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The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending 31 May 1997.

1. The Committee notes from this report that Act No. 25/PR/94 adopting the policy declaration of the population of Chad was promulgated on 22 July 1994 and that, among other matters, it recommends reinforcing the capacities of the women of Chad to fully exercise their rights, to increase their participation in the development process and to upgrade their social status. It also notes that under this Act, on 4 September 1995, the Government adopted Act No. 19/PR/95, which contains a declaration of a policy to integrate women into development (IFD). It requests the Government to provide a copy of these two texts. Noting also the creation in 1995 of IFD focal points at departmental level, as well as a national IFD committee placed under the auspices of the Minister for Women, it requests the Government to provide it with information on the activities of these bodies as regards the promotion of women's access to employment. It also requests information on the "Support for the protection of women" project which comes under IFD policy, as well as a copy of the "Objective list of the needs of the women of Chad", undertaken as part of this project. In addition, it asks the Government to supply a copy of the national report on the condition of women, which was not annexed to the last report.

2. The Committee notes the creation, by a Ministerial Order of 1994, of a technical cell to promote girls' education. The Government also indicates that the school attendance rate has risen slightly since the establishment of this body. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide it with a copy of the Ministerial Order of 1994 mentioned above, as well as statistical data on the attendance rates of girls and boys at different educational levels, since the creation in 1994 of the cell to promote girls' education.

3. The Committee notes that a coordination unit for women's associations has been established under the Minister responsible for the promotion of women, working in collaboration with the women's committees from central trade unions. It notes the Government's statement that the State shall make its advice and experience available during the workers' education and training programmes. The Committee requests the Government to submit information regarding the activities undertaken by the coordinating unit mentioned above, in collaboration with the trade unions, as regards promotion of the principle of equality in employment.

4. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the measures implemented or envisaged, in law and in practice, to ensure the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of national extraction, both in public and private employment.