UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 25) Following the first UPR report, the Government of Palau implemented the recommendations of the Human Rights Council by signing the core human rights treaties at the margins of the 66th UN General Assembly in 2011.
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Para 93) Palau is one of three Pacific Countries that has progressed MDG 3 on Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. Steps taken towards ratification of CEDAW have focused on awareness programs and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Mechesil Belau.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 1) ... It noted that Palau had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 11 June 2013 and that on the 20 September 2011, Palau had become a signatory to the ... CEDAW ...

National Report:
Para 25) Following the first UPR report, the Government of Palau implemented the recommendations of the Human Rights Council by signing the core human rights treaties at the margins of the 66th UN General Assembly in 2011.
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Para 93) Palau is one of three Pacific Countries that has progressed MDG 3 on Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. Steps taken towards ratification of CEDAW have focused on awareness programs and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Mechesil Belau.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 1) ... It noted that Palau had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 11 June 2013 and that on the 20 September 2011, Palau had become a signatory to the ... CEDAW ...

National Report:
Para 26) In 2013, the Government of Palau ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has completed its combined 2nd and 3rd reports on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UN Compilation:
Para 1) The United Nations country team stated that Palau had acceded to or ratified only two of the nine international human rights treaties listed in the table above, namely CRC and CRPD, the latter of which it had ratified in 2013 after its previous universal periodic review ...

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 1) ... It noted that Palau had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 11 June 2013.

National Report:
Para 7) Although Palau has yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”), the Constitution of the Republic of Palau gives the people living in Palau the right to enjoy their civil and political rights, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights. Article IV of the Palau Constitution enumerates fundamental rights. Specifically, Article IV, § 5 of the Palau Constitution provides in relevant part: “Every person shall be equal under the law and shall be entitled to equal protection. The government shall take no action to discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, race, place of origin, language, religion or belief, social status or clan affiliation ….”
Para 8) Article IV, § 3, further states, “The government shall take no action to deny or impair the right of any person to peacefully assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances or to associate with others for any lawful purpose including the right to organize and to bargain collectively.”
Para 9) The people of Palau continue to enjoy the freedom to exercise their civil and political rights without discrimination in any form. Palau continues to work towards ratification of the ICCPR, however, challenges remain the same as with the ratification of the other human rights treaties in terms of funding, capacity building, and resources.

National Report:
B) National measures and policies: … Palau National Gender Mainstreaming Policy (2018)
Para 35) The Palau National Gender Mainstreaming Policy 2018–2023 was endorsed in 2018. The purpose of the policy is to guide the process of developing laws, policies, procedures and practices that will address the needs, priorities and aspirations of all women and men.
Para 36) Policy strategic objectives: • All women and men participate in decision making in all areas of life. • All women and men have the same opportunities to earn incomes and fulfill their needs. • All women and men are safe and protected in their homes, at school, in workplaces, and all other private and public spaces. • All women and men have access to resources needed to be healthy and resilient and to support their wellbeing.
Para 37) The Palau Country Plan 2020-2022, which aims to improve the political, economic and social opportunities of women in the Republic of Palau, was developed with support from Australia to help Pacific countries meet the commitments they made in the Pacific Leaders’ Gender Equality Declaration in 2012. The Plan builds on the achievements of and lessons learned from the first phase of implementation. The goal of the Plan is: • Women in Palau (regardless of income, location, disability, or age) participate fully, freely, and safely in political, economic, and social life. • International Women’s Day (“IWD”) Forum is celebrated annually and brings together women leaders in the various sectors in Palau, and is an additional platform for women to discuss issues relating to the role of women and challenges to family support policies such as maternity leaves and child care services.
Para 38) Culturally, Palau is a matrilineal society in which traditional titles and authorities are inherited through the female members of the clan. Traditionally, women hold positions of power and respect.

UN Compilation:
Para 38) The United Nations country team noted that during the second review cycle, Palau had supported the recommendation that it take measures to facilitate greater participation and representation of women in public office. Under the Constitution, women were afforded equality of opportunity with men, and recommendations by Mechesil Belau, the association of women’s chiefs, were said to be given high consideration in legislative matters. However, women remained underrepresented in the national congress, in the cabinet and in senior leadership positions. Some 12.5 per cent of the 16 members of parliament were women. Palau had also supported recommendations that it promote gender equality through its policies and programmes. Palau had adopted a gender mainstreaming policy, which had come into force in April 2018.

National Report:
Para 25) Following the first UPR report, the Government of Palau implemented the recommendations of the Human Rights Council by signing the core human rights treaties at the margins of the 66th UN General Assembly in 2011.
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Para 93) Palau is one of three Pacific Countries that has progressed MDG 3 on Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. Steps taken towards ratification of CEDAW have focused on awareness programs and consultations with key stakeholders, including the Mechesil Belau.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 1) ... It noted that Palau had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 11 June 2013 and that on the 20 September 2011, Palau had become a signatory to the ... CEDAW ...