United Nations CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 Convention on the Elimination Distr.: General of All Forms of Discrimination 1 November 2013 against Women Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention Initial and second periodic reports due in 2011 Brunei Darussalam* * The present document is being issued without formal editing. 13-54252 (E) 100114 *1354252* CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 [30 April 2013] Acknowledgements Prime Minister’s Office Ministry of Finance Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry of Education Ministry of Religious Affairs Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Health Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Royal Brunei Police Force Public Service Department Department of Economic Planning and Development Narcotics Control Bureau Information Department Attorney General’s Chambers Labour Department Department of Community Development Universiti Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam Women Council Brunei Darussalam Women’s Business Council Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council (PENYINAR) 2/75 13-54252 CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 Contents Page Acknowledgements ............................................................. 2 Executive Summary ............................................................ 7 Introduction ................................................................... 8 Part I – General Information...................................................... 8 1. Brunei Darussalam: National Profile ...................................... 8 2. Policy Framework...................................................... 8 3. Institutional Framework ................................................. 9 4. Legal Framework ...................................................... 11 5. Regional and International Commitments .................................. 13 Part II – Convention Specific Document ............................................ 15 Response to respective Articles of the Convention ............................... 15 Article 1. Definition of Discrimination..................................... 15 Article 2. Policy Measures ............................................... 15 Article 3. Development and Advancement of Women ......................... 16 Article 4. Special Measures .............................................. 22 Article 5. Social, Cultural Standards and Family Education .................... 22 Article 6. Measures to Suppress Trafficking and Exploitation of Prostitution of Women ............................................................... 22 Article 7. Political and Public Life ........................................ 23 Article 8. Participation at the International Level ............................ 24 Article 9. Nationality ................................................... 25 Article 10. Rights to Education ........................................... 25 Article 11. Employment ................................................. 27 Article 12. Access to Healthcare .......................................... 28 Article 13. Social and Economic Benefits .................................. 33 Article 14. Rural Women ................................................ 35 Article 15. Equality before the Law ....................................... 37 Article 16. Marriage and Family Life ...................................... 37 Article 18. Reports of State Parties ........................................ 39 Article 29. Dispute Settlement and Reservations............................. 40 Conclusion .................................................................... 40 13-54252 3/75 CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 List of Tables and Charts 1. Population Table 1.1 Mid year population estimation by sex, 1990-2010 Table 1.2 Population by age group and sex, 2007-2010 Table 1.3 Population by race and sex, 2001-2010 Table 1.4 Total population by religion and gender Table 1.5 Registered live births and deaths, birth and death rates Table 1.6 Total number of deaths registered by gender, age group and year 2. Education Table 2.1 Number of teacher by level of education and gender, 2001-2010 Table 2.2 Number of student by level of education and gender, 2001-2010 Table 2.3 Other female educational statistics, 2006-2007 Table 2.4 Male students per 100 female students, 2006-2008 Table 2.5 Universiti Brunei Darussalam enrolment 2004, 2008 & 2009 Table 2.6 Enrolment by programme at Universiti Brunei Darussalam 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2009/2010 Table 2.7 Graduates by programme from institute technology Brunei (itb), 2003-2010 Table 2.8 Number of schools, teachers and students by type of schools under Ministry of Religious Affairs, 2001-2009 Table 2.9 Number of students and teachers in institute Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran, 2000-2009 Table 2.10 Literacy rate % aged and above Table 2.11 Percentage of female education officers from Ministry Of Education on In-Service Training 2008 Table 2.12 Statistic of students referred to special education unit, 2004-2009 (excluding case closed) Table 2.13 Statistic of students referred to special education unit, 2004-2009 (including case closed) Table 2.14 Number of students, teachers and Arabic schools under the Ministry Of Religious Affairs, 2000-2009 Table 2.15 Number of enrolment at Seri Begawan religious teachers University College, 2007-2009 Table 2.16 number of enrolment at Seri Begawan religious teachers University College, 2000-2006 Table 2.17 In-service training of civil servants overseas, 2006-2009 Table 2.18 In-services training of civil servants in-country, 2006-2009 4/75 13-54252 CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 3. Employment Table 3.1 Labour force estimate, 2004-2010 Table 3.2 Labour force aged 15 years and above Table 3.3 Employment by economic activity, population census 2001 Table 3.4 Working population by major occupational groups and sex, population census 2001 Table 3.5 Working population in private sector by major industry group and sex, 2008-2009 Table 3.6 Government employees by sex, 2000-2010 Table 3.7 Government employees by division and sex, 2008-2009 Table 3.8 Number of women employees at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 4. Health Table 4.1 Number of hospital, health centre and health clinics, 2004–2010 Table 4.2 Health workforce, 2008 Table 4.3 Other health indicators on women, 2003–2008 Table 4.4 Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2008 Table 4.5 Female abridged life table of 1991 and 2001 Table 4.6 Ten leading causes of deaths by gender in 2008 & 2010 5. Rural women Table 5.1 Population by urban and rural areas 1971-2001 Table 5.2 Usage of improved drinking water in 2004 Table 5.3 Usage of adequate sanitation facilities in 2001 6. Marriage and family life Table 6.1 Female population by age group and marital status (2001 census) Table 6.2 Registered marriages and divorces, 2001-2010 Table 6.3 Women associations 7. Social protection / social ills Table 7.1 Recipients of old age pensions under old age and disability pensions order 1954, 2007-2009 Table 7.2 Recipients of disability allowances under old age and disability pensions order 1954, 2007-2009 Table 7.3 Recipients of welfare benefits by gender, 2007-2009 13-54252 5/75 CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 Table 7.4 Recipients of self-reliance (micro-credit scheme) Department of Community Development 2006 – April 2010 Table 7.5 Statistics of enterprise facilitation scheme applicants, 2006-2010 Table 7.6 Statistics of micro-credit scheme applicants, 2006-2010 Table 7.7 National level athletes by gender and sports, 2009 Table 7.8 Wife abuse cases, 2007- 2009 Table 7.9 Domestic violence cases, 2005 – 2009 Table 7.10 Sexual offences, 2005 – 2008 Table 7.11 Female residents at Taman Noor Hidayah and Darussakinah welfare homes, 2005-2010 References Members of Drafting Committee of CEDAW Report 6/75 13-54252 CEDAW/C/BRN/1-2 Executive Summary Brunei Darussalam has always recognises the importance of the promotion and protection of human rights, including women. Even prior to acceding to the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 24 May 2006, Brunei Darussalam already has in place the mechanisms to promote and protect women’s rights. Brunei Darussalam is in a unique position as its Constitution and legislations have already sought to address a number of the provisions outlined in CEDAW. In addition, the laws and regulations in the country do not discriminate between men and women. There are also cases where the laws are more advantageous to women. In addition to existing policies, towards the advancement of women in the country, in 2008, a special committee was formed in order to better coordinate national efforts towards promoting and protecting the rights of women and the family institution. It has always been the policy of the Government of Brunei Darussalam to recognise the role women play in the development of the nation. Women have contributed actively in decision-making processes and attain senior positions in various legal, political, financial and managerial professions. The highest level attained have included the post of Attorney-General with ministerial rank, Deputy Minister, Permanent Secretary, Auditor-General, Solicitor-General, Accountant-General and as chief executive officers in both the public and private sectors including banks. Two women are members of the thirty three member National Legislative Council. Two of the four universities in Brunei are currently headed by women. Women also serve in Islamic institutes of higher education and as Prosecutors both in the