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Effective, independent and impartial complaint and appeal mechanisms exist

 

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTION

  • Are independent complaint mechanisms in place to protect women’s rights and cases of gender-based discrimination?
  • Does your country have an Equality Body assisting victims of discrimination, monitoring and reporting on discrimination issues, and promoting equality?
  • Are government institutions and their staff aware of those complaint mechanisms?
  • Are complaints dealt with efficiency and impartiality?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?


Independent monitoring mechanisms, such as gender equality or human rights commissions, provide independent recourse for complaints related to gender-based violation of rights and discrimination and oversee the implementation of gender equality commitments of the government. Such independent oversight bodies need sufficient authority over national government institutions  to be truly independent and impartial. They can help provide checks on various government entities, and also contribute to the longevity and sustainability of gender equality reform during periods of change in the political environment. Equality bodies can provide reliable information about the challenges faced by victims of gender-based discrimination and gender-based crimes (including gender-based violence) and on the challenges in the actual implementation of gender equality policies in the country.

ACTIONS TO CONSIDER

 

  • Establish an independent complaint and appeal mechanism to protect rights for gender equality and consider complaints related to gender-based discrimination;
  • Ensure that there is political commitment to ensure the independence, impartiality and sustainability of gender equality complaint and appeal mechanisms/ bodies;
  • Conduct communication and information regarding gender equality complaint and appeal mechanisms/ bodies to ensure that government institutions as well as other stakeholders are aware of their existence and they understand they are accessible

 

PITFALLS TO AVOID

  • Absence of complaint and appeal mechanisms/ bodies to protect rights for gender equality;
  • Gender equality complaint and appeal mechanisms are not known and/or accessible.

 

COUNTRY EXAMPLES

 

Sweden

In Sweden, the Equality Ombudsman is the government agency whose mandate is to protect equal rights and opportunities for all and fight discrimination on grounds of sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnic origin, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age. It primarily supervises compliance with the Discrimination Act and develops measures to prevent discrimination at work, in universities and at school. The institution also monitors compliance with parental leave laws, ensuring entitlement and take-up, and that parents who take their leave are not paying the price directly or indirectly in the workplace. Gender equality is part of the Equality Ombudsman’s remit. It analyses and evaluates gender gaps in a variety of areas (e.g. education and employment) to find ways of improve equality in the country.