CEDAW/C/77/D/143/2019 to ensure that women and men enjoy equal rights under the law and al so in practice, thereby ensuring that Roma women do not face barriers in gaining access to gynaecological services. 5.5 The authors note that Roma women continue to face barriers to access to gynaecological services in their municipality and the gynaecolog ical facilities near the municipality of Šuto Orizari. Since 2018, there has been a gynaecologist in the municipality; 7 however, that has not improved access to services for Roma women, in particular. The gynaecologist is from Albania and barely speaks Ma cedonian or the Roma language. Thus, Roma patients experience a language barrier in their access to high-quality health-care services. In addition, the doctor has publicly expressed her religious beliefs that define her pro-life stance as a gynaecologist. Accordingly, she seeks to influence women to change their decision to terminate pregnancy since abortion is against her religious beliefs. 5.6 The authors add that, in 2019, the Initiative of Roma Women in the municipality of Šuto Orizari documented more than 60 cases in which women were unlawfully charged for gynaecological services that should have been provided free of charge in accordance with the Law on Health Insurance (e.g., opening of a medical file, ultrasound examinations, blood and urine tests, Pap test, microbiological tests). A total of 22 individual petitions were lodged with the Ombudsperson’s Office alleging the charging of illegal fees by the gynaecologist for her services. In most of the cases, the Ombudsperson referred the petitioners to the State Health and Sanitary Inspectorate. Thus far, none of the cases has been resolved. Illegal charges continue to be a significant barrier for Roma women in gaining access to gynaecological services. 8 5.7 The authors further state that the municipality of Šuto Orizari has a local action plan. However, health-related activities have not yet been implemented under the plan owing to a lack of finances. The municipality has adopted a programme on the implementation of the general measures for protection of the population against contagious diseases for 2019, yet the authors allege that no specific measures have been taken to improve the enjoyment by Roma women of their sexual and reproductive health rights. 9 5.8 As a result of the systemic discrimination against Roma women and the ongoing indifferent attitude of institutions regarding the lack of available, accessible and affordable gynaecological services, the authors have chosen to enrol as patients of the outpatient clinic’s gynaecologist in their municipality of Šuto Orizari. It is the best option for them with regard to physical accessibility as it is near their homes. However, the illegal charges for health-care services that should be provided free of charge to pregnant women represent an additional barrier in their attempts to regularly monitor their sexual and reproductive health and receive health information in a language that they understand. 5.9 In the light of such considerations, the authors invite the Committee to conclude that there has been a violation of their rights under articles 1, 2 and 12 of the Convention and to grant them pecuniary damages for the court and attorney’s fees __________________ 7 8 9 6/10 Previously, there had been no gynaecologist in the neighbourhood for a decade since no one wished to work there. The Health Education and Research Association and the Initiative of Roma Women in the municipality of Šuto Orizari. Counsel provides the response of the municipality of Šuto Orizari to the request of the Initiative of Roma Women in the municipality for free access to public information. The five gene ral measures currently being implemented are the provision of safe drinking water, the disposal of wastewater, the provision of sanitary-technical and hygienic conditions in public premises, regular health controls and vaccinations, and preventive disinfec tion and pest control in public spaces and the sewage system. 20-16465