•
Allocate sufficient budget to the National Machinery for Women
Article 4:‐ Temporary Special Measures
Concluding Observation: ‐Accelerating de facto equality through the provision of temporary
special measures (CO2007/3, para. 14)
16. An important advancement by the State towards gender equality is the ratification of
2008 Constitution that stipulated non‐discrimination on the basis of sex and removal of
legal barrier that hindered women from running for the highest public office
(Presidency) in the country, and sanctioned affirmative action to disadvantaged
individuals or groups. Even at present, women remain under‐represented at policy and
decision making level all branches of government and efforts to secure legislative quotas
for women in 2007 for Parliament and in 2010 for local councils remain unsuccessful. An
emphasis on temporary special measures was reflected in the National Gender Equality
Policy formulated in 2009 but it is evident that there was no substantial progress in its
implementation.
17. The current legislative agenda of the government includes a Bill on Gender Equality
which requires public bodies, organizations, employers and other persons to take
measures to promote gender equality and prohibit gender based discrimination.
Women’s representations at political posts remain marginal and government has
expressed its interest to increase number of women in political posts to 33 percent
through a regulation under the government’s policy to empower women6. Furthermore,
Corporate Governance Code of Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA) was
amended to include at least 2 women as Board Directors of all listed companies by the
end of 2014 and to increase this number to 30 percent by 2016; and presently, an
insignificant number of women represent on the Board of Directors of such companies7.
18. Domination of men in decision making level can affect budgetary allocations and
implementation of gender equality policies. Structural barriers in governance, absence
of political will, cultural norms entrenched in the society coupled with growing societal
conservative attitudes affect women empowerment in the country. Consequently the
implementation of the provisions relating to this article persists to be one of the key
areas of concern for the country.
19. The emphasis of both the State and society has always been on de jure equality and
little or no consideration has been placed on ensuring de facto equality.
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