The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (hereinafter "the Committee") released its Concluding Observations addressed to the Slovak Republic. It called upon the Slovak government to provide for thorough performance of its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The above recommendations were issued upon the meeting of the committee with the Slovak Republic delegation which took place during the 41st Session of the Committee in July. The issue of the Slovak Republic’s obligations under CEDAW was also addressed by the coalition of Slovak women’s and human rights NGOs via a Shadow Report, which was submitted to the Committee. "CEDAW is a unique international human rights convention focusing on the elimination of discrimination of women in various areas. Nevertheless, it is not given due attention, which was also observed by the Committee in its findings," said Adriana Lamackova of the civic association Pro Choice, the co-coordinator of the shadow report.

Even though the Committee has acknowledged some progress made in the implementation of CEDAW in Slovakia, it has commented critically on the ongoing and serious shortcomings in the enforcement of women’s human rights. The Committee particularly expressed its concern about the obstacles many women face in obtaining access to legal protection against discrimination, the unwillingness to adopt temporary special measures on the grounds of sex, gender or ethnic origin, the persisting gender stereotypes in the individual sectors of society, and the limited access of women and adolescent girls to sexual and reproductive health services.

The Commitee has also experessed its concern about the ongoing multiple discriminations against Romani women and has called upon the Slovak government to adopt effective measures to eliminate their disadvantaged status.

The issues of violence against women and trafficking in women also received critical comments as the Committee held that it is necessary to pay more attention to adopting a set of complex measures in these areas. "We appreciate that the Committee has taken into consideration a number of issues we pointed out in the Shadow Report," said Adriana Mesochortisova of the civic association Pro Choice. "We believe that the government will carefully consider the recommendations of the Committee as it promised during the session, and will take measures with a view to securing effective implementation of CEDAW," she added.

The Shadow Report was carried out by the following non-governmental organizations: Alliance of Women in Slovakia, Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), EsFem, Fenestra, Cultural Association of Roma in Slovakia, Pro Choice, Milan Simecka Foundation and the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and is available at http://www.moznostvolby.sk/ShadowReport_CEDAW_Slovakia2008_ENG_FINAL.pdf.

Compiled from: “UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Calls Upon the Slovak Government to Meet Its Obligations”, Pro Choice, CHANGENET, August 8th, 2008.