Agenda Item 3: Report of the Working Group on the Issue of Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice and Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences
As delivered by Michael G. Dozler
32nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva,
June 17, 2016
The United States greatly appreciates the efforts of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice to emphasize the severity of the effects that discrimination can have on women’s access to healthcare. The United States thanks you for your commitment to furthering the rights of women in relation to healthcare access and to their safety.
Questions:
- How do Member States ensure that cultural norms regarding modesty do not interfere with granting women non-discriminatory access to healthcare?
- Thank you for mentioning the potential negative consequences to women’s healthcare when drug testing is conducted solely on men. We agree that more women should be enrolled in studies as long as their safety is properly assured. How can officials ensure that women are properly represented in drug testing?
The United States also thanks the Special Rapporteur on violence against women for her efforts to investigate the impacts of all forms of violence, including political violence, on women and communities worldwide.
We note your intention to look into the creation of a global code of conduct for law enforcement officers who deal with cases of violence against women. The SR is likely to get broader support for guidelines of the type described if the effort is initiated by member states through the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal justice.
Question:
- Your report noted that sexual violence against women and girls goes severely underreported. How do you suggest that Member States encourage reporting of sexual violence against women and make the reporting process easier?
(end)