Last week, the Center for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance (CEWLA), and the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR), submitted a joint report commenting on the Government of Egypt’s responses to the List of Issues and questions related to Egypt’s combined eighth and tenth periodic reports, within the framework of the Review conducted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (the Committee) on the Arab Republic of Egypt’s progress within the framework of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The report analyzes issues raised by the Committee related particularly to women’s enjoyment of economic and social rights, in light of the pandemic and in the context of the IMF-backed economic reform program in Egypt. It provides an alternative analysis to issues of reservations on article 2; 16; on the impact of the pandemic on women’s rights and gender equity including issues of loans and microfinance, irregular and informal worker, social housing, social protection, and maternity leave. It also assesses the role of the National Agency for the Advancement of Women; and on the rights to education, health and decent work for women.
The report also provides recommendations that would contribute to enabling Egyptian women to enjoy their economic and social rights, promote equality, equal opportunities and non-discrimination in laws, policies and practices. The report relies on research and analysis produced by national governmental and non-governmental institutions. It also highlights findings from the Egypt Social Progress Indicators, a joint project of CEWLA & CESR, and studies produced by CEWLA and stakeholders, partners and allies.