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UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Date of Issue : 5 March 2015 Closing Date : 10 March 2015 Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific SSA Announcement No. UNWOMEN/MCO/2015/004 I. POSITION INFORMATION Title Consultant (International) – CEDAW Review Duty Station UN Women office in Sri Lanka (home-based) Type of Contract SSA Contract Duration March 2015 – May 2015 (25 working days) No of Positions 1 Contract Supervision Deputy Representative, UN WOMEN MCO Background and Purpose The Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and entered into force as an international treaty on 03 September 1981. The international policy framework on women’s rights received state recognition in Sri Lanka with the ratification of the CEDAW Convention without reservation on 05 October 1981, and with its acceding to the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW Convention on 15 October 2002. By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including: • to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women; UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India • • Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises. Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations. In keeping with the treaty reporting obligations, the Government of Sri Lanka submitted its initial report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 1987 and was followed by the second periodic report in 1992. After a lapse of 10 years Sri Lanka submitted a combined third and fourth periodic report in 2002. In November 2009, Sri Lanka submitted a combined fifth, sixth and seventh report. A high-level Government delegation that included the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN was examined on the report by the committee. A shadow report was submitted by civil society organisations/members in July 2010 and the committee gave its concluding remarks in February 2011. Sri Lanka is due to submit its eight periodic report in February 2015 at the 60th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is the body of 23 independent experts that monitor the implementation of CEDAW; in accordance with Article 18 of the Convention, States Parties are required to submit periodic reports to the CEDAW Committee on the measures they have taken to implement the provisions of the Convention and on progress made. The Committee has issued guidelines to assist States with the preparations of Reports. The Committee also invites United Nations entities to submit a report and welcomes information from non-governmental organizations. Following consideration of each report, the CEDAW Committee formulates concluding comments which outline factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the Convention in a given country, positive aspects, principal subjects of concern and suggestions and recommendations to enhance implementation of the Convention in the country. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific The Committee examines each of the submitted reports to assess the country’s efforts to implement the Convention as well as outstanding gaps and challenges. The Committee holds constructive dialogue with the delegation from the Government and addresses its concerns and recommendation to the State party in the form of Concluding Observations that are subsequently posted on the Committee’s website. In accordance with Article 22, the Convention offers an opportunity for the specialized agencies of the United Nations to contribute to the work of the Committee by providing additional reliable and objective information on specific issues, which are not readily available from other sources. The entities of the United Nations system are invited to provide country-specific information on the reports that will be reviewed by the Committee; this information is used by the Committee to identify the priority areas to be addressed by the State delegation. Objective The production of a Sri Lanka UNCT CEDAW report for the 60th Session of the CEDAW Committee (16 February-06 March) which will serve to identify the priority issues that will be highlighted with the Sri Lanka State delegation and to provide information that will help the Committee to have a complete picture of the reality of women and girls in Sri Lanka in order to deepen their understanding of the obstacles and opportunities that exist. Activities and Deliverables Working under the supervision of the Programme Analyst, UN Women MCO in Sri Lanka and the Deputy Representative, the consultant (International) will undertake the following tasks: Deliverables Work plan that includes methodology to be used and timeline as detailed in the proposal Confidential report in English not to exceed 15 pages that highlights the priority concerns of the UNCT (in line with guidelines of the attached annex) Executive summary maximum two pages that includes the priority concerns, the suggested questions for the State delegation and the recommendations. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Collection of relevant documents that provide recent background, such as an analysis of the situation of the country, studies, surveys, plans and strategies, in separate documents. Use latest UN reports and data as key reference documents. Conduct a UNCT validation meeting to review the report findings and Executive Summary Priority Areas to be addressed in the Report The Consultant will be expected to meet with agency focal points and identify priority areas the agencies would like to report on. Location The consultant will be expected to work at a location of convenience for him/her. However, meeting venues will be provided as and when required. Monitoring of assignment The consultant will be supervised by the Programme Analyst, UN Women MCO in Sri Lanka and the Deputy Representative. Time Frame Maximum 25 working days, submission of report prior to CEDAW committee deadline Required Competencies and Skills 1. Postgraduate in law, social sciences, women’s studies, economics or related field 2. Studies on issues of gender and human rights and/or gender and public policy related to women’s rights and/or gender and intercultural studies. 3. Minimum 5 years of relevant specialized experience on gender equality and human rights (preferably working knowledge of CEDAW) 4. Experience of having worked with inter-governmental fora desirable 5. Experience of having worked with Government desirable 6. Experience in gathering and systematizing large amounts of data, evaluation of public policies, analysis of gender indicators and other related issues UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific 7. Excellent writing, presentation and documentation skills required. Ability to write, analyse and synthesize technical reports 8. Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. 9. Should be well versed with the use of computers and its programmes/applications 10. Available immediately Interested applicants should apply for the vacancy, submitting a technical and financial proposal and by using the “Personal History Form - P 11” and the latest CV. The technical proposal should include: Detailed methodology Previous experience in a similar capacity Experience working with UN agencies or other international organizations Skills and competencies related to the assignment Availability Application to this vacancy should be sent to [email protected] Please insert SSA Announcement Number in the Subject of the E-mail. Applications without the SSA Number or with the incorrect SSA Number will not be accepted. NOTE 1 : Only short-listed candidates will be contact NOTE 2: International Consultants are required to possess business visa/work permit prior to entry into the duty station. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Annex Guidance for UNCT REPORTING TO CEDAW COMMITTEE Background The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is the body of 23 independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). More information on the Committee and its work is available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/index.htm Under article 18, all countries who are party to the treaty (States parties) are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on the implementation of the Convention at the national level, which must provide details on the compliance with it. The reports form the basis for the Committee’s assessment of the country’s efforts to implement the Convention as well as outstanding gaps and challenges. States must report initially within one year of the Convention’s entry into force for that State, and thereafter every four years. During its sessions, the Committee examines each report, holds a constructive dialogue with a delegation from the Government, and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of Concluding Observations that are subsequently posted on the Committee’s website (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/sessions.htm). The Committee established a pre-sessional working group, which meets in a closed session for a week, to prepare the consideration of periodic reports. The pre-sessional working group serves to identify priority issues to be addressed by the State Party, and informs not only the List of Issues (a set of questions on priority issues) to which States Parties must respond in writing prior to the session, but also eventually the Committee’s concluding observations. The pre-sessional meeting is usually held six to eight months before the dialogue with the Government delegation (two sessions prior to the session at which the report will be considered), and always immediately after a session of the Committee in Geneva or New York. Article 22 of the Convention provides an opportunity for specialized agencies of the United Nations to contribute to the work of the Committee by providing it with reliable additional and objective information on specific issues, which is not readily available from other sources. The Committee invites the entities of the United Nations system to provide country-specific information on States parties reports under review, and holds a confidential dialogue with them during its pre-sessional working group and during the opening of each session. The Committee finds it most beneficial to receive written reports. UNCT reports are provided to and considered UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific by the Committee in its closed pre-sessional meetings, and the reports are not made public on the OHCHR website. In addition to the State party’s report, such information helps the Committee obtain a comprehensive picture of the reality of women’s and girls’ rights in the country, and to deepen their understanding of the obstacles and opportunities. The Committee uses the information when identifying priority areas to be addressed by the State Party, and in formulating questions on the Government report in the list of issues. The information is used again when it prepares its concluding observations (concerns and recommendations) to the Government following the dialogue with the State party delegation. Purpose of UNCT submission of information Submitting information to the CEDAW Committee not only supports the work of the Committee, but provides UN Country Teams with a unique opportunity to contribute to concluding observations which respond to national realities and UN country programming priorities on gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and women’s and girl’s human rights. It therefore also strengthens the UNCT’s policy advocacy with decision-makers, as well as relationships with NGOs and other stakeholders. The CEDAW Committee routinely invites UN Country Teams to submit information on the countries under consideration. This includes: A confidential report highlighting priority concerns for UN Country Teams (see guidance below). A 1-2 page summary of priority concerns and recommendations in English. If directly relevant to the process, most recent background material such as situation analyses, studies, surveys, plans, and strategies in separate documents. The priority concerns and recommendations are presented to the Committee during its presessional working group by a representative of the inter-agency group on CEDAW reporting, on behalf of the UNCT, in a closed meeting. The questions raised by the Committee, if any, are relayed back to the UNCT for response. The summary, preferably updated, is again presented to the Committee at the start of its session during which it will dialogue with the State Party. It is encouraged to prepare the report, or at least the 1-2 page summary of priority concerns and recommendations, in English, so as to make it widely accessible among CEDAW Committee members. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Guidance for the UNCT Confidential Submission The UN system – by virtue of the CCA/UNDAF process, and also through each individual agency’s work – is in possession of valuable information that can assist the Committee to assess the State’s progress in implementing the Convention. The UNCTs, through their thematic gender or human rights groups, may wish to elaborate a joint confidential report to submit to the Committee. The submission should ideally be prepared in a widely consultative manner. It should also be noted that UNCTs can choose to share their reports with Government partners. There is no prescribed format, but the guidelines contained in annex 1 are intended to highlight the specific types of information that would be most useful and would be most important to supply to the Committee. The UNCT submission can address the range of issues outlined in annex 1, but should focus primarily on priority concerns and should preferably not exceed 20 pages. As indicated above, a brief executive summary which can be used as the basis for the oral submission would be required in order to better emphasize the key priority issues. Structuring the submissions in line with the Committee’s Reporting Guidelines for State Parties will make it easier for the Committee to use the information. (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/AnnexI.pdf) The UNCT submission should include: country-specific analysis of the broader policy and political context, including relevant political dynamics or recent or impending legislative or constitutional changes; information on the status and content of national strategies, plans and legislation to implement the Convention, and to what extent these are operationalized/ implemented, effectively coordinated, sufficiently resourced (budget, human resources, etc); and supported by effective data collection and monitoring systems; status of implementation of the previous concluding observations adopted by the CEDAW Committee (available at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/sessions.htm), including gaps and challenges in implementing the Committee’s recommendations, to be raised with the Government; important informational gaps in the State Party report and new developments since the submission of the State Party report related to women; challenges, constraints and specific issues of concern to be raised with Government; as applicable, information about ongoing efforts towards supporting the ratification of the Optional Protocol and the withdrawal of reservations; UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific if possible, a 1-2 pages annex with information about key UNCT activities to promote and support implementation of the Convention and the Committee’s concluding observations and indicating what additional technical support the UNCT could provide to this end. The UNCT submission should: propose questions the Committee may want to ask the State Party delegation in the List of Issues or during their dialogue; make concrete recommendations on specific, feasible and realistic actions needed in order to inform the List of Issues, the dialogue with the State Party, and the concluding observations; UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Annex 1 1. Discrimination Articles 2, 3 and 4 of CEDAW require States to undertake a range of legal and other measures to prevent and protect women from discrimination. Please provide the information that is available regarding progress and obstacles in this area, including, in particular, regarding: Administrative measures to protect women victims of discrimination in all settings Laws, including Constitutional provisions, that prohibit discrimination against women and abolish discriminatory customs and practices and measures for their enforcement Mechanisms in place, including judicial mechanisms and sanctions prohibiting discrimination and ensuring that public authorities, organizations or enterprises refrain from discrimination against women Temporary special measures in place to accelerate de facto1 equality between men and women Existence of any discriminatory practice in the public and private sectors, including HIV-related discrimination against positive women Policies in place to prevent discrimination against women such as policies on work place, sexual harassment, etc Access to legal aid and other forms of advocacy and assistance Any barriers to advancing work in this area 2. Public and Political life Article 7 of CEDAW requires States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country. Please provide the information that is available regarding progress and obstacles encountered, in particular in relation to: 1 Ability to vote, eligibility to run for elections Affiliation and effective participation in political parties UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Number (and percentage vis-à-vis men) of women members of Parliament, number (and percentage vis-à-vis men) Level of women holding public and independent functions such as ombuds persons Mechanisms to ensure women’s participation in the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of social, political and economic policies as well as budgetary allocations all at the national and the decentralized level Participation of women in civil society organizations, including NGOs, private associations, etc 3. Nationality Article 9 of CEDAW sets clear requirements for nationality laws, which every State must meet. Please provide any information available regarding the following: 4. Are women granted the same rights as men to acquire, change or retain their nationality? Does marriage to an alien, or the change of nationality by a husband, automatically change the nationality of the wife, render her stateless, or force the husband’s nationality upon her? Do legislative provisions relating to the nationality of children extend the same rights to both men and women? Do legislative provisions relating to the nationality guarantee “double nationality” when possible? Education Article 10 of CEDAW requires States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in education. Please provide information available regarding progress and obstacles, particularly in relation to: Access to educational, vocational, technical and professional training, and percentage of girls completing education or training and acquiring diplomas Compulsory and free primary school Literacy programmes (formal and informal education/urban/rural) UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Family preference of sending boys over girls to school Drop out of girls (Percentage vis-à-vis boys) and causes. Differences in rural and urban settings Access to comprehensive and age-appropriate HIV information, education and life-skills training for children and young people inside and outside schools Girls’ enrollment in secondary school vis-à-vis boys and retention percentage. Differences in rural and urban settings Access of girls to the quality of curricula, staff, premises, equipment, examination. Differences in rural and urban settings Teaching material, including books, video, that contain discriminatory/stereotype messages Teaching practices and any other school practice that promote discrimination or stereotypes Existing programmes for girls and women who have left school prematurely Equal opportunities for equal participation in sports and physical education and cultural activities. Differences in rural and urban settings Provision of information to adolescents on sex education and on family planning Access to programmes to continuing education, adult and literacy programmes Sexual abuse and harassment Discontinuation of school because of early marriage or pregnancy (including the practice of expelling girls from school because of pregnancy) Specific measures to ensure girls attend school during menstrual periods 5. Employment and work Article 11 of CEDAW requires the State to take all appropriate measure to eliminate discrimination against women “in the field of employment”. Please provide available information on progress and obstacles to ensuring gender equality in employment, including in particular regarding: Equal opportunity to employment, including same criteria for selection, in law and in practice Percentage of working women and gender distribution of employment, Whether any jobs are specifically prohibited for women, including on grounds of safety and health, UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Free choice of profession and employment, right to promotion, job security and benefits, and equal wages Equal access to social security, particularly in cases of retirement, unemployment, sickness, invalidity and old age and other incapacity to work and paid leave Any special measures for protection of women’s health in the workplace Requirement of pregnancy test by any employers, possibility of dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or of maternity leave, dismissal on the basis on marital status. Maternity leave, including whether or not with pay without loss of employment, seniority or social allowances Measures in place to allow parents and care-givers to balance family obligations with work, including existence, access and affordability of child care facilities Protection and guarantee of the reproductive rights, including special measures to protect women from harmful work during pregnancy Access of rural women to employment and work in rural areas Measures to ensure equal wages between men and women for work of equal value (which does not mean only the same job and level) 6. Child Labour State action in terms of legislation, national policies and measures to ensure the effective abolition of child labour and to raise progressively the minimum age for admission to employment or work to a level consistent with the fullest physical and mental development of young persons Minimum ages for admission to different kinds of employment or work Types of employment or work deemed to be hazardous by national laws or regulations Types of hazardous work children are actually engaged in, and disaggregated data on number of children employed in hazardous work Measures in place for providing access to education, health and social protection for children in labour 7. Worst forms of child labour – is there effective protection from: All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, serfdom and forced or compulsory labour; Forced or compulsory recruitment for use in armed conflict UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Use of the girl child for prostitution, production of pornography or pornographic performances Use, procuring or offering of the girl child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs Work which is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of the girl child. 8. Equality in other areas of economic life Article 13 of CEDAW requires States to take measures to eliminate discrimination in other areas or economic life. Please provide the information available regarding the equal enjoyment by both men and women of: The right to family benefits The right to bank loans, mortgages or other forms of financial credit The right to participate in recreational activities and all aspects of cultural life 9. Women and health with special attention to sexual and reproductive health Article 12 of CEDAW requires States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination in the field of health care, so that women can have equal access to healthcare services, including family planning services. Please provide a short summary on key women's health issues using the following indicators identified below- under each specific issues.2 Please provide disaggregated data in your summary (if possible by age, rural/urban, socio-economic status, ethnicity, race) and trend data. Please identify the sources you use for the summary. 2 Are there constitutional provisions on the right to health and/or women's health and/or maternal health and/or other specific women's health issues? Are health services that women use ( e.g. reproductive health /maternal health/family planning/violence against women) publicly funded? The indicators are selected follow the structure of structural (regulatory and policy framework) , process indicators (health systems, coverage) and outcome indicators (under each issues. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Are there waivers or exceptions (i.e. safety nets) to any fee-for- service scheme for the poor or other mechanisms to ensure that those in need can access and use services? Are women specified in this scheme? Are there institutionalized mechanisms for gender mainstreaming in the health sector ? Please specify. ( e.g. number of focal points, reporting lines, level of seniority, budget, responsibilities.) Is there any regulation and/or policy, strategy, plan on maternal health/making pregnancy safer? (key provisions may include maternity protection, establishment of maternal death audits, referral system for obstetric emergencies, etc.) Number of facilities per 500,000 population providing basic obstetric care and comprehensive obstetric care Percent of births attended by skilled health personnel Maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births). HIV prevalence among pregnant women (15-24 years old) Neonatal mortality rate (number of infant deaths within one month of birth per 1,000 live births) and/ or infant mortality rate (number of infant deaths within one year of birth per 1,000 live births) Does the State have any regulation and/or policy ,strategy, plan on family planning? 3 Number of family planning service delivery points per 500,000 population offering comprehensive family planning services and/ or percent of primary health care facilities providing comprehensive family planning services Contraceptive prevalence rate Unmet need for family planning: percent of women at risk of pregnancy who desire to avoid pregnancy, but who are not using (and whose partner is not using) a contraceptive method (). Please provide disaggregated data -if possible - by age, rural/urban race, ethnicity. Is there any law on abortion/termination of pregnancy? 4 Is there a law that criminalizes abortion? Is there any policy (strategy, plan) on preventing unsafe abortion and on providing postabortion care? 3 Please summarize key provisions and specify restrictions . Restrictions may include third-party authorization for women to receive family planning services and/or only married women may receive family planning services? Please provide information (if possible) on implementation. 4 Please specify whether the law makes abortion services accessible on request; or in some circumstances - for example for economic or social reasons, for the health of the woman, to save the life of the woman, for cases of rape or incest, for fetal impairment; or in no circumstances. Please summarize key provisions. UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Percent of service delivery points providing abortion and/or post-abortion care [services]. Abortion rate (number of abortions per 1000 women of reproductive age). Percent of maternal deaths attributed to unsafe abortion. Is there any regulation and/or policy, strategy on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health? (restrictions may include provisions that allows availability of family planning services only for married people, etc.) Maternal mortality ratio (under 18). Contraceptive prevalence rate (under 18). Age specific fertility rate (15-19 and 20-24) Age of marriage Age of first pregnancy Is there any regulation and/or policy, strategy, plan on prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer? Number of condoms available for distribution nationwide (during the preceding 12 months) per population aged 15-49. and/or Percent of family planning service delivery points offering counseling on dual protection from STIs/HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Percent of women screened for cervical cancer within the past five years and accessing treatment when required. Population with self-reported or diagnosed symptoms of bacterial or viral STIs and RTIs HIV prevalence in pregnant women and in sub-populations with high-risk behavior Percent of women with cervical cancer. Are there any harmful practices to women's health existing in the country? What is the prevalence of these (how common are they) Are there regulations/policies/strategies /plans to address the identified harmful traditional practices? How are they addressed in the health sector? 10. HIV and AIDS 5 5 Percentage of young women and men aged 15–24 who are HIV infected Percentage of women and men with advanced HIV infection receiving antiretroviral combination therapy HIV indicators drawn from Guidelines on Construction of Core Indicators: Monitoring the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS). July 2005, document UNAIDS/05.17E. http://data.unaids.org/publications/irc-pub06/jc1126-constrcoreindic-ungass_en.pdf UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Has your country developed a national multi-sectoral strategy/action framework to combat HIV/AIDS? Can you describe the main components and level of implementation? Is reduction of gender inequalities as relates to HIV/AIDS prevention/care part of the strategy? Does your country have laws and regulations that protect people living with HIV and AIDS against discrimination Does your country have a policy to ensure equal access, between men and women, to prevention and care? Does your country have non-discrimination laws or regulations which specify protections for certain groups of people identified as being especially vulnerable to HIV and AIDS discrimination (i.e., groups such as sex workers, youth, IDPs) Does your country have a policy or strategy promoting HIV and AIDS related reproductive and sexual health education for young people? Does the strategy/curriculum provide the same reproductive and sexual health education for young men and young women? 11. Women in rural areas Article 14 of CEDAW requires States to ensure that rural women participate in and benefit from development on a basis of equality with men. Please provide available information on progress and challenges, including in relation to: General legislative and administrative measures intended to implement the provisions of Article 14 of the Convention Access of rural women as compared with rural men to land ownership, and equal treatment in land and agrarian reform and resettlement schemes Participation by rural women and rural men in the elaboration and implementation of developing planning Access to health care facilities and information related to family planning, counseling, HIV/AIDS and other STIs of rural women as compared with rural men Access of rural women as compared with rural men to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, and appropriate technology Adequate living conditions, particularly housing, sanitation, electricity, water supplies, transport and communications Conditions of rural women in rural areas and the proportion of rural women with respect to the total population of the country (population structure, active population, rural/urban populations) UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific Rural/urban population statistics Gender-sensitive rural population trends Proportion of the rural population that is illiterate Literacy needs for women and men Gender distribution of heads-of-household Percentage of rural women and men working in agriculture and their activities Access of rural women and men to agricultural extension programmes Workloads and working hours of rural women (farm work, domestic chores, care and education of children) Participation of rural women in comparison to rural men in community life Rural women and social security as compared with rural men Access of rural women to medical care as compared with rural men Share of programmes for rural women in the national budget; Rural women’s self-help groups Conditions of rural women (housing, household aides, domestic appliances) Training, self-help programmes and establishment of cooperatives, credit and autonomous loans for rural women and for rural men Techniques to enhance the living and working conditions of rural women; structures and procedures put in place to enhance the participation of rural women in the economic, political, social and cultural life of their communities and countries Available information on the obstacles as well as on the progress and challenges 12. Equality before the law Article 15 of CEDAW requires States to ensure that women are granted equality with men before the law. Please provide available information on progress and obstacles, including in relation to the following: Do women and men have the same legal capacity to conclude contracts and administer property? Are women and men treated the same way in the procedure of courts and tribunals? Does the law consider any contract or other instrument directed at restricting the legal capacity of women to be null and void? Do women and men have the same legal rights relating to the movement of persons and freedom to choose residence and domicile? UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific 13. Marriage and family relations Article 16 of CEDAW requires States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in marriage and family life. Please provide available information on progress and obstacles, including in relation to the following: Do women and men have the same rights regarding entry into marriage? Have women and men been granted the same freedom to choose a spouse, and same ability to exercise free and full consent? Do women and men have the same rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution? Do women and men have the same rights and responsibilities as parents? Do women and men have the same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children? And do women and men have the same rights to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights? Do women and men have the same rights and responsibilities with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of children? Do married women and men have the same rights to choose a family name, a profession and an occupation? Do married women and men have the same rights in relation to the ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property? Does the betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect? Has a minimum age of marriage been specified by law? Is it different for women than men? Has the registration of marriages in an official registry been made compulsory? Existence of harmful traditional practices e.g. early marriage, early union, forced marriage Differences in child rearing practices with respect to role of mothers vis-à-vis fathers, and upbringing/socialization of boys vis-à-vis girls; and role of the community in family relations and child rearing practices 14. Violence against women UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka C-83 Defense Colony New Delhi – 110024 India Tel : + 91-11- 40452300 Fax : + 91-11- 40452333 www.unwomenindia.org www.facebook.com/unwomenindia www.twitter.com/unwomenindia www.flickr.com/unwomenasiapacific In General Recommendation #19, the CEDAW Committee made clear that violence against women is a form of discrimination encompassed by CEDAW, and that State must take all appropriate measures to eliminate it. These range from legal measures, such as criminal and civil penalties for perpetrators, to protective measures, such as the provision of refuges, counseling and rehabilitation for victims, to preventative measures, such as public information and education. As well, article 6 of CEDAW requires States to suppress all forms of trafficking in women and the exploitation of prostitution of women. Please provide information available on progress and obstacles, including in the areas of: Laws/policies/strategies for the prevention of violence against women Rape and other forms of sexual violence Forced pregnancy Forced sterilization Forced abortion Infanticide Female genital mutilation/cutting Early/Forced marriage Trafficking/prostitution Violence against IDPs/Immigrant women, domestic workers, and others 15. Older Women Provide information on the situation of older women in your country. 16. The concluding comments of the CEDAW Committee are attached as an annex. At the last session in which the country’s progress was assessed by the Committee, specific recommendations were made for future action in the concluding comments. Please provide any information available regarding progress and obstacles in implementing these specific recommendations. 17. Finally, please provide information regarding programmes and activities to advance gender equality currently being undertaken by individual agencies, through joint programming, and within the framework of the CCA/UNDAF.