COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN HIGHLIGHTS INTENTION TO FINALIZE RECOMMENDATION ON ISSUE OF WOMEN AND HEALTH
Press Release
WOM/1078
COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN HIGHLIGHTS INTENTION TO FINALIZE RECOMMENDATION ON ISSUE OF WOMEN AND HEALTH
19990119 In its ongoing efforts to promote the advancement of women and disseminate the message that women's rights are human rights, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this afternoon highlighted its intention to finalize a general recommendation on the issue of women and health and consider ways and means of expediting its work.The 23-expert body, which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, heard introductory statements by two representatives of the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women: Deputy Director Kristen Timothy; and Chief of the Women's Rights Unit, Jane Connors.
Ms. Connors outlined the areas to be discussed by working group I of the Committee, including relations with other United Nations entities, as well as strategies to ensure ratification of all human rights treaties. Members would also consider the question of reservations to the Convention, as well as proposals to mark the Convention's twentieth anniversary in 1999.
She said the working group would also take up a report on implementation of the 1995 Beijing Platform of Action, requested by the Commission on the Status of Women to assist it in preparing for the special session of the General Assembly in the year 2000. Also before the Committee was a working paper containing the draft rules of procedure, available for finalization or comment.
Ms. Timothy introduced the subject of the Committee's working group II, which makes recommendations on reports and information received from States parties. It had before it a draft general recommendation on women and health. Representatives of various United Nations specialized agencies would address the working group of the whole on areas that fell within the scope of their activities, she said. Those agencies included the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 21 January, to begin its consideration of Algeria's initial report.
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