CEDAW/C/CRI/CO/5-6

Costa Rica (CEDAW 02-08-2011)

The Committee considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Costa Rica (CEDAW/C/CRI/5-6) at its 978th and 979th meetings, on 11 July 2011 (see CEDAW/C/SR.978 and 979). The Committee’s list of issues and questions is contained in CEDAW/C/CRI/Q/5-6 and the responses are contained in CEDAW/C/CRI/Q/5-6/Add.1.

Concluding observations

Disadvantaged groups of women

40. The Committee takes note of the establishment of regulations aiming to respect the identity of transgender women in the identity photograph cards issued by the Civil Registry Office. However, it expresses its concern about discrimination in the State party against lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women in access to education, employment and health-care services. The Committee is also concerned at information received indicating that some of these women are victims of abuse and mistreatment by health service providers and law enforcement officials.
41. The Committee calls on the State party to provide effective protection against violence and discrimination against women, in line with the recommendation under the universal periodic review (A/HRC/13/15 and Add.1) accepted by the State party. In this regard, the Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to combat discrimination against women based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, including by launching a sensitization campaign aimed at the general public, as well as providing appropriate training to law enforcement officials and health service providers, in order to avoid abuse and mistreatment of these women.