The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Slovenia, with Experts commending the State on the high level of political and economic participation by women, and asking questions about issues facing Roma women and the representation of girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies.
A Committee Expert commended Slovenia on progress made, particularly in regard to the most recent elections, where women represented 40 per cent of members of Parliament, and the first female President had been elected. Another Expert commended that Slovenia ranked 12 out of 136 countries in women's economic participation.
Elgun Safarov, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Slovenia, asked what was being done to prevent domestic violence in communities, particularly Roma and migrant communities? Another Expert noted that issues with Roma girls included early pregnancy and marriage. Was the marriage age of 15 with judicial exception having an impact on this phenomenon? What measures were being taken to ensure that marginalised women, including Roma women, had access to long-term employment?
A Committee Expert noted that girls ranked low in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. What was the overall policy for addressing gender diversity in these areas? Would temporary special measures be considered to address this gap?
