Displaying 45401 - 45425 of 58160 recommendations found
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:NeglectedContents:JS3 urged the Government, inter alia, to facilitate an open dialogue on FGM and to lead the development of a national strategy to eradicate FGM for children under the age of 18. [Para 27] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BelgiumBelgiumRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Ratify the OP-CEDAW.ExplanationWe intend to continue to cooperate with all the Human Rights Council mechanisms and will take steps during the implementation period to improve the signing and ratification of major international instruments.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 33) GoSL plans to ratify several Optional Protocols in the coming years. An objective of the on-going constitutional review process is, inter alia, to also incorporate some of the principles of international human rights espoused by the said Optional Protocols into the new constitution and thus make them as part of the supreme laws of the land. The Government is seeking donor support to enable it to prepare and submit the outstanding reports. A timetable for the submission of the reports supra is to be drawn in 2021 which will guide the GoSL.
Para 46) Sierra Leone signed the OP-CEDAW in September 2008 but has not ratified it. The Ebola Virus Disease in 2014 and the concurrent economic meltdown hampered the ratification process. With the election of a new government, came the Corona Virus pandemic. However, the Government has responded positively to the implementation of its contents.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SloveniaSloveniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Take concrete measures to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in law and in practice, also by accelerating the constitutional review in the area of gender equality.ExplanationSierra Leone is actively pursuing the review of its constitution to bring it in line with international human rights standards and to meet the general democratic aspirations of its people.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 27) The ban on pregnant girls in school that was introduced in 2015 was lifted on 30 March 2020. This is in conformity with recommendation of ending measures that excluded young pregnant girls from the mainstream educational system.
Para 44) Gender discrimination is largely a result of long-standing social and cultural norms and gender stereotyping that dictate relationships, roles, and responsibilities between men and women, as well as access to power, resources, and privileges. These are further reinforced by a range of discriminatory laws, including statutory and customary laws. Even when national laws are enacted to address these inequalities, effective enforcement has always been the major challenge for some sociological reasons.
Para 46) Sierra Leone signed the OP-CEDAW in September 2008 but has not ratified it. The Ebola Virus Disease in 2014 and the concurrent economic meltdown hampered the ratification process. With the election of a new government, came the Corona Virus pandemic. However, the Government has responded positively to the implementation of its contents.
Para 47) On 23 March 2017, the Government launched its new National Land Policy to address land-based discrimination, especially against women. The National Land Policy 2017 guarantees equal rights for both women and men, and the elimination of all forms of discriminations against women regarding equitable access and control over land resources. The policy calls for the amendment of the Sierra Leone Constitution to include provisions that ensure that women have the right to full and equal protection by the law and have the right not to be discriminated against based on their gender or marital status.
Para 57) On the 30 March 2020, the GoSL through its MBSSE lifted the ban on pregnant girls from participating in school education and this has been replaced by a new policy. The new policy of “radical inclusion and comprehensive safety” which under its treaty obligation under the ICESC article 2(1) encourages a progressive realisation of universal education for all children without any discrimination.
Para 58) Accordingly, the new policy “is building a radically inclusive Sierra Leone where all children – regardless of class, ethnicity, tribe, disability, location, gender reproductive or parental status – can live and learn in safety and dignity.’’ The Free Quality School Education (FQSE) framework lays out an overarching vision and holistic set of principles, towards a Sierra Leone where all children are entitled to meaningful and equitable opportunities to learn and prosper. This is an eloquent testament to the Government’s commitment to accessible and quality education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5).
Para 57) On the 30 March 2020, the GoSL through its MBSSE lifted the ban on pregnant girls from participating in school education and this has been replaced by a new policy. The new policy of “radical inclusion and comprehensive safety” which under its treaty obligation under the ICESC article 2(1) encourages a progressive realisation of universal education for all children without any discrimination.
Para 58) Accordingly, the new policy “is building a radically inclusive Sierra Leone where all children – regardless of class, ethnicity, tribe, disability, location, gender reproductive or parental status – can live and learn in safety and dignity.’’ The Free Quality School Education (FQSE) framework lays out an overarching vision and holistic set of principles, towards a Sierra Leone where all children are entitled to meaningful and equitable opportunities to learn and prosper. This is an eloquent testament to the Government’s commitment to accessible and quality education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5).
UN Compilation:
Para 7) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations country team welcomed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2017, which provided transmission of citizenship also by mothers.
Para 52) The United Nations country team noted that Sierra Leone had ratified major international and regional treaties and conventions that upheld equality and prohibited discrimination based on gender. However, Sierra Leone was ranked 153rd out of 162 countries in the 2018 gender inequality index. Gender inequalities were exacerbated by discriminatory cultural norms that impinged on women’s access to power, resources and privileges. The prohibition of discrimination based on gender in the areas of marriage, divorce, adoption and devolution of property on death was established in the Constitution.
Para 54) The United Nations country team stated that, as a response to a decision of the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, in 2019, Sierra Leone had established a sexual and reproductive health task force to advise on issues relating to the inclusion of adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups into the education system and on how to integrate comprehensive sexuality education into the basic education curriculum. In 2020, the ban on visibly pregnant girls attending schools had been lifted, and two policies, on radical inclusion and on comprehensive safety, for all children in the education system, had been developed. The United Nations country team commended Sierra Leone for the steps taken to facilitate the return of pregnant girls to school.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 23) CUMG-SL noted with satisfaction that the Citizens Act of 1973 was repealed in 2017 in order to recognize the right of women to transfer citizenship.
Para 24) JS3 regretted the lack of legislative reforms to guarantee the right of women to transmit citizenship to their foreign spouses on an equal basis with men.
Para 37) JS8 regretted that women detained are not offered legal advise, and due to strong patriarchal cultures, they may lack the skills necessary to bring a complaint and enforces their rights.
Para 39) JS8 was concerned that petty offences, including “loitering” are enforced under outdated and vague laws that are incorrectly applied, which give the police wide discretion for enforcement. It regretted that women are disproportionally affected …
Para 50) NaCFoHRD was concerned that a very high number of people in Sierra Leone lack basic safe drinking water and food, and faced poor housing facilities, particularly women and children in rural areas.
Para 58) JS4 noted that according to a report of UNICEF, three out of every ten school girls are excluded from education as result of teenage pregnancy.
Para 59) CUMG-SL noted that payment of tuition fees was a major hindrance to school completion rate in the country, especially for girls …
Para 61) JS3 indicated that, as a response to the ban on 2015 on pregnant girls attending school, in a decision of December 2019, the ECOWAS Court of Justice found that the policy barring girls from attending school, amounted to discrimination and human rights violations. JS2 and JS3 noted, however that deep seated challenges still remain, including policy measures to reverse the societal attitudes that support discrimination against pregnant girls.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AlgeriaAlgeriaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Continue the efforts to promote parity between men and women.ExplanationSierra Leone will ensure that discrimination of any class of its citizens is prohibited. Knowing that a review of the constitution is ongoing and changes most likely in those areas noted, we remain confident in the process and we know a more robust protection for all disadvantaged groups will emerge.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 15) In respect of saving livelihoods [during the COVID-10 pandemic], vulnerable groups were given safety nets in the form of expanded cash transfer programmes of Le 35,000 to Le 100,000 for households with a quota of persons with disabilities. Workers, both in the informal and formal sectors, were also beneficiaries. Petty traders, market women, low paid workers in the informal sector, totalling about 29,000, received cash injections of Le 1,300,000 per person.
Para 30) According to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) assessment report of 2020, Sierra Leone has registered remarkable strides in the improvement of policies with human rights implications. The policies calculated in percentage terms are as follows: … Gender in the economy, 61% …
Para 48) The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MGCA) has, since the last review, implemented a National Gender Strategic Plan. A National Steering Committee was set up for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. Also, Sierra Leone is on the board of Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action Compact and committed to undertake the following relevant policy actions including those in the national Gender Strategic plan has been finalised.
Para 49) The SLP has adopted an accelerated promotion policy for women and offers women officers' priority for training opportunities to participate in international peacekeeping missions. In February 2019, RSLAF conducted a 300 all-female recruitment and training programme. This is a cadet officer programme that offers women, especially those with Professional Qualifications (such as Medicine, Law, Accounting, Vocational Skills, etc.) to join the officer ranks of RSLAF.
Para 50) The Local Government Service Commission, the body responsible for the Local Councils has made strides incorporating women as pillars in the Commission. The Commission has five (5) Commissioners, three (3) of whom are women. The Local Government Act, 2004 stipulated that 70% of Ward Committee Members should be women.
Para 51) On 3 December 2020, the GoSL launched the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Policy. The policy aims at changing social norms and perspectives and at the same time guaranteeing equality, inclusion, and access to rights, resources and opportunity for all.
Para 65) Further to recommendations of the European Union Election Mission in 2012, NEC has set up a committee encompassing various institutions of Government. As recommended by the EU Mission, NEC has reverted to the district tally centre process; and the same is embedded in the NEC Strategic Plan 2020-2024, which was launched on 18 November 2020. Regarding the conduct of effective and sustained sensitisation and awareness-raising campaign on gender mainstreaming, NEC has established departments for sensitisation, gender and disability departments.
Para 66) GoSL launched the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment policy on 3 December 2020. Even before the launch of the policy, the Government had already taken deliberate actions to ensure gender parity. The MFAIC, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the MGCA, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the Auditor General, are some of the highest offices of the land held by women.
Para 67) Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament increased from 12.4% in 2012 to 12.9% in 2018. The proportion of female mayors and local councillors and chairpersons increased from 18% to 28.6% over the same period.
Para 68) According to Cluster 5 of Sierra Leone’s MTNDP, 2019-2023, a key target is to ensure that more women are in a leadership position than there were in 2018 when the plan was launched.
Para 69) The Government continues to appoint women to senior governance positions. In line with the Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference at the UN in New York concerning 20% increase in female intake in RSLAF, 328 special female officer cadets were recruited.
Para 70) The Sierra Leone Police continues to implement its Gender Mainstreaming policy through accelerated promotion scheme for female personnel. This serves as incentives for women to join the SLP. In the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS), equal opportunities exist for both male and female applicants to sit entrance examination, go through the same interview process and successful candidates employed.
Para 76) The GoSL has, through NaCSA developed programmes aimed to reduce poverty and improving the economy. This programme has several components of poverty reductions, which includes the following: The Pro-Poor Growth for Peace Consolidation (GPC) Programme co-financed by the Governments of Sierra Leone and the Federal Republic of Germany aims at primarily improving the livelihoods of beneficiary communities and contributes to development and consolidation of peace, with a specific focus on employment creation and income generation for vulnerable groups (youths and women) in selected rural communities. … • Also, NaCSA has programmes aimed at addressing the plight of women, children and other vulnerable groups. Through this, NaCSA solicited funds to ensure that women and children are protected. This had been achieved through the various social protection programmes implemented nationwide with NaCSA providing income support to 2,250 women.
Para 77) Also, the War Reparation Programme, which has now ended, targeted vulnerable widows and were provided with a rehabilitation grant of Le 3.5 Billion.
Para 122) In February 2019, the Government launched the MTNDP as the fourth-generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The key objective of the Plan is to achieve and improve education, hence a Free Quality School Education, as a basis for the development of human capital to facilitate the transformation of women’s empowerment, …
UN Compilation:
Para 4) The Peacebuilding Support Office of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs stated that the Peacebuilding Fund had been active in Sierra Leone since 2007, with $62 million allocated to date towards initiatives in support of …, young people and women’s participation and empowerment …
Para 42) … Women and members of other vulnerable groups, such as elderly persons and persons with disabilities, faced challenges in accessing financial, technology and market services [during the COVID-19 pandemic].
Para 52) The United Nations country team noted that Sierra Leone had ratified major international and regional treaties and conventions that upheld equality and prohibited discrimination based on gender. However, Sierra Leone was ranked 153rd out of 162 countries in the 2018 gender inequality index. Gender inequalities were exacerbated by discriminatory cultural norms that impinged on women’s access to power, resources and privileges. The prohibition of discrimination based on gender in the areas of marriage, divorce, adoption and devolution of property on death was established in the Constitution.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 63) The-Carter Center (CC) regretted that women candidates have limited opportunities to participate in political processes, and that only two of 17 presidential candidates were female, and represented only 12.5% of all parliamentarian candidates. According toCC, the low number of female nominees reflected a lack of political will to improve gender equality in public institutions. It further noted that a Gender Equality Bill had been in the drafting process since 2013, and has not yet been made into law.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:LebanonLebanonRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupOICALOIFIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Pass laws prohibiting female genital mutilation.ExplanationNoted. We continue to reaffirm our commitment to improve human rights. However, we will continue to consult local stakeholders on a clear and definitive policy regarding harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 39) Some of the recommendations by CRC, which are accepted include, … the criminalisation of FGM.
Para 118) Some violations have always been inherent within the structures of the society for decades, predicated upon dubious traditional practices and beliefs. FGM, as a harmful practice on the girl child, is difficult to eliminate or legislate out of existence because of the traditional and cultural belief systems.
UN Compilation:
Para 20) The United Nations country team noted that traditional harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation, remained prevalent in Sierra Leone. While noting successful efforts to include practitioners of female genital mutilation in the fight against such mutilation, the Committee on the Rights of the Child was seriously concerned that female genital mutilation was still not prohibited in law for children.
Para 21) The United Nations country team regretted that, despite measures taken, secret societies continued to practise female genital mutilation, including on underage girls. It noted that in 2019, following reports of misuse of secret societies, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development had banned the activities of secret societies.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 32) European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) was alarmed that, despite efforts deployed by the Government, Sierra Leone still had one of the highest rates of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the word, with an estimated 90% of women and girls having suffered mutilation. Plan International (PI) regretted the lack of legislation criminalizing FGM. According to JS2, CUMG-SL and ECLJ, Sierra Leone continued to face challenges in combating FGM because it is rooted in cultural and traditional practices. ECLJ emphasized the negative role of the Bondo society who encouraged and carried out FGM ceremonies, and noted that, while initiations are illegal, there was still not a law against the pervasive practice of FGM itself in force.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CanadaCanadaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupOASOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Gender equality
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Amend the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act so that women can transfer their nationality to their children and non-national spouses on an equal basis with men, and include a provision in the new Constitution which grants equal nationality rights to men and women.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 55) The Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973 as amended by the Sierra Leone Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2006, now accords citizenship to any child born of a Sierra Leonean mother even when the father is of a different nationality. So, for a woman to transfer her citizenship to her children she must be a citizen of Sierra Leone.
UN Compilation:
Para 7) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations country team welcomed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2017, which provided transmission of citizenship also by mothers.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 23) CUMG-SL noted with satisfaction that the Citizens Act of 1973 was repealed in 2017 in order to recognize the right of women to transfer citizenship.
Para 24) JS3 regretted the lack of legislative reforms to guarantee the right of women to transmit citizenship to their foreign spouses on an equal basis with men.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:... AI recommended taking measures to comply with international and regional legal obligations to protect and fulfil the rights of all girls to education, equality, privacy and physical integrity, and to issue an urgent directive to all schools to guarantee that pregnant girls can continue with their education without fear. JS2 made a similar recommendation and also recommended providing reparation and support to children who have suffered from discriminatory practices in education, particularly for pregnant teenagers. [Para 33] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:NeglectedContents:ADF International stated the high number of maternal deaths in Sierra Leone is a human rights crisis. Sierra Leone has promised free health care to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, but many women are still asked to pay for health services that should be free. AI made a similar statement. ADF International recommended improving the health care system infrastructure and eliminating user fees for pregnant women, mothers of infants, and young children ... [Para 62] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:The CEDAW recommended that Sierra Leone eliminate stereotypes that discriminated against women. [Para 15] -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:Reference AddressedContents:"CEDAW also encouraged Singapore to ratify the OP-CEDAW ... CEDAW urged Singapore to exert its efforts towards the withdrawal, within a concrete time frame, of its reservations to article 2, article 11, paragraph (1) and article 16 of the Convention. [Para 2]" -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Sexual harassment
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:Reference AddressedContents:"CEDAW also encouraged Singapore to take steps to enact legislative provisions on sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational institutions, with provisions for sanctions, civil remedies and compensation for victims. [Para 42]" -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BelgiumBelgiumRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ratify the ICCPR.
ExplanationNoted. We are unable to commit to ratifying any further treaties at this point. While Singapore may not be party to a particular human rights treaty yet, our outcomes are already fully or largely in compliance with its objectives.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SpainSpainRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Partially AcceptedContents:Amend the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code to classify all forms of violence against women and girls as a crime and broaden the definition of rape.
ExplanationWe regularly review our legislation to protect women and girls against violence. In 2019, we expanded the definition of rape under the Penal Code and repealed marital immunity for rape.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Russian FederationRussian FederationRegional groupEEGPolitical groupCISIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Undertake further work to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including children, women, persons with disabilities and older persons.
ExplanationWe have social safety nets to provide help where family and community support is inadequate.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:DjiboutiDjiboutiRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALOIFIssue:
- Domestic violence
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Continue to protect the rights of children by strengthening protective policies and legislation, in particular by meeting their educational needs and combating domestic violence against them.
ExplanationSingapore continuously reviews our policies to ensure that vulnerable groups, including children, are protected. The Criminal Justice Reform Act 2018 enhanced protection for victims of sexual or child abuse offences, and reduced the stress they face in the criminal justice system. In 2019, we amended the Penal Code to strengthen protection for children and youths against sexual exploitation. The Children and Young Persons Act was also amended in the same year to extend protection to abused and neglected children from below 16 years to below 18 years.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:South SudanSouth SudanRegional groupAfrica GroupIssue:
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Increase women’s full and equal participation in all forms of decision-making process.
ExplanationSingapore’s approach to gender equality is founded on the principle of meritocracy where women in Singapore participate fully and equally in all spheres of life and at all levels. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, was elected into office.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:FijiFijiRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupPIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Continue efforts to tackle the gender pay gap, as a complex problem to be addressed from multiple angles and at multiple levels.
ExplanationSingapore’s approach to gender equality is founded on the principle of meritocracy where women in Singapore participate fully and equally in all spheres of life and at all levels. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, was elected into office.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AustraliaAustraliaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupPIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Repeal Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code, remove restrictions on LGBTI-related content, and enact anti-discrimination legislation.
ExplanationNoted. Although Section 377A of the Penal Code remains in our statute books, it is not enforced. All Singapore citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, are free to pursue their activities in their private space. We firmly oppose discrimination and harassment and have laws to protect all our citizens from such conduct. We will continue to manage the issue of LGBT rights in a sensitive and pragmatic way, so as to protect the vulnerable, uphold the family and preserve the common space for the diverse communities in Singapore.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:MoldovaMoldovaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupCISOIFIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Continue its efforts to increase the representation of women at senior levels within the public administration, including the diplomatic service, judiciary and educational institutions, as well as the private sectorImplementationNational Report:
Para 53) Women are better represented and occupy important positions in the public, corporate and civil society sectors today, although representation at the higher corporate levels can be further improved. The Public Service tries to lead the way on this front. As of 2014, women constituted 56.7% of the Civil Service. 6 of the 23 Permanent Secretaries and 9 of the 32 Deputy Secretaries were women. Women made up 23% of the judges in the Supreme Court, and 48%, 69% and 48% of the total number of judicial officers in the State Courts, Family Justice Courts and Supreme Court respectively. Half of the officers in the Foreign Service are women. We now have many inspiring examples of women in leadership positions in public life. Singapore's first female Speaker of Parliament, Madam Halimah Yacob, was appointed in January 2013. There are currently one female Minister, four female Senior Ministers of State, and one female Parliamentary Secretary in the Government. 2 out of our 5 mayors are women. -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ratify the ICCPR.ExplanationNoted. About a quarter of the recommendations that we noted relate to the ratification of international human rights treaties. Singapore takes our treaty obligations seriously and engages actively with the relevant treaty bodies. We also have a process under our Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights to actively review Singapore's ability to ratify additional human rights treaties. Since we cannot prejudge the outcome of the review process, we are unable to commit ourselves to ratifying any of these specific treaties at this time, apart from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OP-CRC-SC), for which a review has already been completed. While Singapore may not be party to a particular human rights treaty yet, it does not mean that our outcomes are not already fully or largely in compliance with its objectives. -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AlbaniaAlbaniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupOICOIFIssue:
- Sexual exploitation / slavery
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Consider accession to the OP-CRC-SC. -
State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:United KingdomUnited KingdomRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUCommonwealthIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality.ExplanationNoted. Section 377 A of the Penal Code on sodomy, which was inherited during the colonial history of Singapore, was not proactively enforced. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons were free to lead their lives. Parliament decided after an intense debate in 2007 to retain this law. The Prime Minister noted at that time that it was better to accept the legal untidiness and ambiguity of leaving the law as it was, and it would not be wise to force this issue by settling it one way or the other. Singapore firmly opposed discrimination and harassment, and did not discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex applicants to the civil service. The approach was "to live and let live", preserve the common space for all communities, and let society evolve gradually and decide collectively.ImplementationStakeholder Summary:
Para 12) JS3 stated that although section 377A of the Penal Code, criminalising consensual sexual behaviour between adult males, had not been enforced since the last universal periodic review of Singapore in 2016, its continued existence permitted the institutionalisation of discriminatory policies against not just gay men, but the whole lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community.
Para 40) JS4 stated that the stigma of being LGBTQ, associated with Penal Code Section 377A and media censorship, was a contributing factor in the failure to report or seek help when abused.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:BarbadosBarbadosRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Continue its commitment to the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination and maintain the dialogue with the CEDAW.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 16) The Inter-Ministry Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) monitors the implementation of Singapore’s CEDAW obligations. The CEDAW Committee considered Singapore’s fifth periodic report (CEDAW/C/SGP/5) in 2017. In 2020, Singapore launched the Conversations on Singapore Women’s Development, a national conversation series to gather feedback from thousands of Singaporeans on issues concerning women at home, at work, in schools, and in the community. The Conversations will culminate in a White Paper to be submitted to Parliament in 2021, with recommendations and a roadmap to further advance women’s protection, interests, and development in Singapore. Para 17) Increasing participation. Singapore actively supports women’s participation in politics and in public service. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, took office. In 2020, 28 out of 95 Members of Parliament (29%) were women, greater than the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s world average of 24.5%. Currently, we have nine women out of 37 political office-holders. Women also make up 53% of the Public Service (as of 2019). The Council for Board Diversity, formed in January 2019, promotes greater representation of women on boards of listed companies, statutory boards, and non-profit organisations.
Para 18) Support for women in the society and family. Many women continue to shoulder many household and caregiving responsibilities. We have continued to enhance measures to promote sharing of domestic and family responsibilities, such as flexible work arrangements (FWAs). From 2018 to 2020, we committed more than S$200 million (US$152 million) in financial grants and developed practical guides to support employers in implementing and sustaining FWAs. Since 2017, fathers have enjoyed two weeks of paid paternity leave and can share up to four weeks of their spouses’ maternity leave. Under the national movement, “Dads for Life”, we have rolled out initiatives, such as “Dads@School”, to promote active fathering. Since 2017, single mothers also enjoy the same infant care and childcare subsidies and maternity leave as married mothers.
Para 19) Islamic law is applied for certain religious and personal matters pertaining to Muslims in Singapore. The application of Islamic law in Singapore takes into account evolving societal contexts and norms. For instance, in May 2019, the fatwa (religious ruling) on joint tenancy was revised to recognise joint tenancy contracts as religiously valid, without the need for additional documents to effect the right of survivorship. This protects Muslim widows, in particular, from financial distress and uncertainty.
Para 122) … Taking stock of our progress against international measures, Singapore ranks: … (f) 12th for gender equality in the 2019 UN Gender Inequality Index.
UN Compilation:
Para 21) The Independent Expert on older persons noted that although the Constitution guaranteed equality for all persons, it did not explicitly recognize equality on the basis of sex.
Para 75) The Independent Expert on older persons noted the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men within the family and in society at large. She stated that such stereotypes were not only a root cause of violence against women in the private and public spheres, but also placed women in a disadvantaged position, including in the labour market.
Para 82) [CEDAW] remained concerned that women continued to be underrepresented in ministerial posts, the judiciary, the police and the diplomatic service, in particular at decision-making levels.
Para 83) The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations noted that in 2017 the median gross monthly salary of women employed in the same occupational category as men was systematically lower than that of men, except for clerical support workers, among whom it was slightly higher.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 107) MARUAH stated that women in Singapore were still under-represented politically and in the workforce, and recommended that the Government actively push for gender parity.
Para 108) JS4 stated that Singapore did not have any policies that prohibited gender-based discrimination at the workplace.
Para 109) JS6 stated that women were paid less than men for similar work performed, and that sectors where women were concentrated were often lowly-paid. Gender discrimination and the gender wage gap affected women’s retirement savings.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:VenezuelaVenezuelaRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIACSIssue:
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Continue expanding the participation of women in the national public life .ImplementationNational Report:
Para 17) Increasing participation. Singapore actively supports women’s participation in politics and in public service. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, took office. In 2020, 28 out of 95 Members of Parliament (29%) were women, greater than the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s world average of 24.5%. Currently, we have nine women out of 37 political office-holders. Women also make up 53% of the Public Service (as of 2019). The Council for Board Diversity, formed in January 2019, promotes greater representation of women on boards of listed companies, statutory boards, and non-profit organisations.
Para 18) Support for women in the society and family. Many women continue to shoulder many household and caregiving responsibilities. We have continued to enhance measures to promote sharing of domestic and family responsibilities, such as flexible work arrangements (FWAs). From 2018 to 2020, we committed more than S$200 million (US$152 million) in financial grants and developed practical guides to support employers in implementing and sustaining FWAs. Since 2017, fathers have enjoyed two weeks of paid paternity leave and can share up to four weeks of their spouses’ maternity leave. Under the national movement, “Dads for Life”, we have rolled out initiatives, such as “Dads@School”, to promote active fathering. Since 2017, single mothers also enjoy the same infant care and childcare subsidies and maternity leave as married mothers.
Para 122) … Taking stock of our progress against international measures, Singapore ranks: … (f) 12th for gender equality in the 2019 UN Gender Inequality Index.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 107) MARUAH stated that women in Singapore were still under-represented politically and in the workforce, and recommended that the Government actively push for gender parity.
Para 108) JS4 stated that Singapore did not have any policies that prohibited gender-based discrimination at the workplace.
Para 109) JS6 stated that women were paid less than men for similar work performed, and that sectors where women were concentrated were often lowly-paid. Gender discrimination and the gender wage gap affected women’s retirement savings.
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State Under Review:SingaporeSingaporeRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANCommonwealthSource Of Reference:United StatesUnited StatesRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupOASIssue:
- Intersex persons' rights
- Rights of same-sex desiring persons
- Transgender persons' rights
Type:QuestionSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Not Followed up with a RecommendationContents:We are troubled that LGBTI persons reportedly face institutionalized discrimination in Singapore, including government censorship of LGBTI topics in the arts and media. What consideration has Singapore given to creating new legislation to protect LGBTI individuals' ability to enjoy freedom of expression?