to be a critical area of
concern, and has continued its efforts to induce States parties to protect and
promote these rights, for which they are accountable under the provisions of
the Covenant. In its concluding observations adopted after consideration of
government reports, the Committee has recommended specific measures to be
taken by States parties to address principal concerns. For example, the
Committee has recommended to certain States parties that, among other things,
"the ... authorities should continue their efforts to ensure de facto equality
between men and women, especially in the areas of access to employment,
remuneration for equal work, working conditions, the right to social security
and participation in higher education" (E/1995/22-E/C.12/1994/20, para. 258);
"the Government should take immediate steps to introduce a comprehensive
anti-discrimination legislation especially in relation to all forms of
discrimination against women" (ibid., para. 298); "efforts should include both
legislative measures and educational activities aimed at overcoming the
negative influence of certain traditions and customs" (ibid., para. 118); "the
State party should adopt the necessary measures to accord greater priority to
the education of women, including the eradication of female illiteracy";
(ibid., para. 141); and "the obligation to ensure equal opportunity for women
warrants particular attention, especially in relation to the right to work,
family-related rights and the right to education" (E/1994/23-E/C.12/1993/19,
para. 129).
10.
The Mission Statement of the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action
for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in Beijing, reaffirms the
fundamental principle set forth in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of