Montenegrin delegation at the 67th session of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination

Montenegrin delegation led by Minister for Human and Minority Rights Mehmed Zenka participated today, in Geneva, on the 67th session of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Members of the delegation defended II Report of Montenegro on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Committee commended the report of Montenegro which showed improvement of the legal framework and policies and the establishment of mechanisms for gender equality. The Committee expressed interest in the implementation of the Convention in practice. The questions are designed  according to the articles of the  Convention. Respecting that,  the members were interested in the area of taking the general and specific measures to eliminate discrimination and stereotypes in all areas where there are still possible forms of discrimination.

The focus of interest was on the political participation, and the measures taken by the National Assembly of Montenegro as well as political parties in relation to the bigger political activism and affirmation of leadership and the effect of the parliamentary women's networks.

Gender-based violence issues related to law enforcement in the field of protection from violence and multidisciplinary response to violence was another field of interest. Of particular interest was the field of combating trafficking, exploitation or prostitution and measures undertaken by the competent institutions on prevention and protection.

Through an interactive discussion with the representatives of the delegation, the Committee was introduced  with the changes and amendments of laws innovated in order to conform with international standards in the area of ​​achieving gender equality. The areas of interest were related also to education, social protection, the position of women in the labor market, the exercise of rights in labor relations, health and marginalized groups, and the judiciary.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which essentially contains the international bill of women's rights, is also known as Women's Convention. The same is adopted at the UN General Assembly on 18 December 1979, as the first comprehensive internationally recognized document on the rights of women. The Convention is an integral part of national legislation (Article 9 of the Constitution of Montenegro), and is applied directly and has priority over national laws.

The Ministry for Human and Minority Rights