CEDAW/C/CHE/CO/4-5 Poverty and social welfare 42. The Committee welcomes the overall reduction in household poverty in the State party, in line with the recommendations made by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Social Affairs in 2013, but is concerned that: (a) Women, in particular single mothers, older women, divorced rural women, migrant women, unemployed women and women involved in unpaid care work, are disproportionately affected by poverty; (b) The rules regarding maintenance payments vary significantly by canton, including when a parent neglects his or her obligations to provide child maintenance, and, in some cases, the parent beneficiary may later be requested to pay maintenance payments back; (c) Maintenance payments are taxed as income, ultimately increasing the single parent’s tax burden and overstretching already limited financial resources; (d) The Federal Council rejected the introduction of minimum maintenance payments for children after the divorce of their parents. 43. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Adopt a national poverty reduction strategy with a focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of women and integrating a human rights- and gender-based approach; (b) Adopt, and implement in all cantons, the recommendations made by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Social Affairs in 2013 on how to design a system of child maintenance and eliminate the obligation placed on the parent beneficiary to pay back maintenance payments; (c) Introduce a means-tested child allowance, as proposed by the Federal Council, as a matter of priority; (d) Introduce minimum maintenance payments for children after their parents separate or divorce. Rural women 44. The Committee notes the information provided by the State party in relation to rural women, but remains concerned that female farmers are often left in a vulnerable situation following divorce and unable to recover any personal assets or have access to unemployment insurance benefits. The Committee is also concerned that laws governing the inheritance of property often prevent widows from inheriting farms in the event of their husband’s death. The Committee is further concerned at the underrepresentation of women in farmers’ unions and other policy, political and legislative bodies governing the rights of farmers. 45. The Committee recommends that the State party give full attention to the economic empowerment of rural women, in particular women farmers, and ensure their access to and control over land, as well as their access to credit facilities and training opportunities. It also recommends that steps be taken to raise awareness among rural women about their rights in the event of separation or divorce. 16/19 16-20858