Discrimination against women: UN visit Senegal

Discrimination against women: UN expert group launches first official visit to Senegal

GENEVA (1 April 2015) – The United Nations Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice will undertake its first official visit to Senegal from 7 to 17 April to assess the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the protection and promotion of women’s human rights.

“The Working Group is particularly interested in legislative reforms and policies that have been implemented by the Government of Senegal to promote women’s rights and gender equality,” said human rights expert Emna Aouij, who currently heads the expert group.

“We will pay specific attention to women’s rights to health and safety, looking at achievements and good practices to eliminate discrimination against women in these areas. We will also be looking at aspects of law and practice which affect women’s participation in the family and in the cultural life, public and political life as well as their access to justice education, labour and social services,” she added.

During its nine-day visit, Ms. Aouij will meet with Government officials at national and local levels, representatives of civil society organizations and of the UN, as well as experts and academics.

The expert will visit Dakar, Kaolack, Diourbel and Thies to gather first-hand information on issues related to discrimination against women in various contexts, including women victims of multiple forms of discrimination.

A press conference to share the delegation’s preliminary findings will be held Friday 17 April at 11h at OHCHR conference room, Route du King Fahd Palace, 20 Almadies, BP 154 Dakar. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

Following its visit, the Working Group will present a report with its conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2016.

ENDS

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