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The Committee recalls its previous observation referring to communications from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), now the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), of 23 September 2003 and the National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Senegal (UNSAS) of 16 October 2006, which drew attention to occupational sex segregation and also to the high rate of female illiteracy and the low school enrolment rate for girls in the country. In this regard, the Committee requested the Government to harmonize the national legislation with the principle of equal opportunity and treatment provided for in the Convention and also asked it to take appropriate measures to establish an equal opportunities policy aimed at promoting greater access for women to education and work, including access to traditionally male-dominated jobs, self-employment and managerial and decision-making posts. The Committee also asked the Government to take steps to promote awareness raising and training on issues relating to gender equality.

The Committee notes from the Government’s report that numerous decrees have been adopted in order to remove the discriminatory provisions contained in the country’s legislation which prevented women employees from having their spouses and children as dependants in relation to benefits such as family allowances. The Committee also notes that a “National Strategy on gender equality and equity” (SNEEG) was launched in December 2007, which was formulated with the assistance of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee also notes that women are now being recruited for the customs service (since 2005), the national police force (since 2006), the armed forces (since 2007) and the gendarmerie (since 2006), areas which were traditionally reserved for men. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government’s report, many activities to raise awareness with regard to the principle of the Convention are regularly conducted for the interested parties. Nevertheless, the Committee notes that no statistical data are available to enable it to gain a general picture of progress made in the application of the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government:

(i)    to provide information on any progress made in harmonization of the legislation with the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment or occupation;

(ii)   to supply detailed information on the measures taken or contemplated to implement the “National Strategy on gender equality and equity” and also their impact in practice;

(iii) to provide further details on awareness-raising and training activities which are currently being conducted on the principle of equality, indicating, in particular, the beneficiaries of these initiatives and the manner in which employers’ and workers’ organizations participate in such activities;

(iv) to provide statistical information on the participation of men and women in the various levels of education and training, disaggregated by sex, and on their participation in employment or work in the public and private sectors (according to categories of employment or occupations) and also in the informal economy; and

(v)   to provide information on any matters brought to the attention of the labour inspection services or judicial authorities with regard to the application of the Convention.