Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls

The Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls is a thematic mandate under the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council. It is composed of independent experts appointed to examine, monitor and report on discrimination against women and girls in all its forms, across all regions. The mandate was established by the Human Rights Council in 2010, with the first members taking up their roles that year. The Working Group is supported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and is based in Geneva. The Working Group carries out country visits, prepares thematic reports, issues communications on individual cases and situations of concern, and engages with governments, civil society and other stakeholders. Its work covers a broad range of issues, including legal and policy frameworks, access to justice, economic and social rights, violence against women, and intersecting forms of discrimination. Over the years it has conducted country missions and produced reports on numerous states, including Mauritania, Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, China, Iceland, Chile, Spain, Peru, Senegal, the United States, Hungary, Kuwait, Chad, Samoa, Poland, Greece, Romania, the Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Thailand. The Working Group is made up of five independent experts serving in their personal capacity. As of the evidence available, the members are Claudia Flores (United States), Chair; Ivana Krstić (Serbia), Vice-Chair; Dorothy Estrada-Tanck (Mexico); Haina Lu (China); and Laura Nyirinkindi (Uganda). Former members include Ivana Radačić (Croatia, 2017–2023), Melissa Upreti (Nepal/United States, 2017–2023), Elizabeth Broderick (Australia, 2017–2023), Meskerem Geset Techane (Ethiopia, 2017–2023), Emna Aouij (Tunisia, 2010–2017), Kamala Chandrakirana (Indonesia, 2010–2017), Alda Facio (Costa Rica, 2014–2020), Frances Raday (Israel/United Kingdom, 2010–2017), Eleonora Zielińska (Poland, 2010–2017), Patricia Olamendi Torres (Mexico, 2012–2013) and Mercedes Barquet (Mexico, 2011–2012). In October 2024, three special rapporteurs and the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls considered the ban on the hijab in sport in France to be discriminatory. The Working Group continues to function as an active special procedures mandate, publishing reports and recommendations aimed at eliminating discrimination against women and girls globally.

The Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls is a thematic mandate established under the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council. It was created in 2010, when the first members were appointed. The mandate was designed to address discrimination against women and girls in all its forms, including in law, policy and practice, and to provide a dedicated expert mechanism within the UN human rights system. Since its establishment, the Working Group has carried out country visits and prepared reports on a wide range of states. According to the available evidence, it has produced country reports concerning Mauritania, Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, China, Iceland, Chile, Spain, Peru, Senegal, the United States, Hungary, Kuwait, Chad, Samoa, Poland, Greece, Romania, the Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Thailand. These reports typically assess legal frameworks, institutional practices and societal factors that contribute to discrimination against women and girls. The Working Group also issues thematic reports and communications. Its members serve in their personal capacity for fixed terms. The first members, appointed in 2010, included Emna Aouij (Tunisia), Kamala Chandrakirana (Indonesia), Frances Raday (Israel/United Kingdom) and Eleonora Zielińska (Poland), who served until 2017. Other early members included Mercedes Barquet (Mexico, 2011–2012) and Patricia Olamendi Torres (Mexico, 2012–2013). Alda Facio (Costa Rica) served from 2014 to 2020. A later cohort appointed in 2017 included Elizabeth Broderick (Australia), Meskerem Geset Techane (Ethiopia), Melissa Upreti (Nepal/United States) and Ivana Radačić (Croatia), all of whom served until 2023. As of the evidence available, the current members are Claudia Flores (United States), Chair; Ivana Krstić (Serbia), Vice-Chair; Dorothy Estrada-Tanck (Mexico); Haina Lu (China); and Laura Nyirinkindi (Uganda). In October 2024, three special rapporteurs and the Working Group considered the ban on the hijab in sport in France to be discriminatory. This reflects the Working Group's ongoing engagement with issues of religious dress, gender equality and discrimination in various contexts. The Working Group continues to operate as an active special procedures mandate, supported by OHCHR and based in Geneva.

• 2024

  In October, three special rapporteurs and the Working Group consider France's ban on the hijab in sport to be discriminatory.

• 2017

  New cohort of members appointed: Elizabeth Broderick, Meskerem Geset Techane, Melissa Upreti and Ivana Radačić (all serve until 2023).

• 2014

  Alda Facio (Costa Rica) joins the Working Group (2014–2020).

• 2012

  Patricia Olamendi Torres (Mexico) serves as member (2012–2013).

• 2011

  Mercedes Barquet (Mexico) serves as member (2011–2012).

• 2010

  Mandate established; first members appointed, including Emna Aouij, Kamala Chandrakirana, Frances Raday and Eleonora Zielińska.

1. 1Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girlswikidata.org
2. 2Groupe de travail sur la discrimination à l'égard des femmes et des fillesfr.wikipedia.org
3. 3OHCHR - Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girlsohchr.org