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The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report, and the attached documentation.

1. The Committee notes the statistics contained in the "National Clara González Report: The situation of women in Panama, 1999", indicating that women’s participation in economic activity amounts to 36.5 per cent of the economically active population, compared with 63.5 per cent for men, and that the proportion of women who are active is only 45.9 per cent, compared with a participation rate of 81.7 per cent for men.

2. The Committee notes the proposal for the participative strategy between state institutions and civil society, in accordance with the regulations issued under Act No. 4 of 29 January 1999 establishing equality of opportunity for women, through the implementation of subcomponent 10.4 of the Programme for Equality of Opportunity in Panama (PROIGUALDAD, PAN/B7 3010/95/100). The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the process of developing regulations under the above Act.

3. The Committee notes the priority that is being given to activities to achieve the sustainability of projects under the PROIGUALDAD programme. It notes that the process is currently under way of introducing and starting up the national gender training system for employees in the public sector and non governmental organizations, and the progress achieved within the context of the public policy on education and culture. The Committee also requests information on the impact of the measures adopted within the framework of the PROIGUALDAD programme.

4. The Committee notes the activities that are being carried out under sections IV, V and VI of Act No. 4 respecting indigenous and rural women and requests the Government to continue providing information on the progress achieved in promoting equality of opportunity in employment and occupation for these groups, and to include information in its next report on Afro Panamanian women.

5. The Committee notes that, despite the efforts made to issue regulations under Act No. 42 of 27 August 1999 respecting the equalization of opportunities for the disabled, the respective regulations have still not been adopted, for which reason it is not possible to require strict compliance with the Act and matters in this respect remain at the discretion of employers.

6. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to prevent discrimination in access to employment, conditions of work and employment security on grounds of race, colour, national extraction or religion.