GENEVA – The United Nations Working Group* on discrimination against women in law and in practice will undertake its first mission to the Republic of Moldova from 21 to 30 May 2012 to assess the progress made towards achieving equality between men and women and the protection and promotion of women’s human rights.

“We will focus on laws that discriminate against women and pay particular attention to discrimination against women in political and public life and in economic and social life,” said Kamala Chandrakirana, who currently heads the expert group charged with identifying ways to eliminate existing discrimination in law and practice, and helping States to ensure greater empowerment and autonomy for women in all fields.

The Group’s delegation, comprised of Ms. Chandrakirana and Eleonora Zieliñska, will examine the implementation of laws aimed at achieving equality between women and men and further measures put in place to protect and promote women’s rights and liberties, including freedom from violence. The United Nations independent experts will also consider multiple forms of discrimination against women, including of Roma women and lesbian, bisexual and transgender women.

“I look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Government and all relevant stakeholders in a collective effort to combat discrimination against women and achieve women’s right to substantive equality, in particular in all aspects of political and public life and in their access to economic and social resources,” Ms. Chandrakirana said.

During its 10-day mission, the delegation will visit Chisinau, Causeni, Balti, Comrat and Tiraspol to meet with Government officials at national and local levels, representatives of civil society organizations, and United Nations and regional organizations. The independent experts, who visit the country at the invitation of the Government of Moldova, will also carry out site visits, including to Roma communities.

A press conference to share the delegation’s preliminary findings will be held on 30 May 2012 in Chisinau. Following its visit, the Working Group will present a report containing its conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2013.

(*) The UN Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice is composed of five independent experts from all regions of the world: Kamala Chandrakirana, Chair-Rapporteur (Indonesia); Emna Aouij (Tunisia); Mercedes Barquet (México); Frances Raday (Israel/United Kingdom) and Eleonora Zielinska (Poland). Learn more, log on to:  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WGWomen/Pages/WGWomenIndex.aspx

UN Human Rights, country page – Republic of Moldova: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/MDIndex.aspx
 
For inquiries and media requests, please contact:
In Chisinau: Ludmila Tiganu  tel: (373 22) 269 112, 220 045/  ludmila.tiganu@one.un.org  
In Geneva: Nathalie Stadelmann (+41 917 9104 / nstadelmann@ohchr.org) or write to wgdiscriminationwomen@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)  

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For use of the information media; not an official record

HR12/114E