Representatives of civil society organizations briefed the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on the situation of women’s rights in Argentina, the Czech Republic, and El Salvador, ahead of the Committee’s review of these countries’ reports during its ninety-second session. No civil society organizations were present to provide input on Lesotho, which is also scheduled for review.
In Argentina, speakers highlighted severe rollbacks in public policies promoting women’s rights, including the dismantling of the Ministry for Women and drastic cuts to national protection policies. Structural inequalities were exacerbated by wage gaps, high female unemployment, and reductions in social protection and care services. Healthcare access, particularly in provinces, remained insufficient, and the abortion law faced threats amid rising maternal and infant mortality rates. Online gender-based violence, the lack of sexual education, and inadequate services for women with disabilities were additional concerns, alongside environmental degradation impacting indigenous communities. Gender representation in government, the judiciary, and diplomatic positions remained limited.
For the Czech Republic, civil society emphasized persistent structural discrimination affecting women in labor, education, health, and housing. Violence against women, insufficient support for midwives, and inadequate legal frameworks for breast milk substitutes were noted. Cyber violence against women, unequal political participation, and barriers to reporting abuse were highlighted. Experts stressed the need for stronger implementation of gender-based violence action plans, accessible abortion and contraception services, childcare support, parental leave reforms, and recognition of intersectional discrimination.
In El Salvador, speakers raised issues including violence against women, discriminatory labor practices, evictions affecting female street vendors, and persistent care burdens on women despite national policies. The exclusion of “gender ideology” from teacher training, gaps in sexual and reproductive health services, and the reduced independence of the Institute for the Development of Women were cited as setbacks. Concerns about adolescent pregnancy, the rights of incarcerated mothers, and insufficient public policy to prevent discrimination were also discussed.
Committee experts asked targeted questions on Argentina’s exit from the World Health Organization, the effects of Decree 70 on reproductive rights, the impact of labor reforms, and compliance with the Paris Agreement. Regarding the Czech Republic, they inquired about cyber violence laws, women’s political participation, trafficking prevention, and access to midwifery care. For El Salvador, questions focused on the effectiveness of new online crime laws, teenage pregnancy rates, and public policy for mothers and pregnant women in prisons. Experts also raised queries about Lesotho’s reservations under the Convention and protections for trafficking and labor exploitation victims.
Responses from civil society underscored ongoing barriers to women’s health, safety, and autonomy. In Argentina, public health budget cuts, deregulated medicine prices, online harassment of female journalists, and reduced support for women with disabilities were cited. In the Czech Republic, new legislation addressed some forms of cyber violence, but systemic challenges remained, including political opposition to gender equality measures. In El Salvador, a new law criminalized online harassment, and teenage pregnancies had decreased but remained concerning, with limited sexual and reproductive health access for adolescents.
The Czech national human rights institution highlighted systemic issues, including informal care burdens predominantly carried by women, insufficient childcare options, employment discrimination, inadequate access to justice for victims, and a lack of mental healthcare services, particularly for girls. Chronic conditions affecting women were underdiagnosed, and the expansion of the Public Defender’s mandate in 2025 remained under-resourced. Sustainable funding was deemed essential for the institution to effectively protect human rights.
Committee experts sought clarification on the use of gender impact assessments in legislative processes, availability of preschool services for children under three, and future public policy measures to prevent discrimination. Written responses were requested for the questions delivered via video by the Czech national human rights institution.
