The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) will convene its upcoming session from February 3 to 21 to evaluate the status of women's rights in eight countries.
The nations under review include Sri Lanka, Nepal, Belarus, Luxembourg, Belize, Congo, Liechtenstein, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the latter of which will present a special report on sexual violence in conflict.
As part of their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, these eight countries, among the 189 States parties to the Convention, will undergo a comprehensive assessment by the CEDAW Committee. The committee, comprised of 23 independent international experts, conducts regular reviews to monitor the implementation of the Convention, which aims to eliminate discrimination against women globally.
The Committee has already received reports and submissions from national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant sources. Public meetings will be held during the session to examine the progress and challenges faced by each country in promoting women's rights and gender equality.
The session will provide a critical platform for the countries to report on their efforts to advance gender equality and protect women’s rights, while also addressing areas that require further attention.
