The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) urges the government of Iceland to increase the number of female police officers. CEDAW performs regular studies of the progress member nations are making toward achieving the elimination of gender based discrimination as well as monitoring the implementation of the convention, which has been ratified by 189 states.
Read more: Iceland closer to closing the gender gap than any other country
The concluding observations of the last reports on Iceland find that the country has continued to make headway, including significant legislative reforms such as a tougher stance on human trafficking, gender-responsive budgeting, improvements to legislation against discrimination and a new law requiring a gender quota on the boards of limited liability companies. The committee also commends Iceland for the high percentage of women in Parliament. When parliaent convened in September 2015 44.4% of MP's were women.
Read more: As Althingi reconvenes record numbers of women take their seat in parliament
However, the CEDAW also identifies room for improvement and items of concern. One is the continuing existence of stereotypes concerning the roles of men and women that have a negative impact on women’s position and opportunities. It therefore recommends that the government take steps to eliminate stereotypes that might deter boy’s and girl’s enrolment in non-traditional educational and occupational choices, women’s advancement in academia, on the labour market, in family and the society.
One step to break down stereotypes about women’s and men’s roles is to take measures to increase the number of women in the police force:
The Committee recommends that [Iceland]: Take prompt targeted measures, including temporary special measures, with clear timeframes […] to rapidly increase women’s representation in the police force, on the Supreme Court and in decision-making positions in the foreign service (ambassadors).
The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) urges the government of Iceland to increase the number of female police officers. CEDAW performs regular studies of the progress member nations are making toward achieving the elimination of gender based discrimination as well as monitoring the implementation of the convention, which has been ratified by 189 states.
Read more: Iceland closer to closing the gender gap than any other country
The concluding observations of the last reports on Iceland find that the country has continued to make headway, including significant legislative reforms such as a tougher stance on human trafficking, gender-responsive budgeting, improvements to legislation against discrimination and a new law requiring a gender quota on the boards of limited liability companies. The committee also commends Iceland for the high percentage of women in Parliament. When parliaent convened in September 2015 44.4% of MP's were women.
Read more: As Althingi reconvenes record numbers of women take their seat in parliament
However, the CEDAW also identifies room for improvement and items of concern. One is the continuing existence of stereotypes concerning the roles of men and women that have a negative impact on women’s position and opportunities. It therefore recommends that the government take steps to eliminate stereotypes that might deter boy’s and girl’s enrolment in non-traditional educational and occupational choices, women’s advancement in academia, on the labour market, in family and the society.
One step to break down stereotypes about women’s and men’s roles is to take measures to increase the number of women in the police force:
The Committee recommends that [Iceland]: Take prompt targeted measures, including temporary special measures, with clear timeframes […] to rapidly increase women’s representation in the police force, on the Supreme Court and in decision-making positions in the foreign service (ambassadors).
