ICESCR concluding observations 2025, paragraph 31
Plain English recommendation
In line with UN advice on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights, Government should:
(a) Do more to work against harmful gender stereotypes and encourage changes in attitudes, including by addressing how women are often shown in the media in stereotypical or objectifying ways;
(b) Ensure access to justice for women and improve how gender-based violence is handled by strengthening laws, public policies and investigation procedures, along with better protection, remedies and support for victims;
(c) Improve budgeting by ensuring it considers gender equality to ensure that women have equal access to work, social security, healthcare, education and leadership roles in both public and private sectors. This should include targeted action for disabled women, women from ethnic minorities (like Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers), women of African, Asian and Arab backgrounds, women from Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, and lesbian, bisexual, intersex and transgender women.
Original UN recommendation
Recalling its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights, the Committee recommends that the State Party, along with the devolved governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales:
(a) Intensify efforts to combat negative gender stereotypes and promote attitudinal change, including by addressing stereotypical imaging and the objectification of women in the media;
(b) Ensure women’s access to justice and strengthen responses to gender-based violence through comprehensive legislation, public policies and investigation protocols, alongside robust protection, remedies and support for victims;
(c) Enhance gender-responsive budgeting to guarantee women’s equal access to employment, social security, healthcare, education and decision-making roles in both the public and private sectors, with targeted measures for women with disabilities, women from ethnic minorities, including Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, women of African, Asian and Arab descent, women members of Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and lesbian, bisexual, intersex and transgender women.
Date of UN examination
12/03/2025
Original UN document
Download the original ICESCR concluding observations 2025 on the UN website.
Last updated on 21/08/2025