The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has released its latest findings on eight countries following a comprehensive review of their adherence to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The countries under review included Sri Lanka, Belarus, Belize, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Nepal. The report highlights significant concerns, particularly in Sri Lanka, while offering targeted recommendations for all nations involved.
Sri Lanka Under Scrutiny for Gender-Based Violence and Restrictions on NGOs
The Committee’s findings on Sri Lanka reveal deep concerns regarding the prevalence of gender-based violence and inadequate legal protections for women. According to the report, at least one in five Sri Lankan women experience physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Despite the severity of the issue, prosecution and conviction rates remain alarmingly low.
One of the committee’s strongest recommendations calls for the explicit criminalization of marital rape and intimate partner violence, which are currently not specifically addressed under Sri Lankan law. The Committee urged the Sri Lankan government to intensify public awareness campaigns to highlight the criminal nature of all forms of gender-based violence against women and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute such cases effectively.
In addition to legal reforms, the Committee expressed deep concern about increasing restrictions on non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly those working on women’s rights and operating in conflict-affected regions. The report criticizes the bureaucratic hurdles and funding restrictions that disproportionately affect women’s organizations, urging the government to eliminate these barriers and ensure unimpeded access to financial resources.
The Committee also called on Sri Lanka to remove requirements for Ministry of Defence clearance for NGO operations and to make registration procedures transparent, non-discriminatory, and free from government interference. These measures, the Committee stated, are essential for fostering a robust civil society that can advocate effectively for women’s rights and gender equality.
Concerns in Other Countries Reviewed
While Sri Lanka was a focal point, the CEDAW Committee also raised pressing issues in several other countries:
- Belarus faced strong criticism for its suppression of human rights advocacy, particularly targeting women human rights defenders. The Committee urged Belarus to repeal restrictive laws and ensure freedom of expression without fear of harassment or politically motivated prosecutions.
- Belize was called upon to amend its Constitution to explicitly prohibit gender and ethnic discrimination. The Committee also emphasized the need to address the rights of Mayan women and girls, particularly in matters related to land use and reparations for past violations.
- In Congo, low secondary school attendance rates among girls, especially Indigenous girls and those with disabilities, were highlighted. The Committee urged investments in education infrastructure and increased support for girls pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo was singled out for widespread conflict-related sexual violence, with the Committee recommending the adoption of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate such abuses and promote gender-responsive peacebuilding efforts.
- Liechtenstein was criticized for maintaining restrictive abortion laws, and the Committee called for legal reforms to decriminalize abortion and ensure women’s reproductive rights.
- In Luxembourg, concerns were raised over the legal distinction between “legitimate” and “natural” children, with recommendations to abolish such discriminatory classifications. Additionally, the Committee highlighted the need to protect intersex individuals from non-consensual medical interventions.
- Nepal was urged to strengthen enforcement against harmful traditional practices, including child marriage and menstrual segregation, and to provide reparations for women and girls affected by past armed conflicts.
