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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report.

1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes once again that the Government has not provided any information on the reform of the Cooperatives Act, particularly with regard to section 17(b) of the regulations issued under the Act, by virtue of which married women need the authorization of their husbands to be members of housing, agricultural and family vegetable garden cooperatives. The Committee hopes that this regulation will be amended in the near future and once again requests the Government to report on developments concerning the activities of the board of the National Council for Women (CONAMU) and the Standing Committee for Women, Youth, Children and the Family, and particularly on how the reform is progressing.

2. Also with reference to its previous comments, the Committee regrets to note that the Government has not adopted measures to amend a number of the provisions of the Cooperatives Act and the Commercial Code which impose restrictions on women. The Committee once again points out to the Government that the best means of averting any uncertainty as to the legislation in force is to repeal or amend the provisions found to be unconstitutional by the Tribunal, and it hopes that the Government will adopt the above amendments.

3. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided any information concerning Afro-Ecuadorian communities. The Committee reiterates its request and asks the Government to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged to eliminate discrimination and promote equality in employment and occupation for the Afro-Ecuadorian population.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on certain points.