NEWS RELEASES
CANADA PRESENTS REPORTS TO UN COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
January 28, 1997 No. 11
CANADA PRESENTS REPORTS TO UN COMMITTEE ON
THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State for the Status of
Women and Multiculturalism Hedy Fry reconfirmed Canada's commitment to women's
rights following the presentation of Canada's third and fourth reports to the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at the United Nations
in New York today.
"The principle of promoting women's rights as part of Canada's human rights agenda
is fundamental to Canada's interpretation of its domestic and international human
rights obligations. Opportunities such as today's presentation to the Committee
allow us to take stock of our own achievements, see where we need to intensify our
efforts and, at the same time, reinforce Canada's leadership in the recognition
and support of human rights in the world community," said Mr. Axworthy.
"While we in Canada are proud of the measures we have taken to advance women's
equality, we are not complacent. All levels of government realize that much work
remains to be done. Our commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women is evident in the 1995 Federal Plan for
Gender Equality, a five-year blueprint to accelerate the advancement of women's
equality to the year 2000," added Dr. Fry.
As part of Canada's obligations under the provisions of the United Nations
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), which Canada ratified in 1981, periodic reports on the implementation of
the Convention must be presented to the Committee. Canada's third and fourth
reports together cover the period of January 1987 to March 1994. In its oral
presentation to the Committee, Canada's delegation, led by Louise Bergeron-de
Villiers, Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada, provided a progress report on
implementation up to the present time. This report included input from the
provinces and territories, which have jurisdiction over many of the programs and
initiatives covered by the Convention's provisions.
Along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Canada regards this
Convention as the key international instrument on issues relating to women and
women's human rights. To date, 154 countries have ratified the Convention.
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A background document on the CEDAW is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Cathy McRae
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7835
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN
The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 as the legal
instrument that sets out the basic standards necessary to achieve women's equality
in all areas of life. It is a framework of action to promote and protect the
human rights of women, and to eradicate inequality and discrimination.
Canada was among the first countries to ratify the Convention in December 1981,
shortly after it came into force (September 1981). Under the provisions of the
Convention, Canada reports regularly on progress made in implementing its
provisions. The initial report by Canada was submitted in 1983 (reviewed in
January 1985), the second in January 1988 (reviewed in February 1990), the third
in September 1992 and the fourth in October 1995.
Canada's third and fourth reports, covering the period from January 1, 1987, to
March 31, 1994, are being reviewed by the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination Against Women, which oversees the implementation of the Convention,
at UN Headquarters in New York on January 28, 1997. The Committee consists of 23
experts, nominated by their own governments and elected by states parties, but
serving in their personal capacities as independent experts.
In the presentation of reports, the Committee seeks to exchange information,
experiences, ideas and suggestions in a joint effort to implement the Convention
in the reporting state. In 1994, the Committee introduced the practice, common in
other treaty bodies, of preparing concluding comments on reports of states
parties, which represent the collective view of the Committee on the situation in
the reporting state. These comments are made public.
Canada's reports describe measures taken by the federal, provincial and
territorial governments to implement CEDAW. Consultations with federal government
departments, the provinces and territories, and non-governmental organizations are
undertaken in the preparation of the reports, a process co-ordinated by the
Department of Canadian Heritage.
There are currently 154 states parties to the Convention, over two thirds of the
UN member states.
The reports are available in English and in French and can be obtained free of
charge from the Communications Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage by
calling (819) 997-0055.
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