HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS ND2 Justice systems and related institutions increasingly monitor and investigate discrimination and provide redress to victims. UN Human Rights contributed to the capacity-building of national institutions and equality bodies, mainly in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, and provided substantive inputs to national non-discrimination bills and plans of action against racism. For instance, as follow-up to recommendations issued by the UPR, UN Human Rights provided technical assistance to the Government of Belgium in its preparations of a national action plan against racism. In April, the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of indigenous Mayan midwives, in a strategic litigation case that was supported by OHCHR in Guatemala. The Court’s decision instructed the Ministry of Health to report on the implementation status of its internal policies for the provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare with an intercultural approach. Further, it ruled that the Ministry of Health must provide indigenous midwives with the tools and utensils they need to ensure quality, accessible and dignified reproductive healthcare. The Court ordered the Ministry of Health to develop adequate legal, technical and operational measures to ensure the effective inclusion of and respect for the customs, languages, practices and traditions of Maya, Garífuna, Xinca and Ladino women in the provision of maternal health services. ND3 Legal and social frameworks increasingly promote women’s and girls’ autonomy and choice and protect them from violence, including in the digital space. The Office’s conference on “Protecting Civic Space in the European Union” recommended that any new legislation in the EU relating to online civic space should strictly define what constitutes prohibited content in accordance with ICCPR and ICERD. It was also suggested that consideration be given to the adoption of EU legislation to combat violence and abuse against women online. As a result of its participation in the conference, the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency expanded its survey on civic space in follow-up to its 2018 report entitled “Challenges facing civil society organizations working on human rights in the EU” to include questions about online harassment of HRDs in general, and women in particular. In November, UN Human Rights was invited to highlight the human rights-based perspective at the Women’s Network of European Socialist Parties event on “Breaking the silence on online violence against women,” which focused on the consequences of women withdrawing from political life on account of online harassment. The then incoming European Commissioner for Equality attended the event and pledged to take action. OHCHR successfully engaged with the National Human Rights Commission and CSOs to advocate for enhancing the participation of women in public space in Niger. UN Human Rights’ advocacy contributed to the adoption by the Parliament, on 6 December, of the bill amending Law No. 2000-008 of June 2000 establishing the quota system in elective, government and State administration positions. The revised legislation instituted a quota system for the participation of women in elective, government and State administration functions. The objective is to increase the quotas from 15 to 25 per cent for elective positions and from 25 to 30 per cent for appointments to senior government positions. It is anticipated that this legislation will strengthen the participation of women in public and political life in Niger. ND4 Judicial institutions, media, and other sectors increasingly recognize and challenge harmful gender stereotypes and gender norms with a view to their eradication. Shifts: Climate change Corruption In Paraguay, Law No. 6338/19 was adopted on 1 July, amending article 10 of Law No. 5407/15 on domestic workers and improving their working conditions. This amendment was undertaken in response to a recommendation of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences during her visit to Paraguay in 2017. Inequalities New technologies People on the move UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2019 43

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