Sweden’s Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality Åsa Regnér: I share the criticism of UN CEDAW on Sweden’s gender equality

STOCKHOLM, 11-Mar-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — On 7 March, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) presented its overall observations on Sweden’s gender equality work. The Committee’s opinion was generally positive. However, it voiced criticism concerning the gender-segregated labour market, men’s violence against women and shortcomings in the governance of gender equality work.

“I share the criticism of the Committee, not least regarding efforts to combat men’s violence against women. Education initiatives in particular are needed. Sweden’s gender equality work was previously fragmented and project-driven, whereas the current Government has taken a new direction and raised the level of ambition. This is why I am also very pleased about the positive feedback about our systematic efforts on issues such as gender-responsive budgeting and preventing men’s violence against women. The recommendations provide valuable support for our continuing work,” says Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality Åsa Regnér.

On 18 February, Pernilla Baralt, State Secretary for Ms Regnér, represented Sweden in Geneva when the Committee had a constructive dialogue about Sweden’s gender equality work. Prior to the dialogue, Sweden had submitted a report on gender equality work during the period 2008–2014.

A selection of the Committee’s recommendations to Sweden
The Committee considers that work on gender-responsive budgeting and integration is positive and important, but notes that there are major regional differences.The Committee recommends that Sweden adopt as soon as possible a strategy to combat violence against women and that it carefully investigate the causes of the low reporting rates among women subjected to violence, as well as the lack of convictions for perpetrators of violence.The Committee stresses that more governance is needed for effective coordination and greater gender equality. The Committee recommends that Sweden heed the proposal of the Gender Equality Inquiry to establish a special gender equality agency.

UN Member States report every four years
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an independent expert body within the United Nations tasked with monitoring that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is followed. Under the Convention, States are obliged to submit a written report every four years on the implementation of the provisions in the Convention. The States are then called to a dialogue with CEDAW, after which the Committee submits recommendations to the States concerning the measures they should take to better live up to their commitments under the Convention.

Contact
Joanna Abrahamsson
Press Secretary to Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality Åsa Regnér
Phone +46 8 405 42 02
Mobile +46 72 543 84 89
email to Joanna Abrahamsson