UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Findings on Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Fiji, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Tuvalu

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has published its findings on Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Fiji, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Tuvalu, highlighting positive aspects and major concerns of each country's implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The findings emphasize the need for addressing discriminatory sociocultural norms, promoting gender equality, and combating violence against women and girls.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CEDAW Committee expressed profound concern at the institutionalized torture and ill-treatment of women in Afghanistan, particularly on accusations of adultery, and called for the revocation of the March 2024 decree allowing for women to be beaten or sentenced to death by stoning.
  • In Botswana, the Committee was concerned about continued discriminatory sociocultural norms which reinforce male dominance and gender-based violence against women and girls, and recommended expanding dialogue on a national strategy to promote gender equality and eliminate patriarchal attitudes.
  • Chad registered 1.8 million displaced or stateless people and 1.2 million refugees in 2024 alone, and the Committee expressed concern that these groups have limited access to basic services and face intersecting forms of discrimination.
  • In Fiji, the Committee welcomed the adoption of laws and policies against gender-based violence but noted with concern its high prevalence and the continued judicial practice of referring to survivors' prior sexual history during rape trials.
  • On Ireland, the Committee noted with regret that a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine gender-neutral language about care within families was defeated in a referendum last year, and recommended undertaking inclusive public consultations to find alternative wording.
  • Mexico's National Institute for Women was elevated to a ministerial-level secretariat, but the CEDAW Committee expressed concern that the madres buscadoras (searching mothers) are still subjected to violence and discrimination.
  • San Marino lacks awareness of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women among judges, lawyers, and the general public, including women, and the Committee urged the authorities to take measures to make it widely known.
  • The Solomon Islands made progress in implementing the affirmative action strategy but have yet to adopt comprehensive temporary special measures to accelerate substantive equality of women and men.
  • Thailand expressed concern that women and girls continue to be subjected to online gender-based violence, and called on the authorities to investigate and prosecute any such acts.
  • In Tuvalu, the Committee acknowledged the existential threat posed by climate change to the country's people, territory, and culture, and urged the State party to take measures to prioritize constitutional protections for women and girls over traditional norms and customs.

Statistics:

  • 78% of young women in Afghanistan are now out of education, employment, or training, leading to increased child marriage, labour exploitation, and poverty.
  • 1.8 million displaced or stateless people and 1.2 million refugees in Chad in 2024 alone.
  • Online gender-based violence against women and girls in Thailand continues to be a major concern.
  • 15% of survivors of intra-family sexual abuse in the Solomon Islands are over the age of 15.

Sources:

  • United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • M2 Communications
  • APO Group
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