address structural problems such as unemployment, poverty, social and political exclusion, gender discrimination and institutionalized racism; the need to implement laws regarding Afro-Latino women, and the value of partnerships between Afro-descendant NGOs and public and private institutions, including to improve Afro-Latina participation in education and the skilled labour force. Discussion The Chairperson opened the floor for discussion6. During the discussion under Item II, participants identified the following aspects in relation to international and regional human rights frameworks and recent global initiatives relating to minority women’s rights: • • The impact of the Framework Convention on National Minorities of the Council of Europe on the situation of minority women was explained. Two more recent Council of Europe instruments of relevance to the situation of minority women were also mentioned, namely, the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; The situation of Roma women and the multiple forms of discrimination that they are subjected to. Presentation of best practices and the importance of their full and effective participation in the decisions affecting them. In this regard, the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies was briefly presented. Item III. Minority women and girls and the right to education7 This session focussed on the essential requirements for an effective education strategy for minority women and girls; remaining barriers and measures aimed at guaranteeing their equal access to quality education and training. Ms. Maya Sahli, member of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, presented on the measures taken by the Working Group to address the situation of women of African descent. Women and girls of African descent still suffer from intersecting forms of discrimination that have a negative impact on their access to quality education. Their exclusion from the education systems and available trainings is a recurring theme for the Working Group that has worked to identify remaining obstacles. This stigmatisation of girls of African Descent is justified by the lack of resources, poverty, cultural traditions and customs. These girls sometimes have access to the first level of education but then face obstacles in reaching higher levels resulting in vulnerablity to hunger, violence, ill-treatment, trafficking, HIV/AIDS, and illiteracy. She 6 The list of speakers, and where available the full text of their presentations, can be found on the Forum’s web site at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/minority/session4.htm 7 The full text of the presentations is available on the Forum’s website: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/minority/session4.htm 7