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Working Group on the Issue of Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice

Introduction

The establishment of the Working Group by the Human Rights Council at its 15th session in September 2010 was a milestone on the long road towards women’s equality with men. Over the years, many constitutional and legal reforms to integrate women’s human rights fully into domestic law have occurred, but there remains insufficient progress. Discrimination against women persists in both public and private spheres in times of conflict and in peace. It transcends national, cultural and religious boundaries and is often fuelled by patriarchal stereotyping and power imbalances which are mirrored in laws, policies and practice.

The Working Group focus is to identify, promote and exchange views, in consultation with States and other actors, on good practices related to the elimination of laws that discriminate against women. The Group is also tasked with developing a dialogue with States and other actors on laws that have a discriminatory impact where women are concerned. It is also mandated to prepare a compendium of best practices related to the elimination of  laws that discriminate against women or are discriminatory to women in terms of implementation or impact as well as to undertake a study on the way and means it can cooperate with States to fulfill their commitments in that regard.  

The five member of the working group were appointed by the Human Right Council in March 2011 and assumed their functions on 1st May 2011.

Working Group Members

Ms. Kamala CHANDRAKIRANA, Chair 
Ms. Emna AOUIJ
Ms. Mercedes BARQUET
Ms. Frances RADAY
Ms. Eleonora ZIELINSKA