Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Concluding Observations: Sweden (2 !

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Consideration of reports of States parties Sweden Fourth and fifth periodic reports

319. The Committee considered the fourth and the fifth periodic reports of Sweden (CEDAW/C/SWE/ and CEDAW/C/SWE/!" at its !1#th and !11th meetin$s% on ! &u'( )##1 (CEDAW/C/S*.!1# and !11". (a" +ntroduction ,( the State part( 3)#. +n introducin$ the report% the representati-e of Sweden informed the Committee that non.$o-ernmenta' or$ani/ations% inc'udin$ women0s or$ani/ations% with which the 1o-ernment had an open dia'o$ue% had ,een $i-en the opportunit( to comment on the reports and that the 1o-ernment e2pressed its appreciation for their contri,utions. 3)1. The representati-e stressed that Sweden0s -ision of societ( was one in which women and men en3o(ed e4ua' ri$hts% e4ua' opportunities and e4ua' responsi,i'ities% and in which each indi-idua' was treated with respect% re$ard'ess of a$e% $ender% ethnic or cu'tura' ,ac5$round% disa,i'it( or se2ua' orientation. Since 199 % the 1o-ernment0s annua' statement of $o-ernmenta' po'ic( on mainstreamin$ had ,een adopted and% accordin$'(% a'' ministers were responsi,'e for ensurin$ $ender e4ua'it( within their respecti-e po'ic( areas. She pointed out% howe-er% that $ender mainstreamin$ did not e2c'ude women from measures aimed specifica''( at the promotion of $ender e4ua'it(. 3)). The representati-e indicated that% a'thou$h Sweden was $enera''( considered to ,e a societ( in which there was a hi$h de$ree of e4ua'it( ,etween women and men% there were e2amp'es of power im,a'ances ,etween the se2es. An e2treme e2amp'e was men0s -io'ence a$ainst women% which was fre4uent and widespread and which was a priorit( area for $o-ernmenta' action. Whi'e there was no e-idence that -io'ence a$ainst women had esca'ated% the rate of reportin$ had increased as a resu't of efforts aimed at the co''ection and dissemination of information and impro-ed response ,( the po'ice and socia' we'fare authorities. 1o-ernmenta' efforts to address -io'ence a$ainst women inc'uded research% the introduction of trainin$ pro$rammes for re'e-ant sectors and the

passa$e of 'e$is'ation% inc'udin$ 'aws concernin$ support for crime -ictims. 6io'ence a$ainst women with disa,i'ities was ,ein$ addressed. +ncreased attention needed to ,e $i-en to men who committed acts of -io'ence a$ainst women% and the representati-e noted that Sweden supported men0s or$ani/ations wor5in$ a$ainst -io'ence a$ainst women. A specia' pro3ect to address -io'ence a$ainst immi$rant women had ,een introduced% and amendments to the A'iens Act pro-ided for specia' residence permits for immi$rant women and chi'dren who had ,een su,3ected to -io'ence ,( their partners. The A'iens Act a'so restricted the capacit( of Swedish residents with a histor( of -io'ence to women and chi'dren to ,rin$ partners into the countr(. 3)3. The representati-e indicated that action to com,at traffic5in$ was a'so a priorit( for Sweden and that% in addition to re$iona' and nationa' efforts underta5en in that re$ard% the 1o-ernment had% in Decem,er )###% si$ned the 7nited 8ations Con-ention a$ainst Transnationa' 9r$ani/ed Crime and its :rotoco' to :re-ent% Suppress and :unish Traffic5in$ in :ersons% Especia''( Women and Chi'dren. Since &anuar( 1999% with the entr( into force of a 'aw prohi,itin$ the purchase of se2ua' ser-ices% the e2p'oitation of prostitutes had ,een a crimina' offence% and the num,er of street prostitutes had dec'ined. 3) . +n 1999% the A'iens Act had ,een amended to pro-ide for the $rantin$ of as('um on the ,asis of $ender.,ased persecution. Few women had ta5en ad-anta$e of the pro-ision% a'thou$h the ma3orit( of a'' women see5in$ as('um had ,een $ranted permission to remain. 1uide'ines on refu$ee women had ,een prepared ,( the ;i$ration <oard% and pro3ects to support immi$rant $ir's and women had ,een introduced. 3)!. A'thou$h si$nificant pro$ress had ,een made with respect to representation of women in decision.ma5in$% further efforts were re4uired. *epresentation was stron$ in the pu,'ic sector% ,ut on'( !.) per cent of those on ,oards of directors in the pri-ate sector were women. The startin$ point in Swedish efforts towards e4ua'it( ,etween women and men was the pro-ision of e4ua' access to education. The educationa' choices of women and men were% howe-er% di-ided a'on$ $ender 'ines and% a'thou$h some women had entered ma'e.dominated fie'ds of stud(% few men had entered fema'e. dominated ones. 9n'( 13 per cent of professorships were he'd ,( women% and the 1o-ernment had introduced re-ised recruitment tar$ets for uni-ersities. 3)=. Women and men en3o(ed hi$h emp'o(ment rates% a'thou$h the 'a,our mar5et was se$re$ated a'on$ $ender 'ines. Since 1993% the Swedish >a,our ;ar5et <oard had recei-ed earmar5ed funds for wor5 to address $ender se$re$ation in the 'a,our mar5et% and the 8ationa' <oard for +ndustria' and Technica' De-e'opment had carried out pro$rammes aimed at increasin$ the num,er of women entrepreneurs. The representati-e noted that a 5e( to reducin$ discrimination a$ainst women in the 'a,our mar5et was the reconci'iation of fami'( and wor5 responsi,i'ities. +n )##)% the parenta' ,enefit wou'd ,e increased ,( 3# da(s% with two fathers0 months inc'uded in the ,enefit scheme. 3)?. The representati-e informed the Committee that the pa( $ap ,etween women and men was a $o-ernmenta' concern. 9n a-era$e% women0s wa$es were a,out @3 per cent of

men0s. She indicated that the pa( $ap shou'd ,e made -isi,'e and its under'(in$ causes studied c'ose'(. 8ew pro-isions in the E4ua'it( Act o,'i$ed emp'o(ers% to$ether with trade unions% to sur-e( and ana'(se a'' discriminator( wa$e differences and to ta5e appropriate measures to reso'-e them. 3)@. The representati-e indicated that the issues addressed in the <ei3in$ :'atform for Action corresponded with issues that formed the ,asis of Sweden0s nationa' po'ic( for $ender e4ua'it(. Sweden% a'on$ with other European 7nion partners% was de-e'opin$ indicators to e-a'uate pro$ress in the 1) critica' areas of concern. 3)9. The representati-e e2pressed satisfaction at the adoption and entr( into force of the 9ptiona' :rotoco' to the Con-ention% and indicated that Sweden0s ratification process wou'd ,e fina'i/ed in )##). She conc'uded ,( indicatin$ that a press conference% focusin$ on the Committee0s conc'udin$ comments% wou'd ,e con-ened after the current session. (," Conc'udin$ comments of the Committee +ntroduction

33#. The Committee e2presses its appreciation to the 1o-ernment of Sweden on its fourth and fifth periodic reports% which comp'( with the Committee0s $uide'ines for the preparation of periodic reports. +t commends the 1o-ernment for in-o'-in$ non. $o-ernmenta' or$ani/ations in the preparation of the reports. The Committee a'so e2presses its appreciation for the information $i-en in response to the issues raised ,( the pre.sessiona' wor5in$ $roup and durin$ the ora' presentation. 331. The Committee commends the 1o-ernment of Sweden for its 'ar$e de'e$ation which made possi,'e a constructi-e and fran5 dia'o$ue with the mem,ers of the Committee. :ositi-e aspects 33). The Committee commends the 1o-ernment of Sweden for the pro$ress made in ensurin$ $ender e4ua'it( in women0s po'itica' participation and decision.ma5in$% where it is re$arded ,( man( other countries as a mode'. +t notes with satisfaction that the app'ication of measures in 'ine with artic'e % para$raph 1% of the Con-ention has 'ed to concrete resu'ts in some areas. 333. The Committee commends the 1o-ernment of Sweden for its important achie-ements in the promotion of e4ua'it( ,etween women and men and especia''( for

the in-o'-ement of ,o(s and men in promotin$ $ender e4ua'it( and chan$in$ se2ua' stereot(pin$ and traditiona' and stereot(pica' -a'ues. 33 . The Committee commends the 1o-ernment for passin$ 'e$is'ation that pro-ides residence permits to indi-idua's who ha-e a we''.founded fear of persecution on the ,asis of se2ua' orientation or $ender% particu'ar'( in cases that in-o'-e discrimination a$ainst women. 33!. The Committee commends the 1o-ernment for its efforts to incorporate $ender mainstreamin$ into its o-era'' po'ic( framewor5 and at a'' sta$es of the po'ic(.ma5in$ processes% whi'e at the same time imp'ementin$ women.specific pro$rammes to encoura$e $ender e4ua'it(. 33=. The Committee commends the 1o-ernment for its wi''in$ness to p'ace o,3ections to reser-ations entered ,( other States parties that it considers incompati,'e with the o,3ect and purpose of the Con-ention. 33?. The Committee a'so commends the 1o-ernment for ha-in$ accepted the amendment to artic'e )#% para$raph 1% of the Con-ention. 33@. The Committee commends the 1o-ernment for si$nin$ the 7nited 8ations Con-ention a$ainst Transnationa' 9r$ani/ed Crime% its :rotoco' to :re-ent% Suppress and :unish Traffic5in$ in :ersons% Especia''( Women and Chi'dren% and its :rotoco' a$ainst the Smu$$'in$ of ;i$rants ,( >and% Sea and Air.

Factors and difficu'ties affectin$ the imp'ementation of the Con-ention

339. The Committee notes that there are no si$nificant factors or difficu'ties that pre-ent the effecti-e imp'ementation of the Con-ention in Sweden. :rincipa' areas of concern and recommendations 3 #. Whi'e the 1o-ernment has ta5en si$nificant steps to address discrimination a$ainst women in the wor5p'ace throu$h the passa$e of the 1ender E4ua'it( Act and the esta,'ishment of the E4ua' 9pportunities 9m,udsman% the Committee e2presses concern that the wa$e $ap ,etween women and men% in ,oth the pu,'ic and pri-ate sectors% has not narrowed durin$ the past 1# (ears. The Committee is of the -iew that this disparit( is 'in5ed to the persistence of $ender se$re$ation in the 'a,our mar5et. 3 1. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment to adopt po'icies and acti-e measures to acce'erate the eradication of pa( discrimination a$ainst women% inc'udin$ 3o, e-a'uations% co''ection of data% further stud( of the under'(in$ causes for the wa$e $ap

and pro-ision of increased assistance to socia' partners in co''ecti-e wa$e ,ar$ainin$% in particu'ar in determinin$ wa$e structures in sectors dominated ,( women. The Committee re4uests the 1o-ernment to pro-ide more information in the ne2t periodic report on its efforts to eradicate the wa$e $ap. 3 ). The Committee e2presses concern with the e2istence of $ender.,ased se$re$ation at a'' 'e-e's of the educationa' s(stem% inc'udin$ the choice ,( $ir's and ,o(s of traditiona' discip'ines and the attitudes of teachers that perpetuate and reinforce stereot(pica' $ender ro'es. 3 3. The Committee recommends that the 1o-ernment stren$then its efforts to e'iminate $ender stereot(pes in educationa' curricu'a and consistent'( inte$rate awareness and understandin$ of $ender e4ua'it( in teacher trainin$. 1i-en the c'ear corre'ation ,etween the choice of fie'd of stud( and p'acement in the 'a,our mar5et% the Committee recommends that the 1o-ernment increase its efforts towards endin$ $ender se$re$ation in students0 choice of fie'd of education and encoura$e ,oth women and men to choose non.traditiona' fie'ds of education. 3 . Whi'e the Committee commends the 1o-ernment for the impressi-e ad-ances made ,( women in terms of representation in decision.ma5in$ in po'itics% it e2presses concern that women0s representation in e2ecuti-e and decision.ma5in$ positions in the pri-ate economic sector% as we'' as on centra' $o-ernmenta' ,oards and ,oards of $o-ernment.contro''ed companies% continues to ,e 'ow. +t a'so e2presses concern a,out the 'ow representation of women as chairs of 'oca' and municipa' ,oards. 3 !. The Committee recommends that the 1o-ernment ta5e steps to faci'itate the options insofar as emp'o(ment of women in the pri-ate sector% inter a'ia% throu$h the imp'ementation of temporar( specia' measures in accordance with artic'e % para$raph 1% of the Con-ention% where-er possi,'e. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment to ta5e measures to increase the representation of women in decision.ma5in$ positions in a'' sectors% inc'udin$ centra' $o-ernmenta' ,oards% count( and municipa' ,oards% particu'ar'( as chairs of those ,oards% and in $o-ernment.contro''ed companies. 3 =. The Committee e2presses concern a,out the 'ow 'e-e' of women0s representation in the 3udiciar(. 3 ?. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment of adopt a procedure that ensures that women are not discriminated a$ainst when appointments to the 3udiciar( are made. 3 @. Whi'e notin$ the hi$h num,er of women in the 'ower ran5s of the forei$n ser-ice% the Committee ne-erthe'ess e2presses concern a,out the 'ow 'e-e' of representation of women in the hi$her eche'ons of the ser-ice% in particu'ar in am,assadoria' posts. 3 9. The Committee recommends that current po'icies to increase the representation of women in the forei$n ser-ice% particu'ar'( as am,assadors% continue and that measures

,e ta5en to ensure that women in the forei$n ser-ice are not disad-anta$ed in terms of postin$ to 'ocations re4uirin$ senior staff. 3!#. The Committee e2presses concern that% despite the hi$h achie-ement of women in tertiar( education% there are -er( few women professors in the uni-ersities. There a'so appears to ,e an im,a'ance in the access of women% as compared to men academics% to research $rants and other resources. 3!1. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment to faci'itate% ,( means of its po'icies% an increase in the num,er of women in hi$h.ran5in$ posts at uni-ersities and to ensure that women professors are not discriminated a$ainst insofar as access to resources% inc'udin$ research $rants. 3!). The Committee notes that% despite the considera,'e efforts made with re$ard to com,atin$ -io'ence a$ainst women% inc'udin$ in the fami'(% the pre-a'ence of -io'ence a$ainst women demonstrates the persistent power im,a'ance ,etween women and men. 3!3. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment to co''ect more data on the nature and scope of -io'ence a$ainst women% in particu'ar within the fami'(% and to continue its efforts to imp'ement and stren$then current po'icies aimed at com,atin$ -io'ence% with specia' attention $i-en to women with disa,i'ities and mi$rant and minorit( women. 3! . Whi'e we'comin$ the crimina'i/ation of the purchase of se2ua' ser-ices% the Committee e2presses concern that this mi$ht ha-e increased the incidence of c'andestine prostitution% there,( renderin$ prostitutes more -u'nera,'e. +t a'so e2presses concern that Sweden has ,ecome a countr( of destination for traffic5ed women. 3!!. The Committee encoura$es the 1o-ernment to e-a'uate the effect of the current po'ic( of crimina'i/in$ the purchase of se2ua' ser-ices% especia''( in -iew of the comp'ete 'ac5 of data on c'andestine prostitution which ma( ha-e incidenta' effects on the traffic5in$ of women and $ir's. The Committee encoura$es action in Sweden and% throu$h the 1o-ernment of Sweden% continued efforts within the European 7nion to com,at traffic5in$ of women% inc'udin$ measures to pre-ent traffic5in$% the co''ection of data% the pro-ision of ser-ices for traffic5ed women and measures to pena'i/e those who faci'itate such traffic5in$. 3!=. Ta5in$ note of the efforts of the 1o-ernment to com,at discrimination% the Committee e2presses concern a,out the continuin$ discrimination a$ainst immi$rant% refu$ee and minorit( women in Sweden% inc'udin$ in education and emp'o(ment% and at the $ender.,ased discrimination and -io'ence that the( face in their own communities. The Committee a'so e2presses concern a,out discrimination a$ainst Sami and *oma women. 3!?. The Committee ur$es the 1o-ernment to ta5e effecti-e measures to e'iminate discrimination a$ainst immi$rant% refu$ee and minorit( women and to stren$then its efforts to com,at 2enopho,ia and racism in Sweden. +t a'so encoura$es the 1o-ernment

to ,e more proacti-e in its measures to pre-ent discrimination a$ainst immi$rant% refu$ee and minorit( women% ,oth within their communities and in societ( at 'ar$e% to com,at -io'ence a$ainst them and to increase their awareness of the a-ai'a,i'it( of socia' ser-ices and 'e$a' remedies. 3!@. 8otin$ Sweden0s support of the 9ptiona' :rotoco' to the Con-ention and its ear'( si$nature to that instrument% the Committee encoura$es the 1o-ernment to ratif( the 9ptiona' :rotoco' as soon as possi,'e. 3!9. The Committee re4uests the 1o-ernment to respond to the concerns e2pressed in the present conc'udin$ comments in its ne2t periodic report su,mitted under artic'e 1@ of the Con-ention. +t a'so re4uests that future reports not ma5e reference to pre-ious reports ,ut ,rief'( summari/e pre-ious'( stated information. 3=#. The Committee re4uests the wide dissemination in Sweden of the present conc'udin$ comments in order to ma5e the peop'e of Sweden% in particu'ar $o-ernmenta' administrators and po'iticians% aware of the steps that ha-e ,een ta5en to ensure the de 3ure and de facto e4ua'it( of women and of the further steps that are re4uired in this re$ard. +t re4uests the 1o-ernment to continue to disseminate wide'(% in particu'ar to women0s and human ri$hts or$ani/ations% the Con-ention and its 9ptiona' :rotoco'% the Committee0s $enera' recommendations% the <ei3in$ Dec'aration and :'atform for Action and the resu'ts of the twent(.third specia' session of the 1enera' Assem,'(% entit'ed AWomen )###B $ender e4ua'it(% de-e'opment and peace for the twent(.first centur(A.