The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Slovakia, with Committee Experts congratulating Slovakia on its temporary special measures for Roma women, and asking questions about services provided to Ukrainian female refugees, and healthcare for Roma women.
A Committee Expert congratulated Slovakia for the progress it had made, including the implementation of national projects on the promotion of pre-primary education of children from marginalised Roma communities and one entitled “you have a chance too!”. These were good examples of using temporary special measures to accelerate Roma women’s substantive equality.
Another Expert commended the State on acts adopted to aid those fleeing Ukraine. How effectively had these laws been implemented, particularly for women, who made up 80 per cent of Ukrainian refugees? How would Ukrainian women who had been raped have access to services, such as abortion?
A Committee Expert said 45 per cent of Roma women had their first child before the age of 18. There were no campaigns on sexual health for teenagers. What was being done to ensure the entire population had access to healthcare? How would it be ensured that all the women in Slovakia, in any region or socio-economic group, had access to abortion?
Regarding Ukrainian refugees, the delegation said there had been activities to integrate children into schools, and provide psychological support to those who needed it. A telephone helpline service had been provided for Ukrainian speakers, rerouting them to assistance in their own language. Ukrainian women had access to abortion under certain conditions. If the pregnancy was the result of a crime being committed against the woman, the abortion was considered urgent medical care and was covered by the State.
The delegation said the healthy regions organization had 246 assistants who worked in hospitals to help Roma women with translations, and helped them understand their rights. The organization had certain assistants who focused specifically on educating Roma women on topics, including sexual and reproductive rights, infectious diseases, and family planning. These assistants were able to liaise with doctors to bridge the language and social barriers. The optimisation of the hospital network would centralise medical services and allow for unimpeded access to abortion across the country.
Dušan Matulay, Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, introducing the report, said Slovakia’s most important strategic document in the area of equal treatment was the Anti-Discrimination Act, which regulated the principle of equal treatment and determined remedies for legal protection. Another important document was the national action plan for the prevention and elimination of violence against women 2022-2027, which defined public policies to achieve a visible change in the prevention and elimination of violence against women. Mr. Matulay said Slovakia took its obligations under the Convention very seriously, and highly valued the work of the Committee.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Matulay thanked the Committee Experts for their valuable expertise and comments, as well as civil society members who had provided the Government with key information.
Ana Peláez Narváez, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which allowed the Committee to better understand the situation of women in Slovakia.
The delegation of Slovakia was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Science, Education, Research and Sport; the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; the Office of the Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities; and the Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations at Geneva.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-fifth session is being held from 8 to 26 May. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.
The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 18 May to consider the ninth periodic report of Venezuela (CEDAW/C/VEN/9).
Report
The Committee has before it the seventh periodic report of Slovakia (CEDAW/C/SVK/7).
Presentation of Report
DUŠAN MATULAY, Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said Slovakia’s most important strategic document in the area of equal treatment was the Anti-Discrimination Act, which regulated the principle of equal treatment and determined remedies for legal protection. Supporting documents included the national strategy for equality between women and men and equality of opportunities 2021-2027, and the corresponding action plan, which were created in cooperation with civil society. These documents set out the basic goals and a framework for the promotion of equality between women and men, and equal opportunity.
Another important document was the national action plan for the prevention and elimination of violence against women 2022-2027, which defined public policies to achieve a visible change in the prevention and elimination of violence against women. The plan focused on the protection of women and children experiencing violence; the prevention of violence against women; integrated policies and data collection; and effective recourse for violence against women.
The national action plan for women’s employment 2022-2030 was the first of its kind and aimed to strengthen the economic independence and economic status of women and alleviate income differences between women and men. The plan also responded to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and to the situation created by the war in Ukraine and the subsequent influx of refugees, particularly women and children, into Slovakia.
In the social area, a new “pregnancy” allowance was adopted to financially support mothers and families during pregnancy. Paternity leave was introduced from November 2022, meaning a father had the right to a paid two-week after the birth of his child. Women were supported during COVID-19 through a pandemic parental allowance; allowances for children; and allowances for families in need. In 2022, the Government approved a draft regulation for increasing the capacity to provide care for children under the age of three, by 10 per cent.
In November 2021, the Slovak Government adopted a resolution apologising to women who were illegally subjected to sterilisation from 1966 to 2004, and they were provided with compensation. Extensive reforms were currently underway in Slovakia, including a new arrangement of courts. This aimed to increase the credibility of the judiciary and its performance through the enlargement of the districts of individual courts, and the creation of new causal jurisdiction and administrative courts, which would enable the specialisation of male and female judges. In 2023, the Ministry of Justice submitted proposals for two laws, which aimed to bring more legal certainty to unmarried couples.
Aside from the apology by the Government in 2021, the strategy of equality, inclusion and participation of Roma by 2030 was adopted, along with the relevant action plan. It was essential to complete the planned construction of the school infrastructure, aimed at eliminating the segregation of pupils from marginalised Roma communities by placing them into mixed classes. Several projects from the structural funds of the European Union had also been implemented, focusing on the health, housing and pre-education of marginalised Roma communities.
The Government had approved the national programme on combatting trafficking in human beings 2019-2023, with a focus on victim support. A 24-hour support hotline was secured, and victims were assisted in their return to normal life, and their integration into society and into the labour market.
There had been no changes regarding the legal regulation of abortion, and the comprehensive national programme for the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights had not been adopted, as recommended by the Committee. However, progress had been made on other recommendations from the Committee. This included the establishment of “healthy regions” organization which aimed to improve the availability of regular health services to marginalised Roma communities. This involved employing trained assistants with knowledge of the Romani language and the environment of the marginalised Romani communities. Mr. Matulay concluded by stating that Slovakia took its obligations under the Convention very seriously, and highly valued the work of the Committee.
Questions by Committee Experts
DALIA LEINARTE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Slovakia, asked if women in Slovakia had access to free legal aid? How well known was the Convention throughout the courts? Were there independent court cases taken in relation to gender discrimination in public and private life? Could the delegation elaborate on the ideological and social climate in Slovakia which encouraged the revision of gender equality principles in the country? How visible was the Convention among members of parliament?
A Committee Expert commended Slovakia for the adoption in 2020 of its first national action plan on women, peace and security. Were civil society actors involved in the development of this process? What was the implementation structure and monitoring framework of this plan? What activities would the various ministries carry out? The State was commended on acts adopted to aid those fleeing Ukraine. How effectively had these laws been implemented, particularly for women, who made up 80 per cent of Ukrainian refugees? What would be the focus of the new national action plan?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said all international treaties ratified by the Slovak Republic, including the Convention, held precedence over national law. In case of gaps in national legislation, the international treaties on human rights were applicable. The Anti-Discrimination Act was a very sensitive document. A legislative proposal was being prepared to amend the Act by the end of the year and would be introduced by the new Government. There was a plan to organise a round table with all the important actors, including civil society. This would identify the shortcomings, which included insufficient compensation and lengthy procedures. Women in Slovakia had access to free legal aid or could be represented by the Slovak Centre for Human Rights.
The delegation said the “healthy regions” organization was working with the Slovak human rights institution to prepare new education material on discrimination in health care, including a definition. Many people did not know discrimination existed in health care. Regarding abortion, the scales currently sat more at the right of the child to life. There was a high percentage of people who belonged to the Catholic Church in Slovak society, and they had a strong influence. The Istanbul Convention had not been adopted in Slovakia. However, the legislation of the Convention was harmonised with this legislation and was applied consistently in practice.
Regarding Ukrainian refugees, there had been activities to integrate children into schools, and provide psychological support to those who needed it. A strategy had been created to integrate refugees into society. The principles were based on solidarity, non-discrimination and equal opportunities. A telephone helpline service had been provided for Ukrainian speakers, rerouting them to assistance in their own language.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert asked when the State party planned to inform the Committee on plans to close the dialogue on follow-up communications?
DALIA LEINARTE, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Slovakia, asked for clarification about the changes being made to the Anti-Discrimination Act?
