A/67/287 48. Women remain underrepresented in the fields of science, culture and the arts, even in countries with relatively long histories of formal and legal equality. For example, some research suggests that women have an equal chance to get their papers published in peer-reviewed international journals only when the sex of the author(s) is absolutely unknown to the reviewers. 44 Besides, although there are a significant number of female authors of literary prose or poetry, fewer women win literary prizes than men. 45 Opportunities to contribute to cultural life do not seem to be equal in the creative arts such as music, the fine arts and performing arts, or in mainstream media, in either public institutions or the private sector. 46 In some cases, cultural activities conducted mainly by women, such as storytelling, are marginalized. 47 49. In the area of sports, factors contributing to gender-unequal opportunities include differentials in budgetary allocations for facilities, training and opportunities for girls and women, on the one hand, and boys and men on the other; unequal prizes for female and male events in the same sport; as well as unequal media coverage. 50. In the view of the Special Rapporteur, more attention should be paid to situations where publicly disseminated reports on cultural, scientific or sporting activities or events, including cultural and artistic performances and practices, mainly depict the participation of men. Media coverage may underrepresent women’s role in creating, transmitting, performing and safeguarding cultural practices and expressions, as well as their role in scientific research and applications. 48 51. Women’s imperative to maintain belonging to a particular community (or communities) is intensified when they have little direct interaction with State institutions and are kept ignorant about their rights. Gendered systems of socialization and education may discourage women and girls from expressing their views and asserting their right to actively engage in interpreting cultural heritage and deciding which aspects are to be retained and which need to be altered or discarded altogether. Without linkages and alternative reference points outside their immediate community-bound circles and without access to support systems, women may feel compelled not to criticize or contravene particular cultural practices or customs. Fear that any divergence from their prescribed role will result in social or legal punishments, or in being ostracized and losing their community belonging is a powerful disincentive. Women and girls must not be obliged to choose between community belonging and citizenship, or between any of their other identities. As the primary guarantors of rights, States have the predominant role in ensuring that women as well as men recognize women’s right to be rights claimants, in assisting women and girls to claim and exercise their rights and in supporting women to reshape the various communities they desire to be a part of. __________________ 44 45 46 47 48 12-45930 Lutz Bornmann, Ruediger Mutz and Hans-Dieter Daniel, “Gender differences in grant peer review: a meta analysis”. Available at: http://arxiv.org/vc/math/papers/0701/0701537v2.pdf. The Nobel prize for literature has been awarded to a woman only 12 times since it came into existence in 1901. See www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/women.html. For the literary arts, see the statistics presented at VIDA Women in Literary Arts, www.vidaweb.org/the-2011-count. Moghadam and Bagheritari, p. 5. See, for example, in the field of intangible cultural heritage, ibid., p. 6. 15