Cairo, May 14th, 2026
The Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights, represented by Ms. Nehad Aboul Komsan, cassation lawyer and Chairperson of the Center, chaired the first session of the Arab regional consultation for the drafting of General Recommendation No. 41 of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW GR41), titled:
“CEDAW General Recommendation No. 41 on Dismantling Gender Stereotypes and the Unequal Power Relations that Sustain Them”
The consultation w
as held on May 13–14, 2026, in Cairo at the regional office of UN Women for the Arab States. It was jointly organized by UN Women and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, with the participation of experts, feminist organizations, and human rights groups from across the Arab region.
While moderating the opening session on the conceptual framework linking gender stereotypes and gender-based discrimination, Ms. Nehad Aboul Komsan emphasized that:
“Gender stereotypes are not limited to social or cultural perceptions; they become institutional practices that affect legislation, public policies, access to justice, women’s opportunities in public and economic spheres, as well as in the digital space.”
The session also discussed the role of laws, institutions, media, and social and religious discourse in reproducing unequal power relations, as well as the importance of developing more effective accountability mechanisms to combat gender-based discrimination and promote equality and justice.
These consultations are being held as part of the drafting process for General Recommendation No. 41, which the CEDAW Committee is developing to clarify states’ obligations in addressing gender stereotypes and social norms that contribute to the persistence of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
