5.
The Committee refers also to its earlier general recommendations on female
circumcision, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(HIV/AIDS), disabled women, violence against women and equality in family
relations, all of which refer to issues that are integral to full compliance with article 12
of the Convention.
6.
While biological differences between women and men may lead to differences
in health status, there are societal factors that are determinative of the health status of
women and men and can vary among women themselves. For that reason, special
attention should be given to the health needs and rights of women belonging to
vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, such as migrant women, refugee and internally
displaced women, the girl child and older women, women in prostitution, indigenous
women and women with physical or mental disabilities.
7.
The Committee notes that the full realization of women’s right to health can be
achieved only when States parties fulfil their obligation to respect, protect and
promote women’s fundamental human right to nutritional well-being throughout their
lifespan by means of a food supply that is safe, nutritious and adapted to local
conditions. To this end, States parties should take steps to facilitate physical and
economic access to productive resources, especially for rural women, and to otherwise
ensure that the special nutritional needs of all women within their jurisdiction are met.
Article 12
8.
Article 12 reads as follows:
“1.
States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure, on
a basis of equality of men and women, access to health-care services,
including those related to family planning.
“2.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article, States
parties shall ensure to women appropriate services in connection with
pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period, granting free services where
necessary, as well as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.”
States parties are encouraged to address the issue of women’s health throughout the
woman’s lifespan. For the purposes of the present general recommendation,
therefore, “women” includes girls and adolescents. The general recommendation will
set out the Committee’s analysis of the key elements of article 12.
Key elements
Article 12 (1)
9.
States parties are in the best position to report on the most critical health issues
affecting women in that country. Therefore, in order to enable the Committee to
evaluate whether measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of
health care are appropriate, States parties must report on their health legislation, plans