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1. The Committee notes the Government's report (received in June 1989) and the information provided in reply to its previous direct requests. The Committee notes with interest the National Charter which was adopted on 14 September 1987. It notes that the National Charter lays down, in a non-discriminatory manner, the overall development plans for Niger and that it contains chapters on education and training and on employment policy. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of these plans.

2. The Committee also notes with interest the new Constitution of 24 September 1989. As the Committee has received a copy of the draft Constitution submitted to popular referendum (Order No. 89-06 of 8 February 1989), it requests the Government to indicate whether the same text was adopted.

3. The Committee notes from the draft Constitution that article 11 guarantees equality before the law without distinction on the basis of origin, race, sex or religion, but that no mention is made in this section of political opinion. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate how this is covered in the new Constitution. It notes in this connection that article 13 guarantees to citizens all the rights and freedoms recognised by the National Charter, including freedom of opinion and of thought; it notes also, however, that article 16 provides that the political system of the country is based on the principle of one political movement, within which there shall be free expression of opinion and of ideological tendencies (emphasis added).

4. The Committee notes the action taken by the Directorate for the Promotion of Women, which has been transferred to the Department for Social Affairs and the Status of Women, and it hopes that the Government will continue to provide information on the progress achieved by the Directorate in promoting the status of women in the rural as well as in the urban areas.

5. The Committee notes from the Government's report that due to sociological reasons relatively few women work in the modern sector, as compared to men, but that measures are being taken to promote the participation of women in national development. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report statistics on the percentages of women working in both the public and the private sectors, other than the rural sector, and to provide information on the progress achieved through the measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of the access to employment and to particular occupations.

6. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the national policy to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation is pursued, inter alia, through the educational system. It also notes the educational development plans in the National Charter. It requests the Government to include in its next report statistics on the percentages of female students in schools and vocational training centres, and on the progress achieved in the promotion of equality of access to educational establishments and vocational training centres and especially to those preparing students for trades considered - because of prejudices and tradition - to be exclusively masculine.