Article 1

For the purposes of the present Convention, the term “discrimination against women” shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, and civil or any other field.

Commentary

Article 1 defines what constitutes discrimination against women and thus establishes the Convention as a special international human rights instrument that only deals with discrimination directed against women.  The term “discrimination” refers to any distinction, exclusion or restriction, it being intentional or unintentional, that prevent women, married or not, from reaching full equality.  Furthermore, the principle of equality of rights should be applied to areas of law and social institutions, which perpetuate the continuation of discrimination against women, as well as to political, economic, social, cultural, and civil fields where discriminatory actions are still practised, such as in the work place.

Questions

1.       Does the Lebanese constitution guarantee equality between men and women so as to protect the human rights of women? Is the principle of non-discrimination stated in the Constitution with regards to gender and marital status of women? Is this principle implemented in practice? If the principle of non-discrimination is not included in the Constitution, what measures are being undertaken to modify the Constitution and include the proper amendments? Are there any obstacles preventing such amendments? If so, please specify.

2.       Are there any Lebanese laws or decrees that define the term “discrimination against women”? Please specify.  Does the definition of discrimination include provisions that call for different treatment of men and women?  Does it also include laws, customs and policies that fail to recognise women or deprive them of the enjoyment of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights? 

3.       Does the legal definition of “discrimination against women” cover all aspects of discrimination?  Is this definition in conformity with the principles of the Convention?

4.       Does the definition include practices that are unintentionally discriminatory against women and that cannot be considered justified?  Please specify.

5.       Does the legal definition of discrimination against women include discrimination when practised by private companies and by individuals?  Does it also include discrimination in specific areas or within the family?  Please specify.

6.       Does the legal definition of discrimination include violent behaviour directed towards women based on their gender?

Article 2

States Parties condemn discrimination against women in all its forms, agree to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women and, to this end, undertake:

a)       To embody the principle of equality of men and women in their national constitutions or other appropriate legislation if not yet incorporated therein and to ensure, through law and other appropriate means, the practical realisation of this principle;

b)       To adopt appropriate legislative and other measures, including sanctions where appropriate, prohibiting all discrimination against women;

c)       To establish legal protection of the rights of women on an equal basis with men and to ensure through competent national tribunals and other public institutions the effective protection of women against any act of discrimination;

d)       To refrain from engaging in any act or practice of discrimination against women and to ensure that public authorities and institutions shall act in conformity with this obligation;

e)       To take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women by any person, organisation or enterprise;

f)         To take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices which constitute discrimination against women;

g)       To repeal all national penal provisions which constitute discrimination against women.

Commentary

According to article 2, States Parties shall take all measures, including, legislative and administrative measures, to ensure the principle of equality rights between men and women.  In this regard, each State Party should examine its constitutional and legal provisions so as to identify all discriminatory laws and take measures to eliminate or modify them.   By having an appropriate constitutional and legal structure to guarantee equality, each State Party will be able to provide remedies and sanctions for public and private acts of discrimination.  However, discrimination against women is not only confined to legal provisions, it is lived by women in their everyday life.  Therefore, in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, it is also important for each State Party to examine whatever in practice threatens the enjoyment of the rights set forth in the Convention and undertake the appropriate measures to eliminate them.

Questions

1.       Do government and public institutions' practices, laws and policies discriminate against women? Please specify, and indicate the fields in which such practices take place? Are amendments being brought to these laws and administrative practices? Please specify.

2.       Are there any current laws or bills that provide legal remedies against discrimination in basic fields such as education, health and labour?

3.       Are there laws, rules and policies set for governmental establishments and officials regarding discrimination against women?  Please specify. Do these policies also apply to private establishments and individuals?

4.       Have national studies been conducted regarding the existence of discriminatory laws against women?  Please specify.

5.       Are there any remedies currently under development to stop discrimination against women? Please specify the nature of these remedies. Do women have access to it in order to make their rights prevail?

6.       Please indicate the number of cases involving discrimination that have been brought before the courts or other authorities during the last four years?  Please indicate the outcome of the decisions handed down in such cases.

7.       Please indicate whether a special body exists for the promotion and protection of women in Lebanon.  Has any national machinery or ombudsman been created to oversee the implementation of the Convention? If yes, please specify its role and accomplishments.

8.       Did Lebanon, bring, through legislation and different programs, changes in customs and practices that lead to discrimination against women?  Please specify.  Has the Lebanese government taken any measures to combat, through legislation and other programs, any type of violence inflicted on women?

9.       Are sanctions or punitive measures (such as fines) brought upon those who practice discrimination against women?  Please indicate the nature of those measures and provide information on their effectiveness. 

10.   Are measures adopted to encourage the development and improvement of women’s situation? Are measures taken to ensure her fundamental freedoms and equality in her rights?  Please specify.

11.   What are the real obstacles women encounter in the exercise of their fundamental rights and rights of equality with men?

Article 3

States Parties shall take in all fields, in particular in the political, social, economic and cultural fields, all appropriate measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men.

Commentary

In order to ensure the “full development and advancement of women”, as stated in article 3, and the enjoyment of their rights and freedoms, States Parties should take the appropriate measures to guarantee equality between men and women.  These measures will mostly depend on the fields and institutional structure specific to the State Party, as well as on the level of progress within the reporting State.  Therefore, it is important for each reporting State to identify areas of priority where the status of women should be improved and, to develop appropriate programs regarding education, employment and other matters of concern.

Questions

1.       Do legislation, practices and administrative policies guarantee the development and the improvement of women’s status? Do women enjoy the right to participate in political activities and take advantage of social services, health and medical protection, education, and development programs for literacy, employment, the mastering of skills and social well-being as well as property ownership?

2.       Do the Lebanese constitution and other laws guarantee equality in rights and fundamental liberties and the full enjoyment by women of these rights? Following the steps towards equality with men, what are the obstacles encountered by women regarding the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental liberties?

3.       What are the measures undertaken to carry out the full development and improvement of women’s status in society, and to encourage the exercise and enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental liberties?

4.       Have any bills been passed or political measures undertaken to positively influence the political participation of women, or their participation in the social, economic and cultural life?  Did women participate effectively in the drafting of such laws or policies? Are these laws and policies implemented to women’s advantage and satisfaction?

Article 4

Adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination as defined in the present Convention, but shall in no way entail as consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate standards; these measures shall be discontinued when the objectives of equality of opportunity and treatment have been achieved.

Adoption by States Parties of special measures, including those measures contained in the present Convention, aimed at protecting maternity shall not be considered discriminatory.

Commentary

Equality before the law between men and women does not always mean genuine de facto equality.  Therefore, as stated in article 4, it is sometimes necessary to promote equality by positive action in order to overcome the effect of stereotype role division.  To this effect, affirmative action measures may be desirable to ensure and accelerate the full enjoyment by women of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Moreover, paragraph 2 of article 4 specifies that the adoption of special measures aiming at the protection of maternity shall not be considered discriminatory.  Indeed, this function, unique to women, requires special measures of protection for mothers and children.  These measures are necessary because of the importance of maternity to the individual and to the community, and because the interests of children require that the effect on the health, income and earnings of the mother be taken into consideration.

The Committee has adopted two general recommendations regarding the implementation of article 4.  General recommendation no 5 (seventh session 1988), states the requirement to use more temporary special measures such as positive action, preferential treatment or even quota systems, to advance women’s integration into education, the economy and employment.   As for general recommendation no 8 (seventh session 1988), it states that reporting countries should take further direct measures, in accordance with article 4 of the Convention, to ensure to women the opportunity to represent their Governments at the international level and to participate in the work of international organisations.

Questions

1.       Is there an official policy to help accelerate the effective realisation of equality between men and women?  If so, what are the steps taken to implement it?  Have any laws been enacted to help enforce this policy?

2.       Are there any positive special measures, including preferential treatment and quota systems, that have been adopted to reach equality between men and women?  Are there measures undertaken to protect pregnancy, motherhood, and women’s health and their well being in the work place?  Please specify.

3.       What are the means considered in order to implement the measures stated above? Are these measures implemented?Is the implementation of these measures being monitored in any way? 

4.       Are these special measures considered non-discriminatory according to the law?

Article 5

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures:

a)       To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view of achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women;

b)       To ensure that family education includes a proper understanding of maternity as a social function and the recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development of their children, it being understood that the interest of the children is the primordial consideration in all cases.

Commentary

Article 5(a) recognises the obligation of States Parties to achieve “the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices” which give false concepts of inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes.  It should however be noted that modifying the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women remains a difficult task.  Indeed, various customs and traditions, strongly rooted in different countries, represent serious obstacles to the progress to equality and the full participation of women in society.  Therefore, in order to modify the thinking and attitude of both men and women, action must be taken by society in different areas including the upbringing of children, the design of textbooks and the conceptualization of education in general.  As for article 5(b), it establishes that maternity has a social function.  Furthermore, it states the need for States Parties to recognize that men and women have a common responsibility in the upbringing of their children and that parents, in fulfilling their responsibilities, should give priority to the interest of their children in all cases.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in its general recommendation no 3 (sixth session 1987), urged States Parties to adopt “education and public information programs which will help eliminate prejudices and current practices that hinder the full operation of the principle of the social equality of women.”  It also stated in its general recommendation no 12 (eighth session, 1989) entitled “Violence against women” that States Parties are required to take appropriate steps to protect women against any type of violence within the family, at the work place or any other area of social life

Questions

1.       What are the existing cultural and traditional practices that hamper the advancement of women in society?

2.       What are the special measures, information campaigns and programs undertaken in order to modify the social and cultural behavior patterns that lead to sexual stereotyping?

3.       Do religious customs or traditions impose practices and beliefs that prevent the development and improvement of women’s situation in Lebanon?  Please specify.

4.       What are the roles of men and women in the Lebanese society and within the Lebanese family?

5.       Is there any sexual stereotyping in school textbooks and in the media?  What are the past and ongoing efforts expended to eliminate sexual stereotyping?  What are the obstacles encountered in the elimination of sexual stereotyping?

6.       Who is the head of the family according to Lebanese laws and customs?

7.       Are there any gender-specific jobs advertising or hiring practices?  Please specify (give percentages whenever possible)

8.       Please indicate the jobs that cannot be held by women according to Lebanese laws and customs.

9.       Are there gender-specific task assignments in schools and within the family?

10.   What are the roles assigned to men and women in the family?  Do both parents participate in raising the children?  Are there any differences between an urban and a rural environment regarding a stereotypical division of responsibility for child rearing?

11.    In cases of divorce and separation which parent has custody of the children and why?

12.   Are there specific laws and regulations regarding the family in Lebanon?  Please specify.

13.   What is the impact of this article of the Convention on school curricula?

14.   Do husbands have the right to discipline their wives?  Please indicate the Lebanese laws that allow them such conduct?  Are there any punitive measures imposed on those who use violence against their wives?

15.   What are the views of the Lebanese men and women regarding violent behavior between spouses?  Are there any campaigns undertaken to raise awareness regarding violence against women?  Do these campaigns aim at changing men’s opinion about women?

16.   Are there any programs that educate all women about their rights?  If so, does the media help in the promotion of these programs?

17.   What are the measures and guidelines undertaken to bring the authorities to apply the laws with regards to violence against women, including violence within the household?

18.   Are there any shelters that cater to women who suffer violence within the household?

19.   Is there regulation regarding the distribution of films and magazines that promote sex and violence?

20.   Are there cases of sexual solicitation and sexual harassment in Lebanon?  What are the measures taken to prohibit such acts?  Are there laws that regulate such matters?

21.   Are there any special measures undertaken regarding sexual offense on children or sexual exploitation of children?

22.   Are there any special measures taken to deal with discrimination in matters related to marriage, divorce, polygamy and female circumcision?  Are there programs that raise awareness on the need to eliminate these practices?

Article 6

States parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislation to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.

Commentary

Article 6 recognizes the need to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.  This includes new forms of traffic and exploitation such as sexual tourism and domestic labor.  The measures called by the Convention are directed against those who profit from the exploitation of women, including the exploitation of girls. They do not target the women involved.  The Committee stresses in particular the need for measures to combat conditions which very often are the root of much of female prostitution, such as poverty, illiteracy, lack of employment opportunities and underdevelopment.  These measures should include training and education and the creation of job opportunities.

Questions

1.       Is there legislation in Lebanon that prohibits traffic of women and girls?  If so, is it effectively implemented?  What are the punitive measures imposed in cases of traffic of women and girls?

2.       Is prostitution legal?  In case of illegal prostitution, are the prostitutes and clients summoned before a court? What are the punitive measures imposed on a prostitute?  What are the punitive measures imposed on a client?  Are these measures implemented? Are there any laws regarding child prostitution? If so please specify.

3.       If prostitution is legal, are there any sanctions imposed in order to protect prostitutes from being exploited?  Are there any health measures taken to combat sexually transmitted diseases and prevent the spread of AIDS? What is the widespread opinion of society with regards to prostitution?  Are there any mechanisms in place to help prostitutes find jobs in other fields? 

4.       Does the special law regarding violence against women include rape and sexual aggression?  Are the provisions of this law applicable to all women, including prostitutes? Are these provisions effectively implemented?

5.       Did the war, armed conflict and occupation of Lebanese territory by foreign armed forces, have a direct impact on the increase of sexual exploitation of women.

6.       What are the existing special laws regarding women’s exploitation and prostitution?

7.       Are there laws and policies that protect women and adolescent girls from agencies involved in women’s exploitation?  Are there laws and policies that are being enforced with regards to marriage bureaux, more precisely with regards to marriage arrangements with foreigners?

8.       Is the involvement of a third party as middleman, in women’s prostitution considered illegal?

9.       What are the obstacles that prevent the elimination of prostitution and exploitation and traffic of women? If so please indicate the nature of these obstacles?

10.   Are there Lebaneselaws that sanction family relatives that exploit women and young girls? Is there any legislation with regards to sexual tourism?  If yes, please indicate if it is implemented effectively?

Article 7

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:

a)       To vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;

b)       To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;

c)       To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations with the public and political life of the country.

Commentary

Article 7(a) ensures the right for women to vote and to participate as candidates in all publicly elected bodies.  It reaffirms the principle that women have the same political rights as men concerning the right to vote and to be elected already contained in the Convention on the Political Rights of Women of 1952.  Moreover, it not only confirms the right to vote in all elections, but guarantees also the right to vote in all public referenda.  Article 7(b) broadens the meaning of women’s participation in political and public life by adding the right “to participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof”, thereby widening the scope of political rights of women to include an active sense of participation.  As for article 7(c), it confirms women’s right to participate in non-governmental organizations and other associations within the political and public life of the country.  Real equality requires that there be an equal opportunity to influence law and policy, to ensure that matters of concern to women are accorded proper priority.  Therefore, the States Parties should take all necessary measures to encourage women’s participation in the political arena as voter and as political candidate.

Questions

1.       What is the number of women participating in the overall political and public life of Lebanon?  Does a woman enjoy the right to vote in all elections on equal terms with men?  If so, please indicate the laws that guarantee this right.  What is the percentage of women members of political parties?  What is the nature of the work undertaken by women within these political parties?

2.       What are the measures taken by the political parties to add women’s membership?  What is the number of women that run as candidates for committees that hold general elections, locally and nationally?  Please indicate the number of women elected compared to men. 

3.       Do women enjoy the same conditions as men when it comes to running, in general elections, as candidates for leading positions? Please indicate the percentage of women in the various levels of central and local government bodies in public elected and appointed offices.  Please indicate the number of women currently elected to parliament, and appointed to different governmental and diplomatic offices.

4.       Please indicate the number of women that participate in general elections and referendums?

5.       Please indicate the number of measures taken to ensure the participation of women in the establishment and implementation at all levels of a developmental planning.  What are the help services available in Lebanon to enable women to participate in public life?  Are there programs to attract a bigger number of women to public and political position?

6.       Are women members of different professional corporations?  Have measures been taken to encourage such participation and membership?

7.       Is the woman promoted in her job? Does pregnancy and motherhood have any impact on her promotion?

8.       Is there discrimination against women or violation of their human rights because of their political activities as members of women’s organizations?  If so please specify.

9.       What is the extent of participation of women’s organizations in the elaboration of policies?  Are there means undertaken to ensure this sort of participation?

Article 8

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure to women, on equal terms with men and without any discrimination, the opportunity to represent their Governments at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations.

Commentary

This article, in accordance with article 8 of the UN Charter, addresses the importance of States Parties to take the appropriate measures to ensure the opportunity for women to “represent their country at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations.”

As for the Committee, it recommends, in its general recommendation no 8 (seventh session 1988), that States Parties make use of temporary special measures as stated in article 4 of the Convention “to ensure the full implementation of article 8 of the Convention and to ensure to women on equal terms with men and without any discrimination the opportunities to represent their Government at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations”.  It also recommends, in its general recommendation no 10 (eight session 1989), States Parties to consider “encouraging action to ensure the full implementation of the principles of the Convention and, in particular, article 8 which relates to the participation of women at all levels of activity of the United Nations and the United Nations system”.

Questions

1.       Do women enjoy the right and opportunity to represent their Government at the international level, and to participate in the work of international organizations on equal terms with men and without any discrimination?

2.       Please indicate the number of Lebanese women heading diplomatic missions and delegations.  Also indicate the number of Lebanese women that are part of a diplomatic mission and delegation.  Please specify their functions.

3.       Please indicate the number of women participating in delegations to international meetings and conferences.  What are their fields of expertise?

4.       Please indicate the percentage of Lebanese women that are employed in international organizations and local organizations.  What are their main fields of expertise? Also provide information on the percentage of women proposed by Lebanon to fill the vacancies within the United Nations system.  If so, what are the positions held by women, and in what proportion?

5.       Are there cases where, based on her gender, a woman has not been assigned to represent her country or to participate in the activities of international organizations?

6.       Are there programs that aim at encouraging women to join the diplomatic corps or to seek employment within international organizations?

Article 9

State Parties shall grant women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their nationality.  They shall ensure in particular that neither marriage to an alien nor change of nationality by the husband during marriage shall automatically change the nationality of the wife, render her stateless or force upon her the nationality of the husband.

States Parties shall grand women equal rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children.

Commentary

According to this article, women, on an equal footing with men, shall have the right to acquire, change or retain their nationality, and that marriage or a change in the husband’s nationality during marriage shall not automatically affect the woman’s nationality.  Women shall also have the same rights as men regarding the nationality of their children.  In its general recommendation no 21 (13th session, 1994), the Committee stated that nationality is critical to full participation in society.  In general, States confer nationality on those who are born in that country.  Nationality can also be acquired by reason of settlement, or granted for humanitarian reasons such as statelessness.  Without status as nationals or citizens, women are deprived of the right to vote or to stand for public office and may be denied access to public benefits and a choice of residence.  Nationality should be capable of change by an adult woman and should not be arbitrarily removed because of marriage or dissolution of marriage or because her husband or father changes his nationality.

It should also be noted that, in implementing, States Parties are obliged to establish the formal legal equality of men and women with regard to acquiring, changing, retaining or conferring their nationality upon the spouse or children.

Questions

1.       Can the Lebanese woman, regardless of her marital status, have equal rights with the Lebanese man to acquire, change or retain her nationality? Please specify the cultural and socio-economic factors that affect the implementation of these rights.

2.       Does marriage to a non-Lebanese man affect the Lebanese women's nationality in any way?

3.       According to Lebanese law, is a person's citizenship established by birth, by marriage, or by parentage? In the latter case, does a Lebanese mother's citizenship carry equal weight with that of the Lebanese father?

4.       In Lebanon, do women and men exercise the same rights with regards to obtaining residence and employment status for their non-citizen spouse?

5.       Can women get a passport or travel without the permission of their husbands or male guardians?

6.       How is the nationality of the Lebanese child established? Are passports issued for children? If not, can children travel on their mother's passport? If so, is the father's consent required to include children on their mother's passport? Is the consent of the parents of a minor required prior to him/her leaving the country? Please specify.

Article 10

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rights with men, in the field of education and in particular to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women:

a)       The same conditions for career and vocational guidance, for access to studies and for the achievement of diplomas, in educational establishments of all categories in rural as well as in urban areas; this equality shall be ensured in pre-school, general, technical, professional and higher technical education, as well as in all types of vocational training;

b)       Access to the same curricula, the same examinations, teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard and school premises and equipment of the same quality;

c)       The elimination of any stereotyped concept of the roles of men and women at all levels and in all forms of education by encouraging coeducation and other types of education which will help to achieve this aim and, in particular, by the revision of textbooks and school programs and the adaptation of teaching methods;

d)       The same opportunities to benefit from scholarships and other study grants;

e)       The same opportunities for access to programs of continuing education, including adult and functional literacy programs, particularly those aimed at reducing, at the earliest possible time, any gap in education existing between men and women;

f)         The reduction of female student drop-out rates and the organization of programmes for girls and women who have left school prematurely;

g)       The same opportunities to participate actively in sports and physical education;

h)       Access to specific educational information to help to ensure the health and well-being of families, including information and advice on family planning.

Commentary

This article recognizes the importance of education in enabling women and men to participate on an equal footing in all aspects of the life of their countries.  Girls should be given the same educational opportunities as boys to enable them to participate fully in society, to compete in the workforce on equal terms, and to have an equal opportunity to gain economic independence.  Special measures are necessary to ensure that these opportunities are available, and that they are taken and to provide for the needs of women who have not had access to equal opportunity in the past.

According to paragraphs (a), (b) and (e) of article 10, equal opportunities should be attributed to women, when it comes to career and vocational guidance, access to studies and the achievement of diplomas, in educational establishments of all categories in rural as well as in urban areas.  Women should also have access to the same curricula, the same examinations and the same programs of continuing education.  This includes adult and functional literacy programs; particularly those aimed at quickly reducing any gap in education existing between men and women.  Paragraphs (c) and (f) aim at the elimination of any stereotyped concept of the roles of men and women at all levels and in all forms of education and the reduction of female student drop-out rates.  These goals can be reached by encouraging coeducation and the organization of programs for girls and women who have left school prematurely.  As for paragraph (h), it states that women and young girls should have access to specific educational information to help to ensure the health and well-being of families, including information and advice on family planning.

Questions

1.       Are legislative and administrative measures being undertaken to guarantee equal access to education for men and women? Are these measures being implemented effectively?

2.       Can Lebanese girls take the same subjects as boys, at primary and secondary school and university? If so, are these girls aware of the opportunities that are available to them? What is the percentage of female graduates from primary, secondary schools and universities?

3.       What are the overall literacy rates for males and females?  Please also specify according to the following categories:

a)       15-24

b)       25-44

c)       45 and above

4.       In schools that are not co-educational, are the teaching staff, curricula, examinations, school premises and equipment of the same quality for boys and girls? Please specify the differences.

5.       Do girls have the opportunity to pursue the same studies as boys?

6.       What is the percentage of women graduating in the following fields

a)       Law

b)       Engineering

c)       Arts and Sciences

d)       Medicine

e)       Agriculture

7.       Are scholarships and grants equally available to women and men?  What is the average number of women shortlisted per year for such scholarships and grants as compared to men? Are there any scholarships and grants available only for men? Are there any scholarships and grants available only for women?

8.       What is the percentage of women enrolled each year in adult education and literacy programs?  Are there any obstacles to women's enrollement? Please specify.  Do such obstacles affect a particular group of women (such as migrant women)?

9.       Please identify the laws and policies that strive to keep girls in school until school leaving age.  Is education compulsory? Please specify.

10.   What educational programmes are available for girls and women who have dropped out of school? What are the qualifications and experiences of the teachers in such programmes?

11.   Please indicate the dropout rates for women at primary, secondary and post-secondary levels (refer to statistics if available).  What are the major causes?<