Questionnaire for the Preparation of Canada S Sixth and Seventh Report on the Convention

Draft Outline for the preparation of Canada’s Eighth and Ninth Reports on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Background information

Pursuant to Article 18 of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Canada’s eighth and ninth periodic reports are due to the UN in December 2014.

The following draft outline for Canada’s reports aims to respond to the Concluding Observations (COs) issued by the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women at Canada’s last appearance in 2008 (www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/co/CEDAW-C-CAN-CO-7.pdf). It is based on the Harmonized Guidelines adopted by the UN for reporting under international human rights treaties (http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=HRI %20GEN%202%20Rev.6&Lang=en).

INTRODUCTION (Articles 1-3)

The Introduction could provide a short general overview of the situation of women in Canada– relying on data available from Statistics Canada and existing reports.

The Introduction may also include information on the:

 Promotion of the Convention, its Optional Protocol, and dissemination of the Concluding Observations (COs 9, 16, 52).  Jurisdictional division of responsibility in Canada between the federal and provincial/territorial levels of governments (COs 10, 12).  The role of Status of Women Canada and provincial/territorial ministries/offices responsible for women’s issues (CO 26).  Consultations with civil society and Aboriginal organizations, including in the process with respect to the preparation of Canada’s 8th and 9th reports CO 28).  Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals (COs 49, 50).  Ratification of other complementary UN treaties (CO 51).

EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (Articles 4, 10, 11, 13)

This theme would report on programs, polices and legislation that support women’s economic empowerment, including results and data from evaluations and reports.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations regarding:

 Economic and labour market initiatives, including temporary special measures (COs 24, 38);  Women in non-traditional fields (CO 38); and  Social assistance (COs 14, 40).

1 Draft Outline for the preparation of Canada’s Eighth and Ninth Reports on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

ABORIGINAL AND MINORITY WOMEN (Articles 5, 6)

This theme would report on the programs, policy and legislation that target support to Aboriginal and minority women, including results and data from evaluations and reports. Reporting should highlight actions that deal with the socio-economic vulnerabilities and root causes of inequalities affecting Aboriginal and minority women in Canada.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations with respect to:

 Legislative updates (e.g. matrimonial property rights) (COs 18, 20) ;  Programs and policies that target vulnerable and minority women, including immigrant women (CO 44); and  Family support (CO 46).

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS (Articles 5, 6)

This theme would report on programs, policies and legislation that address various forms of violence against women and girls, including results and data from evaluations and reports.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations related to:  Violence against Aboriginal women, including missing and murdered Aboriginal women (CO 32);  Domestic violence (CO 30);  Access to means of redress and protection (CO 30);  Shelter services, including those targeting vulnerable groups (CO 30);  Trafficking of persons  The role of men and boys in reducing violence against women  The role of emerging information and communication technologies in perpetrating violence against women and girls and in protecting those vulnerable to victimization;  Early and forced marriage and other “honour” crimes against women and girls; and  Low conviction rates for sexual assault.

WOMEN AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM (Articles 15, 16)

This theme would report on programs, policies and legislation that address women and the justice system, including results and data from evaluations and reports.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations regarding:

 Access to legal services (CO 22);  Women and girls in detention, including the overrepresentation of Aboriginal women and minorities in detention in federal prisons (CO 34) and in the provincial/territorial systems; and

2 Draft Outline for the preparation of Canada’s Eighth and Ninth Reports on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

 Property distribution upon dissolution of marriage (CO 48).

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP (Articles 7, 8)

This theme would report on programs, policies and legislation that support women’s leadership, including results and data from evaluations and reports.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations with respect to:

 Data on women in public life including, elected officials, public appointments and the civil service (CO 24).

HEALTH (Article 12)

This theme would report on programs, policies and legislation that address women’s health, including results and data from evaluations and reports.

Emphasis may be put on the key issues raised in the November 2008 Concluding Observations related to:

 The integration of a gender perspective in policies and programs (CO 42);  The delivery of health services in a gender and age sensitive manner (CO 42);  Aboriginal and Inuit women’s health;  Health considerations for aging and elderly women;  Reproductive and maternal health; and  Mental health.