CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the Government’s report.

1. The Committee notes that the new Labour Code, which has been under discussion since 1994, has still not been adopted. It notes that the legislative committee of the National Council of Women had reviewed the draft Code, recommending amendments to ensure that existing benefits, including maternity leave and childcare leave, remained available for all working women (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW/C/2001/I/Add.2, paragraph 4). It requests the Government to keep it informed of further progress made regarding the new Labour Code and to provide a copy upon adoption.

2. With reference to its previous comment concerning activities and measures in respect to equality in employment and occupation undertaken by the various relevant bodies responsible for women’s affairs, the Committee notes from the Government’s report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW/C/EGY74-5, page 21) that a National Council of Women was established in February 2000, which replaces the former National Committee for Women. The Committee notes the various tasks of the Standing Committee for Education, Training and Scientific Research of the National Council of Women, which include addressing the qualitative gap between men and women in education and technology and stressing increased participation of women in planning and formulating educational and research policies. The Standing Committee is also to evaluate illiteracy programmes for women and to encourage the competent authorities to carry out training sessions for rural Bedouin women on management of integrated development projects. The Committee notes that the General Department for Women’s Affairs at the Ministry of Social Affairs is undertaking a project to promote rural women, which includes training on income-generating skills and the provision of loans to rural women to carry out income-generating projects. The unit for women’s activities of the Ministry of Agriculture also provides loans for job-creating small projects for women in rural areas. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on these activities and other measures undertaken or planned, including information on their assessment and impact, by the National Council of Women and the other competent bodies to promote equal access of women, including minority women, to training and employment. Please also provide information on the follow-up to the project carried out in collaboration with the ILO on training and information on the rights of women workers.

3. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the percentage of women’s participation in the labour force, according to the 1996 census, reached 15.2 per cent. As regards the low participation of women in high-level functions, the Committee notes the information that, despite the equal status of women in law, discrimination of women continues to exist. According to the Government, among the reasons for low participation of women in leading positions in the private sector is the view that women’s work is less productive due to measures, such as maternity protection and part-time work to fulfil family responsibilities. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Government is endeavouring to change the traditional perception of women which does not adequately acknowledge their rights or abilities. It also note the Government’s recognition of the importance of providing services that will enable women to carry out their family and professional roles efficiently. The Government is asked to continue to provide information on its activities to promote the application of the Convention in all parts of society and to combat social factors constituting obstacles to the integration of women in development and their entry into the formal labour market. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information, including statistical data on the labour force participation of women in the private and public sector, including in high-level positions. It further asks the Government to supply information on measures taken to eliminate discrimination of women because of maternity and family responsibilities.

4. The Committee reiterates its previous request for information on measures to ensure non-discrimination in employment and occupation on the basis of all the grounds set out in the Convention and particularly political opinion, religion and national extraction.