Forty-fo u rth session

20 July-7 August 2009

Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Liberia

1.The Committee considered the combined initial, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth periodic report of Liberia (CEDAW/C/LBR/6) at its 901st and 902nd meetings, on 31 July 2009. The Committee’s list of issues and questions is contained in CEDAW/C/LBR/Q/6 and the responses of Liberia are contained in CEDAW/C/LBR/Q/6/Add.1.

Introduction

2.The Committee commends the State party for ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women without reservations and for accepting the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, concerning the meeting time of the Committee. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for its combined initial, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth periodic report, which followed the Committee’s guidelines for the preparation of reports and which provided a candid picture of the situation of women in Liberia. However, it regrets that the report was long overdue and did not refer to the Committee’s general recommendations. The Committee also expresses its appreciation for the written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by the pre-session working group and for the oral presentation and responses to the questions posed by the Committee.

3.The Committee commends the State party on its high-level delegation headed by the Minister of Gender and Development, which included the Minister of Education, the Deputy Ministers of Health, Justice, and Gender, and other representatives from these Government ministries and civil society, with expertise in a broad range of areas covered by the Convention. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the frank and constructive dialogue held between the delegation and the members of the Committee.

4.The Committee commends the State party for signing the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 2004, and looks forward to its ratification.

5.The Committee recognizes the State party’s recent emergence from conflict and takes note of the economic, social and political obstacles related to the war which have had a negative impact on the entire population, in particular on women and girls, and which constitute obstacles to the full implementation of the Convention.

Positive aspects

6.The Committee notes with appreciation that the combined initial to sixth periodic report was prepared through a participatory process which involved Government bodies and non-governmental organizations, with technical assistance from the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women.

7.The Committee commends the State party on its demonstrated political will and commitment, expressed during the constructive dialogue, to eliminate discrimination against women and achieve gender equality.

8.The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s recent efforts to revise existing legislation that discriminates against women and enact new laws, including the 2006 Rape Law which amends chapter 14, sections 14.70 and 14.71, of the new Penal Code, the 2003 Inheritance Law, and the Fairness Bill/Bill for the Equal Participation and Representation of Women in the Political Process, which is pending in Parliament. It also appreciates the State party’s efforts to put in place plans, policies and programmes aimed at promoting gender equality, including the National Gender-based Violence Plan of Action (2006), the National Health Policy (2007), the National Policy on Girls’ Education (2006), the HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan of Action (2006), the Poverty Reduction Strategy (2008-2011), the National Rural Women’s Program (2008), and the national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). It notes that implementation of some of these plans and policies remains at the initial stages.

9.The Committee appreciates the State party’s regular cooperation and partnership with non-governmental organizations and community-based women’s organizations in the country, which assist the State party in its efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

Principal areas of concern and recommendations

10. While recalling the State party ’ s obligation to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the Convention, the Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding observations as requiring the priority attention of the State party between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the State party to focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It also calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding observations to all relevant ministries, other Government structures at all levels, Parliament and the judiciary in order to ensure their effective implementation.

Parliament

11. While reaffirming that the Government has the primary responsibility and is particularly accountable for the full implementation of the State party ’ s obligations under the Convention, the Committee stresses that the Convention is binding on all branches of Government and invites the State party to encourage its national Parliament, in line with its mandate and procedures, where appropriate, to take the necessary steps with regard to the implementation of these concluding observations and the Government ’ s next reportin g process under the Convention.

Legal status of the Convention, the principle of equality, definition of discrimination and discriminatory laws

12.The Committee is concerned that, despite the ratification of the Convention by the State party in 1984, it has yet to be incorporated into Liberian law and is not justiciable in Liberian courts. The Committee also expresses concern that, although article 11 (b) of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons irrespective of sex, there is no definition of discrimination in the State party’s Constitution or legislation in line with article 1 of the Convention, which covers both direct and indirect discrimination, nor is there any legislation embodying the principle of equality between women and men.

13. The Committee urges the State party to take immediate steps to ensure the publication of the Convention in order to make its provisions directly applicable. It calls on the State party , as a matter of priority, to incorporate into appropriate national legislation a definition of discrimination against women in conformity with article 1 of the Convention. The Committee further calls on the State party to incorporate the principle of equality between women and men in line with article 2 of the Convention in to the Constitution , which is currently under review.

14.While noting the efforts to review, with the support of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, national laws to identify those that discriminate against women, the Committee is concerned that statutory and customary laws which discriminate against women in both purpose or effect remain in force, in particular those contained in the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Hinterland of Liberia, which discriminate against women in contravention of the State party’s obligations under the Convention. The Committee is also concerned about women’s access to justice and the enforcement of their rights under the Convention.

15. The Committee calls on the State party, within the framework of the legal and constitutional review processes currently under way, to take a holistic approach to law reform that will ensure women ’ s de jure and de facto equality. It urges the State party to ensure that all discriminatory laws, including customary law, are amended or repealed and brought into full compliance with the Convention and the Committee ’ s general recommendations as a matter of priority. The C ommittee also requests the State party to remove all impediments women may face in gaining access to justice, in particular those governed by customary law, and urges the State party to take appropriate measures to enhance women ’ s legal literacy and awareness of their rights, including their right to seek legal redress in court . It calls on the State party to ensure that the Convention and related domestic legislation are made an integral part of legal education and the training of judicial officers, including judges, lawyers and prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, district officials, chiefs and other traditional and community leaders so as to create a legal culture supportive of women ’ s equality and non-discrimination. It also calls on the State party to disseminate the Convention widely to the general public so as to create awareness of women ’ s human rights and to raise the awareness of legislators and the general public of the urgent need to prioritize legal reforms to achieve de jure equality for women.

National machinery for the advancement of women

16.While noting with appreciation that the national machinery for the advancement of women is established at the ministerial level and has a clear mandate, the Committee notes with concern that the Ministry of Gender and Development lacks sufficient capacity and resources to effectively coordinate the implementation of the gender mainstreaming strategy across all sectors and levels of Government. The Committee is also concerned at the slow pace of the formulation and adoption of the second draft National Gender Policy, which will serve as the basis for the work of the national machinery.

17. The Committee calls on the State party to prioritize the strengthening of the national machinery and provide it with the necessary human and financial resources and authority to serve as a catalyst and to coordinate the implementation of the Convention and effective use of the gender mainstreaming strategy across all line ministries and sectors of G overnment at all levels. It further calls for the Government to adopt and implement the National Gender Policy without delay. It urges the State party to monitor systematically the impact of its gender mainstreaming efforts, with concrete benchmarks and time frames, and to report to the Committee in its next report on results achieved, obstacles encountered and steps ta ken to overcome such obstacles.

Stereotypes, cultural practices

18.The Committee is deeply concerned at the persistence of harmful traditional practices, patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles, responsibilities and identities of women and men in all spheres of life. The Committee expresses concern that such norms, customs and practices justify and perpetuate discrimination against women, violence against women and the persistence of harmful traditional practices, including early and forced marriage and trial by ordeal. It regrets that no sustained and systematic action has been taken by the State party to modify or eliminate such harmful traditional practices, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes.

19.The Committee urges the State party to view culture as a dynamic dimension of the country ’ s life and social fabric, subject to many influences over time and therefore to change. It urges the State party to put in place, without delay, a comprehensive strategy, including clear goals and timetables, to modify or eliminate negative cultural practices and stereotypes which are harmful to, and discriminate against, women and to promote women ’ s full enjoyment of their human rights in conformity with articles 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention. This strategy should include legislation and specially designed educational and awareness-raising programmes targeting women and men at all levels of society, including G overnment officials, chiefs and other traditional and community leaders, and zoes (headwomen of the Sande society) . It should be aimed at creating an enabling environment for the transformation and change of stereotypes and discriminatory cultural values, attitudes and practices. The Committee also encourages the State party to put in place monitoring mechanisms to regularly assess progress made towards the achievement of established goals.

20.The Committee is extremely concerned about the persistence of female genital mutilation, which is a grave violation of girls’ and women’s human rights to bodily integrity and health and the State party’s obligations under the Convention, and regrets that there is no law prohibiting this practice. The Committee is also concerned that the operations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in issuing permits to the practitioners represent an explicit form of support for the practice and thereby undermine any efforts to eliminate it.

21.The Committee urges the State party to enact without delay and as a matter of priority legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation and to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and punished in accordance with the severity of this violation. The Committee also calls on the State party to immediately stop issuing permits to practitioners , as is currently being done by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It encourages the State party to extend and accelerate implementation of programmes designed to sensitize and provide alternative sources of income for those who perform female genital mutilation as a means of livelihood. It urges the State party to strengthen its awareness-raising and educational efforts, targeted at both women and men, including G overnment officials at all levels, chiefs and other traditional and community leaders, and zoes, to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation and its underlying cultural justifications.

Violence against women

22.The Committee notes with grave concern the extent, intensity and prevalence of violence against women in Liberia, especially sexual violence, both during and after the conflict. It also notes that, during the conflict, women and girls were particularly vulnerable to and affected by sexual violence. The Committee welcomes the important progress made by the State party in developing policies and establishing institutional mechanisms to address the pervasive violence against women in the country, but it remains concerned about the lack of a comprehensive legal framework to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women, and the lack of adequate services and protection for victims of violence.

23. The Committee urges the State party to prioritize the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive legal framework to address all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, and to accelerate implementation of existing measures. It encourages the State party to make full use of the Committee ’ s general recommendation No. 19 and urges the State party to undertake educational and public awareness programmes through the media to convey the message that all forms of violence against women, including domes tic violence, are unacceptable.

24.The Committee is concerned that measures designed to combat and eradicate violence against women are not enforced in practice, lack coordination and remain concentrated in urban areas. It is also concerned that the police, judiciary and health-care providers lack the capacity to respond adequately to violence against women and girls in spite of efforts to train and sensitize them. It also notes that there is an excessive backlog of cases in the courts, resulting in a lack of access to justice for victims and a prevalence of impunity for perpetrators.

25. The Committee calls upon the State party to continue efforts to train the judiciary, law enforcement officials, legal professio nals, social workers and health- care providers on violence against women so as to ensure that the perpetrators of violence against women are effectively prosecuted and punished with the required seriousness and speed, and that effective and gender-sensitive support is provided to victims. The Committee requests the State party to remove impediments women face in gaining access to justice at all levels, in all areas of the country. It also calls on the State party to establish support measures for victims of violence, including shelters and legal, medical and psychological support, in particular for those women and girls affected by violence during the conflict, and to continue efforts for their rehabilitation and reintegration. The Committee requests the State party to provide information in its next report on the laws, policies and programmes in place to deal with all forms of violence against women and on the results achieved in the implementation of such measures, as well as data on trends in the prevalence of various forms of such violence.

Trafficking

26.While noting the passage of the 2005 Anti-Human Trafficking Act, the Committee is concerned at the status and effectiveness of measures taken to ensure the law’s practical implementation. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the extent of trafficking in the country.

27. The Committee requests the State party to accelerate its efforts aimed at the effective implementation and full enforcement of the 2005 Anti-Human Trafficking Act. Such efforts should , in particular , include the effective prosecution and punishment of traffickers. It also recommends that the State party increase the provision of assistance and support to women victims, as well as prevention efforts, by addressing the root causes of trafficking and improving the economic situation of women in order to eliminate their vulnerability to exploitation and traffickers. It also invites the State party to enhance its collaboration with countries in the region to prevent and combat trafficking in women and girls , as well as to undertake studies on the prevalence of trafficking in the country.

Political participation and participation in public life

28.While noting efforts made to ensure women’s participation in public and political life at all levels, including within the framework of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, the Committee is concerned about the low level of participation of women at the highest levels of decision-making and the lack of concrete steps to address the underlying causes, including prevailing social and cultural attitudes.

29. The Committee urges the State party to take concrete measures to accelerate the increase in the representation of women in all branches and levels of Government in accordance with article s 7 and 8 of the Convention and its general recommendation No. 23 on women in political and public life and through use of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee ’ s general recommendation No. 25. The Committee encourages the State party to take cognizance of articles 7 and 8 of the Convention as well as general recommendation Nos. 23 and 25 during consideration of the draft Fairness Bill/Bill for the Equal Participation and Representation of Women in the Political Process. The Committee also encourages the State party to implement awareness-raising campaigns to highlight the importance to society as a whole of women ’ s full and equal participation in leadership positions at all levels. The Committee invites the State party to monitor carefully the impact of measures taken and results achieved and to report there on in its next periodic report.

Nationality

30.The Committee notes with concern that certain provisions of the 1973 Revised Alien and Nationality Law discriminate against Liberian women. In particular, it is concerned that under this law, a child born abroad to a Liberian mother and a non‑Liberian father is not automatically granted its mother’s nationality.

31. The Committee urges the State party to remove all discriminatory laws relating to nationality, in accordance with article 9 of the Convention during the ongoing legal reform process.

Education

32.The Committee notes that education is key to the advancement of women and that the low level of education of girls and women remains among the most serious impediments to their full enjoyment of human rights and the achievement of women’s empowerment. While recognizing ongoing efforts aimed at increasing enrolment and retention of girls in schools, as well as progress made in reducing the gender gap in primary school enrolment, the Committee is concerned at the persistence of structural and other barriers to quality education which constitute particular obstacles to the education of girls and young women. These barriers include lack of physical infrastructure, the persistence of gender-based stereotypes in text-books and school curricula that reinforce discriminatory attitudes against women in society, and lack of trained and qualified teachers. The Committee is also concerned about the persistence of sexual abuse and harassment of girls in schools, the negative impact of harmful traditional practices, such as early and forced marriage, on girls’ education, and barriers to pregnant girls’ access to schools.

33. The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to improve the educational infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and to raise awareness of the importance of education as a human right and a basis for the empowerment of women. It recommends that the State party implement measures to ensure equal access for girls and women to all levels of education and retention of girls in school, including through temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee ’ s general recommendation No. 25. It also calls on the State party to ensure that sexual abuse and harassment in schools are addressed and punished appropriately, and to remove all barriers to school attendance for pregnant girls and young mothers. It encourages the State party to take steps to overcome traditional attitudes that constitute obstacles to girls ’ and women ’ s education, and to develop non-stereotyped educational curricula that address structural causes of discrimination against women. The Committee calls on the State party to make strong efforts to improve the literacy level of girls and women through the adoption of comprehensive programmes at the formal and non-formal levels, and through adult education and training.

Employment and women’s economic empowerment

34.The Committee is concerned that women in Liberia do not enjoy their full rights under article 11 of the Convention. It is also concerned at the lack of clarity on the existence and scope of labour laws and policies in force in the country and on the extent of their implementation. It is particularly concerned about the situation of women working in the private sector, including in rubber plantations, as well as the high number of women in the informal sector, and the lack of rights and social benefits, including maternity protections, available to them. While the Committee recognizes the measures being taken by the State party to enhance women’s economic empowerment and access to employment, it is concerned about the disadvantaged situation of women in the labour market. It notes, for example, the creation of the Liberia Emergency Employment Program and Liberia Employment Action Program, under which only 900 women benefited from the reported 83,000 jobs created in total.

35. The Committee requests the State party to take all appropriate measures to ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market, in accordance with article 11 of the Convention, including through the use of temporary special measures in accordance with its article 4, paragraph 1 , and general recommendation No. 25. The Committee calls on the State party to ratify International Labour Conference Convention No. 100 and to incorporate the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value into its labour laws and policies. It calls upon the State party to give full consideration to the adoption of draft legislation on decent work and to ensure that all provisions that discriminate against women are removed without delay from existing laws and policies, and that the revised laws extend to both the public and private sectors and are fully enforced. It also calls upon the State party to ensure that women receive adequate social benefits and services. It recommends that the State party address women ’ s disadvantaged situation in the labour market and intensify efforts to enhance women ’ s access to employment in the formal sector, including through increased opportunities for education and training . A ll employment-generation programmes should be gender- sensitive and fully benefit women.

Health

36.The Committee is deeply concerned at the highly negative effects of conflict on Liberia’s health-care infrastructure, which constitutes a grave obstacle to the access of women and girls to adequate health care and services on an equitable and equal basis, especially in rural areas. While recognizing the crucial role played by the international community and non-governmental organizations in the delivery of health care and services, and noting recent steps taken by the State party in the area of health care, for example the development of the Basic Package of Health Services and the road map for accelerating the reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, the Committee is concerned that the State party lacks the basic resources and capacity to implement its health-care policies and ensure the full enjoyment of women’s rights under article 12 of the Convention. The Committee is particularly concerned about the alarming rates of maternal mortality, the high incidence of teenage pregnancy and the high rates of HIV/AIDS infection affecting women and girls in the country. It is also concerned at the lack of access of women, particularly in rural areas, to sexual and reproductive and health services, including skilled birth attendance and adequate post-natal care.

37. The Committee encourages the State party to continue its collaboration with civil society and the international community in the area of health care, including the development of physical infrastructure and human resources, with a view to strengthening its own capacity to deliver basic health care and services, including mental health, and increasing the access of women and girls to those services on an equal and equitable basis. The Committee encourages systematic use of its general recommendation No. 24 on women and health in this regard. It urges the State party to make every effort to raise awareness of and increase women ’ s access to health-care facilities, medical assistance by trained personnel, particularly in the areas of birth attendance and post-natal care, especially in rural areas. The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to reduce the incidence of maternal mortality and teenage pregnancy and continue to implement awareness-raising initiatives on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including those that target adolescent girls, with special attention paid to the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. It suggests that the State party assess the actual causes of maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS and set targets and benchmarks within a time frame for their reduction.

Rural women

38.While welcoming the National Rural Women’s Program currently under way and the attention given to gender equality in the recent Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Committee is concerned about the precarious situation of women in rural areas. These women constitute the majority of women in Liberia and are disproportionately affected by a lack of adequate health services, education, economic opportunities, social benefits and access to adequate living conditions, in particular basic sanitation and water infrastructure. As previously noted, the Committee is deeply concerned about rural women’s access to justice and the enforcement of their rights under the Convention, in view of discriminatory customary laws contained in the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Hinterland of Liberia which govern rural women. It expresses its particular concern about the prevalence of harmful traditional practices and the persistence of customs and traditions in rural areas that violate the human rights of women and girls and adversely affect their equality and advancement.

39. The Committee urges the State party to take appropriate measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against rural women and eradicate harmful traditional practices and those customs and traditions which justify and perpetuate them. The Committee urges the State party to pay special attention to the needs of rural women and ensure that they participate in decision-making processes, including community decision-making processes and development planning, and have equal access to basic services and infrastructure, and economic opportuni ties, including income-generating projects and credit facilities, on an equ al and equitable basis with men and also with their urban counterparts. The Committee reiterates its request that the State party ensure that all discriminatory customary law is repealed or amended and brought into full compliance with the Convention and the Committee ’ s general recommendations, and calls on the State party to remove all impediments rural women may face in gaining access to justice. The Committee urges the State party to take special measures to enhance rural women ’ s knowledge and awareness of their rights, including their right to seek legal redress in statutory courts.

Family relations

40.The Committee expresses concern at the persistence of discriminatory provisions in customary law and the prevalence of harmful traditional practices in contravention of articles 15 and 16 of the Convention. It welcomes steps taken to harmonize statutory and customary law in the area of women’s right to property with the passage of the 2003 Inheritance Law but is concerned that women’s property rights remain restricted. The Committee is also concerned that women are not allowed to appear before traditional courts without their husbands, that early and forced marriages remain prevalent, and that women do not enjoy equal rights with men in customary marriage. The Committee is also concerned at the lack of information on widows and divorce.

41. The Committee urges the State party, in accordance with articles 15 and 16 of the Convention and in line with its general recommendation No. 21, to eliminate all discriminatory provisions in customary law and statutory law, so that women can enjoy the same legal rights in marriage as men. The Committee further urges the State party to ensure that traditional courts ’ procedures comply with human rights norms and standards with a view to guarant ee ing women ’ s equal access to the courts. The Committee calls on the State party to include information on widows and divorce in their next report.

Data collection and analysis

42.While noting the recent efforts to improve the collection of sex-disaggregated data, including the recent launch of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics aimed at rebuilding statistical capacity and strengthening coordination across Government ministries and agencies responsible for data collection, the Committee is concerned at the lack, or limited availability, of data disaggregated by sex in a number of areas of the Convention. Such data are necessary for targeted policymaking, systematic monitoring and evaluation of progress achieved towards women’s de facto equality, and the accurate assessment of the situation of women and trends over time with regard to all areas covered by the Convention.

43. The Committee calls on the State party to give priority to the systematic collection of comprehensive data disaggregated by sex and of measurable indicators to assess trends in the situation of women and of progress towards women ’ s de facto equality, and calls its attention to general recommendation No. 9 in this regard. The Committee invites the State party, as necessary, to seek international assistance for the development of such data collection and analysis efforts, and to ensure that such efforts are informed by the needs of users of the data. The Committee requests that statistical data and analysis, disaggregated by sex and rural and urban areas, indicating the impact of measures and results achieved, be includ ed in its next periodic report.

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

44. The Committee urges the State party to utilize fully, in the implementation of its obligations under the Convention, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which reinforce the provisions of the Convention, and requests the State party to include information thereon in its next periodic report.

Millennium Development Goals

45. The Committee emphasizes that full and effective implementation of the Convention is indispensable for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It calls for the integration of a gender perspective and explicit reflection of the provisions of the Convention in all efforts aimed at the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and requests the State party to include information thereon in its next periodic report.

Ratification of other treaties

46. The Committee notes that States ’ adherence to the nine major international human rights instruments enhances the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms in all aspects of life. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Government of Liberia to ratify the treaties to which it is not yet a party, namely , the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which it signed in 2007, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Dissemination of concluding observations

47. The Committee requests the wide dissemination in Liberia of the present concluding observations in order to make the people, including Government officials, politicians, parliamentarians and women ’ s and human rights organizations, aware of the measures that have been taken to ensure de jure and de facto equality of women, as well as the further steps that are required in this regard. It requests the State party to continue to strengthen the dissemination, in particular to women ’ s and human rights organizations, of the Convention, its Optional Protocol, the Committee ’ s general recommendations, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, entitled “ Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century ” .

Optional Protocol to the Convention

48. The Committee encourages the State party to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention, which it signed in 2004.

Follow-up to concluding observations

49. The Committee requests the State party to provide, within two years, written information on the steps taken to implement the recommendations contained in paragraphs 13 and 21 above.

Technical assistance

50. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to avail itself of technical assistance in the development and implementation of a comprehensive programme aimed at the implementation of the above recommendations as well as the Convention as a whole. The Committee expresses its willingness to continue its dialogue with the State party, including through a country visit by Committee members aimed at provid ing further guidance on the implementation of the above recommendations and the State party ’ s obligations under the Convention. The Committee also calls upon the State party to strengthen further its cooperation with the specialized agencies and programmes of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the United Nations Children ’ s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Statistics Division and the Division for the Advancement of Women in the Department of Economic and Soc ial Affairs of the Secretariat.

Date of next report

51. The Committee requests that the State party respond to the concerns expressed in the present concluding observations in its next periodic report in accordance with article 18 of the Convention. The Committee invites the State party to submit its combined seventh and eighth periodic report in 2013.