ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF ICELAND
Press Release
WOM/888
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF ICELAND
19960124 Several measures had been taken in Iceland to change stereotypical images of the sexes, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was told this morning as it concluded its consideration of that country's report on its implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.Responding to questions posed by the 23-member expert Committee on 18 January, Berglind Asgeirsdottir, Iceland's Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said the measures included making sure that advertisements were in no way derogatory to either sex. If the office of the Equal Status Council believed an advertisement was derogatory, it could request the advertisers not to use it again. On another issue, she said the Government had no intention of incorporating the Convention into Icelandic law as recent changes in the Constitution and the Equal Status Act were in harmony with the Convention.
Also responding to questions, Elsa Thorkelsdottir, Chairman of the Equal Status Council, said that a special committee had been set up by the Minister for Social Affairs to look into pay differences between the sexes, and a special women's loan guarantee fund had been established to enable women to start their own enterprises.
The delegation of Iceland also answered questions on such issues as women's participation in the labour market, maternity benefits, the Complaints Committee that deals with sexual harassment cases, and women's shelters for domestic violence.
After concluding consideration of Iceland's report, the Committee was briefed by one of its members on the work of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to hear the response of Ethiopia to questions posed by its experts.
Report on Iceland
BERGLIND ASGEIRSDOTTIR, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Iceland, said her country's ratification of the human rights Conventions did not automatically make it a part of the national legislation. The Parliament had, however, made the European Convention on Human Rights a part of the national legislation.
She added that there was no intention to incorporate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women into Icelandic law as the recent changes in the Constitution and the Equal Status Act had been in harmony with the Convention.
Several measures had been taken to change stereotypical images of the sexes, she said, adding that those measures included making sure that advertisements were in no way derogatory to either sex. If the office of the Equal Status Council believed an advertisement was derogatory, it could request the advertisers not to use it again.
Answering questions on the women's shelter, she said it was run by non- governmental organizations. However, 60 per cent of its finances were provided by the Government. To an expert's question about whether the emphasis on action against violence indicated a high rape rate, she said rape in Iceland was no more prevalent than in its neighbouring countries and the maximum punishment for the crime was 16 years' imprisonment.
She added that 11 per cent and 21 per cent of the judges in the Supreme Court and in lower courts, respectively, were women. The Women's Party had entered the political scene in 1983 when three women had been elected to the Parliament. The party was neither to the Left nor Right, but a feminist party.
The Equal Status Council and the labour organization were discussing special projects aimed at women re-entering the labour market. On the number of teaching hours in schools, she said in compulsory schools teaching was for four to six hours per day. However, most larger municipalities offered children under nine the possibility to stay for the whole day.
The total unemployment rate for women was higher than for men, she said. It was highest in rural areas where it was 6 per cent. However, it was noteworthy that women's participation in the labour market did not decrease in the age group where most women had children.
Children of single parents who worked full time were given priority for admission to pre-schools, she said in reply to another question. The current waiting period for admission to such schools was six to 18 months.
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Answering questions on the reasons for increased participation of women in the labour force, she said it could be attributed to the desire for financial independence, increased education and the need for two breadwinners in some families where the couple were unskilled.
She stated that the Equal Status Act provided that men and women be paid equal amount for work of equal and comparable value. A project had been set up to consider whether jobs traditionally held by women were evaluated lower than comparable work by men. Women's groups had pointed out that the explanation for differences in salaries of the two sexes was the undervaluing of women's work.
Commenting on maternity benefits, she said all women irrespective of their employment were entitled to six months of maternal allowance. At the end of 1994, 91 individuals had been infected with HIV; information on AIDS was an ongoing project in schools. Women were one third of those who received treatment for drug abuse and were 5.4 per cent of all those who had received a diagnosis for mental disturbance. Abortions in Iceland were free of charge and medical research was not sex segregated unless it was deemed necessary. Additionally, all women over 25 were recommended to go for cervix and breast check.
About 2 per cent of the population were foreigners, she said. The largest number of new migrants were from Asia. Icelandic was being taught to the migrants, who were also provided with health-care facilities. Interpretation services were also available on visit to doctor's offices.
Commenting on special measures for unemployed rural women, she said a special women's fund for employment existed and courses had been initiated by the country's technological institute. The unemployment situation of women in rural areas was similar to the situation of women in urban areas. Most worked in agriculture or fisheries.
The inheritance law of Iceland made no reference to gender and there was no discrimination in practice, either, she said. In case of divorce, property was divided equally. Couples were required to make their income tax payments individually and unemployment benefits were an individual right with the income of the spouse being irrelevant.
ELSA THORKELSDOTTIR, Chairman of Equal Status Council of Iceland, said the present four-year Plan of Action to establish equality between men and women covered the period from 1993 to 1997 and was the first to be formally adopted by the Parliament. The Plan was currently in the process of being evaluated.
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She said the Complaints Committee was composed of three attorneys and dealt with sexual harassment cases. Cases of violence against women were viewed as police cases and were not dealt with by Committee. The decisions of the Committee were not binding; however, it could institute legal proceedings on behalf of the victim. There were no plans to create an Ombudsman for equality.
A Special Committee had been set up by the Minister for Social Affairs to look into pay differences between the sexes, she said. On special temporary measures to ensure equality between the sexes, a special women's loan guarantee fund had been established to enable women to start their own enterprises.
On parental leave, she said very few men had actually taken parental leave and an independent right to parental leave for men was being considered. The Equal Status Council was basically an advisory body and consisted of seven members. It did not have a separate budget and served the Ministry of Social Affairs in policy making.
Discussion of Response
An expert requested further clarification on the procedure to report a case to the Complaints Committee. How much detailed information was a woman, who believed she had been discriminated against, required to present and where did the burden of proof lay?
Another expert commended the Government of Iceland for the support it provided to rural women. Migrant women should be provided with a range of services. Another expert commended Iceland for its exhaustive answers. She asked for more information about how migrant women had become wives to Icelandic men. Were there measures to prepare migrant women for social and economic integration? Another expert, from Finland, stressed that an important seminar had taken place with Nordic and Baltic countries on follow- up to the Beijing Platform for Action, which had been supported by the President of Iceland. She also commended contacts with women from Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Another expert recommended that women's studies be connected to teacher training.
The expert also noted that the women's shelter was subsidized by local and State funds. She asked what kind of income women in the shelter received. Were they covered by welfare programmes?
In response, the delegation of Iceland said that according to national legislation, the burden of proof was shifted from the complainant to the employer. That rule did not apply when the Committee brought cases to the courts. The decision was up to the judge. There were no rules on how
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detailed the information must be. Up to now, no case had been neglected due to lack of information. The Committee looked into all complaints.
The women's shelter paid the bill for travel to the shelter, the delegation said. The women had the right to go to the welfare office, and were provided free legal advice.
A few hundred immigrants had come from Asia within the past 10 years, many of whom had married Icelandic men, the delegation continued. Apparently, a few marriages took place through the mail and immigration authorities now demanded proof of a relationship before granting entry. The Government issued a leaflet on citizenship, social policy and education, which was published in several languages. Several seminars and lectures had also been held in cooperation with the Red Cross on social rights and obligations of immigrants.
The Chairman of the Committee, IVANKA CORTI, expert from Italy, thanked the delegation of Iceland for its comprehensive report and answers. The implementation of the Convention, even in a small country, depended on the existence of political will, which did exist in Iceland. The national machinery was improving its work. Nordic countries were the leaders in Europe in establishing an Ombudsman for Equality; it was surprising that the post had yet to be established in Iceland. There was still a resistance to women in decision-making bodies, especially in politics. More emphasis should be put on human rights education.
Organization of Work
CARLOTA BUSTELO GARCIA DEL REAL, expert from Spain, briefing Committee members on the work of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, said that last year it had considered 10 reports in six weeks. The Committee had sent a mission to Panama to look into the housing situation of indigenous people and had prepared a comprehensive report on the matter. That Committee had approved a general recommendation on the economic, social and cultural rights of adults and the issue of pensions. It had also dealt with obligations of States parties under the Covenant, and the optional protocol. It had also approved a statement to be sent to the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II). In its concluding observation, that Committee had devoted one paragraph to the rights of women and highlighted particular aspects regarding women enshrined in the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Another expert said that the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was one of the most important committees on development, which was becoming a fundamental human right. Development could prevent conflicts and consolidate peace. However, the problem that remained was how to finance
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development. She had heard that an ad hoc committee had been established on the right to development. She asked for more information.
Another expert said that the Committee was aware of the economic difficulties that had been encountered in developing countries trying to comply with all articles of the Covenant. In a general recommendation, the Committee last year recommended that Panama accelerate the study of a national plan for social housing, put an end to forced expulsion from housing in indigenous areas, and assign priority to rehabilitation and housing construction. The Committee also requested assistance of United Nations specialized agencies in that regard.
An expert asked whether the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women could find a way to benefit from discussion on social and cultural rights since they often hindered women's enjoyment of rights. Another expert said present discussions on development within the United Nations system focused on the advancement of women. It was recognized that development and economic growth were closely linked to the advancement of women. That argument could be used by the Committee in its discussions with States parties.
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