WILLEMSTAD--Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, and Public Health and Social Development Omayra Leeflang (PAR) is leading an Antillean delegation of nine in Geneva, Switzerland, in connection with the periodic “examination” of the Kingdom of the Netherlands before the Committee of the United Nations that supervises compliance with the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.
It is the Kingdom’s turn today, Wednesday, to present the fifth periodical report in the “Palais de Nations.” This will take place during a morning session starting at 10:00, and during a follow-up session starting at 3:00pm.
The reporting sessions started on January 18 and will end on February 5. During these three weeks, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Malawi, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Egypt, Botswana and Panama are all reporting on their efforts to effectively and permanently combat discrimination against women.
The committee supervising compliance with the convention is an independent body of 23 experts in the field of women’s rights from around the world. Cornelis Flinterman represents the Netherlands in this committee until December 31.
Cuban Magalys Arocha Dominguez and Jamaican Barbara Evelyn Bailey represent the Caribbean area. The whole of South America is represented by one person, namely, Brazilian Silvia Pimentel.
All the committee members are considered “experts of high moral standing and competent in the areas of special attention covered by the convention.”
The eight nations now ratifying this convention will be given the opportunity to hold a “constructive dialogue” with the committee on the extent to which, and how, women in their territory enjoy human rights. The dialogue will conclude with the committee’s final observations.
The committee will acknowledge whether the relevant state has made progress in its compliance with the convention, express detailed concern as to possible gaps in implementation or insufficient compliance with convention provisions, and/or recommend measures for more thorough and consistent enforcement of convention stipulations.
Besides Leeflang, the Antillean delegation consists of Ludmila Vicento (Justice), Virlène Els (Labour Affairs), Florentina Ng (Education), Christian Palm (Social Development), Xiomara Rojer (Public Health), Michael Bonafasia (Social Insurance Bank SVB), Darryllin van der Veen (Foreign Relations) and Joy Arnell (St. Maarten Women’s Desk).
Aruba’s Minister of Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs Michelle Hoogboer-Winklaar (AVP) is leading that country’s delegation, consisting of four women.
The Dutch delegation, led by State-Secretary of Education, Culture and Science Sharon Dijksma (PvdA), consists of 18 members. The Kingdom’s delegation therefore totals 31 members, of which six or seven are men.
