The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) raised concern over persisting discrimination and stereotypes against Buraku women at the 17 October review of Japan. The Committee’s Concluding Observations specifically identify, and make recommendations to address, the intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Burkau women, including by drafting a national policy.

The Committee acknowledged progress made by Japan since 2016, whilst reiterating its concern regarding the prevailing gender stereotypes, gender-based violence, unequal participation, employment challenges, lack of economic empowerment, and gender-based discrimination that Buraku women are subjected to.

The Committee’s Concluding Observations specifically identify, and makes recommendations to address, the intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Burkau women, which limits their access to education, employment and health.

Recalling previous recommendations, the Committee made several recommendations to address gender stereotypes, including the drafting and implementation of a national policy to ensure gender stereotypes against Buraku and ethnic minority women are effectively addressed.

The Committee noted that Japan has promoted awareness of unconscious gender bias and challenged norms. However, it expressed concern about the persisting gender stereotypes against Buraku women and girls that are a root cause of sexual and gender-based violence.

The need for further action to address gender-based violence against women was also stressed. Notably, they relay reports that access to support services for victims of gender-based violence is challenging for rural women and those facing intersectional discrimination. Therefore, the Committee recommended that Japan provide or adequately fund support services and shelters that attend to the diversity of survivors.

It was also noted that there is an underrepresentation of women, including Buraku women, in decision-making systems that impact their lives, and it was recommended that Japan take specific measures, including temporary special measures, to promote the representation of Burkau and other minority women.

Additionally, concern that the prohibited grounds of discrimination and harassment faced by women in the workplace are limited, not encompassing and addressing discrimination faced by Burkau women, was expressed by the Committee. Accordingly, Japan has received the recommendation that they train judges on the uses of CEDAW.

IDSN welcomes and reiterates the Committee’s concern and recommendations pertaining to Buraku women and stresses the need to furthermore address Buraku women specifically in relation to access to justice, national human rights institutions, economic empowerment of women, and the collection and analysis of data.

The review was carried out at the Palais des Nation, Geneva. A recording can be accessed on UN Web TV via the following links, session 1, session 2.

*Link to Concluding Observations