separate words diacritics
CRC/C/COL/CO/4-5
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Colombia (CRC 06-03-2015)
The Committee considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Colombia (CRC/C/COL/4–5) at its 1955th and 1957th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.1955 and 1957), held on 20 and 21 January 2015, and at its 1983rd meeting, held on 30 January 2015, adopted the following concluding observations.
Concluding observations
B. General principles (arts. 2, 3, 6 and 12)
Non-discrimination
- While noting the measures taken to eliminate discrimination against children in marginalized or disadvantaged situations, the Committee is deeply concerned about:
(a) The structural discrimination against indigenous, Afro-Colombian and displaced children, children with disabilities, children living with HIV/AIDS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, and children living in rural, remote and marginalized urban areas, particularly affecting their right to education and health and exposing them to violence;
(b) The persistent patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes that discriminate against girls and women, resulting in an extremely high prevalence of violence against girls.
- The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Strengthen its efforts to eliminate discrimination against children in marginalized situations by providing adequate resources for relevant policies and affirmative measures to ensure that children gain de facto enjoyment of their rights, in particular their rights to education and health.
(b) Take the necessary measures to eliminate patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes that discriminate against girls and women, including through strengthening the implementation of the Public Policy on Gender Equality and through educational and awareness-raising programmes;
(c) Monitor the portrayal of children in the media, on the Internet and in statements of public officials, and ensure that the authorities, civil servants, the media, teachers, children and the general public are sensitized to the negative impact of stereotypes on children’s rights;
(d) Facilitate child-friendly complaint mechanisms in educational establishments, health centres, juvenile detention centres, alternative-care institutions and in any other setting;
(e) Include information in its next periodic report on measures in this regard undertaken by the State party as follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, as well as the outcome document of the 2009 Durban Review Conference.