Committee on Elimination of

 Discrimination against Women

930^th & 931^st Meetings (AM & PM)

Russian Federation Intent on Legal, Judicial, Social Reforms to Enhance Women’s

Status, High-Level Delegation Tells Women’s Anti-Discrimination Committee

 

New Labour Code, Family Law Amendments Cited, but Committee Experts Warn Real

Change Means Educating Law Enforcement, Judiciary, Social Services Agency Staff

Despite a decade of significant social and economic changes and the 2009 global economic and financial crisis, the Russian Federation remained intent on using legislation, judicial reforms and increases in social benefit payments to improve women’s status, members of a well-represented Russian delegation told the Women’s Anti-Discrimination Committee today.

Government officials said they understood that improving the incomes, living conditions and overall position of women, who comprised 54 per cent of the country’s population, was crucial to boosting the standard of living for all citizens in the vast nation.  Introducing the country’s sixth and seventh periodic reports to the expert Committee that monitors compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the head of the 24-member Russian delegation, Maxim A. Topilin, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development, said gender was incorporated into all State planning.

Describing legislative steps to improve the status of women, delegates highlighted a new labour code, adopted at the end of 2001; additions to the criminal liability provisions on trafficking for the purpose of slave labour, in 2003; strengthened protections for victims of crime, in 2005; and amendments to the social support law for families, in 2007.

Women benefited as living conditions for all Russians improved, the delegates said, pointing to a reduction in the level of poverty to 13 per cent from 30 per cent in 2007, and pension reforms that had increased pensions by 25 per cent in 2009, and 40 per cent this year.  Specific measures, such as an $11,000 lump-sum payment to women who had their second child during the “Year of the Family” in 2008, had helped to boost the country’s population rate, while assisting women financially in paying off a mortgage, financing their child’s education or contributing to their own pension.

With the absence of a specific law guaranteeing gender equality and the protection of women’s rights, however, experts said they were concerned about how the Women’s Convention was being implemented into actual laws, policies and programmes.  The weaving of the Convention’s mandates into the existing national machinery would require the education of law enforcement officials, judiciary personnel and social services agency workers.

Experts also questioned the efforts being made to combat human trafficking, considering that the anti-trafficking law had been “frozen” for years.  With the region’s joint project on trafficking ending in 2010, concern was expressed that the project’s successful results not come to an end, too.  There were also questions about what measures were being used to help vulnerable populations, specifically women and girls.

Noting the high incidence of domestic violence in the country, the experts also asked why there was no comprehensive law addressing the issue.  With the report documenting law enforcement officials’ attitudes towards domestic violence victims and an atmosphere of impunity towards the perpetrators, experts asked what standardized training was in place.

Experts also pressed the delegation on the creation of a comprehensive law against domestic violence and said they hoped less time would pass before Russia submitted its next periodic report.  It hoped the Government would provide more data and information about violence against women, trafficking in women and measures to help them and refugee women as well.  The Committee expressed its desire that the political participation of women be increased and asked the Government to consider the use of special temporary measures to achieve that goal.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 July, to consider the combine sixth and seventh periodic reports of Australia.

Background

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women met today to consider the combined sixth and seventh periodic reports of the Russian Federation (document CEDAW/C/USR/7).

Led by Maxim A. Topilin, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, the delegation included from the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, Sergey N. Karev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations; along with Grigory E. Lukiyantsev; Galina S. Khvan; Stanislav N. Tolkach; and Boris V. Chernenko.

Also representing the Government today were:  Ivan I. Dubov, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Health and Social Development; Tatyana D. Sharakhova, Head of the Department of Economic and Social Legislation, State Legal Department of the President; Nikolay V. Yakovlev, Head of the Zone 1 Division, Office of the Prosecutor General; Maxim Y. Proksh, Deputy Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Culture; Svetlana V. Teterina, Acting Deputy Director of the Department for State Policy in the sphere of education, secondary education and social protection of children, Ministry of Education and Science; and Oleg N. Vereikin, Deputy Head of the Division for organization and coordination of activities in the sphere of public order, Department for Public Order, Ministry of the Interior.

Delegates also included Olga G. Shapieva, Deputy Head of the Division for supervision of implementation of federal legislation, Office of the Prosecutor General; Lidiya A. Belokonnaya,  Head of the Division for statistics on Labor, Science and Education, Federal Service of State Statistics; Svetlana L. Petrova, Head of Section of the Legal Department, Ministry of Health and Social Development; Tatiyana A. Melnikova, Head of Section of the Department for Social Protection of the Population, Ministry of Health and Social Development; Elena I. Vokach-Boldyreva, Deputy Head of Section, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Health and Social Development; Galina N. Molchanova, Head of Section for population’s social protection of the Department for Social Development, Government; Elena V. Guseva, Head of Section of the Department for development of medical assistance to children and obstetrics, Ministry of Health and Social Development; Violetta S. Starostina, Expert, Department of International Law and Department of International Law and Cooperation, Ministry of Justice.

And, from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nikolay S. Rakovskiy, Head of Division, Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights; Eugeniy A. Ustinov, Second Secretary, Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights; Marina A. Viktorova, Attaché, Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights; and Yulia S. Zubrilina, Expert, Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights.

Introduction

Introducing the reports, Mr. TOPILIN, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, thanked the Committee for its previous recommendations and said the Government had worked to increase the salaries of women in Russia and would welcome questions from the Committee.  The report had been drafted by his Ministry in close cooperation with all executive agencies, Parliament members, trade unions, employers and other members of the delegation.

He said the report covered the period from 1999 to 2008, a time of many significant changes.  The 1990s had been characterized by significant social and economic trends.  Over the past decade, the well-being of the Russian citizens had improved, and arrears in salaries and child benefits to women had nearly been eradicated.  Income for Russian citizens over the past 10 years had increased by about 1 per cent each year, or about 10 per cent.  The level of poverty had been cut from 30 per cent and was now at about 13 per cent.

Even during the global and finance economic crisis, he said that not one of the economic and social and family support programmes had been cut.  The Government had introduced a range of social benefit payments to improve women’s status and had a specific demographic policy.  Even with the financial difficulties of 2009 and 2010, the Russian Federation had initiated pension reform, and pensions had increased by 25 per cent in 2009.  Pensions, including those for women, had increased by 40 per cent this year.  Women made up 54 per cent of the county’s population and their status and concerns determined the country’s social stability.  Indeed, gender was considered in State planning, and women were active in all three sections of Government.  In 2008, the “Year of the Family” had helped improve the status of women raising children.

Russian legislation met the provisions of the Convention, he stated.  The Government had worked over the last decade to adopt various pieces of legislation towards that end.  For example, at the end of 2001, it had adopted a new labour code that provided guarantees for pregnant women; in 2003, it had made an addition to the criminal liability provisions for trafficking in slave labour; in 2005, the protections for victims of crime had been strengthened; and in 2007, the social support law for families had been amended to boost the economic stability of families.  The Government had also increased its support to non-profit organizations that helped women and children.  The Government was drafting a bill for free legal assistance for people with low incomes, persons with disabilities and elderly people.  Investments in the social sector were being made, seen as investments in the stability of society.

To Russia, he said, the economic crisis was not a reason to derogate from its obligations, but a moment of truth.  Economic equality for women was very important for the country.

During the last two years, the status of women in the labour market had improved, he noted.  To strengthen women’s employment, the Government had invested in programmes, such as providing subsidies to help women set up own their businesses and training to help them find jobs after pregnancy and child-rearing.  Last year, the country’s population had increased and mortality had declined by 3 per cent.  The Government was working to expand health facilities for women and, for example, was constructing 25 pre-natal centres.  There had been a 44 per cent drop in maternal mortality, and incentives had been launched to improve the health of women after childbirth.

He stated that there were no direct or indirect limits based on gender within the civil services.  Women were prominent in social and political offices.  Three ministries were currently headed by women, including Health and Social Development, Economics, and Agriculture.  There were now two women Governors, and they had a visible presence in local governments and federal deputy ministries.

Regarding combating violence against women, he said his country supported the Secretary-General’s global campaign, which included involving men in that cause.  He understood and supported early prevention in that matter, but noted that the recent economic problems were a serious component in circumstances of violence against women.  That was being dealt with in both the Russian Government and its social services.  For example, a procedure in the Health Ministry had been developed for families in a domestic violence situation.  For the first time, families were now taken into account in that context, through, among other things, a commission to handle possible threats to the life of the child.  Annual monitoring of those who turned for assistance was in place, and special projects had been initiated as part of the national health plan to tackle bad habits such as alcoholism, which often led to violence against women and children.  On the federal level, a fund had been established for children in difficult situations. 

The Russian Federation was involved in international efforts towards respect for human rights and the rights of women, he said, adding that it participated in international treaties, on which it based its national legislation and strategies.

Experts’ Comments and Questions

INDIRA JAISING, expert from India, asked about the status of the law guaranteeing gender equality, which had failed to be passed.  Also, was there a law that actually defined discrimination, direct and indirect, against women?  The rights of minorities were discussed in the report, but Muslims in the Federation were recipients of violence.  Was there a commission or committee protecting minorities’ rights, and within such a committee, how were the rights and protections of women guaranteed?  Were police trained to address situations that might arise with minority communities, in particular with minority women? 

DUBRAVKA ŠIMONOVIĆ, expert from Croatia, wanted to know the reason for the delay in submitting the report, as timely submission was important.  The definition of discrimination in the Federation’s national legislation was clarified in the current report, but what was the clear definition in the equality between men and women in national legislation and what sanctions had been incorporated in the national legislation? 

NIKLAS BRUUN, expert from Finland, asked how the Russian Federation guaranteed that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was applied and implemented in all republics and provinces.  Regarding women’s access to justice, could the Convention be directly invoked in a Russian court?  What education was available for lawyers regarding the Women’s Convention, and how many cases of discrimination had been brought before the courts?  As no complaints reportedly had been made to the national Commissioner of Human Rights concerning discrimination, he asked if the commission was visible to women and if they understood how they could access it.

NICOLE AMELINE, expert from France, asked about the upsurge of violence and impunity in certain republics in conflict.  Regarding the coordination between republics, what laws were in place to deal with victims there and how was the Federation acting legally in such situations?  There were references to plans to reform the judicial system, and she wanted to know what progress had been made.

CORNELIS FLINTERMAN, expert from the Netherlands, questioned whether the federal law on refugees provided any provisions for women seeking asylum and if there were programmes organized for women subjected to gender persecution.  He asked if legislation covered discrimination against lesbians and bisexual or transsexual women.  There had been reports that those women had been subjected to violence.

VIOLETA NEUBAUER, expert from Slovenia, asked whether the Russian Federation was using the Convention as a legal framework to achieve gender equality through its national machinery.  The report said that the national mechanisms had gone through substantial changes.  She asked for details about the Inter-Ministry Commission on Equal Opportunity, set up in 2006.  What was its capacity to demonstrate methods to develop gender equality, the rationale for setting up a new commission at the government level, the commission’s leadership and financial resources?  She also sought more information about the Coordinating Council for Gender Problems.

VICTORIA POPESCU, expert from Romania, asked how, in the absence of a strong national machinery, the Government ensured that the Convention was being fully addressed in a uniform way at all levels of government.  Who was in charge of ensuring the Convention’s application from the federal to the village level?  She also wanted to know how the Government ensured that a gender perspective was instilled in all major projects and strategies, such as the Government’s anti-poverty strategy, which was vital for women.

Country Response

Regarding the rights of ethnic minorities, including Muslim minorities, the Constitution guaranteed the rights of all people, regardless of their ethnic group or faith, a member of the delegation said.  Those guarantees were implemented through judicial decisions.  Much priority was given to the social and economic development of regions where Muslims resided.  There were federal programmes in the Chechen Republic, for example, to promote economic recovery.  Today, the Russian Government was paying attention to the recovery of the region’s economy and the institutions that protected citizens’ rights.

The Government tried to ensure that information about the Convention and the Optional Protocol was accessible to all people, a delegate said.  Turning to the Russian Constitution, he said it fully guaranteed women’s rights and provided equality to all citizens of all faiths and ethnic groups.  Men and women had equal rights and freedoms.  It fully guaranteed anti-discrimination provisions.

He added that the human rights ombudsman was a well-know human rights defender with a solid history.

Regarding questions on the legal sources used in the judicial reform and how that reform was being implemented, the delegates stated that recent reforms towards the independence of the courts and procedural improvement had been “enhancing the status of the courts and judges”.  Improved access to the courts showed that the system was working effectively.  A bill that would develop a system of services to protect citizens’ rights, including those of women and low-income persons, was being prepared and a special bureau would provide legal advice and counseling.  The question of violence needed more attention and there were plans to focus on that issue. The experts’ concerns would be given consideration in the redrafting of that bill. 

A delegate said that refugees, women in particular, were not a priority.  They were foreign citizens and there were no figures available.  The delegate would supply those statistics at a later date.  The law was geared towards protecting non-citizens seeking political asylum.  There were very few at present, but they had all rights and equal footing as Russian citizens.

Labor migration and the rights of 3 million to 5 million illegal and migrant workers was a much more pressing issue, the delegate explained, adding that steps had been taken to legalize those migrants, with the relevant law having just entered force on July 1.  The legalization of migrant workers, especially women workers, challenged the violence and crime often associated with those populations.  A specific budget, training and preparation of staff were in place. 

To questions about sexual minorities, a delegate said that discrimination on any grounds, including against sexual minorities or transgender persons, was not allowed and there was no difference noted in any legislation.  The delegation “took a special look” at several issues in that area, among others, pension insurance.  There were no attempts to limit the activities of those groups or the rights of those citizens, regardless of change of gender.  Medical and health services were provided to those who were “of an unconventional orientation”.

Over the past six years, the Federation had focused on reforming the management structure on a federal level, another delegate said.  In 2004, a two-tiered system of agencies had been implemented, with one tier providing services and the other providing supervision.  Reforming the structures ensured that the system would operate smoothly and take up all questions on the federal level.  The streamlining of deputy ministers enhanced authority, budget, effective decision making and the implementation of new policy in their commissions. 

The National Action Plan on gender equality had not finished its work, a delegate reported, adding that a new plan was being developed, on which the delegation would report at a later date.  Regarding national mechanisms, the issue of women’s rights was addressed in a comprehensive fashion in the different federal programs.  Thus, it was difficult to pick out the issue of protection of women in each programme, however, it could be said that the protection and rights of mothers was a key one.  The delegation did not view that as discriminatory, but as important to providing equal access to medical services and social welfare protection for people choosing to have family.  That had not been possible in the 1990s, and the delegation viewed that focus in the report as progress. 

Experts’ Comments and Questions

Ms. SIMONOVIC, expert from Croatia, focused on special temporary measures being taken to accelerate equality.

VIOLET TSISIGA AWORI, expert from Kenya, expressed concern about the high incidence of violence in families, saying there was no specific law on domestic violence.  Criminal law did not appear to address the problem either, so she sought information on whether the Government was preparing a bill on domestic violence.  In particular, what steps were being taken to create a comprehensive law on domestic violence to cover the diverse range of women living in the Federation?

DORCAS COKER-APPIAH, expert from Ghana, expressed concerns about gender-based violence in the country.  She was also concerned about statements made by Government officials that gave legitimacy to the poor attitudes of law enforcement officials towards victims of domestic violence, which created an atmosphere of impunity.  There was no evidence in the report that the Government was developing a consistent approach that included training for law enforcement officials, or the impact of any such training.  The Committee also was concerned about kidnappings and honour killings linked to women’s low status.  Were federal laws in place on that, and was the Convention strictly enforced, including in communities where these incidents occurred?  Was fear preventing victims from reporting incidents?

PRAMILA PATTEN, expert from Mauritius, wanted to know what obstacles were preventing the adoption of legislation on domestic violence.  The country did not have a comprehensive programme on domestic violence and there were only 21 shelters countrywide.  What organ collected data on violence against women?

YOKO HAYASHI, expert from Japan, had questions about cases of sexual violence.  She wanted to know what measures existed to provide human rights education.  Regarding the International Criminal Court, was there any progress towards ratification of the Rome Statue?

NAELA MOHAMED GABR, Committee Chairperson and expert from Egypt, referred to the need to pay attention to human trafficking, which was a massive violation of all people’s human rights, especially the rights of women.  It was important to have a national plan of action to deal with trafficking, which addressed prevention, protection and punishment, especially in such a large country.   Russia needed more shelters, she added.

SAISUREE CHUTIKUL, expert from Thailand, asked about the joint efforts and measures, including the benefits and results of, the joint project between the Balkan States on trafficking.  What plans would be in place when the joint efforts ended in 2010?  Recruiters always seemed to be ahead of law enforcement.  What preventive measures, such as educational and media campaigns, were being taken with risk groups?  What was the status of the anti-trafficking law, which had been frozen for years?  Because traffickers were often linked to organized crimes, were money laundering laws being used as a weapon against them?  Many Russian women were also trafficked to other countries, so she asked how the Russian Federation worked with those countries and what assistance was available for those women.

There was little mention about prostitution in the report and she inquired about the laws on prostitution, saying she was aware that there were 700,000 sex workers in Moscow and its surrounding area alone.  How did the Government handle that problem?  Did sex workers have access to health care, specifically those with HIV and AIDS?

SILVIA PIMENTEL, expert from Brazil, wanted information about public campaigns on violence against women.  What was the role of the media on gender stereotypes and violence against women?  Domestic violence was treated as private charges, which made the legal procedure “fraught” with difficulties.  What was the plan to overcome that situation? 

Country Response

A delegate explained that legal interpretation was designed in a way to ensure that Russian law was consistent with the Women’s Convention.  Special measures for citizens were being undertaken, and women’s greater access to programmes to boost equality and employment was being enhanced.  A bill was now being prepared for training women who were preparing to re-enter the work force after raising children.  The Federation’s legal tradition was to avoid repetition in the law; it would be more likely to implement addendums to existing laws, rather than to develop completely new ones. 

Articles in the criminal code fully reflected the various offences against women in day-to-day life in the home, although the delegate was aware that there were times that law enforcement might not have taken offences all the way to prosecution.  Present efforts, by the Interior Ministry and the delegation, were aimed at developing statistics, which were still lacking.

Efforts were also focused on preventive measures in domestic violence situations, he said.  Social service staff were being trained to recognize problems when women did not turn to law enforcement.  There were home visits to educate women who were concealing domestic abuse, but the delegate stated it was difficult with those issues to make sure the authorities were not encroaching on private matters. 

In Russian tradition, there was “nothing more glorious than a mother”, the delegate said.  Therefore, there was no such thing as mothers having a low status.  Crimes did exist, but they were being dealt with.  He emphasized, however, that there were no traditions that led to encroachment on women. 

Joint efforts would continue in the area trafficking, but he noted that technology limited that work.

He also did not know where the expert got the data on the 700,000 prostitutes in Moscow, which currently had 10 million citizens, and he inquired about the source of the expert’s statistics.  There was no discrimination on the basis of gender in health-care services.  All citizens were insured and received full medical benefits, regardless of their activities, including with respect to HIV services. 

Another delegate said the work of law enforcement agencies and the Interior Ministry to combat domestic violence was included in the criminal code and had proved successful.  The Russian criminal code fully covered all the issues raised by the experts.  Violence against women, regardless of who perpetuated it, was an offence, and the perpetrators would be prosecuted.  Efforts were also made to identify and help the victims.  Hospitals had to inform the Government when women appeared with injuries.  Regarding sexual violence, the number of registered offences was not that high, according to national statistics.

The delegate added that the criminal code included penalties for aggravated assault.  According to the criminal code, police officers did not have the right to use weapons against pregnant women.  Returning to the topic of sexual violence, the delegate said combating it was a priority of the Interior Ministry.  Since 2007, the number of crimes of domestic violence had decreased.  The number of kidnappings had also decreased.  There had been 7,000 reported kidnappings in 2007.  In 2009, there had been 5,400 registered cases, which was a 13 per cent drop.

The Interior Ministry focused on the investigation of cases, the delegate said.  If an offence was committed, it had to be registered and the perpetrators prosecuted.  Crime prevention was also very important.  Information about domestic crime prevention was made available to Russian citizens, through the media and television broadcasts.

Experts’ Comments and Questions

SOLEDAD MURILLO DE LA VEGA, expert from Spain, commended the addition of data in the report.  However, she needed some clarification about the political participation of women.  How many women were in regional and municipal governments?  They were in the support and administrative positions, but what was their political presence?  Furthermore, there was no mention in the report of any assistance to women candidates.  What protections were in place for women in the political arena, she asked, noting that several women candidates had been accused of falsifying information or were told they should not be focusing on political life, but on motherhood instead.

Ms. POPESCU, expert from Romania, inquired about the recent increase in the proportion of women in the administrative personnel reserve.  How would the reserve be used and what criteria were used?  She saw that there was a small number of women diplomats and only one woman ambassador.  With women comprising 40 per cent of graduates from the country’s international affairs and foreign ministry educational institutions, she asked about that discrepancy.

Country Response

The delegate noted that there were only two female governors, but trusted that that situation would change.  Regarding the personnel reserve, there were two sections to that reserve, which was renewed every year.  Although he did not have statistics on the second section of 1,000 personnel, the first section had 100 staff in reserve and 11 were women. 

He said that there was a broad practice that involved women in the Foreign Ministry and at the international level overall.  Women made up 16 per cent of the diplomatic corps in the Foreign Ministry, with half holding high-level positions.  Currently, 9 per cent of Russian diplomats overseas were women.  With more women studying foreign ministry work, he believed the low numbers of women employed in those posts would increase.

Experts’ Comments and Questions

XIAOQIAO ZOU, expert from China, pointed out that there was not much data about education disaggregated by sex, ethnicities, or region.  To the report’s mention of various professions, she observed that women were in humanities and men were in technology or science.  What measures were being taken to correct that and how were women being encouraged into other fields?  She also noted that primary schools had mostly female teachers, but in higher education, the teachers were mostly male.  What obstacles did women face teaching in higher education schools and what temporary special measures were being taken to have more women in decision-making positions in those fields?  She asked about the programme to mainstream women’s issues into textbooks and wanted to know if that initiative included private as well as public schools.  Finally, were there courses in the school system on gender equality?

MAGALYS AROCHA DOMINGUEZ, expert from Cuba, asked about the literacy rate of adolescents, since illiteracy impacted more girls than boys.  She also requested more information about the social and economic marginalization of the Romani People, who were educated in separate classes and schools.  With recent programmes in Russia focused on strengthening the role of the family in society, she expressed concern about the sexual stereotypes that could result if women were only seen as good mothers, good wives, and caretakers, while men were seen as the economic providers.  With the decreased support for pre-school centres and the promotion of higher birth rates, she was also concerned that women would be delayed from returning to work because they had to take care of their children longer.

Mr. BRUUN, expert from Finland, asked several questions concerning employment and why there was no special legislation to address equal employment.  In 2002, the Committee had called for the enactment of an equal employment law in Russia.  That type of legislation had had an impact in other countries.  He asked why there was still a large pay gap in Russia, even though women were well educated.  He also asked why there were 400 professions that were banned to women.

Ms. PATTEN, expert from Mauritius, said the labour code did not address sexual harassment and she did not think sections 132 and 133 of the code were adequate.  She asked if the Government expected to develop a law to address sexual harassment.  Was there appropriating employment training for women?

Ms. DE LA VEGA also asked why more than 400 professions were closed to women.  During the war, women had successfully worked as mechanics and sailors.  Would the Government address paternity leave in its laws?  Were there specific programmes for women with disabilities, and would the Government consider any special temporary measures in that regard?  Were there any day care facilities that would make it easier for women to work?

ZOHRA RASEKH, expert from Afghanistan, queried the delegation about family planning activities.  She noted that some alternative reports indicated that the rate of abortion in Russia was very high, and that about 1 million Russian women had abortions and that many were illegal.  What concrete measures were being taken to prevent the unwanted pregnancies in the first place?  What was the Government doing to foster access to free family planning and contraception?

Ms. PIMENTEL, expert from Brazil, asked what steps were being taken to ensure that a women’s sexual and reproductive rights were based on scientific evidence and not on religion.  In many regions, access to transgender medical services was not possible.  Did the State have a programme to overcome that difficulty?

Ms. ZOU, expert from China, asked about rural women’s access to health-care facilities, education and jobs.  How many women participated in the management and administration of agricultural cooperatives? Did they have the same access as men to credit?

FERDOUS ARA BEGUM, expert from Bangladesh, said the report indicated that rural women had fewer employment opportunities and a big employment gap between urban and rural women.  What is the Government’s strategy to develop employment opportunities for rural women?  What was the budget allocation for their access to health services and education?  The delegation had referred to the 40 per cent growth in pension payments, which was very positive.  But, were pensions being provided to older women who never worked outside the home?  What was the policy regarding the long-term health needs of older women?  Were there shelters for rural women who were victims of trafficking and domestic violence?

Ms. RASEKH, expert from Afghanistan, asked whether minority women who wore headscarves were still being detained.  Was the Government doing something about that practice, which was a violation of human rights?

Country Response

A delegate said that perhaps there was a misunderstanding, but there was no discrimination in education and there were no restrictions on girls’ access to primary school.  Regarding the $11,000 lump sum made during the “Year of the Family” to a mother for her second child, it could be used to pay off a mortgage, to improve a home, for education programmes for children, or to augment their pensions.

He also noted that there had been rulings over the past five years which had involved men receiving child benefits.  That assisted in advancing equality between genders.  In the fields of employment and labour, new programmes included subsidies for start-up businesses, as well as for re-training people who were not working full-time or who were returning to work.  A project was being developed to create healthy work environments by encouraging employers to improve working conditions, a lack of compliance with which would result in tariffs.  If the business closed due to a lack of compliance by the employer, the employees, and women in particular, would be re-trained. 

It was true, he continued, that there were only 3,500 employment inspectors and there was a need for more.  The current focus was on improving equipment for inspectors.  And although sexual violence and harassment was not addressed specifically in the Labour Code, there was criminal legislation that stipulated those violations.

The Russian Federation signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was preparing to ratify it, he said, adding that benefits, both financial and technical, were available to persons with disabilities, and legislation was being drafted regarding those rights.  A programme, “Accessible Environment”, was also being developed. 

A delegate noted that the law established that every citizen had the right to an education, and drew the experts’ attention to further data on education on the Internet from the Russian Ministry of Education.  Regarding the low percentage of girls in the technology and science area, there was an exam at the end of secondary schooling taken by all students, which allowed access to those fields, regardless of gender.

She said that the presence of women teachers was increasing in higher education settings.  Curricula included different world views and were inclusive of all races and gender.  The gender perspective was incorporated in all courses, and women’s contribution in math and history was shown to be important.  Federal education standards included awareness-raising components both in school and in after-school activities, and parents were involved with those programs.

Responding to questions about abortion and HIV services, another delegate said that the Federation focused on family planning and on avoiding abortion.  Abortion was allowed at up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.  Access to safe abortions was part of the law guaranteeing free medical assistance.  There were financial resources for contraceptives, family planning and safe motherhood.  Regional programmes provided free contraceptives to adolescents and to at-risk women. 

Currently, there were 312 family planning clinics, the delegate said, and 9 million women used modern contraception, with an increased use of hormonal contraceptives.  Abortion prevention activities were carried out by social workers and psychologists.  The two-year programme of the Ministry of Health promoted abortion avoidance and the protection of life.  The number of abortions had decreased significantly and now live births were now exceeding abortions.  Late abortions had decreased by 17 per cent.  The declining number of abortions was also decreasing women’s mortality rates after birth or abortion. 

Turning to the questions regarding HIV patients, including pregnant women, the delegate noted that the Health Ministry had a coordination council to prevent mother-to-child transmission.  All pregnant women were screened and the number of children with HIV had dropped from 20 per cent in 2002 to 9 per cent in 2008.

Turning to women’s representation in Government, a delegate provided information from federal statistics and said women were represented in political posts through the federal, regional and municipal levels in Russia.  For example, women made up more than 50 per cent of federal administrative posts.  Women’s representation in all branches of power at the state levels ranged from 33 per cent to more than 64 per cent.  At the regional level, there was significant representation.  In the General Assembly, women made up 11 per cent.

Turning to a question on pensions for women, another delegate said even women who never worked had the right to a pension.  On the topic of head scarves, the banning of head scarves did not exist in the Russian Federation.  She knew that a “shadow report” showed that in some Muslim areas, women were violently forced to wear headscarves, but she said there should not be any bans or pressures to wear or not to wear a head scarf.

To additional questions, another delegate said there was a separate national project to help rural areas develop education, health care, schools and infrastructure.  There was mortgage assistance for rural couples.  Access to health care for transgender people was not part of the country’s mandatory social security provision.  Only medication prescribed by doctors for various illnesses was covered by social security provisions.

Experts’ Comments and Questions

RUTH HALPERIN-KADDARI, expert from Israel, noted that even though article 16, on marriage and family life, was not discussed in the report, she asked about the rights and protection, economic security, and alimony in de facto relationships.  She also wanted more information about the economic consequences of divorce from formal marriages, in particular, pensions, severance payments and other financial securities related to work, and if those assets were divided equally between partners.  Concerning the distribution of marital property, she asked if there were cases where women could not leave violent spouses because of a lack of residential resources.

She also inquired about the rights of same-sex couples, since marriage was not available to them.  Could they get access to fertility treatment?  Specifically, were lesbian women eligible for artificial insemination treatments, and was adoption for same sex couples possible?

She was also very concerned about bridal kidnapping, which had been raised before, but not answered.  What was being done?  There were also reports on Muslim women not having access to benefits such as widow benefits, because of religious (sharia) law.  How was that being addressed?

She had also heard that an amendment to the Criminal Code stated that charges against first-time offenders who had sex with a minor would be dropped if they married the minor involved.  She requested clarification on that.

Ms. JAISING, expert from India, raised her concerns from the morning regarding prostitution and the legal system.  There were Muslim women who were not accessing the law of the land because of Sharia law.  How did the Federation work with minority communities in preserving their culture while addressing derogatory practices?

She knew that other reports to other treaty bodies had urged the Russian Federation to look into sexual prostitution and honour killings, among other issues concerning the safety of women.  There was not, however, enough information in the Russian Federation’s report. 

Country Response

Responding to the questions on property ownership and marital law for de facto relationships, unregistered illegal unions were abundant, but the situation was complex when the rights of children in those families came into play.  The law did not prevent them from having these relationships, by virtue of the Civil Law.  They had the right to sign before a notary any agreement on property and financial rights.  However, these agreements happened infrequently.  Resolutions were made between individuals. 

In the case of domestic violence and housing, this was a serious issue as there were not enough centres and shelters, and they were addressing this situation, as he had mentioned earlier in the day. 

In same-sex unions, marriage in Russia was between a man and a woman and this would not be reviewed any time soon.   The right to artificial insemination was a right to all citizens.  Regarding adoption, the child could not be adopted by the same-sex union, but only by one citizen.  

Regarding the role of laws on gender and the condition of women in Chechnya, a delegate said that there was a fine line between traditional values and legal practices.  In the Caucasus, it was not accepted to abandon one’s children, and there was much respect for the family, including for children and the elderly.

Legislation banned forced marriages and abductions, the delegate said to other questions.  The economic development of the region was very important.

Another delegate said much attention was paid to women’s rights in the Chechen Republic.  To additional questions, the speaker said traditional customs played an important role, and the main role of women was as a homemaker.  Women were able to access education.  In 2009, the number of women in university in Chechnya was more than 7,000, out of 12,000.

Follow-up Questions

MERIEM BELMIHOUB-ZERDANI, expert from Algeria, noted the country’s work and progress.  The report showed that women played a crucial role in the country, but they needed greater representation in legislative bodies.  She urged the Government to take more measures to ensure that women had a greater place in the Assembly.  She hoped that the next periodic report would be come back with good figures.

Ms. AWORI, expert from Kenya, said there should be a comprehensive law dedicated to domestic violence, which was endemic in the Russian Federation.  The law should address the legal and social remedies in one piece of legislation.  She asked if the Government would consider that, rather than piecemeal changes.

Country Response

The delegate said the Government’s efforts to achieve general equality had been successful and it would continue to protect the quality of education and health for women.

Regarding a comprehensive law on domestic violence, another delegate said that formulation and passage of legislation was guided by certain standards and norms.  The Government was in contact with lawyers about having a separate law, as that work needed to be done with lawyers.

In response to the questions on “bride-napping” and honour killings, a delegate said that the Russian Federation regarded those harmful customs to be criminal offences.

Chair’s Closing

Ms. GABR commended the work of the Committee and delegation.  She hoped that the results of this meeting would have an impact in the Russian Federation’s legislation, in particular, on the issues of trafficking and domestic violence.  Combating stereotypes had not been discussed in the present report and she hoped to see it addressed in the future, she added.

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For information media • not an official record