[women-rights] CEDAW 28th Session: Review of combined reports of El Salvador

UNITED NATIONS
Press Release
21 January 2003
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xxxxxxxxxxWOMEN'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE TAKES UP EL
SALVADOR'S REPORTS, COMMENDS COUNTRY'S CREATION OF INSTITUTE FOR 
ADVANCEMENT OF WOMENxxxxxxxxxx

Committee on Elimination of
Discrimination against Women

Experts Also Note Lack of Women in Key International Posts

Expert members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women today commended El Salvador on the establishment of its
Institute for the Advancement of Women, while also noting the severe
shortage of women in top political, international and corporate posts
and asking if affirmative action might not be used to redress that
shortage.

The 23-member body, whose experts serve in their personal capacity,
was reviewing the country's third and fourth combined reports, as
well as its fifth and sixth periodic reports, on compliance with the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against
Women.

Introducing the reports, Marisol Argueta, El Salvador's Director
General for External Politics, told the Committee that the Institute
had been set up in 1996 to oversee national policies for women.   The
National Policy for Women was then adopted in 1997 to focus on ten
areas of interest to women, and had recently set up a new plan of
action.

She said that four bodies assisted the Institute in ensuring
implementation of the Convention, although specific areas were dealt
with by the ministries of education, labour, and agriculture.   As a
policy body, the Institute had a small budget, but each ministry had
approximately $1 million for projects to implement international and
national standards to advance women and ensure gender equality.

Concerning the lack of women in international posts, specifically as
female ambassadors, she explained that foreign service legislation
was being considered that would include percentage quotas and
incentives for women to participate.   She added that more women than
men actually worked in the foreign service, with men serving at the
extremes -- the ambassadorial and general service levels.

Experts also pointed out the absence of a clear reference to
discrimination in the country's Constitution, suggesting it be
amended to address that lack and comply with the terms of the
Convention.   Several asked why El Salvador had yet to ratify the
Convention's Optional Protocol, since that would reaffirm the
Government's desire to comply with the Convention.

Ms. Argueta responded that the Constitution considered all people
equal before the law, but that no direct distinction was made as
regarded economic and social rights.   In that respect, the country's
two legislatures were currently reforming the Constitution.   As for
the Convention's Optional Protocol, she hoped the legislature would
ratify it after the country's upcoming elections.

Another issue raised by the experts concerned the legal protection
provided for Salvadoran women, which they said was not sufficiently
addressed in the reports.   Further, they asked about the country's
prostitution laws and penalties for trafficking women and girls for
the purposes of prostitution.

Zoila de Innocenti, Executive Director of the Institute for the
Advancement of Women, told the Committee that the protection of rape
victims, as well as their access to the legal system, was the
Institute's major area of work.   A programme entitled "Improving
Family Relations" had set up a crisis hotline for rape victims.   On
the issue of prostitution, Ms. Argueta said the country currently had
laws against promoting and carrying out prostitution.   In addition,
trafficking in persons was subject to a four to eight year prison
sentence, or longer, if the trafficking involved women or girls.

Experts also expressed sympathy for the difficulties El Salvador
faced in recovering from extended armed conflict and recent natural
disasters and the impact that had on women's rights.   Committee
Chairperson, Feride Acar, expert from Turkey, noted that tragic
events could be used as windows of opportunities to overcome
traditional stereotypes, allowing women to assume new roles in
rebuilding society.   Others stressed that the 2000-2004 National
Policy on Women had been prepared before the earthquakes and must be
amended to focus on devastation to the most vulnerable sectors.

The Committee will meet again tomorrow, 22 January, to consider the
fourth periodic report of Luxembourg.


Background

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women met
to consider El Salvador's combined third and fourth period reports
(document CEDAW/C/SLV/3-4), as well as its fifth and sixth periodic
reports (documents CEDAW/C/SLV/5 and CEDAW/C/SLV/6).
The fifth report, covering the period from 1995 to 1998, focuses on
the implementation of the National Policy on Women.   With the
objective of ensuring equal opportunity and shared responsibility,
the Policy comprises 10 areas of action covering the range of
concerns of the Women's anti-Discrimination Convention.

In 1996, according to the report, the Salvadoran Institute for the
Advancement of Women (ISDEMU) was established.     The Institute's aim
is to formulate, direct, execute, advise on and monitor the
implementation of the National Policy.   Its governing board includes
a female chairperson, heads of government ministries and
representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The report states that El Salvador's Constitution holds all persons
equal before the law, regardless of nationality, race, sex or
religion.   Conventions and legislation, most recently the Domestic
Violence Act of 1999, have been enacted to counter such violence, and
the Family Code, in force since 1994, establishes that spouses have
equal rights and duties.   An inter-institutional committee has been
set up under the National Policy to improve family relations and to
provide protection and care to victims of domestic violence.   Women's
access to the administration of justice has been improved by the
opening of sub-offices of the Attorney General and the Procurator
General, and awareness campaigns against violence have been
broadcast.

According to the report, the Labour Code prohibits discrimination in
employment; provisions that barred women from unhealthy or dangerous
work were dropped.   An award has been established for mass media
reporting that portrays women in non-stereotypical ways.

Awareness campaigns for increased participation by women in political
and public life have also been carried out, the report states, and
the electoral roll has been updated with gender-disaggregated
statistical data to provide indicators of women's participation.   In
the period 1994 to 1997, there were 14 women deputies in the
legislature, out of a total of 84.   The report includes other
statistics of posts held by women, as well as women's participation
in international conferences.

During the reporting period, according to the report, activity by
women's organizations included the preparation of the "Platform for
Salvadoran Women, 1997-2000", which aimed to change the balance of
power in political, economic and social areas.

Regarding education, the report states that an objective of the
National Policy is to increase the enrolment and retention rates of
girls, and programmes towards that goal are described.   The number of
girls 15 to 19 years of age enrolled in schools increased only 2 per
cent between 1996 and 1997, as compared to 3 per cent for boys.
Adolescent girls of childbearing and bread-winning age are at a
disadvantage.

The report states that women encounter serious obstacles in entering
the workforce because of family responsibilities, housework and
motherhood.   Parity of pay for equal work had increased slightly
between 1995 and 1997.   Legal instruments had come into force to
prevent maternity from keeping women from exercising their right to
work.   The 1998 Penal Code addressed sexual harassment in the
workplace.   Under the National Policy, the labour ministry was
carrying out an eight-point plan to assist women in improving their
employment situation.

The report also describes efforts under the national policy to foster
women's rights to participation in social life, the rights of rural
women and rights relating to marriage and family.   The combined
fourth and fifth periodic reports cover those issues for the years
1987 to 1994.

The first part of the sixth report summarizes important recent
measures to implement the provisions of the Convention.   The second
part of the report focuses on legal and legislative measures.   It
states that El Salvador recognizes the importance of international
conventions and treaties, which take precedence over its secondary
legislation.

The report notes that according to the Human Development Report2002,
El Salvador's gender empowerment measure ranking is 52 out of 66
countries.   That means that El Salvador has failed significantly to
break with the systems and structures that hinder women's inclusion
in decision-making and political life.

The Government is currently implementing the 2000-2004 Plan of Action
of the National Policy on Women based on the Government's "New
Alliance", the report says.   Salvadoran women's organizations believe
that one of the primary achievements in terms of equitable
participation in governmental policy-making is the ISDEMU governing
body, which includes two representatives of those organizations, as
well as representatives of the main government bodies.

Women have achieved a historic breakthrough, in that they have gained
access to public office and government planning, the report says.
The Government is working to lay a foundation that will guarantee the
sustainability of governing planning for the advancement of women.
In 2000, women held only 9.5 per cent of seats in the Legislative
Assembly; 33 per cent of legislative, senior Government and
managerial positions; and 47 per cent of professional and technical
positions.   However, under the National Policy on Women, major
efforts are being made to empower women through raising awareness and
training activities.   Despite an increase in the number of women in
the cabinet, the percentages of women in the most influential
ministerial posts remains low.   For the first time, a woman is
serving as the Chairman of the Central Reserve Bank.

Women's lack of integration into the production sector is one of the
main obstacles to their advancement, the report states.     While the
informal sector is the main sector of the economy in which women find
paid employment, it is also the least covered by the social security
system and labour legislation.   In 2000, women earned some 35 per
cent less than men for equivalent jobs or work.     There is a great
disparity between women's estimated annual earned income of some
$2,347 compared to $6,767 for men.   Labour legislation has not
changed significantly since the submission of the fifth periodic
report.

The report states that El Salvador signed the Optional Protocol to
the Convention in 2001.   Ratification is currently under
consideration by various governmental bodies.
Introduction of Reports

MARISOL ARGUETA (El Salvador), introducing the reports, said her
country had taken important steps to promote women's rights since
ratifying the Convention in 1981.   In 1996, the Salvadoran Institute
for the Advancement of Women was established to oversee national
policies for women.   The National Policy for Women was adopted in
1997, which the Institute followed up with a technical and
participative process to further the advancement of women.   The
National Policy focused on 10 areas of interest to women, and has
recently set up a new plan of action.

Women made up more than 52 per cent of El Salvador's population, she
continued, and the Government placed great importance on the
advancement of women.   Politically, the Constitution enshrined legal
equality and prohibited sexual discrimination, and important
instruments had been ratified promoting women's rights.

Participation in governmental and party policy had been limited by
the traditional political system, and political parties were only
beginning to open up to women with respect to decision-making and
leadership.   Recently, a leading political party had been founded and
headed by a woman, who stood apart because of her role in the
country's leadership.

The Association of Female Judges and Association of Female Lawyers
were active organizations, she said, and had presented candidates for
magisterial positions in the country's Supreme Court.   In addition, a
female lawyer held the position of sub-director for schools and legal
training.   She noted that several women also served in the current
governmental administration, including as ministers.   Two women had
held the post as Procurator General for the defense of human rights.
Many women held professional posts at the Institute of Legal
Medicine.   Women in the country could also join the army and several
served on the police force.

She noted that much progress had been made in terms of gender access
to education, but the challenge was to ensure that children continued
to attend school, both in urban and rural areas.   The 1990s had seen
a positive trend in attendance, but the drop-out rate for girls
continued to be problematic.   Since 1998, mixed education had been
promoted and the level of public education has improved.   Access for
women had been promoted to non-traditional careers in recent years,
and an attempt had been made to study barriers keeping women from
pursuing those careers.   Indicators had been developed to determine
the drop-out rate for pregnant teenagers, so that curricula could be
reoriented and attention focused on that area.   Women currently could
not be expelled because of pregnancy and an attempt was being made to
eliminate the disciplinary measures that had been used against
pregnant teenagers in the past.

Since 1987, several activities have been initiated in the women's
health area, she continued.   A special body had been set up for
women's health to coordinate activities between the Government and
civil society, with a female manager.   Increased services had been
provided to identify pregnancy, delivery and post-natal care risks.
Maternal mortality had dropped from 72 to 62 per 100,000 women.   As
regards labour, El Salvador had ratified several conventions
promoting equal rights for women in the workforce andprohibiting
child labour.   The country had developed a national policy on safety,
which sought to bring together national and privateendeavours in an
effort to promote safer conditions and improve workplace standards.
The national policy was also seeking to eliminate gender
discrimination and ensure that women had access to improved training,
as well as better paid and more influential positions.
In the social field, married women could now choose their place of
residence.   In addition, the grounds for divorce, which previously
had focused on the male, were now non-discriminatory.   The Institute
had become the guiding body for the implementation of policies to
prevent and handle domestic violence, and laws dealing with such
issues had been reformed.   In addition, an attempt was being made to
ensure that all were made aware of laws against domestic violence,
and victims were being assisted through the appropriate bodies.


Expert Comments and Questions

Committee Chairperson, AYSE FERIDE ACAR, expert from Turkey, thanked
the delegation for the detailed series of reports, as well as its
oral presentation.   El Salvador's large delegation reflected the
Government's commitment to women's issues.   The Government ratified
the Convention in 1981 and with today's meeting, its reporting was
brought up to date.   She called for the Government's consideration of
ratification to the Convention's Optional Protocol.   Article 20.1 of
the Convention also needed to be ratified by States Parties in order
for the Committee to have more time to consider reports.

Armed conflict and natural disasters were tragic events with great
social and human costs, she said.   They imposed heavy burdens on
society and governments.   Turkey had also recently lived through the
devastating effects of earthquakes.   She was aware of the
disproportionate impact of these disasters on women's rights.   Tragic
events, however, could be used as windows of opportunities in
overcoming traditional stereotypes and in assuming new and effective
roles in the rebuilding of society.   She hoped that El Salvador would
be able to put in place measures to ensure that both de jure and de
facto equality became a reality.   Efforts to increase women's
visibility in the judiciary were welcome.   Amendments to
discriminatory legislation were also welcomed.   Problems in the areas
of education, health and socio-cultural issues remained, however.

MARIA YOLANDA FERRER GOMEZ, expert from Cuba, said that terrible
natural disasters, specifically the earthquakes of 2001, had indeed
affected the population and had disrupted some 70 per cent of the
rural infrastructure.   The 2000-2004 National Policy on Women had
been prepared before the earthquakes and must be amended to emphasize
the devastation to the most vulnerable sectors, in particular.   She
requested further information on reconstruction and employment
programmes.   How were the women affected by the earthquakes taken
into consideration in those programmes?   She also wanted to know if
there was a government programme on poverty reduction and, if so, was
there a focus on women and poverty?

Regarding legislation, she said the idea of discrimination as such
was not established in El Salvador's Constitution or legislation.
She wondered if change was being planned in that regard.   Article 247
of the Penal Code provided for penalties in the event of serious
discrimination in the workplace.   What constituted "serious"
discrimination?   On the law against domestic violence, would
reconciliation between victims and aggressors be regarded as
something to offset the seriousness of the punishment?   Had work been
done to familiarize women with their rights?

The functions of the Institute had been well outlined, she
continued.   However, did it have sufficient legal powers to deal with
ministries and to ensure compliance with government commitments?   Was
gender mainstreaming a part of government planning?   Was there a link
between the Institute and NGOs?   She also asked for information on El
Salvador's indigenous population, including plans for the advancement
of indigenous women in rural areas.

AIDA GONZALEZ MARTINEZ, expert from Mexico, said the question of
discrimination was also of great concern to her.   Condemning
discrimination was one of the basic principles of articles 1 and 2 of
the Convention.   On the Convention's applicability to national law,
she suggested considering amending the Constitution so that
discrimination would be explicitly eliminated, thereby following the
terms of the Convention.   Why had it not been possible to ensure
ratification of the Optional Protocol?   Such ratification was a
reaffirmation of the Government's will and determination to comply
with the Convention.

On prostitution, what activities were being carried out to protect
prostitutes from violence and exploitation? she asked.   Were the
clients of prostitutes sentenced?   Were there re-education programmes
for prostitutes, as well as prevention programmes for child
prostitution?

HEISOO SHIN, expert from the Republic of Korea, said it was
extraordinary for the Committee to consider four periodic reports at
one time.   It was the obligation of States parties to submit reports
in due time.   The third report was 11 years late.   She asked whether
NGOs had participated in the process of writing the reports.   How
well known was the Convention?   She asked for more information on the
Institute's method of operation.   How often did it meet and how many
people did it employ?   She asked what had been the Institute's most
difficult obstacles.

CORNELIS FLINTERMAN, expert from the Netherlands, said that none of
the reports referred to El Salvador's' reservation to article 29 of
the Convention.   Had the Government considered withdrawing that
reservation, in light of the new nature of the International Court of
Justice?   He was pleased with the signing of the Optional Protocol.
It had been pending for some time, however.   He asked for a
description of the Parliament's debate on the issue.

MARIA REGINA TAVARES DA SILVA, expert from Portugal, asked for
further elaboration on the Plan of Action.   She questioned the
frequent use of the word "equity" as compared to "equality".   Was it
a question of language or did the use of "equity" constitute a
substantive difference in meaning?   On prostitution and sanctions,
she said the report failed to mention the phenomenon of trafficking.
Was it not a problem in El Salvador?

KRISZTINA MORVAI, expert from Hungary, wanted to know who the lead
agency within the Government was for the enforcement of the
Convention and the "New Alliance" programme.   While the Institute
seemed like a very solid organization, it did not seem to have
political responsibility.   What was the budget for the New Alliance
programme?   Was the domestic application of the Convention part of
the curricula in legal educational institutes?

HUGUETTE BOKPE GNANCADJA, expert from Benin, said she was concerned
with legal protection provided to Salvadoran women.   The reports did
not sufficiently address that issue.   What were the competent legal
bodies to deal with women's issues?   Were there courts in rural areas
and what were the costs involved?   If rural women could not afford
legal help, was it provided for them?

FUMIKO SAIGA, expert from Japan, asked for information on the legal
status of the Institute and its submission of bills to the
Parliament.


Country Response

Responding to questions about the Institute for the Advancement of
Women, Ms. Argueta said the guidelines and role of the Institute were
the responsibility of the National Secretary of Women and Children.
Four assisting bodies helped to ensure implementation of the
Convention, although specific areas were dealt with by the ministries
of education, labour, and agriculture.   As a policy body, the
Institute had a small budget, but each Ministry had about $1 million
for projects to implement international and national standards to
advance women and ensure gender equality.

The Constitution, she said, stated that all people were equal before
the law, with no distinction made as regarded economic and social
rights.   Discrimination was handled under those terms, and the
countries two legislatures were currently proceeding with
constitutional reform.   Three-quarters approval was needed in the
legislature for ratification of the Optional Protocol of the
Convention, which she hoped would be ratified after the elections.
Turning to a question about the International Court of Justice, she
said the Government was not currently considering obligatory
jurisdiction with respect to cases submitted to the Court, but would
continue to respect voluntary jurisdiction.

Concerning prostitution laws, she said the country currently had laws
prohibiting and punishing the promotion and carrying out of
prostitution.   Last year, penal legislation advocating four to eight
years in prison had been introduced for trafficking in persons.   If
the trafficking involved women or girls, the penalty was longer.   Any
person who harboured, transported or brought individuals into the
country for the purposes of trafficking, or used false documentation
to help persons leave the country, was subject to the law.

Regarding prostitution itself, she said that health services and
medical attention was given free to those involved.   The Ministry of
Health was developing programmes to prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases, and promoting awareness of such illnesses.
Promoting prostitution was a punishable crime, and the act was
prohibited in public areas.   As for domestic violence, women first
brought charges to the police, and then had access to the court
system.   The Institute had developed programmes for national police
units and provided information about the Convention, domestic
violence and various international and national standards to ensure
the rights of women when an accusation was made.

As for El Salvadoran immigrants abroad, she said the country had
lobbied countries who took in immigrants, seeking to regularize the
situation of migrants in those nations.   The United States had taken
in 250,000 persons, acting under its provision for the temporary
protection of migrants in an illegal situation, which in this case
applied to the situation arising from the recent earthquakes.   The
programme had since been extended, with the participation of several
European countries.

Responding to questions concerning the Platform, she said it had been
vital in preparing the National Policy on Women.   It had consisted of
round tables with NGOs and governmental agencies, as well as
international bodies, in reaching consensus on national policy for
women.

Regarding mental health, the country had received the George Allen
international prize for its focus on mental health.   The area of
mental health had become crucial after the earthquakes in dealing
with the many traumatized individuals.   The country now had a
National Council on Mental Health, which would be monitoring
programmes in the field.

Turning to poverty reduction, she said the Government believed that
providing better employment opportunities was the best strategy.   At
the international level, the country had been seeking trade
opportunities, and urging greater foreign investment.   Health was
also vital in poverty reduction, and the country had been using
international standards to protect workers.

ZOILA DE INNOCENTI, Executive Director of the Salvadoran Institute
for the Advancement of Women, said the Institute had an executive
board.   The Executive Director held the rank of minister and was
elected by the executive board.   The board was comprised of
ministers, vice ministers and representatives of four national NGOs.
The NGOs elected their own representatives.   The executive board met
on the second Wednesday of every month of the year.

The Institute provided legal assistance, she added.   For example, a
commission had been set up to carry out a study on the law against
domestic violence.   The executive board met in August and provided
information to the Legislative Assembly, which adopted all of its
suggested reforms.

Regarding major obstacles, she said the Institute's budget always
fell short.   The Institute had 107 employees and occasionally brought
in consultants.   The ministers and vice ministers working with the
Institute acted as political counterparts.   The Institute's December
meeting was most important, in that outstanding issues and budgetary
matters were discussed.   In addition, a network of communicators from
all Government institutions met monthly.   That network was obligated
to publicize changes in legislation and women's policies.   While the
Institute pursued the same overall policies, it adjusted its plan of
action periodically.

Concerning the terms "equality" and "equity", she said there were
varying levels of inequity in El Salvador.   The basic law recognized
that all individuals were equal before the law without distinction to
race and sex.   All people were clearly not equal, however.   Women,
young girls and the elderly, for example, were often vulnerable and
required additional assistance.   Equality was the capacity everyone
had to find themselves in the same situation.   Equity was the
participation of all individuals at the same level.   The distinction
was not a discriminatory measure, but was rather positive.

The protection of victims of rape and their access to the legal
system was the Institute's major area of work, she said.   The
Institute had representatives in numerous areas of the country to
address that issue.   A programme entitled "Improving Family
Relations" had set up a crisis hotline for rape victims.   The hotline
provided a link to the national civilian police.   Trained social
workers and others from the health department were always on hand.
Depending on the seriousness of the case, the individual was brought
in for crisis treatment.   If it turned out to be a crime, assistance
and treatment was provided to the victim and the case was brought
before the courts.   Shelter was also provided.   A national plan on
violence had been adopted last year.   Assistance was provided to even
the most remote regions.   The Institute also had a large prevention
programme to build awareness on the issue.

LUIS FERNANDO AVEIAR BERMUDEZ, Vice-Minister of Labour and Social
Welfare, said that the Constitution seemed to allow for
discrimination in the economic and social spheres.   However, the
Constitution had a section which dealt exclusively with labour.   El
Salvador had also ratified a resolution of the International Labour
Organization, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex.

The Constitution could not be interpreted to allow for
discrimination, in that it stated that all Salvadorans were entitled
to labour rights.   On poverty reduction, he said El Salvador was
focusing on the labour market, including training programmes to
better qualify individuals for work.   With the two earthquakes in
2001, however, reconstruction replaced training.

HAYDEE PADILLA DE ESCOBAR, of the Ministry of Public Health and
Social Assistance, said that a number of joint actions had been
developed in the area of sexual reproduction and health in the
aftermath of the earthquakes.   Given the crisis, mental health was
also a priority.   Mobile teams had been set up to attend to people in
shelters and in rural areas.   Reproductive health kits had been
provided to hospitals.   The earthquakes had provided an open door to
provide such services.   Mobile health teams had provided information
on sex education and family planning, so that individuals could make
informed decisions.   The prevention of diseases such as HIV/AIDS was
also mentioned.

There was also a joint plan of action for indigenous people, she
said.   An obstetrics training programme, drafted with the assistance
of indigenous women, was being implemented.   Maternal mortality had
been reduced and they were trying to work with indigenous women in
that area.

Ms. ARGUETA said that the "New Alliance" was a government plan.
Regarding the issue of sexual exploitation, the law did not
sufficiently address that issue.   The Government knew that legal
protection must be provided for girls and vulnerable groups.   A bill
targeting sexual exploitation was currently under consideration.


Questions and Comments

ROSARIO MANALO, expert from the Philippines, asked whether the
country's long-term plan for the empowerment of women would include
affirmative action in addition to training, and whether the media
would be used to change attitudes.   She also asked about the
participation of women in local politics, and noted a serious lack of
women in foreign affairs posts.   Finally, she asked whether an
immigrant woman's citizenship was protected under the country's
nationality laws.

CHRISTINE KAPALATA, expert form the United Republic of Tanzania,
asked for an explanation for the decline of women participating in
international bodies and corporations.

SJAMSIAH ACHMAD, expert from Indonesia, asked whether future efforts
to increase the participation of women in political life would
include affirmative action.   She also asked which organization was
responsible for monitoring the political participation of women, and
how the country ensured that participation increased, rather than
decreased.   In addition, who was the target group for women in
political training programmes, and was such training available at the
national, as well as local levels?

VICTORIA POPESCU SANDRU, expert from Romania, asked about the
follow-up to a bill on women in politics and whether political
parties had begun to implement it.   She also noted a drop in the
number of women in the legislature and requested an explanation for
the decline.


Country response

Ms. ARGUETA, elaborating further on the work of the Salvadoran
Institute for the Advancement of Women, said the Institute's work
went far beyond mere training.   The Institute coordinated the work of
a number of institutions on such activities as legislation, violence,
family and health.   The Institute ensured the consistency of the work
of the various institutions in ten focus areas.   Much of the
Institute's work focused on raising awareness and the media.

Recognizing the important role of the media in educating the public,
the Institute had established a press award for media that
effectively portrayed women in non-stereotypical roles.   A civil
society initiative to introduce legislation allowing for quotas in
various sectors was also being considered.   School curricula had been
expanded to include human rights education.

Regarding the participation of women in local Government, she said
very few women served in political life.   That was not because of a
systematic policy to exclude women, but because of the electoral
process itself.   She shared the expert's concerns about the lack of
female ambassadors.   Legislation on the foreign service was being
considered to include quotas and incentives for women to
participate.   Self-imposed obstacles to women's involvement in the
foreign service still existed.   Despite the fact that there were very
few female ambassadors, more women than men worked in the foreign
service.   Men served at the extremes -- at the ambassadorial and
general service levels.

There was no distinction between men and women regarding citizenship,
she said.   The only way to lose citizenship was to expressly reject
it.   On equity and equality, the report would include terminology
based on El Salvador's understanding of it.   She had taken due note
of the expert's comments and would use the terminology correctly in
the next report.   Concerning the relationship between training and
the involvement of women in Government, there had been labour
training days to raise awareness and provide incentives.   There was
no information on unions or advisory bodies at the local level.
Women participated at the level of local Government.   Regarding
economic activities, research on the number of female employers would
soon be concluded.

AIDA GONZALEZ MARTINEZ, expert from Mexico, asked for a definition of
"high-risk", as it pertained to women in El Salvador who were tested
for HIV/AIDS.   Also, were activities aimed at prevention and
awareness-raising with respect to AIDS focused on men, as well as
women?   In addition, she asked about the relationship in El Salvador
between the maternal mortality rate and abortion.   Regarding
migrants, she asked about programmes the country had in place for
people, particularly women, wishing to return to their homeland.

Ms. FERRER GOMEZ, expert from Cuba, asked whether there were any
programmes to give women and girls priority in educational
programmes, particularly in rural areas.   She noted that the country
had high drop-out rates, and commented that one of the prime causes
of that was teen pregnancy.

NAELA GABR, expert from Egypt, noted the grave disparity in literacy
rates between urban and rural areas in El Salvador, and urged the
country to stamp out illiteracy.   She questioned whether some of the
foreign assistance provided to the country was channeled into social
programmes in education and health.

AKUA KUENYEHIA, expert from Ghana, asked about programmes for young
mothers to return to school, and the number of those who did.

DUBRAVKA SIMONOVIC, expert from Croatia, asked whether the Government
annually collected sex-specific statistical data.   Also, what was the
percentage of female primary, secondary and university graduates?
She also asked for information about gender-specific education, as
well as gender stereotypes in schoolbooks.   In addition, she asked
about the current policy for maternity leave in the country, and
whether it was possible for men to share that leave.

Ms. TAVARES DA SILVA, expert from Portugal, asked for an explanation
of the imbalances between men's and women's wages in certain
sectors.   She also noted the low level of contraceptive use in the
country, and asked whether abortion was being used as a method of
family planning.

PRAMILA PATTEN, expert from Mauritius, emphasized the importance of
literacy for girls.   Investing in formal education was one of the
best ways of achieving economic growth.   She asked for data on
resources allocated to education.   To what extent was the Government
including a gender mainstreaming perspective in its policies and
programmes?   What concrete steps were being taken to ensure full and
equal participation in the educational, policy and decision-making
spheres?

FATIMA KWAKU, expert from Nigeria, noted the creation of the
Agricultural Development Bank in El Salvador, which provided credit
and technical assistance to men and women alike.   What percentage of
that assistance went to women, specifically rural women?   Stringent
conditions often barred women from credit.   What was the Government
doing to ensure that rural women received credit?   She also asked for
information on discriminatory provisions in El Salvador's agrarian
laws.

Ms. GNANCADJA, expert from Benin, asked several questions regarding
legal equality between men and women.   Were there legal provisions
for women to hold land titles?   Did women in prisons have the same
legal standing as men?   She also asked for clarification on women's
inheritance rights.

MERIEM BELMIHOUB-ZERDANI, expert from Algeria, said it was difficult
to reproach the delegation when the country had experienced ten years
of war and two earthquakes.   Women were advancing forward, but there
were some mitigating factors.   Regarding marriage, she asked if there
was a common law to ensure shared property rights between spouses.
Upon divorce, if a woman retained child custody, did she stay in the
family residence?   During marriage, were children under the
trusteeship of the father, or was it shared between mothers and
families?   Were adopted children given legal status?   Did adopted
children have the same rights in terms of inheritance?   Was the
mother of an illegitimate child able to pursue legal means to
establish paternity?   Were all marriages in El Salvador officially
recorded?   On another topic, she asked if political parties received
subsidies.


Country Response

Responding to a question about sexual harassment, Ms. ARGUETA said
that crime was included in the penal code and could lead to a period
of six months to a year in prison.   If the victim was under the age
of 12, the prison sentence ranged from six months to two years.
Turning to the agrarian code, she said there was a strategy to update
agrarian laws to promote gender equality.

Regarding migrants, she described two types of individuals who
returned -- those who came voluntarily or those who return
non-voluntarily, such as through deportation.   No specific data
existed on contagious diseases brought back by migrants returning
voluntarily, and those returning non-voluntarily had the right to
keep from the record that they had been deported due to contagious
disease.   That controversial issue of privacy versus society's right
not to be infected was currently being debated in various countries,
but the individual's right to privacy currently prevailed.

El Salvador had a welcome home project, she continued, which welcomed
all who returned to the country with a place to sleep, food and other
basic services.   Currently, there was much concern about anti-social
behaviour on the part of migrants, and a great deal of effort was
being focused in that area.   Some special treatment was provided to
migrants or returning citizens who were exhibiting such behaviour.
Turning to the question of gender-desegregated data, she said that
some was available.   Innovative efforts had been made to completely
revamp the country's census and statistics office, which would
undoubtedly include the gender perspective.   She added that reliable
data was available on access to micro-credit for both men and women
in rural areas.

Mr. BERMUDEZ, responding to the question on assembly line rights,
said the regular working day consisted eight hours, and the working
week 44.   Generally, people were paid by the hour, and the accepted
minimum wage was paid to all.   A regional unemployment centre had
been set up with surrounding countries, and the country was also
disseminating information and providing training.   As for salaries,
he said that the gender gap in earning power had been closing since
last year.   Both workers and employers were being trained with
respect to equal pay for equal work.

Ms. PADILLA DE ESCOBAR, of the Ministry of Public Health and Social
Assistance, said that women's health focused on three areas:
pregnancy; labour; and the post-partum period.   On abortion-related
deaths, World Health Organization statistics showed that deaths were
due to toxemia and hemorrhaging.   El Salvador believed in protecting
life from the moment of conception.   Abortion was illegal in El
Salvador.   Regarding uterine and cervical cancer, the focus had been
on detection and prevention.   While the number of women being tested
was increasing, women tended not to go in for testing.

By the terms of a June 2000 presidential announcement, preventive
health services were free for anyone, she said.   There was a national
prevention programme for HIV/AIDS.   At present, the country was
making efforts to change traditional patterns regarding the use of
family planning methods.   The focus had been on involving men in the
health and reproductive area.

Regarding maternal mortality rates, from 1998 to 2003, there had been
120 deaths per 100,000 live births.   The country had made an effort
to monitor maternal mortality at the national level.   Some progress
had been made and work was being done at the inter-sectoral and
inter-institutional levels.

MATILDE GUERRA DE QUINTANA, Vice-Minister for Education, said the
main focus had been on statistics in elementary, secondary and
vocational schooling.   For the period under review, there had been
considerable improvement in ensuring access to schools for children
up to the age of 18.   El Salvador was far from achieving
100 per cent school attendance rates at all ages.   One reason for
that was that there had been heavy emphasis on literacy programmes.

Approximately 100,000 people were learning to read and write every year.   To
improve the efficiency of the system, the Government was focusing on
changes in methodology and teaching materials in educational
centres.   There was a programme for both talented children and slow
learners.

Regarding girls who drop out of school, she said the causes included
poverty, employment demands and the fact that girls tended to start
school two to three years later than boys.   Additional efforts were
needed to ensure that girls returned to school following pregnancy.
New initiatives included remote education programmes, which combined
printed material and weekly tutoring.   Between 1992 and 2000, school
attendance for girls increased from 24 per cent to 44 per cent.

Ms. ARGUETA said the Legal Commission was entrusted with harmonizing
national legislation with international standards.   Also, there was
no legal distinction in inheritance rights.   On measures related to
housing, one third of the country's homes had been destroyed during
the earthquakes and women who headed households were given priority
in rebuilding projects.

MARINELA LOPEZ DE ORTIZ, of the National Secretariat of the Family,
said that the adoption of the 1993 Family Code had removed a number
of discriminatory elements.   All legal acts were outlined in a
register in the mayor's offices.   Women did have legal capacity.
Upon divorce, the judge might determine that women be given the
family home, even if the house had been purchased under the father's
name.   All children had equal rights.   Child custody existed for both
parents.

Ms. ACAR, Committee Chairperson, said that due to the lateness of the
hour, she would simply thank the delegation for the detailed
information it had provided and express the hope that El Salvador
would soon ratify the Optional Protocol, as well as the amendment of
article 20.1 of the Convention.   The Committee also hoped that El
Salvador's next report would be submitted on time.

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