CEDAW/C/BRB/CO/5-8 fields and devise an effective strategy to ensure the full implementation of the Convention; (b) Undertake independent, participatory and periodic impact assessments of the extraterritorial effects of its financial secrecy and corporate tax policies on women’s rights and the substantive equality of women and men, ensuring that such assessments are conducted impartially and with public disclosure of the methodology and findings; (c) Continue to strengthen its programmes to combat the feminization of poverty, in particular among women-headed households; (d) Address barriers to women’s entrepreneurship by devising specific programmes and developing evaluation mechanisms; (e) Design specific interventions to leverage opportunities for the economic empowerment of women and ensure that they are involved in the design of those strategies and programmes, focusing on women not only as victims or beneficiaries but also as active participants in the formulation and implementation of such policies. Rural women 39. The Committee notes the activities undertaken by the State party’s Rural Development Commission. Nevertheless, it is concerned at the disadvantaged status of women in rural areas and regrets the limited data on their situation and on the measures taken by the State party to address poverty among rural women and to fully ensure their access to justice, education, formal employment, skills development and training opportunities, health, housing, income -generating opportunities and microcredit. 40. The Committee recommends that the State party seek international assistance and cooperation, as appropriate, to improve infrastructure in rural areas, formulate policies to combat poverty among rural women, and ensure their access to justice, education, formal employment, skills development and training opportunities, health, housing, income-generating opportunities, microcredit and ownership and use of land, taking into account their specific needs, in line with general recommendation No. 34 (2016) on the rights of rural women. Women with disabilities 41. The Committee is concerned at the lack of public policies and measures to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities, including their rights to inclusive education, employment, health care, housing and participation in political and public life, as well as the absence of mechanisms to protect women and girls with disabilities from intersecting forms of discrimination, gender -based violence and abuse. The Committee is also concerned at the alleged practice of the forced sterilization of women recognized as legally incapable, with the sole consen t of their guardian and without their free, prior and informed consent or an impartial examination by a court. 42. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Adopt comprehensive policies and programmes to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities, in particular those facing intersecting forms of discrimination, ensuring their equal access to mainstream education, employment, housing, health-care and other basic services, as well as social 17-11292 11/14