22 May 1984

Meeting 17

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979, by which the Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women annexed thereto,

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 35/140 of 11 December 1980, 36/131 of 14 December 1981, 37/64 of 3 December 1982 and 38/109 of 16 December 1983,

Taking into account Council resolutions 1983/1 of 17 May 1983 and 1984/10 of 24 May 1984,

Noting that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in its rules of procedure, provided that it would have summary records and would include Arabic among its official languages,

Recognizing the importance of the summary records of bodies established to monitor the implementation of international human rights instruments,

Having considered the reports of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its second and third sessions,

Welcoming the decision of the Committee to contribute to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in 1985,

1. Takes note of the reports of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its second and third sessions;

2. Emphasizes the importance of the strictest compliance by States parties with their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

3. Requests States parties to make all possible efforts to submit their initial implementation reports in accordance with article 18 of the Convention and requests the Committee in organizing its work to ensure that the reports of States parties are adequately reviewed within the quadrennial cycle envisaged;

4. Notes the decision of the Committee, as contained in paragraphs 366 and 367 of the report on its third session, to consider at its fourth session the achievements and obstacles experienced by States parties in the implementation of the Convention as a contribution to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a compendium of information based upon the national reports on the achievements of and obstacles experienced by States parties in the implementation of the Convention, in conformity with article 17, paragraph 9, of the Convention, to assist the Committee in the preparation of a report on those issues as a contribution to the Conference;

6. Takes note of the discussion in the Committee concerning the inclusion in the agenda of a future session of an item on ways and means of implementing article 21 of the Convention, which provides that the Committee may make suggestions and general recommendations based on the examination of reports;

7. Recommends the General Assembly to take the necessary steps to ensure the provision and distribution in all official languages of summary records of meetings of the Committee;

8. Invites the Committee, once it is provided with summary records on a regular basis, to review the format and content of its report, bearing in mind the provisions of paragraphs 13, 14 and 15 of General Assembly resolution 37/14/C of 16 November 1982;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the reports of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session, as well as to the Commission on the Status of Women, for information.