UPR Sexual Rights Database

The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that South Africa improve data collection on maternal deaths, including those occurring outside of health facilities, and that it obtain technical guidance from OHCHR on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. [Para 44]

South Africa should pursue legislative measures to address gaps in the normative framework for women’s rights and gender equality. [Para 66]

Ensure effective access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information, education and services.

Increase efforts in guaranteeing women's access to justice and adopt strategies to protect women and girls against gender-based violence.

Strengthen enforcement of laws and access to justice around sexual and gender-based violence through enhanced action within law enforcement and the judiciary.

HRW indicated that while the work of non-governmental AIDS organizations and civil society groups in South Africa has been widely commended, the Government's response has been criticized, both domestically and internationally. Much of this criticism has focused on the lack of access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) across the country. AI noted that according to the government's Mid-Term Report on the Millennium Development Goals in May 2007, "a cumulative total of 303,788 patients" were in antiretroviral therapy treatment programs at 316 public sector healthcare sites across the country. However, health rights monitoring organizations observed at the time that this still represented less than half of those needing ART. While treatment is free in public health sector facilities, other factors operate to undermine the availability, accessibility and quality of health services for people living with HIV and AIDS. These include, from AI's field observations, a critical shortage of health personnel, particularly in rural and other under-served areas; delays by national and provincial departments of health in the "accreditation" of additional healthcare facilities to provide ART. [Para 30]

... It recommended that South Africa determine and address the causes of maternal mortality. [Para 12]

CEDAW … recommended that South Africa review the bill to ensure that women could opt out of traditional court proceedings and appeal decisions. [Para 19]

UPR-BCU recommended that South Africa invest in broader access to HIV/AIDS treatment, prioritise school sex education, and invest more in awareness-raising. [Para 37]

The Department of Social Development’s (DSD) White Paper on Families in South Africa provides that along with the economy, polity and education, the family is universally viewed as one of the essential sectors without which no society can function. The family influences the way society is structured, organised, and functions. [Para 66]

Continue its efforts to combat all forms of discrimination against women, to fight violence against them and to enhance their presence in higher decision-making positions

Ensure implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, especially on violence against women