Bhutan presents 8th and 9th Combined CEDAW Periodic Report to the United Nations Committee

Bhutan presented its 8th and 9th combined periodic report to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 27th October 2016 at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Ambassador Kinga Singye, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. The Delegation comprised of representatives from the Secretariat of the National Commission for Women and Children, and other relevant agencies including the Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador in his opening statement highlighted on the significant progress made in implementing the convention focusing on the achievements made after submission of the written replies to the advance list of issues raised by the Committee in July 2016. He also raised some of the challenges faced as a small Least Developed Country in implementing the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee Experts commended Bhutan for the remarkable progress made since the last review in 2009 and urged the Government to take further steps to address areas where gaps exist.

Bhutan ratified the CEDAW in August 1981. It presented its 7th periodic report to the Committee in July 2009.

Full summary of the report