Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee notes the Government’s report.

1. The Committee notes the observations by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) of 21 May 2001 (E/C.12/1/Add.61) expressing concern at women’s status in Togolese society. This committee observes that, although the Constitution states that all are equal before the law, women continue to suffer widespread discrimination with regard to the right to education, social security, protection of the family and practices deriving from traditional law.

2. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee recalls that the Government devised and implemented a number of programmes for the advancement of women by measures which include promoting access for girls and young women to education at all levels and to technical training. The Committee again asks the Government to supply precise information on specific measures under way or envisaged to counter obstacles of a social nature to the promotion of equality in practice, such as parental reticence to the education of girls, particularly in rural areas, or prejudice preventing the access of women to certain jobs.

3. The Committee further stresses the need to obtain reliable statistical data on the school attendance rate of girls and on the number of women in jobs in the private sector and the public sector. The Committee points out that where inequality of opportunity in employment and education is overlooked because it is inadequately reported and reflected in statistics, effective application of the Convention is negatively affected.

4. The Committee notes that the Government intends to send with future reports the studies conducted under the 1996-2005 Action Plan for the Advancement of Women and to report on progress in this area. It takes note of the information concerning the drafting of a new Labour Code and asks the Government to report on progress made with the draft and in prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation.

5. The Committee notes from the report of the CESCR the persistence of systematic discrimination between the various ethnic minorities living in Togo which is evident in private sector hiring practices, inter alia. The Committee accordingly asks the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to eliminate such discriminatory practices, which constitute another obstacle to the application of the Convention.